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Improve your camping experience with these videos
Has it been a while since your last camping trip? Have you forgotten how exactly to hang your pack so the big, bad grizzlies don't get to it? This set of anything-but-dry videos will help ease your mind and reassure your camping skills, whether you are new to camping or just need a refresher.
(Even if you consider yourself a camping expert, be sure to check out the final, hilarious video.)
How to Set Up a Dome Tent
A dome tent is the most common type of tent for the casual camper. Although there are many different styles of camping tents, this humorous (but accurate) video offers a walkthrough for basic tent setup, complete with a goggled sidekick.
(Even if you consider yourself a camping expert, be sure to check out the final, hilarious video.)
How to Set Up a Dome Tent
A dome tent is the most common type of tent for the casual camper. Although there are many different styles of camping tents, this humorous (but accurate) video offers a walkthrough for basic tent setup, complete with a goggled sidekick.
Setting Up a Pop-up
Not everybody is up for roughing it in a tent, so if you're renting or borrowing a pop-up camper, this walkthrough will show you the basics.
Bonus: the clip features some awesome camping tunes! Let's get down!
How to Make a Campfire
And what is a camping trip with out a proper fire? The guys at Howcast have put together this nifty little video for the "flame-challenged."
Hang a Bear Bag
Serious campers, or campers who regularly go backpacking, will need to find ways to keep bears out of their food. This tutorial will teach you how to hang your pack between trees so bears and other wildlife can't reach it easily.
No promises that this method will prevent your hungry backpacking friends from eating all your food while you're sleeping, however.
Get the Good ZZZs
Sometimes it's tough to get a good night's sleep in the wilderness, with all those frogs chirping and wolves howling. These tips will make it easier to sleep in comfort and wake up rested, even if you don't happen to have a reindeer fur in your pack.
Cooking with a Dutch Oven
A cast iron Dutch oven is almost a requirement of good camp food. The chops this guy makes in his Dutch oven look so good you'll want to grab them off the screen for dinner.
Bonus: listening to this video three times in a row will put any child instantly to sleep.
Camp Stove Pizza
Ok, so you're probably not going to pack Asiago cheese with you while camping, but this video is still pretty cool if you want a pizza instead of wieners-on-sticks every night you're out there in the woods.
In fact, this pizza looks better than some restaurants in my hometown make.
Visit a Backcountry Shelter
Perhaps you are more experienced and want to venture even further into the wild. Take a look at what a backcountry shelter looks like in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
What to Pack for a Day Hike
Best to be prepared for that day hike you're planning, too. This is a simple packing guide (water, basic first aid supplies, etc.) but still essential!
Humorous Guide to Camping
If you thought you knew everything about camping, you are wrong. These guys present to you the Redneck Camping Guide, including site selection and how to deal with leaving your wife behind for your buddies.
To be honest, this is probably the only video you really need to watch here.
Be prepared for your next trip with camping gear from AOL Shopping.
Not everybody is up for roughing it in a tent, so if you're renting or borrowing a pop-up camper, this walkthrough will show you the basics.
Bonus: the clip features some awesome camping tunes! Let's get down!
How to Make a Campfire
And what is a camping trip with out a proper fire? The guys at Howcast have put together this nifty little video for the "flame-challenged."
Hang a Bear Bag
Serious campers, or campers who regularly go backpacking, will need to find ways to keep bears out of their food. This tutorial will teach you how to hang your pack between trees so bears and other wildlife can't reach it easily.
No promises that this method will prevent your hungry backpacking friends from eating all your food while you're sleeping, however.
Get the Good ZZZs
Sometimes it's tough to get a good night's sleep in the wilderness, with all those frogs chirping and wolves howling. These tips will make it easier to sleep in comfort and wake up rested, even if you don't happen to have a reindeer fur in your pack.
Cooking with a Dutch Oven
A cast iron Dutch oven is almost a requirement of good camp food. The chops this guy makes in his Dutch oven look so good you'll want to grab them off the screen for dinner.
Bonus: listening to this video three times in a row will put any child instantly to sleep.
Camp Stove Pizza
Ok, so you're probably not going to pack Asiago cheese with you while camping, but this video is still pretty cool if you want a pizza instead of wieners-on-sticks every night you're out there in the woods.
In fact, this pizza looks better than some restaurants in my hometown make.
Visit a Backcountry Shelter
Perhaps you are more experienced and want to venture even further into the wild. Take a look at what a backcountry shelter looks like in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
What to Pack for a Day Hike
Best to be prepared for that day hike you're planning, too. This is a simple packing guide (water, basic first aid supplies, etc.) but still essential!
Humorous Guide to Camping
If you thought you knew everything about camping, you are wrong. These guys present to you the Redneck Camping Guide, including site selection and how to deal with leaving your wife behind for your buddies.
To be honest, this is probably the only video you really need to watch here.
