Bark Campouts are free-to-attend, multi-day trips for groundtruthing, beaver habitat surveying, and more. It’s important to be prepared – please review our campout expectations before you go!
Here’s what to consider before signing up for a campout:
- Dogs must be approved by a Bark staff member prior to the field day or campout.
- Campsites are primitive and will not be ADA accessible.
- There will be no cell service, wifi, or electricity.
- There will be no flush toilets. Vault toilets may be available depending on the campsite. If not, we will dig a large trench for the group to use and there will options for be digging individual catholes. Instructions, a shovel, and a handwash station will be provided. Using the trench or a cathole requires squatting.
- There will be no plumbing. You must bring your own water (for drinking AND cooking) for your stay.
- Kids are allowed but must be supervised by their parent or guardian at all times.
How to Prepare for a Campout
After registering for a campout, you’ll get a confirmation email. The week before the trip, you’ll get a follow-up email with details to help you prepare, which you can also find below:
- Look at our campout packing list! Please prepare as if you were going camping on your own. You’ll be expected to bring your own food and water (pack at least 2-3 liters of water per person, per day).
- Check out our safety considerations page for notes about first aid, weather, and terrain.
- Review the Campout Ground Rules.
- Respond to the follow-up email with any of the following information, if it applies to you:
- Not planning to meet us at the primary meetup location on Day 1? Let us know that you’ll plan to meet us at the survey location at ~11:00am.
- Not planning to attend the whole campout? Let us know what day(s) you plan to attend. Please meet us at the campsite at 9:30am on the day you arrive.
- Need some gear? Bark has extra warm clothing, rain gear, backpacks, water bottles and other items for those who need them. Let us know what you need!
- Have any medical issues (diabetes, allergies, etc.), accommodations, questions or concerns? Let us know!
What Gear Does Bark Provide?
- A Shaded Camp Kitchen: large 3 burner stove with propane, food prep table(s), cooking utensils, knives, selection of cutting boards, various large serving bowls, strainer
- Dishwashing station and cleaning supplies
- Toilet chair if requested
- A private latrine (a dug out trench) with privacy screens
- Sanitization materials (alcohol wipes, toilet paper, wet wipes, minimal cleaning supplies)
- Trash, recycling, and compost bags. Bark will also haul out waste.
- First aid packets and extra first aid supplies
- Supplies for groundtruthing and beaver and wetland mapping surveys
- Training for conducting surveys
Campout Agenda
Thursday, Day 1: Bark staff will help coordinate carpooling; if you need to carpool please indicate that on your registration form. Please come dressed and prepared for a day of surveying! Once we arrive at the camp site, we will drop our gear in our respective areas but not set up our tents. We will then head out for a half day of surveying. Around 4pm, we will head back to camp and set up our tents, make dinner and relax for the evening. More information on the campsites and survey locations will be provided to those who sign up for the campout.
- 9am – meet your carpooling cohort
- ~11am – arrive at camp site
- ~11:30am- leave camp site to do half-day survey
- 4pm – reconvene after surveys and head to the camp to set up and relax
Friday and Saturday, Days 2-3: we have a morning huddle/meeting around 9:00am and separate into groups for the day’s surveys. If you are planning on arriving on one of these days, you will need to get to the campsite by 9:30am.
- 9am – morning meetup to set up survey groups
- 9:00am – 9:30am- non-camping folks should arrive during this time
- 9:45am – head to survey locations
- 4pm – return to camp
Sunday, Day 4: we will NOT BE SURVEYING but will pack up camp after breakfast and head back to Portland. Participants are free to head home on the final day when they’re finished packing.