Everyone wants a great camping experience. By following the rules of the campsite and general consideration for the next guy, you could be every campers dream neighbour. There are some rules and a little etiquette which needs to be observed when camping. This is how you can make it awesome for everyone (yourself included!):
1. Number one rule of camping:
Leave No Trace.
Be invisible. Almost. The campsite should be left in perfect condition when you are ready to head back to reality. Some grass campsites may end up with yellow patches where tents once stood, but this will remedy itself in no time.
What this rule is actually saying is clean up after yourself. When you are preparing meals, make sure you have somewhere to discard the trash (the peels, the plastics) – everything needs to thrown away in the trash. Even if something is deemed ‘biodegradable’ it needs to go into a trash can. You certainly do not want to attract the attention of any unwanted (wildlife) guests.
Leave the site as untouched as possible. No chopping down, no breaking down of anything for your convenience. That’s not how this camping thing works.
Once you have packed up and are ready to head back home, do a double take. Make 200% sure you have not left ANYTHING behind. This may mean sweeping the grass with your feet for small items. Make sure all plastic bags are tied when disposed of. Leave the site in the condition you would like to find it. OH, and I almost forgot – if it didn’t arrive with you, it’s not leaving with you.
2. No Through-fare!
You do not have the ‘right’ to go marching across someones campsite simply because it’s the shortest route to where you’re headed. It’s rude, and frankly unnecessary. And it would be deeply appreciated by your neighbours if you reminded your kids of that too.
There is no harm is asking if you can retrieve an item which may have wandered onto your neighbours site, such as a ball. In fact that would be the correct way to retrieve said ball. Be courteous to each other.
If you are the neighbour whose site is constantly being crossed, you have options too. You can ask them to stop, most new campers do not know that this is not the way it works. Some more seasoned campers need a little reminding from time to time. You can also put an obstacle (such as a table, some rope or your car) in the spot where people are crossing. If they are doing this as a last resort (there’s no other way around), you may want to reposition your set up. You also have the option of purchasing screens (or windbreakers) which are perfect for that extra bit of privacy too.
3. Personal space.
Now, we all know that traditionally campsites are not massive. They are designed to accommodate either a tent with a vehicle and trailer, an RV, or Caravan. And then only just.
You have enough space to set your ‘home’ up and create and outdoor ‘kitchen’ area where you will be doing the cooking, eating and cleaning. Campsites are usually well demarcated.
Be respectful of these demarcations. You wouldn’t want some family to rock up and pitch their tent halfway onto your site only for them to have a larger ‘entertainment’ area, so don’t do it to them.
Stay within the boundaries and be considerate of the people on either side of you. Keep the space between you and the next guy reasonable. You should be able to walk all the way around your site fairly effortlessly (bar dodging the guy ropes). Set up home in the middle of the site.
The same applies for parked vehicles. Park your car on your campsite. Next to, in front of, or behind your temporary home. Bear in mind that you may need or want to go out for something, so park sensibly.
4. Read the rules of the campground.
Most campgrounds have a pretty simple comprehensive set of rules all neatly printed out somewhere for you to observe.
Observe them.
And even better if it’s online, you can then refer to them anytime, anywhere during your stay.
Observe the rules based around noise/music in the campsite. Some campsites do not allow for music at all and you can be left with a fine. Others have a set time for noise to be ‘dropped to an acceptable level”. Like 20h00.
These rules can be challenging when you have hyped up kids or teenagers who want to sit and chill out all night listening to music. You may be a parent of very young children who get to bed fairly early and will appreciate this rule. Its always a good idea to read through the rules before you book.
5. Lights
Be considerate with your lighting. If you have a caravan or an RV, be considerate when having all your bright lights shining till late at night.Your neighbour might be stargazing (or trying to). Or they may be struggling to sleep as you left your lights on all night. Use a dimmer light setting and turn your outside lights off when you head off to bed.
6. The clean up.
Be a clean camper. When it is time to clean the dishes, when you have finished in the bathroom, clean up after yourself. Make sure the facilities you have used are clean and free of dirt and grime and waste. Ensure the floor space is dry (as far as possible). Double check that you have not left anything behind (sponges, brushes, soaps, etc).
7. Respect the fascilties.
Don’t wash your dishes in the bathroom or your laundry in the kitchen. Most campgrounds either have services for this or appropriate facilities.