How to be a Responsible Camper

Camping is one of my family’s favorite outdoor activities. Why do you think we’re the Five Happy Campers? An important part of camping is knowing how to be a responsible camper.

Having lived outside of D.C. in Northern Virginia for the last 15 years we yearn for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life…the assumption you can reply to an email the minute you get it, the distracted and hurried drivers, the 20 minutes it takes to drive four miles to the grocery store. You get the picture. It’s exhausting and sometimes you need a break. Camping is our family’s favorite way to unplug…literally…from whatever craziness is going on back home.

Camping can be an enjoyable experience for everyone, but it’s important to learn and remember how to be a considerate, responsible camper. Simply put you need to follow the rules of the of the campground. While we’ve done a lot of camping in the mid-Atlantic and northeast regions of the U.S. the rules are generally the same.

• Don’t move firewood. Your firewood may be hiding pests that can kill trees. Use kiln-dried firewood or buy from a local vendor. We have also gotten in the habit of asking nearby campers if they would like our unused firewood. No sense in taking it with you, especially if it’s from a local vendor and not kiln-dried. Also, we NEVER have room in our car.
• Respect quiet hours. Most campgrounds have quiet hours that are usually 10pm-7am. Sounds travel easily at night. The last thing you want to hear are campers playing music and staying up too late. It’ll cover up the natural sounds of the outdoors and won’t allow for enough rest to tackle whatever fun adventures you have in store.
• Do not feed, attract or harass wildlife. Clean up quickly after meals or snacks to avoid unintentionally attracting animals. Never store food or eat in your tent.
• Follow the speed limit. Campers walk on campground roads to reach bathrooms and kids can often be spotted playing near the road or riding bikes.
• Follow generator use rules. Not everyone can handle being in the great outdoors without air conditioning and a microwave. That’s okay. But generators are loud. Luckily most places have rules on what times they can be used so the beautiful sounds of nature aren’t drowned out by generators all day.
• Do not litter. This is a no-brainer.
• Always tend to your fires. Never leave a fire unattended and make sure it’s completely out before leaving your campsite for the day, going to bed or checking out of the campsite. Coals and ashes should be cold.
• Keep pets on a leash. Some kids and even adults are terrified of dogs. It’s true. The last thing you need is a screaming child because a dog ran over from the next campsite. We camped next to a couple last year with a small dog. They didn’t have it on a leash and he started going after a group of ducklings swimming campsite to campsite.
• Pack with safety in mind. Bring a first aid kit and be sure to tell someone where you’ll be in case of an emergency. Some of the best camping spots have limited cell phone service.
• Don’t cut through someone else’s campsite. Campsites are like yards. A few years ago we went camping at one of our favorite spots in the Adirondacks. We have a favorite site that we were able to reserve that year. Kris decided to take the girls up to the bait shop, but I stayed behind. I couldn’t wait to relax and soak in the view. Not even two minutes after they left a man walked through our campsite to the water’s edge and sat on a large rock about 10 feet from the tent. Then he got out his cell phone and proceeded to talk loudly to whoever was on the other line. He was like, “Can you hear me now? Can you hear me now?” I couldn’t take it. I’m usually a timid person but I crave the outdoors and go camping to get away from stuff like this. I politely asked him to leave and he obliged. I don’t think he realized I was there, but that’s why you should just avoid hanging out or walking through campsites that aren’t yours.