A presentation about basic camping survival skills

1. CAMPING
P R E S E N T A T I O N B Y : C R I S A N N A A N G E L I V A L L E S T E R O
S T E M 1 2 - B

2. I . L O C A T I O N

3. I. Location
Flat, where your odds of finding a level campsite
are best
Within convenient proximity of firewood and water
Off-trail, so you don't disrupt another backpacker's
wilderness experience
Not at the bottom of a valley or canyon, where the
air would be coldest and most humid
Not near animal trails or prime habitats, which
might lead to an unwanted midnight visitor
Away from danger zones for natural hazards, like
avalanches, flash floods, and incoming weather
Far from insect breeding grounds, like waterlogged
meadows and stagant lakes

4. I. Location
L O C A T I O N : T A N A Y R I Z A L
L A N D M A R K : D A R A N A K F A L L S
G M A P : C A M P S I T E A T M A R I E V I R G O F A R M
O N E O F T H E B E S T P L A C E T O
C A M P I N T A N A Y . P R I C E I S B I T
C H E A P A N D C A N B E C H E A P E R
( O W N E R G I V I N G 5 0 %
D I S C O U N T ) I F Y O U ' R E C A M P I N G
I N L A R G E G R O U P ( M I N 1 5 P A X ) .
T H E C A M P I N G G R O U N D I S
F A I R L Y E N O U G H F O R A L A R G E
G R O U P . T H E R I V E R N E A R T H E
C A M P C A N B E E N J O Y E D B Y K I D S
A N D T H E R E I S A D E E P E R A R E A
F O R A D U L T S . T H E O W N E R I S
V E R Y A C C O M M O D A T I N G .

5. I I . E S S E N T I A L S

6. II. Essentials
Camping is a great way to get outside with family and friends or even by yourself. You
can go camping in many state and national parks, at private campgrounds, in the
backcountry or even in your own backyard. (For more info, read Where Can I Camp?)
Most campsites include a picnic table, a place to park your car and a spot to pitch your
tent. Many also have shared bathrooms and running water.
Part of the joy of camping is needing very little gear to exist outdoors. But it’s also nice
to have a comfortable, convenient and homey campsite. If it’s your first time camping,
it might be best to borrow or rent some of these things. As you become a more
experienced camper, you may find that part of the fun is figuring out what to bring
along to meet your needs.
While you’re packing, use this handy camping checklist to make sure you don’t forget
anything important and make sure to stock up on the things you need. This is a
comprehensive list, and we don't expect you to bring along every item — though we
won't judge you if you do!

7. Even if you prefer slumbering under the
stars, you should always have a tent or other
emergency shelter on hand just in case.
Otherwise, a midnight deluge, freak
snowstorm or heavy dew is sure to leave you
drenched, miserable and at risk of
hypothermia. A tent can shield you and your
gear from high winds as well. Whether you
opt for the best two person tent or a larger
cabin-style tent, make sure you bring along
all of its necessary accessories: rope, tent
poles, stakes and a rain fly.
Tents

8. Resting on a bed of moss and leaves may sound
like fun, but it won't keep you warm when the
sun goes down. Temperatures can drop
significantly at nightfall, sometimes 20 degrees
or more. Keep in mind, too, that many insects
are most active at night and may chance upon
your unswaddled body. Going without a
sleeping bag risks an uncomfortable night's
sleep at best, exposure at worst. And if you've
ever tried to go camping with your kids, you
know without a kid's sleeping bag, they'll toss
and turn all night.
Sleeping Bags

9. Water is essential for survival in the great
outdoors, and the further off the beaten path
you go, the more quickly it seems to run out.
The last thing any camper wants is to be stuck
without a fresh supply of H2O, especially since
drinking from a pond or lake can cause serious
illness due to bacteria. Even if the wilderness
you're heading into is just a few feet from your
car, carry a day's supply of the wet stuff in a
camelbak or other large container. Then, keep a
filter or water purification tablets on hand in
case you have to refill from a nearby stream.
Water Bottle

10. Camping isn't camping without a warm,
crackling campfire, so you'll want the tools to
get one started quickly. Campers can start fires
with a flint and steel, matches, a cigarette
lighter or a magnesium fire starter. If you opt
for matches, make sure they're waterproof. It's
not a bad idea to pack two fire starters in case
one fails. Take along a little kindling as well, like
dry bark or strips of newspaper, in a waterproof
container. Finding dry kindling when you need
it can be a challenge in the outdoors.
Fire Starter

