Walking around your camping area as soon as possible and finding bathrooms, public showers, playgrounds and the ranger’s station, if available, will help in getting familiar with new surroundings. Noting any landmarks to help locate the tent and marking them on a map of the area also helps with the orientation process. Kids should never leave the campsite without first asking permission from an adult.
Running around a campsite is dangerous enough because of all the gear lying around, but horseplay around a burning fire is especially dangerous. Throwing garbage, leaves, sticks or anything else into the fire can be a potential hazard because it can cause the fire to flare up or send hot sparks flying into the air.
Kids shouldn't leave food out in the open where it can attract bears, raccoons or other wildlife, and they should never try to get close to a wild animal. Wild animals may look cute and are often more scared of people than people are of them, but this very fact can make them dangerous if they feel the need to protect themselves. This is especially true in the spring when mother animals are protecting their babies. Emptying the garbage often and not keeping food in the tent will help in avoiding surprise visits from wild animals trying to get food.
Picking plants in the woods and eating them can be dangerous. Many are poisonous or can cause a bad stomachache or diarrhea. Knowing how to identify, and staying away from, poison ivy will eliminate getting the itchy rash caused by the oils of the plant. Poison ivy has three leaves and, at certain times of the year, white berries. Repeating “leaves of three, let it be” is a fun way to remember to stay away from poison ivy.
Ticks are small bugs that can get on animals and humans. These parasites carry germs and diseases and cause illness if they remain on the body for a long time. Checking bodies for ticks should be a daily event. Helping each other may be necessary; some of the places they like to hide on the body are hard to see yourself. Spots to check are behind knees and ears, in the groin area and underarms. Checking pets you brought camping with you is also necessary as ticks like to hide in animal fur too. Removing ticks is a job for adults.
