Girl Scouts Eco-Camping Minimal Impact

You made it to your campsite! Where are you putting your tent

• On the hillside so it won't flood

• Right next to the stream. So cool!

• There is some soft sand a little away from the stream. Comfy!

• Right on the trail where it's solid so you won't get lost

• A flattish, hard spot away from the water

You have a tarp for under your tent. What do you do with it?

• It goes under where I sleep in case it rains and to make the ground softer

• I spread it out all the way so there won't be dew near my tent

• I fold it so it comes just to the edges of my tent

• It goes over my tent if it rains

You live in an area where it could rain. Where do you want to avoid placing your tent?

• Next to the water

• At the top of the hill

• In a low spot

What are good parts of having your tents in a circle?

• We can look out and see in each other's tents when we're awake, so it's more fun

• We don't have to worry too much about running into ropes and stuff since they're all behind all the tents

• We won't all be coming out of the tents into the same spots

• We could put them around a fire, if they're far enough away, and all enjoy it

• We will know that our group is all together

Why might you not want to bring in wood from home?

• It's heavy

• It costs money

• Sometimes it's illegal

• It can carry bugs and diseases we don't want

• All of these reasons

What are some ways to keep your food safe from animals

• Bear boxes you can rent or get at campsites

• For some animals, you can hang food from a tree so they can't get it

• Keep your tent zipped and put it under your pillow

• Don't have food at the camp site at all. Keep it in the cars

Why don't you want to camp right next to the pretty lake?

• Mosquitoes live near still water

• What if it rains?

• You're supposed to stay at least 200 ft from water to keep it clean

• We hate nature and it's pretty

What's the best way to set up sleeping bags inside your tent?

• If the tent isn't totally flat, have your head as far uphill as possible

• Stay to the edges of the tent. You won't overheat and you can clip your valuables to the edge of the tent where you won't lose them.

• Always have your feet facing the exit so you can get out quickly.

Why is it important to change all your clothes before bed when camping?

• Your clothes are very dirty and sleeping bags are hard to clean

• It's hard to sleep when camping, and pajamas are part of a routine that tell your body to get tired and fall asleep.

• They will always be slightly moist from perspiration and it can make you very cold at night if you don't put dry ones on

• Packing them up in a bag before bed makes the tent less smelly.

What kind of wood is best for campfires?

• Bring it from home so you don't use up all the wood in the campsite

• Pick up local wood along your hike in and in the woods so you don't risk bringing in bugs or diseases from where you live

• If you can't find enough wood, you can go a little ways from your campsite and break some branches off a tree so you don't use up all the wood by the campsite

• Buy it at the store so it's sterilized