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neck of the woods | theatreors
t he g o o d l if e | g r eat out do

CAMPING

Which style is right for you?

by bryant helgeland
C amping is arguably one of the safest and healthiest

places to be right now so long as you do it correctly. A
few things to keep in mind:

• Check to make sure your destination is open. Also, have a
plan B in case your plan A is overcrowded.

• If you are going somewhere you know is open but has closed
facilities, prepare accordingly. Bring enough supplies to be
self-sufficient.

• Only go with people in your family or peer group that
you trust have been following appropriate social distance
guidelines.

• Go easy and stay safe. Please do not put additional strain on
already stressed Search and Rescue and Health Care providers.

• Keep it local. Many places are currently only open for day-use.

• As always, practice Leave No Trace!

Once you’ve made plans to go camping safely let’s dive into the
different styles of camping.

CAR CAMPING
This is where you drive to an established campground, set up
camp, and most likely grill your favorite goodies over the fire ring
at your established campsite. You get the benefits of being outside
enjoying nature without having to carry all the creature comforts
on your back or in a watercraft. This is an awesome way to hone
your camping skills while still having the relative safety of being
able to bail if things like bugs, the weather, or other issues arise.
It is also a great way to get the kiddos involved and excited about
nature and the outdoors.

BACKPACKING

Going backpacking hopefully gets you off the beaten path to some-
where remote and gorgeous. That’s the point! Hike to a lake, set

72 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | summer 2020