Camping Basics

Course Description

Camping Basics is an introduction to campcraft skills course aimed at those with minimal or no camping experience.

The intention of this program is to introduce participants to the fundamental concepts and skills necessary to safely enjoy camping in a campground or slightly remote setting. A short overnight camping trip is optional.

General Learning Outcome

Upon completion of this course, the participant will have basic knowledge of gear and outdoor skills required to plan and execute their own safe camping trip with a group of peers having similar knowledge in a non-wilderness or frontcounty setting (for example, National or Provincial Park).

Prerequisites

Skills Certification

None.

Camping Experience

None.

Minimum Course Length

8 hours (1 days) minimum and may include an overnight.

Course Presentation and Ratios

Camping Basics Instructors may choose to offer the Basic Skills course either:

• as a stand-alone course with zero on-water activities, or
• as a Camping Basics course, using canoes, kayaks, or stand up paddleboards for travel, or
• in conjunction with a Paddle Canada paddling skills course (for example, combine Camping Basics with Introduction to Lakewater Canoe to create a “Beginner’s Canoe Camping Course.”

If this course is offered on land only (for example, zero on-water activities) then the ratio is 1 instructor:10 participants.

If this course is offered with any on-water activity, then the instructor-to-participant ratio will match the ratio of the corresponding Paddle Canada skills course, based on the paddling discipline and the water classification. For example, if the participants are in tandem canoes on class 1 moving water, then the ratio will be the same as the Introduction to Moving Water Tandem Canoe skills course ratio which is 1 instructor: 8 participants.

If this course is offered in conjunction with a Paddle Canada paddling skills course, then the instructor-to-participant ratio will match the ratio of the paddling skills course offered.

Camping Basics Instructors must also be a Paddle Canada instructor for the paddling discipline and the water classification, unless this course is offered on land only (for example, zero on-water activities).

Minimum Staff and Certification

One Camping Basics Instructor is required to teach this course.

Environmental Conditions and Water Classification

There is no specific assessment requirement for participants to go on the water in this program.

Class-0 environment: Non-challenging protected waters with limited wind effect, little or no current, easy landings, and ready access to land-based assistance. Wind and sea state is calm to rippled (< 15 km/h or < 8 knots).

If the instructor does choose to take participants on the water than conditions will not exceed water class-0. Please see Water Class Definitions for a specific description of all water classifications.

Teaching Note

While there is a great deal to learn at this level, the activities should concentrate on personal progression and an awareness of the need for future learning. Participants should leave the course encouraged to continue their learning and be aware of their individual limitations.

Assessment

Camping Basics is intended to be presented as a two-day information course and thus there is no formal assessment. Participants should leave the course empowered and motivated to go camping as well as be aware of their individual limitations and responsibilities. Participants will be made aware of other resources that can help them grow their skill and knowledge (including other Paddle Canada courses).

Learning Outcomes

This course focuses on the basics of campcraft skills in a frontcountry setting including:

Kitchen and Cooking

Kitchen Set-up and Safety

The participant will:

• demonstrate how to set-up a safe and practical kitchen with an awareness for traffic flow, and
• demonstrate knowledge of how to organize a kitchen area to avoid contamination of food (for example, food-borne bacteria, sand, etc.).

Cooking in the Outdoors

The participant will demonstrate the ability to prepare a meal.

Portable Stove Use

The participant will:

• demonstrate proper setup and lighting of available stove types,
• demonstrate knowledge of cleaning, minor maintenance and repairs, and
• demonstrate how to safely extinguish the stove.

Campfires

The participant will:

• demonstrate knowledge of how-to set-up and light more than one fire configuration,
• demonstrate knowledge of appropriate firewood choices,demonstrate knowledge of proper airflow for proper combustion,
• demonstrate the proper way to extinguish a fire, and
• demonstrate knowledge of the negative environmental impacts of campfires.

