CAMPING 101 Napier's guide to ensure you have the best adventure of your life while camping in the great outdoors
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CAMPING 101
Napier’s guide to ensure you have the best
adventure of your life while camping in the great outdoors
www.napieroutdoors.com
Camping 101
Contents
Camping Symbols Guide Page 1
Preparing For Your First Camping Trip Page 2
Camping With Kids Page 3
Camping With Animals Page 4
The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace Page 5
Camping Checklist Page 6
Safety Tips Page 7
How To Set Up A Campsite Page 8
Napier Tent Care Tips Page 9
Camping Healthy Page 10
www.napieroutdoors.com
Camping Symbols Guide
Main Symbols
Camping (Tent) Drinking Water Bicycle Trail
Campfires Food
Permitted Horse Trail
Campfires Not
Information Fishing
Permitted
Group Sledding
Camping Animal Symbols
Litter
Dogs Permitted Hiking Trails
Container
Group Bear Viewing Ice Skating
Picnicking
Picnic Area Deer Viewing Windsurfing
First Aid Fish Hatchery ATV
Station
Men’s Restroom Leashed Pets Hunting
Canoeing
Women’s Restroom
Activities
Swimming Ramp (Launch)
Telephones
Skiing
Showers Playground
www.napieroutdoors.com Pg. 1
Preparing for your First Camping Trip
Before you leave home
• Research your destination
• Book your campground. If you’re a first-time camper, do a
trial run by selecting a campground close to home.
• Review the rules of the campground or park
• Plan your meals and make a checklist of all food required
• Make sure you have all the camping gear you require. Make
sure it is in good working order. If you have
purchased new camping gear, set it up first at home to make
sure all components are present.
• Make sure your vehicle is mechanically sound and equipped
for the conditions.
• Check the weather forecast, including overnight
temperatures
• If you have a mobile phone, remember it may not
receive or transmit in some areas. If traveling somewhere
remote, carry appropriate communications equipment.
The Road Trip
• Take a current road map and allow sufficient time to reach your destination.
• Adhere to speed limits and watch out for wildlife, especially at dusk and dawn when animals such as
deer, moose and raccoons frequently cross .
• Enjoy a stress-free visit by refueling your vehicle before you reach your overnight destination.
When you arrive
When selecting your campsite, note the location of the
bathrooms, the nearest road and the closest source of water. Close
is good, but too close and you’ll have people walking through your
campsite all day and night.
Don’t set up camp beneath overhanging branches.
Follow the Leave No Trace principles-Napier is a proud sponsor of Leave
No Trace (Leave No Trace principles found further in camping guide)
Place a mat at the door of the tent to keep dirt to a minimum.
** Never leave your stove or food unattended in the
campsite. Bears, squirrels and raccoons love nothing more than to score free food.
www.napieroutdoors.com Pg. 2
Camping With Kids
Plan the trip together
• Plan activities with kids that they find interesting and
enjoyable
• Decide on places to go that will interest the whole
family, based on childrens’ ages and interests
• Pack equipment and supplies ahead of time
• Make a menu and shop together for supplies
• Plan alternative activities in case there is bad weather
or to avoid boredom
Enjoying outdoor activities with your children
• Teach children outdoor ethics and outdoor skills
• Get them familiar with the outdoors before leaving for camping to eliminate possible fears and to en-
courage safety first
• Make a list of camping chores but be sure to make them fun!
• Take hikes and scope out scenery and trails at parks located around your campground
• Go fishing and teach children the importance of respecting nature
* All campgrounds are different, so be sure to plan ahead for outdoor activities that will suit where you will be
camping
Camping checklist for the kids
Games, Toys and books
Extra shoes and clothing- just in case
Flashlights- for a game of flashlight tag
Sunscreen
Lots of drinks and snacks
Bedtime blanket or stuffed animal
(if they have one)
Rain jackets, boot and umbrellas
First aid kits
Children’s medications ie) pain reliever, cold
and allergy, upset stomach
Crafts and puzzles
Disposable cameras- let kids be mini
photographers
Bathing suits
Water shoes (dependent on location)
Bug Repellent and After Bite
S’mores ingredients
* Remember to remind your kids about the importance of water safety and ensure that proper gear is
always worn when in or on the water.
www.napieroutdoors.com Pg. 3
Camping with Animals
Before you go
• Check out various campgrounds to ensure they
are pet friendly
• Find out what types of facilities they have on
site ie)drinking water, off-leash areas, etc.
