Most campers are familiar with the Leave
No Trace movement. Leave No Trace
refers to a general guideline to reduce
stress on wildlife and help maintain camp-
sites for everyone to enjoy. The move-
ment developed seven principles in
hopes that every camper would adhere to
them and, in turn, help conserve the nat-
ural spaces that we all love so much. The
principles are as follows:
• Plan ahead
• Travel on durable surfaces
• Dispose of waste
• Leave what you find
• Minimize campfires
• Respect wildlife
• Be considerate
These principles are good to brush up on,
even if you are pretty familiar with each
concept. They allow for a basis of camp-
ing etiquette that not only creates an en-
joyable environment, but provides
knowledge and a reputable behavior pat-
tern for future generations to follow as
well.
First, make sure you have all that you are
going to need for your trip, but don’t over-
pack. Overpacking often causes stress on
the campers themselves, allowing them to
become less aware of everything they’re
leaving behind or failing to keep track of,
not to mention what they may leave laying
around because they found that it wasn’t
a needed item.
36 | Summer 2017 | Adventure Outdoors
“Leave No Trace refers to a general guideline to
reduce stress on wildlife and help maintain
campsites for everyone to enjoy.”
To avoid this, make sure you have all
of the essentials, and nothing more.
You’re outside to enjoy the natural
world, so keep it as simple as possi-
ble. Be sure to pack a compass and a
map of the area you will be in, and al-
ways research peak camping sea-
sons. If you’re visiting during a busier
time, you may run into a lot of
campers. Looking into this before you
leave could save you the time if you’re
wanting a more private setting.
Upon arrival to your campsite, it is im-
portant that you stay on designated
trails when traveling through the
grounds, whether you’re taking the
path to the campground, or wandering
about on a hiking trail. These desig-
nated trails were made for a purpose:
to relieve the area of high-traffic
throughout, which, over time, would
cause plant and animal life to diminish.
The trails in place are there to keep
visitors from getting lost, as well, so fol-
lowing the paths will benefit everyone,
and everything involved. When camp-
ing more primitively, you’ll want to dis-
perse (if in larger groups) when
walking, so that the minimum amount
of vegetation is disturbed. Keep all
main activities in an area without much
foliage, and avoid new growth areas,
or areas close to a natural water
source. You want to be close to the
water source if you’re camping primi-
tively, but no less than 200 feet from
its surface edge.