If camping at a camping facility with established tent pads the choice is easy. Pitch the tent on the tent pad, regardless of its condition. A tent pad is an artificially designed durable surface constructed for the purpose. Frequently, it is the only flat, well drained surface at the campsite, if there isn’t an easily recognizable tent pad, look for depressions in the grass or regularly shaped compacted ground. This indicates where previous tents have been pitched. Use this area rather than using new untrampled areas. It keeps impact to a minimum!
Other points to keep in mind when looking for a place to pitch the tent are:
Look for a level spot. Remove loose rock and sticks to prevent punctures in the tent floor. Try not to disturb any other ground covering.
Look for overhanging branches and standing dead trees. Try to pitch tents away from the fall line of the dead trees and out from underneath dead limbs.
Look down to make sure the tent isn’t pitched over the only anthill in the vicinity or the collecting pool for rain.
Stay away from the trail, the water source, and the edge of a cliff! Using the common distance of 200 yards from any of these will keep everyone safe, undisturbed and environmentally sound.
Pitch tents a good distance away from a fire scar if it is part of the troop plan to use it. Sparks from the fire can quickly become holes in the tent or worse!
Position tents so there is plenty of unhindered walking space between tents. Guy-lines are difficult to see and take up more space than planned. Secure guy-lines for one tent and then measure available space for a walkway and the next tent’s guy-lines before securing them.
Angle the tent entrance away from the wind, but looking in toward the center of the campsite.
Place the leaders’ tent in a position to oversee all tent entrances.