• Find out if there is a limit to the number of pets
you can bring or a size restriction
• Obtain a current copy of the pet’s records and
the vet’s phone number
• Make sure animal is wearing a tag with their
name, your name and your phone number
Camping checklist for your pets Things to consider when camping with your pet
Pet Bedding • Make sure you have control over your pet at all times
Pet First Aid Kit • Don’t allow your pet to make excess noise and be
Travel Tag respectful of other campers and wildlife
Food, Treats and Water • Never leave your pet unattended
Toys and Bones • Always pick up after your pet
Leash and Collar • Don’t allow your pet to eat strange things off the
Flea and Tick Repellant ground
Crate or Pet Harness
Brush
Shampoo
Tweezers (in case your animal picks up a tick)
www.napieroutdoors.com Pg. 4
The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace
1. Plan ahead and prepare
• Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
• Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
• Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4-6.
• Repackage food to minimize waste.
• Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
2. Travel and Camp On Durable Surfaces
• Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
• Protect riparian areas by camping at least 70 meters from lakes and streams.
• Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
In popular areas:
Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
In pristine areas:
Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
• Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food,
and litter.
• Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 15 to 20 centimeters deep at least 70 meters from water, camp, and trails.
Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
• Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
• To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 70 meters away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of
biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
4. Leave What You Find
• Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
• Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
• Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
• Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
• Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lan-
tern for light.
• Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
• Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
• Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
6. Respect Wildlife 7. Be Considerate Of Others
• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or • Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their
approach them. experience.
• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their • Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
health, alters natural behaviors, and • Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack
exposes them to predators and other dangers. stock.
• Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations • Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
and trash securely. • Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
• Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
• Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nest- To Learn More About Leave No Trace:
ing, raising young, or winter. http://www.LNT.org
www.napieroutdoors.com Pg. 5
Camping Checklist
Camping Equipment
Tent, pegs, and guide ropes
Small mallet for securing tent pegs
Tent Footprint
Extra tarp or canopy
Camping mat or inflatable mattress
Sleeping bag for each camper
A pillow or inflatable travel pillow
Extra blankets
Chairs
Fold-up table
Lantern
Flashlights (one per person)
The Basics
Backpack
Walking shoes or hiking boots
Suitable clothing for your destination that can be layered for warm and cold temperatures.
Bring a hat, sunglasses and long-sleeve shirt for sun protection, warm fleece and
waterproof jacket for the cold and rain
Basic toiletries including sunscreen
First aid kit that includes bandages, bandaids for blisters, insect repellent, insect bite
lotion, burn cream, tweezers and antiseptic.
Toilet paper and hand towel
Garbage bags
Cooking
Food and drink supplies, including non-perishable food
Plenty of drinking water & water bottles
Cooler
Stove or BBQ
Firewood and waterproof matches or lighter for cooking (if camp fires are allowed)
Plates, bowls, mugs, forks, spoons, knives
Pots and pans
Cooking utensils, knife, cutlery, vegetable peeler, can opener or pocket knife
Cutting board
Water bucket for washing dishes and to extinguish your camp fire
Biodegradable dish detergent, sponge and a tea-towel
Table cloth
Roasting sticks for marshmallows or hot dogs
Food storage containers or bags + aluminum foil
Napier’s Camper’s Cookbook
Don’t Forget
Camera, binoculars, map, compass and wildlife identification book.
A pack of cards or a good board game
www.napieroutdoors.com Pg. 6
Safety Tips
To get the most of your outdoor adventure, always prepare for the
unexpected. Please have a look at the list below before setting out on your camping
excursion.
