Translations:AY Honors/Camping Skills III/Answer Key/59/en

Campsite Selection

To help remember the things that are important to camp site selection, remember the six W’s:

Wind- Find areas that are protected from the wind. This requires knowing or guessing at the normal wind direction (hint look at the direction trees are leaning and the current wind direction)

Water- Fresh water should be available for drinking, beware of drainage areas, flooding and other water related hazards. Marshy areas can have a high mosquito population that can make camping miserable.

Weather- Knowledge of the weather patterns of an area can help you decide the best location for the camp site.

Wild things- Beware of signs of large mammals such as bear, wolves, and mountain lions. Also watch out for the small wild things such as snakes, spiders, ticks, biting flies and mosquitoes.

Wood- Adequate wood should be available for a campfire, and no dead wood above sleeping area. Survey the trees to make sure that they will not fall on you in strong winds.

Willingness- Make sure the owner of the property is willing for you to camp on it. Make sure you have the proper permits for camping areas.

Fire Safety

• Locate the fire in a safe place. It should be clear for 10 feet (3 meters) all around.
• Do not light a fire beneath overhanging branches or tents, shelters etc.
• Do not use accelerants, such as lighter fluid, gasoline, kerosene, etc. Learn to light a fire without these.
• Put the fire out completely before leaving it. If it's too hot to put your hands in the ashes, it's not sufficiently out. Douse it down with water, turn the coals with a shovel, and be sure to extinguish every coal and ember.
• Do not build a fire on top of flammable material such as grass or leaves.
• Cut away the sod (keep it moist so it stays alive, and replace it before your leave), and clear away the duff and litter.
• Keep fire extinguishing supplies handy and near the fire. A bucket of water or sand, or a fire extinguisher are recommended.
• Do not remove burning sticks from a fire.
• Watch for embers that escape the fire pit and extinguish them immediately.
• Wear proper footwear around a fire.
• Be aware that paper, cardboard, and leaves create floating embers that rise out of the fire pit and may land dozens of yards away.
• Do not light a fire when conditions are adverse (high winds, or drought conditions) or when fires are prohibited by law.