When venturing outdoors and immersing yourself in nature, you may encounter potential risks. It's important to be aware and equipped with the knowledge to handle emergencies. Below, we introduce some key essentials on necessary camping gear and natural knowledge for spring and summer, which you might find useful as a reference.
How to Choose a Campsite
The first thing to consider is safety. In the wild, many unexpected incidents can occur. While the risk is much lower at low altitudes, you should still follow the basic principles of campsite selection.
1. Before setting up a tent, carefully survey the terrain. There should be no rolling rocks, fallen trees, or weathered boulders overhead. If you notice any signs of loose rocks nearby, do not set up your tent—especially near rock walls, where you should be extra cautious. Avoid setting up in concave areas if possible. The campsite should be close to a water source to ensure water for cooking and washing. Being too far from a water source can bring many inconveniences or even dangers. However, in deep forests, being near water sources may attract wildlife, so extra care is needed.
2. Do not establish a campsite in areas prone to mudslides. Many rocks show signs of being coated with mud—this is a primary indicator of potential mudslide activity. Avoid setting up camp too close to mudslide pathways.
3. Do not pitch a tent on mountaintops or open fields during thunderstorms to avoid lightning strikes.
4. Avoid setting up camp in riverbanks, riverbeds, streamsides, or valley areas during thunderstorms to prevent being swept away by sudden floods. Often, campsites are chosen along ridges or riverbanks for the scenic views. Ideal camping spots include riverbank terraces or wide riverbanks. Sandy ground that is flat and dry, or streamside areas with clear water and driftwood for fuel, can be great campsites in good weather. However, during heavy rain, valley water levels can rise suddenly, submerging riverbanks and washing away hiking boots, food, or even people.
5. Before camping in the wild during the rainy season, pay attention to the local and upstream weather and hydrological conditions. When setting up camp, place the tent on higher ground a few meters above the water level. Avoid choosing areas along water runoff paths; opt for well-drained locations and identify escape routes in case of danger. Even after settling in, regularly monitor the water flow and clarity as well as the sound of running water. Late at night or when fatigued are times when disasters are more likely to occur, so never be careless or overlook important details.
6. Wind can quickly sap body heat, causing cold and even illness. Strong winds can also blow away tents, disturb rest, make it difficult to light a fire, and hinder cooking and warmth. Therefore, choose a sheltered campsite. Ideal spots include the leeward side of small hills, clearings in or near forests, caves, the sides of ridges, or under rocks.
7. When setting up a campsite, carefully observe whether there are animal tracks, droppings, or nests nearby. Avoid areas with many snakes or rodents to prevent injuries or damage to equipment. Carry mosquito, insect, and scorpion repellents and protective measures. Sprinkling wood ash around the campsite can effectively deter snakes, scorpions, and venomous insects.
8. Choose a campsite that gets plenty of sunlight to keep it warmer, drier, and cleaner, making it easier to dry clothes, items, and gear.
9. The campsite ground should be level, free of tree roots, grass roots, sharp stones, or uneven or sloped areas that could damage gear, injure people, or affect sleep quality.
Based on the above, the following “Five Don’ts of Campsite Selection” principle is summarized:
Do not camp near water to avoid flooding; do not camp under cliffs to avoid falling rocks; do not camp on high, exposed ground to avoid strong winds; do not camp under isolated trees to avoid lightning strikes; do not camp in dense grass or bushes to avoid snakes and insects.
Choose a Sleeping Bag Suited to the Environment
The most important factor regarding sleeping bags is selecting one suitable for the season. In warmer months, a lightweight sleeping bag is sufficient, but for winter, you’ll need one that can withstand low temperatures. Choose a sleeping bag that works within a certain temperature range and ensures you stay warm and comfortable—its rated temperature should be lower than the temperatures expected during your camping trip, just in case it gets colder. If you’re sleeping in a tent, opt for a mummy-shaped sleeping bag. These bags wrap snugly around your feet, retain body heat, and are easy to carry. In terms of material, synthetic fiber sleeping bags dry faster than down ones and are less likely to cause allergies. However, down sleeping bags are lightweight and offer superior warmth, making them easy to carry. To improve your sleeping comfort, place a pad under your sleeping bag. You don’t need to bring a pillow—use a sturdy plastic bag, inflate it, and use it as a pillow under your head.
Bring only essential food
No camping trip is complete without food and water. Whether your camping adventure involves risks such as hiking and kayaking, or you're just relaxing in an RV watching DVDs, you'll need food. The rule of thumb is to bring only the food necessary for each meal. For example, if you have a small group, bring two cups of instant cereal instead of a whole canister of oatmeal. Mix food in sealed plastic bags. If you’re camping near an RV or car, use a cooler to store perishable items like meat so they don’t spoil.
Ensuring access to clean water is one of the most essential aspects of camping. Unless you can obtain clean drinking water on your own or know of a safe natural spring, it's best to bring bottled drinking water. Alternatively, carry a small packet of iodine to purify water from the wilderness or potentially unsafe sources. You can also filter the cleanest available water or boil it for at least ten minutes. Additionally, wrap your cup in aluminum foil to help cool the water more quickly.
