How to Help Prepare a Campsite

A campsite doesn’t organise itself. Once you arrive, there is usually plenty to do before everyone can settle down and enjoy being there. Learning how to help prepare a campsite teaches children that camping is a shared job, and even small tasks can make a big difference.

You don’t have to be the person in charge to be useful. Carrying equipment, helping organise the camp and keeping things tidy are all valuable skills, and knowing what needs doing is an important part of becoming more capable outdoors.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this guide, you should understand:

• How to help get a campsite organised
• Why equipment needs to be kept in the right place
• How to help make camp comfortable
• Why keeping the campsite tidy matters
• How to take responsibility for your own camp jobs

Find Out What Needs Doing

When you arrive at camp, don’t simply wait for someone to tell you what to do.

Have a look around and listen to whoever is organising the campsite. There may be tents to put up, equipment to unload, cooking areas to prepare or supplies that need organising.

If you’re not sure what needs doing, ask. A simple question such as “What can I help with?” can often lead to a useful job.

Help With the Equipment

Campsites can involve a surprising amount of equipment.

You might help carry bags, move camping equipment, sort out tent parts or put shared equipment in the right place. Take care when carrying anything heavy or awkward, and always ask for help rather than trying to lift something that is too heavy for you.

Once equipment has been unloaded, avoid simply leaving it scattered around. Keeping things together makes it much easier to find what you need later.

Help Set Up Sleeping Areas

Putting up tents is usually one of the first jobs at camp.

You may be able to help by laying out the tent, sorting the poles and pegs, holding parts in place or helping to secure the tent. Follow the instructions for the particular tent and listen to whoever is supervising the job.

Once the tent is standing, help organise the inside. Sleeping bags, mats, bags and other personal equipment should have their own places rather than being left in a heap.

Organise the Campsite

A well-organised campsite makes life much easier.

Try to keep sleeping areas, cooking equipment, food, rubbish and other supplies in appropriate places. Keep walkways clear and don’t leave ropes, bags or equipment somewhere that people could trip over them.

You don’t need to make everything perfect. The important thing is knowing where things belong and putting them back when you’ve finished using them.

Help Make Camp Comfortable

There are lots of small jobs that can make a campsite more enjoyable.

You might help arrange seating, prepare a suitable area for activities, collect equipment or help get things ready for mealtimes. The exact jobs will depend on the campsite and the people you’re camping with.

Before doing anything that involves tools, fires, cooking equipment or moving heavy objects, make sure a responsible adult has given you permission and shown you what to do.

Keep the Campsite Tidy

Tidiness is part of good campcraft.

Put rubbish in the correct place, return equipment after using it and don’t leave food or packaging lying around. A messy campsite can become harder to use and can also attract animals.

At the end of an activity, take a moment to look around. Is there anything you’ve left behind? Does the equipment need putting away? Is there rubbish that needs collecting?

These simple habits quickly become second nature.

Look After the Outdoor Environment

Preparing a campsite doesn’t mean changing the landscape around you.

Use designated camping areas where provided and follow the rules of the site. Avoid damaging plants or trees, and don’t collect living vegetation simply because it is convenient.

When it’s time to leave, the aim should be to leave the area clean and cared for, just as you would want to find it.

Take Responsibility for a Camp Job

One of the best ways to develop confidence at camp is to take responsibility for a small job.

You might be responsible for keeping a particular piece of equipment organised, helping prepare an area or checking that your own sleeping space is tidy.

The job doesn’t need to be complicated. What matters is doing it properly without needing someone to remind you every few minutes.

Final Tip

A good campsite is built by everyone helping out. Look around, find something useful to do and take pride in doing it well.

The more you help with camp, the more you’ll understand how everything fits together. Before long, you’ll start noticing what needs doing before anyone has to ask.