Before the meeting:

1. Become familiar with identifying proper areas in a campsite to set up a tent or tents.
   • Scout Shop Blog “Pitch a Tent, Not a Fit – Pro Tips on Where to Set Up Your Tent”
   • Scout Life Magazine “How to Set Up a Tent”
   • If the campsite you are camping at has a designated area for tents make sure that area is used

During the meeting:

1. Explain to Cub Scouts that they’re going to pick out an area for their tents.
2. Ask Cub Scouts the following questions:
   • Should we look for a slope or flat ground? Make sure that when it rains the place where the tent is set up will drain. It doesn’t take much of a slope for water to travel downhill.
   • Should we look for a place that is rocky or smooth? For comfort you want smooth but sometimes a designated campsite is rocky or on a large rock or bolder. If you are camping on a rocky surface make sure you have a sleeping pad, not only for comfort but to keep you warm. Rocks will absorb heat from your body when it’s cold, a sleeping pad adds insulation to keep you warm.
   • Should we look for an area that is grassy or bare dirt? Never set up on wild grasslands. If the campsite has a grassy area designated for camping, then it is OK to set up.
   • Should we pick a natural drainage area? Why or why not? The danger to look out for is if the area has the potential for a flash flood or if camping near a stream or river, if there is a danger of water levels rising. Check the weather and raise your awareness if rain is in the forecast, even if it doesn’t rain where you are camping, rain in areas uphill from the campsite can cause flash flooding. Stay at least 200 feet away from any water source.
   • Should we pick a spot that’s on a trail or path? Why or why not? Most designated campsites will be off the trail to prevent those hiking the trail from walking through your campsite.
   • Should we put our tent under a tree? Why or why not? It is always best to pitch your tent in an open area away from trees as much as possible. If in a heavily wooded campsite, make sure to look up at the trees and check for any potential limbs that are broken and might fall.
3. Have Cub Scouts walk around the campsite area and pick their tent site.

Tip: Do this requirement in conjunction with Requirements 1 and 3.