I, and a bunch of friends want to go camping without an adult, is there any problems we should look out for?
We are all 17 except one of us who is 16. There is hopefully going to be a group of 10. 6 are girls and 4 guys. Three of us have California drivers licenses, and we are all pretty responsible,and we will be taking two large trucks. We are not unfamiliar with camping as we have lived in a mountainous region since birth or at least 10 years old. Camping is a regular thing to us. We have the location, but not exactly sure about the supplies or how to find out whether there is a legal age limit or permits for fire and what not. We will be staying at a place 2 hours from home, for about three days two nights. We really want to have an awesome time as to it is our last spring break together before Senior Year. So any suggestions, questions, warnings, ‘you better not do that’ s, haha, all comments welcome. Also we are going to camp in California in the Sequoia National Forest.
Some private campgrounds have age restrictions, but all National Parks, National Forests, State Parks, and BLM sites do not, so you should be fine in Sequoia National Forest.
Just make sure you don’t get lost and tell an adult where you will be and when you will be back because you may not have phone reception in Sequoia.
Have fun.
There has to be at least one person who is 18 or older, 18 is the age of responsibility in California, and in areas under the control of the Federal Government. Invite someones’ older brother or sister along, they just have to be willing to take responsibility for the actions of the entire underage group. sign papers at the emergency room, go to jail for underage drinking, take the ticket for any number of citable infractions. Have fun!
If you can drive a deadly weapon [a truck] responsibly, then you can safely camp in the forest with a little planning. Leave-no-trace. No broken glass bottles in a fire ring. No rock ring needed with a small fire. A small, cool fire is better for grilling ribs, and romance than a huge bonfire. Look over the essentials lists so that you do not overlook any gear. Contact the district ranger office for any specific regulations for dispersed camping or campgrounds.
Technically you have to have at least one person 18 years old in your party to hold a campsite at any National Forest or Park campground. Any dispersed area the rule is not applied. However drinking laws do apply anywhere you go and if Johnny Law catches you the trip is over regardless.