Sean Camps

Hello Everyone! As this week comes to a close, I just want to talk about one thing that I think is important and that is how you set up your campsite.

When it comes to the safety of yourself and all inhabitants of the wilderness, food safety is key. Aside from having a container that your food sits in, it needs to be secured in a bear proof container like a bear bin, your trailer, or your vehicle. One other thing I like to do is to try to set up so that the distance between my storage and where I cook is a relatively short walk. This allows for safe and efficient use of your storage space, while making sure that nothing is left out for any critters, bears, or any other scavenger. Inside my canopy I will have a garbage bag and recycling bag strung from the frame so that I can manage all my waste in one place during and after food prep, with the bags promptly thrown out when full or stored safely when there is still space to add things.

One thing that is especially important is the management of your fire. As you can see I have spaced my canopy well enough away from the fire so that sparks do not land on top and burn a hole in the tent. The type of wood you are burning also plays a part in the sparks. Just because you have a picnic table or canopy does not mean you should be pulling it up close to the pit, especially with things like propane tanks and stoves nearby.

Naturally, in conjunction with my efforts on food, I also try to keep my tent as far away from where I am eating as possible, as that is where the animals will tend to go. This, along with not bringing any food into your tent will allow you to have a more pleasurable experience, knowing that you can sleep safely at night without a bear knocking on your door, or a conservation officer!

All these things along with common practice of wastewater disposal, keeping bear spray handy at all times, and always being alert and aware are key to being safe while recreating in the wilderness.

Be safe out there and have fun everyone!

-Sean