Are you a
friendly camper?

We’re talking about the kind of camper
who makes the experience better for their friends and family as well as other
the folks sharing the campground. It may sound daunting, but it’s really the
little things that can truly make a camping trip amazing for everyone around
you. 

Here are a few of our favorite ways to
 achieve and maintain friendly camper
status:

• Respect
  Your Neighbors. Campgrounds are definitely for having fun —
  just be sure to keep your neighbors in mind as you kick back and relax. Keep
  your music and other noise to a reasonable level so everyone can enjoy the
  serenity of the great outdoors. Then power down at night; shut off your
  generator and dim the lights.

• Don’t
  Feed the Wildlife. Classic camping treats like a perfectly
  roasted hot dog or some gooey s’mores are amazing, no doubt. 
  They’re just not amazing for the wildlife that make their home in and around
  the campground. This is one instance where it’s ok to be greedy with your
  grub.

• Pick
  Up After Your Pets. It’s great to have a furry friend
  as a camping companion, but make sure your pet isn’t leaving any surprises
  behind. When taking your dog for a walk, always pick up all pet waste. Many
  campgrounds provide pet waste collection bags to make clean up easy and
  convienient. 

• Leave
  No Trace. Picture what your campsite looked like when you
  first arrived. That’s exactly what it should look like when head home. Sweep
  your site and put anything you moved — like chairs or tables — back in its
  place. Dispose of your garbage and if your campground has a recycling
  program, take advantage of it.

• Look,
  But Don’t Touch. The trees and other plant life that surround
  the campground rely on our help to remain fresh and beautiful. So make “look
  but don’t touch” your mantra. For example, resist the urge to cut branches
  from trees to roast marshmallows, don’t use trees to hang your laundry line
  and stick to the beaten path when you take a hike.  Mother Nature —
  and your fellow campers — will thank you for
  it.