Camping is an economical and exciting way to enjoy nature up close, but camping comes with some special precautions.
As warmer weather approaches, thoughts turn toward spending more time outdoors, soaking up sunshine and fresh air. Camping, whether in the comfort of an RV, or with the rustic amenities of a tent and sleeping bag, is an economical and exciting way to enjoy nature up close, and scenic sites featuring lakes, rivers and streams are perennial favorites for veteran and vacationer alike.
Water sites can be beautiful, but they're more demanding than simple, flatland camps. One of the most important things to remember is that water moves. This seems obvious, but more than one adventurer has had to move a tent in the middle of the night when an unexpected storm raised water levels above the usual shoreline.
Sandy beaches and shoals make for poor campsites; select a site far enough away from the water that the ground is mostly earth, with minimal dampness, and preferably on a slight elevation above the waterline. Since water can move up through the earth, don't forget to bring a vinyl or plastic tarp to spread beneath your tent. This thin layer of protection can mean the difference between a dry or damp night out in the woods.
Much like water will move up, your liquids can seep down. The water table beneath your site mingles with the open water off in the distance. Dumping a bottle of pest repellant in your camp is virtually the same thing as dumping that same bottle directly into the water. Pay close attention to camping chemicals like kerosene; what seems like a small amount on the ground can contaminate open water for weeks, even months to come.
Even everyday items like soap and shampoo aren't as harmless as they may seem. Each body of water has its own delicate ecosystem, and that system can be damaged quite easily. Soap build-up in the Great Lakes has contributed to algal bloom, which starves the oxygen from the water, killing fish and plant life. Use park showers for baths, or if you're far enough into the wilderness that that isn't an option, use your dishpan to give yourself a bath, and invest in environmentally-friendly, biodegradable soaps and shampoos.
Naturally, cooking and human waste should never be disposed of in an open body of water - anything that you bring to a site needs to leave with you, as well. Garbage and latrine bags should be sturdy and double-wrapped for easy removal. At night, they should be secured to make sure they don't become tempting curiosities for local wildlife. If you prefer to make like a bear and use the woods, choose an area at least one hundred feet from the shoreline for your latrine, and take a small bag for the waste you can't leave behind, like toilet paper.
Just as you can contaminate the water, the water can also contaminate you. Check with the park's guidelines before swimming, bathing, or drinking any open water you may find. Chances are, no water that's openly available for camping is completely safe to drink, so make sure to bring plenty of bottled water with you. It's especially important to check the park's guidelines if you plan to fish, and to eat your catch. Some bodies of water have mercury levels far above the recommended maximums and only the local parks and wildlife departments can tell you for sure what's safe for consumption.
Mosquitoes are another fresh-water hazard. These pests prefer to lay their eggs in water, and the mature insects can carry a number of diseases, including encephalitis, Dengue fever, and West Nile Virus. Avoid being bitten by by putting up tent screens and using mosquito nets, when necessary. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, so wear your long sleeved shirts and pants in lighter colors whenever possible. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, so try to avoid being outside, uncovered, during those times.
In spite of many home remedies and folk concoctions, the only pest repellant that's truly effective against mosquitoes is one that contains DEET or Picaridin. Use as little as possible for effective protection, and don't go swimming after you've applied one of these repellants. It doesn't hurt to stand downwind from the campfire, either. Smoke makes mosquitoes sluggish, and if they're napping, they're not biting!
Finally, before swimming, check the shoreline for water pests like snakes and leeches. Though an encounter with either is unlikely to be fatal, it would still be an unpleasant disruption or end to the trip. These creatures can be found in any body of water, but be especially vigilant around water that is murky, or host to a large amount of fallen timber. Dark or obscured places offer superior protection for water-borne animals, which make these inferior places to swim or play.
Beyond tips and tricks, the most important thing to have when camping near water is an active awareness of the potential dangers, and a strategy to deal with them. Fortunately, careful pre-planning will help assure that once you arrive at your camp, the only thing you'll have to worry about is waking up early enough to catch the sunrise.
