Pick the Campsite and Pitch the Tent

Each group evaluates three possible campsites marked on campus, picks the best one using a list of criteria, pitches its tent there, and has another group inspect it. Students practice planning a camping trip, safety, and respect for the environment.

How to play

1. Use cones to mark three areas per group: one on a slope, one under a tree or by a drain, and one flat and sheltered. Form 5 groups of 5 with a tent each (2 min).
2. Choosing (5 min): using the criteria card (level ground, no rocks, out of low spots, away from dead branches, door facing away from the wind), the group picks a site and writes down why.
3. Pitching (10 min): lay out the footprint, thread the poles, drive stakes at 45 degrees, add the rain fly, and tighten the guylines, splitting the jobs.
4. Cross-check (5 min): another group scores the tent 0 to 10 on location, stakes, rain fly not touching the inner tent, and guylines.
5. Take down and wrap-up (8 min): pack everything, counting stakes and poles, and each group explains why it chose its site.

Rules

• Drive stakes in by foot or by hand, never by throwing them, and count them at the start and end.
• No running between tents or stepping on guylines.
• When finished, the area must be left exactly as it was.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: lead the site choice and do table-height tasks such as assembling poles.
• Autism: setup sequence on numbered cards and a fixed job.
• Experienced groups pitch without instructions; others follow the manufacturer's.

Learning goals

• Choose a safe campsite using reasoned criteria.
• Pitch and take down a tent as a team.
• Respect the environment and leave no trace after camping.

Equipment for a class of 25

• camping tents: 5
• cones: 15
• cards: 10

Teacher tip

Check beforehand that every tent has all its parts: one missing pole ruins the activity. Let students make mistakes when choosing a site and discover them during the cross-check.

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