Camping Equipment & Tips

Instructions Step 1: Choose a spot Choose a romantic spot for your campsite and make reservations a few weeks in advance. Consider a site on an ocean or lake, in the mountains, or desert canyon. TIP: Choose an isolated location to allow you and your partner the privacy to do as you please. Step 2: …

Instructions Step 1: Sweep out your tent Sweep out your tent with the broom while it is set up. Use the dustpan to collect any dust bunnies and dirt piles. Step 2: Shake out the sides Grab a side of the tent lightly and gently shake the fabric to remove dust and dirt. Step 3: …

Instructions Step 1: Set up early Set up your sleeping area early so it can absorb heat during the day. You should bring a foam pad to sleep on, a sleeping bag designed for temperatures colder than you expect, and a tent that has proper ventilation to prevent condensation building up inside. TIP: Choose synthetic …

Instructions Step 1: Purchase a spare battery Purchase a spare battery, and bring it along with you on the trip. Swap it out when your cellphone battery loses its charge. Charge the spare battery ahead of time as batteries lose their charge during storage. TIP: Use a power station that plugs into your cellphone and …

Instructions Step 1: Purchase locally Look for used camping and hiking equipment at garage sales, or check the local newspaper classifieds for used outdoor equipment. Buying locally lets you inspect the equipment before you buy it and saves you delivery charges. Step 2: Check eBay Search for equipment eBay at ebay.com if you can’t find …

Instructions Step 1: Cut the hose off Cut the hose from the bottle, leaving a 1-inch section coming out of the bottle. Then cut the hose off of the sprayer, again leaving a 1-inch section of hose attached to the sprayer. Step 2: Replace the hose with tubing Slide one end of the medical tubing …

Instructions Step 1: Pack clothing and protection Pack extra clothing for all sorts of weather, including rain gear and extra boots. Remember to pack sunscreen, bug sprays, and a first-aid kit. Nothing is less comfortable than suffering burns, bites, and injuries. TIP: Drink a tablespoon of white vinegar three times daily for the week before …

Instructions Step 1: Dress in layers Prepare for the cold conditions by dressing in layers. Thermal underwear, insulated fleece, and water- and windproof outerwear are a must. Step 2: Keep feet and hands warm Keep your feet and hands warm by wearing insulated boots and gloves that have a waterproof outer shell. Step 3: Protect …

Instructions Step 1: Be sure your dogs are allowed to camp with you Contact the campgrounds or park you will be visiting, and be sure your dogs are allowed in the camping areas and on the trails. TIP: Make sure your dogs are in shape to keep up with you while you’re camping. If you …

Instructions Step 1: Purchase a sprayer Purchase a compressed-air sprayer from a lawn and garden supply vendor. Choose a 1- or 2-gallon model with a spray hose that extends several feet and a wand that is a couple of feet long. TIP: Do not use a sprayer that has been used to apply lawn or …

Instructions Step 1: Keep food hot or cold Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Most food bacteria stop growing at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The in-between range is the danger zone. Step 2: Practice good hygiene Practice good hygiene. Bacteria present on raw meat can spread to …

Instructions Step 1: Explore the area Explore the area thoroughly while there is still plenty of daylight. Step 2: Look for positive features Look for resources that make camping easier and avoid dangerous landscape. Make sure there is a nearby source of water. Be on the lookout for potential hazards such as overhead branches and …

Instructions Step 1: Locate a roasting stick Look for a green forked branch to use as a roasting stick. TIP: The branch should be 3 to 4 feet in length so that you don’t have to get too close to the fire. Step 2: Build a campfire Build a campfire and let it burn down …

Instructions Step 1: Collect water Collect water from the lake with the bucket and bring it to your campsite. Step 2: Hang rope Hang a clothesline between two trees to dry your clothes after washing them. TIP: Wash your clothes before the heat of the day, so they’ll be dry by the time you will …

Instructions Step 1: Pack protection and comfort Pack tents, stakes, poles, fly sheets, rope, and a tarp to protect against the elements. Ensure comfort inside with pillows, pads, and air mattresses. Don’t forget the air pump! Step 2: Bring fire and cookware Jam in the cook stove, cooler, and a supply of clean water. You’ll …

Instructions Step 1: Cut a hole in the bucket lid Use the saw to cut a hole in the center of the bucket’s lid, big enough for your toilet plunger handle to fit through. Step 2: Insert plunger Put the plunger inside the bucket and fill the bucket with water, dirty clothes, and laundry detergent. …

Instructions Step 1: Check for bathroom accommodations Choose a park or campground with bathroom facilities. A lot of people shudder at the thought of using an outhouse, or worse — a hole. Many state parks and campgrounds offer bathrooms complete with showers that are cleaned and maintained regularly. Step 2: Bring furniture Bring furniture, such …

Instructions Step 1: Determine head count Determine the number of people that will sleep in your tent. If you plan to store gear in the tent with you, you may want to buy a bigger tent. Step 2: Determine seasonal use Determine during which seasons you will use the tent. Check for ventilation and a …

