Camping at the beach can be an amazing experience. Let's plan a beach camping trip.

The first thing you’ll want to do is find a beach that allows camping. Not all beaches will allow you to camp and it is important for the safety of you, your group, and beach wildlife that you only set up camp in designated areas.

*Together with your group research beaches that allow camping in your chosen area

Most beaches have restricted areas. Areas that are to be left undisturbed. The most common restricted areas are the sand dunes.

*How are costal dunes formed?

*Why are they important?

*Why are they often-restricted areas?

Another important piece of information you’ll need is a tide schedule for your chosen area.

*Visit tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov to research the tide schedule for your chosen area

*Why is it important to know the tide schedule?

Now that you have chosen you site let's talk about gear

*What kinds of gear do you take on a typical camping trip?

*Will you have access to typical amenities at your beach camping site?

*How will this affect your packing list?

While making your packing list you will also have to consider how you will get to your campsite?

*Does your chosen beach allow vehicles? Will you have to walk to your site?

*Will this have an effect on your packing list?

Let's set up our sleeping area

*Do you set up a tent in the sand using the same methods as a typical campsite?

One concern you’ll likely have to address is wind.

*How will the wind affect how you set up and anchor your tent?

Sand in unwanted areas –like your sleeping area- are almost inevitable when you're beach camping.

One way to lessen that is proper matting

*What is matting and how will it help to avoid unwanted sand in your tent?

*What are some other ways to avoid unwanted sand?

*When you do get sand in unwanted areas what are some tips and tricks you can use to clean it up?

There something magical about a beach camp fire

*Does your chosen camping area allow beach fires?

*Do they provide fire rings?

*If fires are allowed but no fire ring is provided where and how should you set up to start your fire?

*What are the steps to properly extinguish your fire?

*What are proper steps to clean up after your fire?

If you're camping for multiple days you might need to clean yourself up

*What are some ways that you can maintain your personal hygiene while being ecofriendly and practicing Leave No Trace?

When you're ready to pack up and head home it is important that you Leave No Trace of your presence at your campsite.

*Why is that important and how will that look different than a typical camping trip?