A family cooking marshmallows over a fire while camping by a lake and learning how to camp.

Photo credit: Brooks Rice

Camping Basics

Discipline: Camping Stream: Skills Development

Camping Basics is an introduction to campcraft skills course and perfect for those wanting to learn how to camp.

The intention of this 8-hour program is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts and skills necessary to safely enjoy camping in a campground or slightly remote setting. A short overnight camping trip is optional.

Upon completion of this course, the student will have basic knowledge of gear and outdoor skills required to plan and execute their own safe camping trip with a group of peers having similar knowledge in a non-wilderness or frontcounty setting (e.g. National or Provincial park).

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Course Overview

Typical Course Length

A minimum of 8 hours of instruction and may include an overnight.

Course Topics

Kitchen and Cooking

Kitchen Set-up and Safety
Cooking in the Outdoors
Portable Stove Use
Campfires
Safe Knife Use
Safe Drinking Water
Menu Planning
Food Preparation and Storage
Hygiene

Campsite & Gear

Campsite Set-up
Tent and Tarp Set-up
Choosing Camping Gear and Clothing
Knots

Theory

Trip Planning
Impact of Camping on the Environment
Risk Awareness & Management
Introduction to Weather
Heat and Cold Issues
Camping Locations and Resources
Respect for Wildlife
First Aid Training Awareness
Camping Comfort
Sun Sense

Course Prerequisites

Certification

None

Camping Experience

None

The Small Print

The content on this page is provided for information only and could be incorrect or outdated. The course program manual is the official syllabus.

If you have any specific syllabus questions, please get in touch with the Camping Program Committee who is responsible for the development and maintaince of this course.