Choosing a campsite:

The process of carefully choosing a campsite is one not to be overlooked. The ease of setting up and breaking down camp. The luxury of waking up in a birch forest, by a quiet stream.

On the other hand, not knowing: heading merrily off into the woods and being quickly swarmed by mosquitoes. A creekbed which swells to engulf the camp. Or, having to encircle the camp, to fend off wild animals while others sleep. These are never pretty sights, yet often overlooked: experience is the one thing you get immediately after you need it!


    Worldguide's Seven Rules

  1. The number one rule of campsites is to select your campsite before dark. No end of trouble can be avoided by this one simple rule.
  2. A protective windbreak of trees or bushes in winter camping is essential. Shade and breeze in summer is equally important.
  3. Inspect the ground for level conditions. Grassy areas are ideal. Avoid closs underbrush or swampy areas, which could be a breeding ground for pests.
  4. The spot should have good drainage to be free of srunoff during heavy rainfall, and should be away from dead timber which may crash on the campsite during a violent storm.
  5. Determine the eastern horizon, and face the tent opening toward the morning sun.
  6. A quick view of the surrounding is always recommended. Do this before twilight if possible, so you don't get hurt inadvertantly because you make a wrong step. While making this round, keep an alert eye out for poison ivy, oak and sumac.
  7. In southwesterly States of the U.S. particularly, avoid camping wide, low creakbeds, which are subject to sudden flooding, and can fill in minutes when it rains. Check to see that you are not camping in or terribly near one of the flood plains.


    Pitching A Tent

  1. Lay the tent out on the ground to fit the floorspace you desire.

  2. Stake down the tent at this point if it's an older model.

    Or, insert the ribs if a newer model.

  3. For the older models, have someone hold the tent up on a center pole, then spread out the ribs like an umbrella.

    On the newers models, find the pegs at the corners of the tent and, by bending the ribs, insert the pegs into the hole at the ned of each rib.

  4. If a rainflap is a part of the tent, be suer to install it unless you can be sure it will not rain and the temperature is mild.


    Planning

  1. With camping particularly, and organized breakfast is the best way to go. Whatever the time the party wishes to get, agree on it the night before. If different memebers of a camping party are waking at all hours, then you'll never get onto your destinations.

  2. As corny as it sounds, assigning tasks is an excellent way of getting a group moving quickly, and keeping each party satisfied. besides, breakfast is hands-down the most important meal of the day when camping.

  3. If you can plan evening meals so that dishes can be done before nightfall, this is ideal.

  4. Don't be afraid to go where you want to go. Choose what compels you most -- not necessarily what the tourbooks say.


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