Sustainable Camping Practices and Activities for Kids

Sustainable Camping Practices and Activities for Kids

Camping is a great way to interact with the environment and have fun! Here are some simple ways to ensure you are doing your part to protect the planet while enjoying our facilities. Whether you are new to camping or an old pro, there are always ways to improve your sustainability efforts, preserving beautiful places for years to come!

Here are some tips to easily make your visit more sustainable:

Use Reusable Plates, Utensils, and Bottles: Cut down on waste and save money with reusable products. Single-use plates, utensils, and bottles take up extra space in your bags and in our landfills. Most of our facilities now have sinks for washing dishes, as well as potable water for refilling reusable bottles!

Recycle: Check what materials are recyclable at the facility when you arrive and separate recyclables throughout your trip. Some items should never be put in the recycling. Check out our new Recycle Right signs for alternative disposal methods.

Bring Solar Power: Using solar-powered lights, radios, and chargers is an easy, renewable energy source that reduces your need for extra batteries and keeps you connected while camping.

Buy Local Firewood: Help stop the spread of invasive pests and save trees by following the New York State Firewood Regulation. Check out the DEC website for more information on where to buy local firewood.

Don’t Burn Trash: Don’t throw plastic cups, food wrappers, or other trash into the fire. Plastic releases toxic smoke and could pollute the ground and nearby waters.

Wind Powered Boating: Use a sail boat or other motor-free vessel instead of a gas-powered boat this summer. These boats are fun to use, save carbon emissions and eliminate the risk of oil-water contamination.

Carpool: Travel with your friends and family in one vehicle instead of many to decrease carbon emissions. Also, check out New York’s expanding network of electric vehicle (EV) chargers, which are making camping with an EV more practical than ever before!

Rent or Borrow: Find used gear instead of buying new. Done using your camping gear? If it’s still usable, ask if the facility collects it or drop it off at a donation center on your way home!

New York State is dedicated to making our facilities more sustainable! We are switching to LED lighting, installing occupancy sensors, improving our recycling centers, greening our vehicle fleets, expanding our use of solar energy and much more!

Find more tips on how to camp sustainably and pack sustainably on DEC’s website.

Looking for an activity for the kids? Download our sustainable living coloring pages.
 

Are you ready for an outdoor adventure? Plan your camping trip!