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Eat around the old campfire.
Camping baffles me. While modern living gives us beds and walls and roofs, there is a subsection of humanity that nonetheless chooses — chooses! — to sleep on the ground sheltered by little more than a house-shaped windbreaker, and to cook their food without the benefit of an oven, air fryer, or sous vide. A friend of mine looks forward, each year, to his winter camping trip in Canada’s Northwest Territories which … shudder.
Nonetheless, I can’t deny that camping fits into a “back to nature” ethos and that, done right, it leaves a far lighter footprint on our planet than a cabin or cottage. I say “done right” because all human activity, of course, has an impact.
So I reached out to a few keen camping friends, including Bluedot contributor and happy camper Sam Moore, to get specifics on “done right.” Their tips range from gear specific to best practices.
Sam’s advice hews to my own regarding gear of any sort. “The most eco-friendly gear is what you already have,” he insists. Sam has used the same backpack for at least a decade — long enough that he can’t recall its provenance. When he does need something new or to replace something that’s worn out, he turns to second-hand options. “Depending on where you live, there are some great resources for used camping gear, and often in those places you can also find people who are more knowledgeable about making recommendations,” Sam tells me. “Up here in Maine, we have the Portland Gear Hub, as well as some nice cooperatives like Maine Gear Share.” Look for similar local hubs in your area. Or check out online sites such as Geartrade, REI ReSupply, Rerouted, and Out & Back.
The Camping Kitchen
Another friend of mine who pitches her tent in various of Canada’s provincial parks insists that prepping is key to delicious camp-friendly meals. “Everything should be prepared in advance at home if you want good food,” she tells me. “Sauces for pastas or salad dressings … into little reusable containers they go.” She adds, “I cut and parboil potatoes in advance and then you have hash browns for breakfast and throw eggs right over them. Mix your own pancake mix in Tupperware.”
She recommends that you freeze everything in advance. And, instead of ice in a cooler, she fills an empty soda or juice container with water and pops that in a cooler as an ice pack. “Works like a charm,” she says.
The most eco-friendly gear is what you already have.
– camper Sam Moore
Kelsey Perrett, Bluedot’s digital projects manager (and camping and life partner of Sam Moore), uses a food dehydrator and reusable silicone bags in order to lighten the load on the couple’s backpacking and cycling trips. She adds that “people love” Borvo instant bone broth, which comes in easy-to-pack compostable sleeves.
My Canadian friend relies on an old-fashioned campfire to cook her meals, careful to use established fire pits, keep fires small, use dead wood, and ensure that fires are completely extinguished. A better choice might be a camp stove fueled with renewable energy. BioLite has some great options (and Kelsey favors their products).
Take reusable cutlery and dishes or biodegradable options. And when it comes time to wash up, an all-in-one detergent like Dr. Bronner’s Castile soap (buy the refill carton, then portion it into smaller reusable containers for a lighter load) or Campsuds does the job. And pick up extras — pastries or fruit — at local markets.
The Garbage
“Leave no trace” is a camper’s mantra and it means exactly what it sounds like. Once you’re gone, it should be as though you were never there.
Read more about camp cooking, complete with tips and recipes!
And read more about camping food, gear, and best practices in Room for Change: Camping.