Instructions Step 1: Cut off the flaps Make sure your box is large enough to contain your campfire grill. Then use your knife to cut the flaps off the top of the box. Step 2: Cut ventilation holes Cut three ventilation holes near the bottom of the box, through two facing sides. This will allow …

Instructions Step 1: Pick a spot When it comes to doing your business while camping, finding the right spot is key. Choose a location at least 200 feet away from any trail, campsite, or body of water to avoid contaminating areas used for cooking, eating, or drinking. TIP: If there’s an outhouse available, use it. …

Instructions Step 1: Remove the tent from its carrying bag Open the tent bag. Remove the tent and other parts, such as pegs, guy wires, or waterproof fly. TIP: Practice setting the tent up at home before your camping trip. Step 2: Remove the restraining straps for a spring-action tent Grasp the edge of the …

Instructions Step 1: Prepare a snack Fix up a blend of your favorite nuts, seeds, dried fruits, wheat crackers, and raisins at home. Store it in a zip-lock bag for snacks on the trail. Step 2: Stir up oatmeal Combine a mixture of instant rolled oats and dried fruit at home. In camp, add the …

Instructions Step 1: Stop at a visitor center Stop at the visitor’s center to ask about different campsites. Ask a about local hazards, such as fire ants, poisonous snakes, bears, and poison ivy before setting up a tent. Step 2: Pick a spot near the road Pick a spot near the road. When you’re on …

Instructions Step 1: Choose an attractive location Choose a location that offers attractive scenery where you will enjoy spending time. Step 2: Choose a site close to water Locate your site close to a source of clean water if you are not bringing water with you. TIP: Avoid setting up a camp site on low …

Instructions Step 1: Get some dirt Place a handful of dirt directly onto the dish. Work it around thoroughly with your hands until it picks up food particles. TIP: Don’t be tempted to rinse dirty dishes in natural bodies of water, such as lakes and streams. It pollutes and attracts pests. Step 2: Burn Throw …

Instructions Step 1: Bring the essentials Stock your campsite with essential items like insect repellent and flashlights. TIP: Try to have everything at the campsite that you will need so you won’t have to make repeated trips back to the house. Step 2: Set up a tent Set up a tent or lay a tarp …

Instructions Step 1: Learn the parts Learn the basic parts of a compass, including the floating needle with a red tip, and the housing – the movable round piece containing the needle. The housing is labeled with direction and degree marks. The direction-of-travel arrow is marked on the base. TIP: A baseplate compass, which includes …

Instructions Step 1: Select a place for the tent Locate a flat, open area that is away from stands of trees. Clear any rocks, sticks, and other sharp objects from the ground. Step 2: Stake down the tent Stake down the four corners of the tent. Pull the tent tight as you hammer in each …

Instructions Step 1: Make an equipment list Make a checklist of the items you will need before you go. The list should include shelter and sleeping equipment, cooking utensils, food, campsite tools, flashlights and lanterns, toiletries, a first-aid kit, and clothing. TIP: Plan on camping for more than one night. The longer your trip, the …

Instructions : Exercise caution with fires. The only safe way to extinguish a campfire is with water. Step 1: Camp close to home Choose a camp site close to home. This reduces gasoline consumption and automobile emissions associated with getting there. Step 2: Camp in a campground Set up your camp in a designated camping …

Instructions Step 1: Make sure the fire is perfect for roasting Check the fire and make sure it has areas that have burned down to embers. They should be orange, but not bursting with flame. TIP: Sit upwind of the fire. You don’t want smoke and flames in your face. Step 2: Prepare a fork …

Instructions Step 1: Prepare the crackers Prepare your graham crackers by breaking a long one into two equal squares and placing them side-by-side. Step 2: Place the chocolate on a cracker Then take a piece of chocolate and lay it on one of the squares of graham cracker. Place that on a plate and leave …

Instructions Step 1: Get permission to make a fire Check ahead to make sure you’re allowed to have a fire at the place you’re planning to camp. Step 2: Bring along a grill Consider grabbing the grate out of your toaster oven or off your backyard barbecue and stashing it with your gear. When you …

Instructions Step 1: Pick a good spot Pick a spot on level ground that is not so high on a hill that it’s windy, but not so low in a valley that you’ll be at risk of being flooded if it rains. Make sure there are no patches of poison ivy or oak. Step 2: …

Instructions Step 1: Lay down the ground tarp Find a clear, flat area to pitch your tent. Remove any rocks and debris, and then lay down the ground tarp. Step 2: Unfold the tent Unfold the tent on top of the ground tarp, with the door facing in the desired direction. Make sure all zippers …

Instructions : This video is for informational purposes only. You should never play with fire. Step 1: Tuck steel wool into toilet paper Take a piece of steel wool and tuck it into the toilet paper. TIP: Expose strands Make sure several strands of steel wool are exposed. You’ll get more sparks that way. Step …