Setting up Camp

You may want to stay near a forest setting, near a lake or even close to the beach. When you first begin camping, you may want to find campgrounds that have designated camping areas and may be placed near other campers. As you get more experienced, you will want to begin looking for campgrounds that are not as "finished" and perhaps have fewer facilities and neighbors. If you are camping with children, it is usually nice to have a full-service campground nearby.

In many campgrounds, the RVs are on one side of the park and the tent sites are on the other. However, there will be some sites where you are close to the RVs. As a tent camper, you will like being separated from the vehicles, as it feels more natural this way. Facilities will vary at different campsites and this is especially true if you are private campgrounds. The more "rough" sites are often found in state and government parks. There are many sites in these parks where there is no water, electricity or any other amenity. However, some may have picnic tables, grills and possibly fire rings already established.

Setting Up Your Campsite

One of the best things about choosing a site is that you can choose the view you want. Perhaps you have a vision of your tent tucked away in a grove of trees. This is completely possible and you can choose the perfect campsite to suit the view and the vision that you have in mind. If you are camping with friends, you may envision a little town of tents where you all meet in the middle for food and drink. This is one of the great things about camping; you have so many options.

Location should always come first. When you are choosing your location find a relatively flat campsite where you are on high ground. This will prevent your tent from flooding should you experience inclement weather. You also do not want to step out of your tent into a puddle. Lowland can also mean stagnant water and this is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The most basic and best campsite will have convenient spaces, such as a spot for the tent, a place to cook and a place for a fire. One corner of the site can also be the "family room" where everybody enjoys each other's company and eats their meals.

Shade is important in the summer. If you're out in the woods, you will want the shade of trees. The shade protects your tent from damaging UV rays and the wind will make your campsite cooler. Watch for low hanging branches, as you do not want these scratching up your tent. You will also get a lot of sap on your tent as well. Trees are handy at the campsite, however. You can use them to make covered areas by tying tarps. You can hang your hammock and a clothesline. Be sure to check regulations on whether or not you can tie ropes around trees in your camping area.

You can also suspend your food bag to keep the critters out at night. Suspending your food is especially important if you are camping in bear country. Some campers will also put their food in their trunk at night. Be sure to research the rules in the area that you are camping, as they may have rules against tying ropes around trees or putting nails in trees. Another feature of a good site is one that allows the sun to warm your tent in the morning, but be shaded at night. You might also like some afternoon sun for warmth to dry out damp clothes or warm you during dinner set-up.

If you're really roughing it and camping in the wilderness, you will need to find a spot near a water supply. Camp should be set-up at least 200 feet away from the lake or stream to prevent you polluting the natural water source. The area where land and water meet is sensitive and home to several ecosystems. The vegetation in these areas helps to filter the water, but you want to be as environmentally conscious as possible. There will be situations where you have no choice but to camp close to the water. In this situation, be sure to do your best not to pollute and stay environmentally safe.

Site Plan

Whether your campsite is an established campsite in a campground or out in the wilderness, you need to have a functional site. Here are a few steps to follow to set your site up right:

1. Designated Mover: First, you will need someone to clear the site, but also note where the objects were beforehand. This is because you always want to leave things as you found them and you need to move things back when you're done. As you make these changes and if you have children, explain why you are moving things around and then tell them that you have to put things back before you leave. You will also be teaching them some good camping tips.
2. Campfire Location: If you are using a campfire, which most people will, your site will need to revolve around this location. Ideally, the wind should carry the smoke away from your campsite. But, as most people know, the wind always seems to change as soon as your tent is in the ground! The tent should also be about 15 feet away to hopefully keep it away from flying sparks. Clear an area of about 10 feet around the campfire of any litter, twigs, leaf or organic material. Rocks should be placed around the campfire pit.
3. Tent Location: You will want your tent site to be as level as possible. You will be okay if your head is slightly elevated, but it is difficult to sleep with your feet up, plus they might fall asleep on you. If the slant is sideways, then sleeping will practically be impossible. You may need to set-up your tent and then moving it around some to find the best location. You should also do a test lie down to ensure you will be comfortable. Before pitching your tent, you will also want to remove any pine cones, twigs, etc.
4. Kitchen Area: Set-up your cook site near the fire. You will want to be out of the main walkway of the campsite though. The eating area should be out of the path of the plate filling, stove tending, and fire feeding area as well.
5. Restroom Area: If you will be using a portable toilet, choose the location of this spot with great care. The same is true if you are not privileged to the luxuries of a portable toilet. Your toilet needs to be downwind and as private as possible. You can use your clothesline and tarps to make your own bathroom area.

Enjoy your camping trip and setting up camp.