When most people think about camping safety, they picture bug spray and bear bags.
Or they think lions, bears, and snakes… and never go.
The honest truth? I’m usually more concerned about people with bad intentions than wildlife. Being a woman with two little girls, it would be naïve not too, unfortunately.
With animals, they’re just doing what’s natural. You can learn their patterns and prepare. But people? They’re harder to predict.
As an always aspiring adventure mama who often camps solo with my kids, I’ve picked up a few tools and habits that help me feel confident and prepared—for all kinds of wild.
Whether you’re solo camping or heading out as a full crew, it’s smart to prep for both the beautiful and the unpredictable. These are my go-to, non-alarmist safety strategies that keep our adventures joyful, and teach my daughters how to feel aware—not afraid.
🥾 Before You Hit the Trail
We go over our safety rules in the car while the excitement is high and attention spans are short. I keep it simple and repeatable:
- Stay together. Always in sight. No hide-and-seek.
- No sharing location info. Ever. Even with “nice” people. As a recovering people pleaser, recognizing when someone is being too forward and being ok with being perceived as rude is my responsibility as the adult in the group to keep up safe. The girls are to let me know if someone is asking these questions.
Each of my girls carries a backpack with:
- A whistle
- A small snack
- Their own water bottle
- Rain gear
- extra pair of socks (no one wants wet feet after stepping in the irresistible puddle)
(You’ll still carry the full snack bar, of course. Snacks are the MVP of kid hiking.)
My 5-year-old frequently packs hers with a nature journal, magnifying glass, and bug net—because part of safety is making them feel capable and included.
Also: Pack layers. Nothing ruins a hike faster than being cold and wet—especially in the mountains where the weather can turn quickly.
*these photos and lists are not all inclusive. Depending on the terrain we would pack some pretty intense first aid, layers, etc. Research the environment you’ll be camping in for recommendations.
🛡️ People + Personal Safety
Most people don’t want to admit it, but this is what keeps many moms (especially solo) from camping:
What if someone tries to get into the tent?
I’ve had that thought, too.
Here’s what I do:
- Carabiner the tent zippers. A small clip between the zipper pulls slows anyone down and gives you warning time.
- Keep bear spray in the tent. It has a 20–40 ft range. It’s not just for bears—it’s a general deterrent. There are safety locks to prevent kid misuse, and I teach my kids it’s a “mama-only” tool. You can pick this up at pretty much any big outdoor store regardless of if you live in bear country or not
- If you are comfortable and trained in a firearm: always keep it unloaded and locked away when not needed. A portable, biometric safe is a great, light, option for car camping where no one but yourself can access it. Mine is the Vaultek biometric lifepod.
🧠 Teach Them to Be Social and Smart
My 5-year-old is so friendly she’s tried to give her full address to a kid she just met. So we talk—often—about personal safety:
- No one (especially adults) should ask a kid where they’re camping or hiking. If someone does, that’s a red flag.
- If someone asks if we’re alone, we lie with confidence:
“Dad is waiting just ahead.” - No solo bathroom breaks—and we’ll keep that rule for years to come.
These conversations aren’t meant to scare. They’re about empowering awareness so we can go confidently, not fearfully.
Hopefully these tips give you a little more confidence to get started going on adventures with your kids. A little preparation goes a long way.
You don’t have to be fearless to get out there—you just need to be prepared.
These are the things that help me sleep better at night—and show my girls that courage and caution can live side by side.