Leave no trace
Since you’ll be camping in the open, it’s important to keep this next tip in mind: it helps protect and preserve the natural environment, ensuring that both we and future generations can enjoy nature’s beauty. Leaving no trace means cleaning up your campsite before you leave and avoiding disturbing the ecosystem. Clean up thoroughly after meals and keep food off the ground.
Though it may seem like common sense, you might still struggle to truly leave no trace. If planning ahead for a group trip, make sure your activities stay at least 60 meters away from rivers and lakes. Stick to pre-planned routes and campsites. Bury solid waste 15 to 20 centimeters below the surface. Bathe or wash dishes at least 60 meters away from water sources. Filter used water, put the filtered waste in appropriate containers, and scatter the water. Avoid damaging natural landscapes. Keep your campsite small, use established fire pits, and cook with a stove. Stay away from wildlife and never feed animals.
Wear appropriate clothing
Even if you’re only occasionally joining outdoor camping trips, having the right clothing is essential. Shed a few layers before you start sweating to stay dry. Wet clothes from sweat can make you very uncomfortable. When it comes to footwear, choose shoes that protect your feet. Wear closed-toe shoes with liners that can absorb some sweat. Hiking boots are ideal. One way to prevent blisters while hiking is to apply a layer of soap under your ankles and toes before setting out. Carry soap with you and apply it to potential trouble spots if your feet start to rub. Always bring a rain poncho in case of rain—the last thing you want is to get soaked, which can lead to hypothermia.
Avoid bugs and poisonous plants
Regarding bugs and poisonous plants: when setting up your tent or shelter, watch out for wasp nests, other insects, and bugs. If you’ll be near plants often, wear long sleeves and pants. Spraying insect repellent can also help keep bugs away. Regularly check for tick bites. You probably know to avoid poison ivy and how to identify its three-leaf clusters. Be cautious of poison oak and poison sumac—which are more common than three-leaved plants. When near plants, bushes, or woods, cover yourself from head to toe with clothing to reduce the chance of getting a rash. It’s best to carry calamine lotion and antihistamines or anti-allergy medication in case you encounter an irritant. As mentioned earlier, proper storage and handling of food can prevent wildlife from raiding your campsite. Keep food off the ground—hang it from a rope or place it on high tree branches.
Carry a survival backpack
When camping, nothing could be truer than the Boy Scout motto: “Be prepared.” Bringing a survival backpack when you leave your main campsite for activities is absolutely essential. So, what should go in this backpack? First, include water purification tablets, a water purifier, and a metal cup. Then, pack a survival knife for hunting, self-defense, and signaling for help. In addition to the survival backpack, carry a first aid kit. It should contain bandages, wound cleansers, medical gloves, and ice packs.
Take extra precautions when camping with kids or pets
Camping with kids or pets can be exhausting but also a rewarding experience. As we’ve learned, the secret to a successful camping trip is advance planning—it determines whether you and your children will make it through the trip. Make sure to bring suitable clothing to protect your kids, including sun hats for summer and hot days, and long-sleeve clothing for sudden temperature drops. Then, just like a fire drill, help your children learn how to avoid getting lost and what to do if they do. Give each child a flashlight or glow stick, and remind them daily of the camping rules and safety tips.
Camping Tips:
The tent entrance must be kept closed when setting up the tent. Develop the good habit of zipping the tent door shut when packing or unpacking; always close the tent entrance promptly upon entering or exiting to prevent insects or small animals from crawling in and disturbing your rest at night. In many cases, when camping, some team members not only fail to zip the tent doors properly but even leave them open while chatting, which often leads to being woken up by small animals in the middle of the night, disrupting their own and others’ sleep.
When entering the tent to rest, place your hiking boots with the toes pointing outward. Except for nighttime camping essentials like sleeping bags and pillows, all other items must be neatly packed and stored in your backpack, placed under the outer tent flap near the tent entrance. This way, if an emergency occurs at night, you can quickly put on your hiking boots, grab your backpack, and evacuate. During hundred-kilometer hikes, many hikers casually discard their hiking boots, backpacks, and clothes outside the tent. If it rains or there’s heavy dew at night, these items will get soaked—how will you continue your trek?
Before going to sleep in the tent, develop the habit of placing your headlamp within easy reach and resting a knife under your pillow. If an unexpected situation arises at night, you can grab the headlamp and knife to escape the tent. If the tent won’t open, you can quickly cut your way out with the knife. Many hikers fail to appreciate the value of a sharp 25 cm knife during outdoor camping.
From the time you settle down for the night until the camp is packed up the next morning, loud conversations or horseplay in the campsite are strictly prohibited to avoid disturbing other team members’ rest. At night (including during night watch handovers), never open another teammate’s tent without gently waking them first, as this may startle them into thinking someone—or a wild animal—is attacking, leading to accidental injuries.
Finally, please remember: in the wild, protect the natural environment. Do not harm wildlife, chop down trees recklessly, damage vegetation, or pollute water sources. Before leaving the campsite, ensure all fires are completely extinguished. Take all possible trash with you and dispose of it in designated areas. If it’s impossible to carry trash away, bury it in a pit.