5 General Safety Rules
1. Pack a first aid kit with pain relievers, antiseptics, bandages, bug repellant and after bite
2. Make sure to bring emergency supplies ie. flashlight, whistle, knife, waterproof fire
starter, etc.
3. Check out a weather report before you leave to ensure you have the necessary items
needed during your trip.
4. When you arrive to your campsite, make sure to check for potential hazards and
poisonous plants.
5. Pitch your Napier Vehicle Tent in a safe spot and make sure all trash is disposed of
properly to keep unwanted visitors away.
Fire Safety Rules
• Make sure fires are always built in
a safe area away from your
camping supplies and tent. Never
use a flame inside of the tent, we
recommend using a flashlight or
battery powered lantern instead.
• Make sure the fire is always at-
tended too! Never leave a fire to
slowly burn out on its own, when
putting out a fire make sure all
wood, coal and embers are soaked
and the fire is completely out.
www.napieroutdoors.com Pg. 7
How to Set Up A Campsite
Find the ideal campsite
The best place to set up camp in most areas will be
generally flat, not too bumpy ground with good drainage.
Do not set-up a campsite under a tree as tree sap and twigs
will damage your tent.
Setting up the tent
Remove any debris from the ground such as rocks,
branches and twigs. If you wish to use a footprint to help
protect the tent floor from debris, you would place it on the
ground before the tent. This footprint will also help to keep
ground water from seeping in. Set-up the tent following
the installation instructions. When it’s windy, mosquitoes
will congregate on the lee side of objects to avoid being blown away. So pitch your tent door into the wind.
You’ll be able to enter withour bringing the swarm with you.
Food Storage
One of the most important things to remember while camping is to protect your food from spoilage and
unwanted critters. Leaving food out isn’t just a nuisance but it can actually aid in wildlife becoming
dependent on humans. If camping where bears maybe present this is especially important as bears can
smell food from miles away and the last thing you want while trying to enjoy the great outdoors is a visit
from a neighbouring bear. Another reason food storage is so imporant is to protect it from unwanted
bacteria. The most convenient foods to bring while camping are non-perishables but if you plan to bring
perishable food make sure you have a cooler with plenty of ice to keep items cold.
Set Up a Fire and Cooking Area
Fire is sometimes of a necessity when camping, whether it is to heat up food or heat yourself up during a
cold day/night. When setting up a fire it is best to use an existing fire ring as opposed to starting a new one.
If no fire pit or ring exists dig a pit in a spot that is at least 15 feet from any tents or nature. Before
preparing the fire, clear a ten foot diameter around the fire ring. If the fire ring isn’t on sand, gravel or raw
earth make sure that the ground is damp before starting a fire. It is always best to check the rules out where
you are staying before starting any fires. When cooking there is always the option of using a gas stove or
some campsites even come with a designated cooking station.
Leave as Little Impact as Possible
When preparing your campsite it is important to remember to lessen your impact as much as possible on
the surrounding land. Try to find a campsite that is already made instead of making a new one, if one that
isn’t already made is your only option then try to set up your tent on sand, gravel or a durable surface. Be
considerate and respectful of the nature around you and make sure to always clean up any garbage that you
brought in.
www.napieroutdoors.com Pg. 8Napier Tent Care Tips
Condensation
Condensation may occur inside the tent due to the temperature difference outside the tent and due to your breath.
When you sleep, you exhale which will cause water vapor to be trapped inside the tent. The best way to prevent the
build up of condensation in a tent is to leave your rain fly off or leave windows and doors open at night to promote as
much ventilation as possible. If water vapor can escape, you can significantly reduce or eliminate the amount of tent
condensation that occurs.
Seam Sealing
If your tent is not factory seam taped (Napier’s tents have seam taped floors and rain fly’s), it is highly
recommended that you seam seal the tent’s seams for extra protection against the elements. All tent seams have
small needle holes where water could penetrate and cause the tent to leak. To seam seal your tent, follow the
directions on the product packaging. We recommend use of a sealer such as McNett Outdoor SeamGrip.