11. It's unlikely you'll experience a life-threatening
injury while camping, but even a long day of
hiking can result in blisters that require
bandaging. Small cuts and scrapes, too, can
quickly become infected if left untreated, so
keep bandages and antiseptic on hand. Your
first aid kit should include other necessities as
well: scissors, adhesive, gauze, soap, a CPR
mouth barrier and an emergency whistle. Be
sure to toss in bottles of sunscreen and insect
repellent as well. Sunburn and bug bites can
end your trip as quickly as any laceration.
First Aid Kit

12. The pocket knife is the ultimate multipurpose
tool of the outdoors. A knife can be used to trim
a rope, cut fishing line, dice bait, slice cheese or
sausage, open a tightly sealed package,
sharpen a stick, deal with tangled vines, tighten
a screw or skin a small animal. Without a knife,
such tasks become nearly to outright
impossible. If you leave your knife at home,
expect to feel frustrated–often.
Pocket Knife

13. If your camping itinerary calls for hiking in
remote areas, don't go without a map and
compass or GPS. Constant changes in the sun's
position can make forest landmarks seem
unfamiliar, causing hikers to become
disoriented. Unprepared campers have
occasionally wandered the woods for days
before getting rescued or finding their way back
to camp. Getting lost or stranded in a wooded
area, especially with a limited supply of water,
is no joke. Even if your kids just want to walk
down to the nearest creek from your campsite,
make sure they have a way to return safely.
Map and Compass (Or a charged GPS)

14. Camping means having only a few changes of
clothes available, so it's important to keep them
dry. Walking around in damp clothes is not only
unpleasant, it can be dangerous in cooler climes
where hypothermia is a concern. Also, wet gear is
heavy gear, which can make hauling a backpack
uncomfortable and difficult. Choose a lightweight,
waterproof rain jacket that will accommodate
multiple layers of clothing. If it won't cover your
backpack as well, consider picking up an additional
rain bag to protect your gear.
Weather-Appropriate Clothing and Rain
Gear

15. A campfire may be nice and bright, but only for
about six feet in any direction. If you need to locate
an item within your tent or visit the latrine during
the night, a portable, battery-powered light is
invaluable. Many campers tout headlamps as the
best option because of their hands-free
functionality.
Flashlight, Lantern or Head Lamp

16. Hardcore survivalists may view toilet paper as an
unnecessary luxury in the outdoors, but many
campers swear to its necessity. Bark and leaves
make poor substitutes for latrine duty in both
comfort and hygiene, and a chapped backside can
make sitting painful. Also, campgrounds with
bathroom facilities have been known to run out of
paper on occasion. If you're camping in the deep
woods and concerned about the environmental
impact of using toilet paper, purchase some that's
biodegradable or take a refuse bag for disposal.
Toilet Paper

17. I I I . A C T I V I T I E S

18. Play Capture the Flag
You'll need brains, speed and stamina to win at this
one. In case you don't remember the rules: Split up
into two teams and designate an area for each.
Each team hides a flag in their own area, and the
object is to find the other team's flag and bring it
back to your team's territory. Any player in the
opposing team's territory can be tagged and put in
"jail," and a teammate has to come tag them to
rescue them. Get ready to sharpen those teamwork
skills!

19. Play Flashlight Tag
It's like hide-and-seek — in the dark! Whoever is
"It" has to shine their flashlight on the hider
once they've been found. (Just be sure kids are
old enough so they don't get lost too far away
from your campsite.)

20. Go on a Hike
Find a trail, chart a course and go! Hiking gets
your body moving and puts you out in nature,
and basically embodies all the reasons to go
camping in the first place.

21. Try Camping Bingo
This is another game you can play
throughout the weekend. The first person
to get five across, up and down, or
diagonally wins!

22. Hold a S'Mores Contest
There's nothing wrong with the good ol'
marshmallow, graham cracker and
chocolate recipe, but this is your
opportunity to experiment. Try salted
caramel s'mores, Thin Mint s'mores, or
come up with your own crazy
combinations. See who is able to come up
with the tastiest creation.

23. Play Capture the Flag
This would me my favorite camping activity, aside
from eating of course. I would enjoy it with the
people I am with, we'll have fun with getting also a
good exercise since we are using our whole body to
move.

