Outdoor Camping: Key Principles and Safety Tips

Choosing a campsite:

Water access: Camping and resting require water, so choose a campsite near a stream, lake, or river for easy access. However, avoid camping on a riverbank. Some rivers have power plants upstream, making the riverbank wide and the flow slow during flooding. Once the water is released, the riverbank will overflow. Some streams, though small at normal times, can flood or cause flash floods during heavy rains, so be vigilant.

Lead: When camping outdoors, consider the wind's presence, especially in valleys or riverbanks. Choose a location that's sheltered from the wind. Ensure that the tent door faces away from the wind. Fire safety and ease of use should also be considered when choosing a location that's sheltered from the wind.

Far from a cliff: Avoid camping near a cliff, as strong mountain winds could cause danger.

Close to a village: Camping near a village allows you to seek help from villagers in case of emergencies or when you need supplies. Being close to a village also means being close to roads, making it easier for your team to move and relocate. Shade: If you're planning a campsite for more than two days, choose a shaded location in good weather, preferably facing the morning sun rather than the evening sun. This way, you won't feel too stuffy in your tent during the day.

Lightning Protection: During the rainy season or in areas prone to lightning, avoid camping on high ground, under tall trees, or on relatively isolated flat ground. This can easily attract lightning strikes.

Campsite Construction

Once you've chosen your site, you need to build it. This is especially important for larger campsites.

Leveling the Site:
Clean the chosen tent area, removing any uneven, thorny, or pointed objects such as rocks and shrubs. Fill any uneven areas with dirt or grass. Sloping ground with a slope of no more than 10 degrees is generally suitable for camping.

Site Division:
A complete campsite should have separate areas for tents, a fire pit, a dining area, recreational areas, water (for washing), and a sanitation area. First, the camping area should be determined; the fire area should be downwind and at least 10 to 15 meters away from the tent area to prevent sparks from burning the tent; the dining area should be close to the fire area for cooking and dining; the activity and entertainment area should be downwind of the dining area to prevent dust from activities from contaminating tableware and other items, and should be 15 to 20 meters away from the tent to reduce the impact on companions who go to bed early; the sanitary area should be downwind of the camping area and keep a certain distance from the dining area and activity area; the water area should be divided into two sections near the stream or river, the upper section is the drinking water area, and the lower section is the domestic water area.
Constructing a tent camping area:
If there are several tents in the tent camping area, when arranging the tents, you should pay attention to the following:
[1] All tents should face the same direction, that is, the tent doors should open in the same direction and be arranged side by side.
[2] The distance between tents should be no less than 1 meter.

3】Warning lines (trenches) should be set up when necessary. Camping outdoors in the mountains may cause you to encounter threatening animals. You can use lime, insect repellent or other irritants to draw a circle around the tent area to prevent snakes and other reptiles from invading.
Build a fire-using dining area:
Dining and fire-using areas are usually held together or close to each other. This area should be at a certain distance from the tent area to prevent sparks from igniting the tent. It is best to have a grassy area for everyone to sit around in the dining area. The "dining table" can be a large flat stone or on the ground. It is also best to use stones as "dining chairs", or find a mat to sit on (if you do not bring a dining table and chairs). Most dining times are dark, so the location of the lighting should be considered. Whether using gas lamps or other lighting methods, the lamps should be placed in a location that can illuminate a large area, such as hanging the lamps on trees, placing them on stone platforms, or making a lamp stand to hang them up.
Establish water collection and use areas:
Water use and collection should generally be near the water source. Toilet water and drinking water should be separated (toilet water should be kept away from the water source). For running water, drinking water should be located upstream, while toilet water and domestic water should be located downstream. For lake water, separate areas should also be established, with the two water sources at least 10 meters apart. This separation is for sanitation purposes. Furthermore, if the riverbank where water is collected is heavily rocky, shrubby, and lacks paths, it should be cleared during the day to prevent inconvenience during nighttime water collection.

Establish a sanitation area:
Team members should use the sanitation area in a temporary toilet, rather than relieving themselves at will. Temporary toilets should be located 60-70 meters away from the water source, campsite, and roads, using organic soil. They should not be located in areas with frequent pedestrian traffic.

Create an entertainment area:
The entertainment area can be located within the dining area and can be cleaned up after meals. If the venue is large, a separate area can also be designated. As long as the area is level and free of tripping points (such as small trees), general cleaning is recommended. When playing games, use a safety rope within a designated circle to prevent accidents.