Waterproofing
The water resistant coating on your tent may wear down after time due to sun exposure or excessive use. It is
recommended to use a water repellent coating every few years to rejuvenate your tent. Water repellents can be
purchased from any outdoors store.
Sticky Zipper
If zippers stick, lubricate with silicon. Never force a zipper that has material caught in it, as this will bend the slider and
prevent the zipper from closing. Continual use in a sandy environment can cause the slider to erode and fail to close
the zipper.
Cleaning Your Tent
To clean your tent set up the tent in a dry area free of any loose debris. Remove any loose dirt in and on the tent. Hose
down the tent with clean water. Wash the tent using very mild liquid soap, a sponge and lukewarm water. Rinse the
tent thoroughly with clean water and let it dry completely. Never use a washing machine, dishwashing liquid or
detergent. Clean the tent poles with a soft, dry cloth. This is especially necessary after camping oceanside to remove
salt from the poles to prevent corrosion.
Storage
Remove all loose debris from your tent before taking it down. Leave the tent windows and doors partially open to
allow air to escape from the tent. Fold the tent into sections using the previous fold lines for guidance. Roll the tent
towards the door to allow air to escape. Roll the poles and rain fly with the tent.Make sure the folded tent is about the
same length as the tent bag to ensure it fits back into the bag. Make sure your tent is completely dry before taking it
down. If you must take it down when it is wet, make sure you dry it out before rolling it up.
Mildew
To avoid mildew from forming on your tent, never put your tent away wet and keep your tent in a dry area off the
ground. If you tent is wet, dry it out completely before packing it away. If mildew does occur, use a soft bristle brush or
sponge with mild soap to clean. Let the tent dry in the sunlight.
www.napieroutdoors.com Pg. 910 Ways To Camp Healthy
1. Plan your meals ahead of time
Creating a meal plan for yourself will ensure that you pack food with adequate nutrition needed and
knowing what foods you will be preparing will help you to plan with what cooking utensils and cookware
you will need during your stay.
2. Bring plenty of drinking water
Not all water is safe and suitable to drink, most
campgrounds will provide you with whether or not their
water is suitable for usage. It’s most important to stay
hydrated so by bringing drinking water you can ensure
you are staying hydrated no matter where you pitch your
tent.
3. Select a campground with plenty of hiking trails
Hiking trails will provide you with exercise and what
better way to see and explore the area around you then
by hiking through trails.
4. Bring plenty of sunscreen
Avoid sunburns and other sun related sicknesses by
making sure you are putting on the proper amount and
type of sunscreen.
5. Wash and prep healthy snacks
Instead of chips and other food items that aren’t great for you, wash some fruits and vegetables before you
leave and pack items that are good for you that you are able to snack on between meals.
6. Stay active
There are so many things in the great outdoors to do to stay active, whether you ride a bike, hike a trail, or
even play some active camping games. By staying active you will decrease the chances of boredom and
increase your health.
7. Bring vitamins and supplements
If there is no way you can ensure you are ingesting healthy foods, then it is always a good idea to bring
along vitamins and supplements that can keep you healthy while camping.
8. Bring proper shoes and clothing
All weather that you could possibly encounter should be considered when packing shoes and clothing for
your camping excursion. Weather has a tendency to change at any moment and no better way to put a
damper on a perfectly good outdoor adventure then to not be prepared for different types of weather.
9. Use insect repellent
Some insects carry disease and sickness so it is best to ward them off while camping. Using insect repellent
will help keep most of these critters away, which is what you want during your stay. Make sure to read the
bottle to ensure how much you should use and how often you can put it on.
10. Stay within driving distance of a grocery store
This will give you more options for healthier food and cut back on the amount of food you need to bring
with you and store when you first arrive at your camping destination.
www.napieroutdoors.com Pg. 10You can also read
