THE RULES OF CAMPING
Unwritten camping etiquette is important to be aware of, which is why we’ve listed them down for your benefit. When considering a hike and camp for the first time or if you have camped before, there are a few things you can do to make your camping experience a pleasant one. To make sure you can enjoy the space you’re sharing with other campers and make environment-friendly decisions, read on to find out what camping rules you should be aware of.
CAMPING RULES
Following camping rules prove to be helpful for newcomers to avoid common pitfalls and help fit in with other campers. You can recharge and get away from all the daily stresses of work and responsibilities, when you camp mindfully either deep in the woods or secure a spot for glamping. The camping rules you should keep in mind at all times are as stated below -
• Leave as little impact on your surroundings as possible
• Don’t disturb other campers around you
• Stay safe
CAMPING ETIQUETTE
If you’re sharing a campsite with others, it’s important to abide by quiet time at your campground after certain hours in the day. You might feel a little iffy going quiet after 10pm when it’s your much-awaited vacation time, but other campers may very well be using camping out to seek out a little quiet time, and it’s important to be mindful of this. This means:
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No loud music/sounds
• No generators during quiet hours
• No loud parties after 10pm
It’s wise to keep the noise at a minimum during early hours in the morning and late at night. This also involves keeping the volume low when conversing and using any equipment. Simple actions like closing a car door or boot can be loud and sudden, so keep this in mind when moving around during quiet hours.
Respect Others’ Privacy
Respecting your neighbor's space is part and parcel of being mindful of fellow campers. It's simple actions like taking the long route rather than cutting through occupied campsites to get to your destination and sticking to traveled paths so that you can ensure privacy for everyone around you. Make sure your kids stick to this etiquette and maintain peace and quiet while exploring or playing around.
Keep Facilities Clean & Respect Wildlife
It’s essential to keep your surroundings and facilities clean and tidy. This should include the following:
• Washing up area
• Laundry area
• Bathroom/toilets
• Showers
Make sure not to leave garbage unattended, so that you reduce your camping footprint and minimize the level of rodents and critters coming your way; campsite wildlife is known to be attracted by food leftovers.
WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN CAMPING
The not-to-dos in camping are also essential to consider, as peace needs to be maintained all throughout your trip, for your own benefit and others. Below you'll find a few things you should avoid doing:
• Don’t leave food sitting outside
• Don’t start a fire with gas
• Don’t set up camp in the dark
• Don’t feed the wildlife
• Don’t blast your music
• Don’t pack too many perishable items
HOW TO CAMP SAFELY
When trying to figure out how to camp safely, a few things fall under the category of safety, whether it’s safety from wildlife, safety from theft or safety from getting caught out in bad conditions. Here are a few things you can do before, during and after your camping trip to avoid the biggest pitfalls.
Your Environment
Before you hammer in your first tent peg, scout your location. You want to avoid camping directly under large gum trees and avoid creek beds and over ditches, if there’s a chance of rain. Camping is all about location, and while you might be drawn to areas that look great, make sure they’re also camping-friendly. If you choose to camp in an area where there are no bathroom or showering facilities, check out the camp showers collection and find the gear that suits your trip requirements.
Food & Drinks
Staying fed and watered is one of the most important aspects of camping, and while your food will likely be a little less sophisticated than what you’re used to having at home, make sure you don’t run out of food and water. Most parks are not connected to mains water, and tank water is usually unsuitable for consumption, so ensure you bring enough hydration and nutrition for everyone.
Weather
The sun is usually at its riskiest during the warmer seasons, and you’ll need the appropriate protection to stay safe from harmful UV rays. Stock up on sunglasses, hats and long-sleeve wear for more coverage if needed.
For regular campers, it’s common knowledge that the weather can change in a matter of seconds, especially when you’re getting ready for nightfall. Bring plenty of clothing choices, including thick socks, a tracksuit and a warm jumper to stay warm when temperatures drop drastically. When it comes to keeping warm, it’s all about layers!