Safe Knife Use

The participant will:

• explain and demonstrate safe and proper knife use, and
• demonstrate knowledge of the importance of maintaining a sharp blade.

Safe Drinking Water

The participant will:

• demonstrate knowledge of where to find safe drinking water, and
• explain 3 methods of making water safe.

Menu Planning

The participant will:

• develop a menu for a 2-day camping trip considering group likes, allergies and nutrition, and
• develop a shopping list of food ingredients and realistic quantities.

Food Preparation and Storage

The participant will:

• demonstrate safe food storage in the context of front-country camping including coolers, and
• demonstrate knowledge of more than one way to keep food protected from animals.

Hygiene

The participant will:

• demonstrate knowledge of the importance of washing hands and generally keeping clean while camping,
• demonstrate proper technique of washing hands, and
• demonstrate how to properly wash and sanitize dishes.

Campsite and Gear

Campsite Set-up

The participant will demonstrate knowledge of best practices around campsite set-up.

Tent and Tarp Set-up

The participant will:

• demonstrate how to choose an appropriate location,
• demonstrate how to set-up a tent for maximum waterproofness and storm proofing,demonstrate how to set-up a tarp (for example, for the kitchen), and
• demonstrate knowledge of how to dry and pack away tarps and tents to prevent mildew and damage during storage.

Choosing Camping Gear and Clothing

The participant will:

• demonstrate knowledge of the benefits and disadvantages of camping gear including (but not limited to) tents, kitchen equipment, sleeping bags/pads, footwear, tools, lighting and electronics, and
• demonstrate knowledge of the benefits and disadvantages of clothing meant for sun, rain and cold.

Knots

The participant will demonstrate how to tie knots appropriate to camping. Examples could include the bowline, figure-8, trucker’s hitch, taut line hitch, etc.

Theory

Trip Planning

The participant will:

• be aware of the importance of properly planning for a camping trip, and
• be aware of the importance of making both food and equipment lists.

Impact of Camping on the Environment

The participant will:

• give examples of the negative impacts camping has on the local environment and how best these can be mitigated, and
• state the core principles of Leave No Trace practices.

See Resources for Sustainable Camping and Paddling for resources and further learning.

Risk Awareness and Management

The participant will:

• use a simple risk assessment framework to identify and describe possible risks and hazards while camping,
• demonstrate knowledge of the importance of telling somebody where you are going and when you’re going to be back, and
• explain how to avoid or reduce exposure to said hazards or risks.

Introduction to Weather

The participant will:

• demonstrate basic weather observations and an understanding of signs of imminent weather change,
• demonstrate knowledge of standard lightning risk management and avoidance techniques,
• explain the importance of obtaining a weather forecast in relation to risk management, and
• explain where to get a forecast.

Heat and Cold Issues

The participant will:

• demonstrate knowledge of the importance of keeping warm & dry on a camping trip, and
• demonstrate knowledge of, and the basic treatment of, both hypothermia and hyperthermia.

Camping Locations and Resources

The participant will:

• be made aware of local camping options and locations, and
• be made aware of other sources of information such as books, videos, websites for further research and learning.

Respect for Wildlife

The participant will:

• demonstrate knowledge of how to stay safe around wildlife,
• demonstrate how to properly store food and how to minimize food smells in the campsite, and
• demonstrate knowledge on how to avoid disturbing wildlife (especially any species at risk) and how to minimize damage to habitat by travelling over and along shorelines.

See Resources for Sustainable Camping and Paddling for resources and further learning.

First Aid Training Awareness

The participant will demonstrate awareness of the importance of first aid or wilderness first aid training, and resources available to get training.

Camping Comfort

The participant will demonstrate knowledge of various techniques of making camping more comfortable including (but not limited to):

• how to stay dry and warm during inclement weather,
• how to get a good night’s sleep, and
• the importance of staying hydrated.

Sun Sense

The participant will outline the positive effects of sun safety clothing, including hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.