24. WARDIERE INC.
I V . S U R V I V A L S K I L L S

25. Basic Survival
Skill 1: Fire
Fire is the king of survival techniques! Fire
can purify water, cook food, signal
rescuers, provide warmth, light, and
comfort. It can also help keep predators
at a distance and can be a most welcome
friend and companion. As a survival
technique, it is one that is essential.

26. Basic Survival
Skill 1: Fire
Each and every person who ventures into the outdoors
should have a minimum of two ways to start a fire with
them – one on their person at all times, and the other with
their gear. A few small fires provide more heat than one
large fire. Collect firewood you think you will need for the
night and then collect the same amount again, experience
shows you will need it. Conserve fuel by making a “star
fire”; where the ends of large logs meet in the fire only,
push inward as more fuel is needed. Make a reflector from
your space blanket on the back wall of a shelter to reflect
the heat from your survival fire to your back, sit between
the fire and the back of your shelter wall. To learn how to
confidently make fire

27. Basic Survival
Skill 2: Shelter
Shelter is the survival technique by which
you protect your body from excess
exposure from the sun, cold, wind, rain, or
snow. Anything that takes away or adds to
your overall body temperature can be your
enemy. Clothing is the first line of shelter
protection, have the right clothes for the
right environment. Always have a hat. Do
whatever you can to keep the layer closest
to your body dry.

28. Basic Survival
Skill 2: Shelter
Layers trap air and are warmer than
wearing one thick garment. Do not expend
energy making a shelter if nature provides
one. Practice building a quick lean-to
shelter in case you can not find your
campsite, do not wait until you need to
make one. Use a space blanket to prevent
dampness, to insulate your shelter, or to
wrap yourself up in a sitting or squatting
position to concentrate your body core
heat.

29. Basic Survival
Skill 3: Signaling
Signaling is unique among survival
techniques in that it gives you the means
and ability to alert any and all potential
rescuers that you are in need of help. Fire,
flashing light, bright color markers, flags,
mirrors, whistles can all help you be found.
Three fires in a triangular form are a
recognized distress signal. Carefully bank
your signal fires to prevent the igniting of
your surrounding area.

30. Basic Survival
Skill 3: Signaling
Use regular signal mirrors only when you can
see a plane, or people in the distance. Use an
emergency strobe light at night to help attract
attention from those that may be in the area.
Make smoky fire with organic material over the
fire during the day to attract attention. Lay out
ground messages to air signal in an open field,
S.O.S. from rocks, logs, or colored clothing,
whatever will be seen against the background.
Most search and rescue parties use aircraft as
a primary method of sighting.

31. Basic Survival Skill
4: Food & Water
Food and water are vital to your
survival. Ration your sweat, not your
water intake. You can live up to three
days without water. DO NOT eat
plants you do not know. Never drink
urine. Always assume that you will
need extra food and water when you
plan your trip.

32. Basic Survival Skill
4: Food & Water
Pack energy bars and candy in your pockets at
all times, just in case. If possible boil all water
10 minutes plus one minute for every 1000 feet
above sea level. Strain water through your
handkerchief to remove large particles. Try to
drink only in the cool of the evening. Never
wait until you are without water to collect it.
Have some poly zip bags to collect and store
water. Never eat any wild berries that you
cannot identify. You can catch rainwater in
your space blanket by laying it out in a trench.

33. Basic Survival Skill
5: First Aid
First aid as a survival technique is not just the
basic medical needs, it is the primary way in
which you act to survive. DO NOT PANIC,
remain calm, and do what you have to do to
take care of yourself. STOP means Sit, Think,
Observe, and Plan. It is the most intelligent
thing you can do when you realize you are lost
or stranded. The most important element is to
keep your brain functioning rationally, this is
basic first aid for survival.

34. Basic Survival Skill
5: First Aid
Analyze your needs before every trip, create a
medical checklist, and carry a small personal kit
with you at all times. Most survival situations
require only dressing for small cuts, bruises, and
personal medication needs, make sure you
know what you have with you and how to use it.
Do not overpack, pack what you feel you will
need to carry with you at all times. Prevent
hypothermia by insulating yourself in a space
blanket. Concentrate on being found, pack a
picture of your family in with your gear to
remind you of the reasons to remain calm, and
to survive.

35. THANK YOU!
C A M P I N G C A M P I N G C A M P I N G