Be prepared for your next trip with camping gear from AOL Shopping.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Amy Rosenberg Mar 20th 2010 6:55AM
I will not go camping. The wolves, bears and cougars are allowed to outbreed their habitat and need food. I do not intend to be their food. Why are we or the deer, elk or other grazing animals not considered endangered. If these predators can breed without their own predator(hunters) they will soon go into our backyards, as they have to find other prey, our dogs, cats, livestock, our children and us.
Dilbert Mar 20th 2010 8:15AM
You are absolutely right. Why on earth would anyone take any kind of a chance at all that might result in them having a great time. Stay home and keep your head covered with tinfoil. The government is probably trying to control your mind. They don't realize that your mind is so narrow, a bb would fall off.
Claire Mar 20th 2010 8:33AM
This is a rather uninformed comment. You make it sound like these animals breed like rabbits, when they don't. Most of these animals are only in estrus once a year. Bears usually produce 1 to 2 cubs per year, wolves 4-6, and cougars produce on average 2 kittens per year. And, several of this predator populations are extremely low due to human encroachment on their habit. This is also why they move closer to suburbia. We destroy habitat where their natural prey is found, so they in turn resort to having to find food in garbage cans. And, several states to have hunting seasons for these animals. They are just not as sought after since they are usually trophy game instead of food game.
As far as camping goes, I love it!! My husband and I camped for a week last summer in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. It was great. And we never once feared these animals. We just took all the precautions we were told to take.
Maura Mar 20th 2010 2:58PM
*sigh*
Idiot. Humans are not endangered because there are several BILLION of us left in the world. just because we migh be in possible danger, does not mean we are endangered. It is the human killing f these animals that forces them to move into our backyards. Also, if we go out and shoot all the animals that could kill us in any circumstance, we would all die of starvation, and the food chain would crumble and fall apart. It is the natural balance that keeps us alive. I find it disturbing that humans can be such imbeciles when it comes to God's creatures.
And as for camping, I love it. It's beautiful and fun, and maybe if you tried it instead of just judging, you would realize how wrong you are.
Stupid pet trick Mar 20th 2010 8:40AM
the bear bag was a great laugh try using a stick next time you dont need a rock or just find a tree thats easily climbable and hang your bag that way; its also good if you like to sleep in trees LOL works for the sneaky types out there wanna catch a thief hang out in a tree next to your site they never look up till you give your position away death from above, look out below OOPS
ConnieJ Mar 20th 2010 9:05AM
I'm not sure, but I think that Rusty and Larnold were staying at the same campsite we visited last week. Sure made for an interesting weekend.
Anne Winter Mar 20th 2010 9:31AM
Please send this entire "Camping Experience" to my son at
mark_l_walker@yahoo.com. Thank you,
Jim Mar 20th 2010 9:38AM
Rusty & Larnold look the guys singing the barbecue song from a couple of years ago
Jim Mar 20th 2010 9:39AM
http://www.rhettandlink.com/videos/bbq-song
the barbecue song! same guys?
Nina Mar 20th 2010 10:19AM
I love not camping.
I heard a comedian say, he could never figure out why people work all year to spend their vacation pretending they are homeless.
scott Mar 20th 2010 11:04AM
hey I,ve been cooking pizza over the camp fire for years.Use to be a camp ground host in Michigan at state park and demonstrated how to cook pizza. Camping is great if you have the right stuff.
scott Mar 20th 2010 4:18PM
Hey I,ve been cooking pizza over the camp fire for years.We use to be State park camp ground hosts in Michigan. We did that for about five years and one of the things I did was show the other campers how to cook pizza over the camp fire. So camping is fun still go a lot.
Patricia Mar 20th 2010 12:42PM
Most folks idea of Camping, is their nearest Holiday Inn.
Have seen them all, from the bumblers to the fumblers, to the Leonard's and the Rusty's.
Also from those who think they KNOW IT ALL, to those who almost shoot their mates walking back into camp with a LOADED FIREARM.
A few recommendation for the would be the extreme novices:
Box of Matches.
Grill/shelf from their O'Keefe and Merritt Stove - NOT.
Forget the Can Opener. (ALMOST ALWAYS.)
Use BUCK Knife instead.
Take Steaks out of plastic wrap.
Put Steaks on Grill over fire pit.
Best if eaten after scraping the dirt and ashes off the steaks, from falling between the gaps of the grill/shelf from the oven.
Oh Yeah, Most Grills from the Oven are not fire rated, and will wrap and bend.
Don't forget the Coffee Pot. The one that has drip capability.
Oh Yes, Don't forget to bring at least 5 gallons of water.
If going Fishing, while camping, don't forget to bring along several cans of soup/chili/porkNBeans. (In case you do not catch any fish).
Take along single bed mattress from your child's room. Put in back of station wagon. Be sure to bring along a couple at least 8 x 20 inch long pieces of lumber.
Yes, you will get at least (1) One Flat tire each trip. (Use the wood to put under the jack, as it will sink ever so quickly in the soft earth/sand.)
Make sure bring along at least 2 changes of clothes. Every one falls into the nearest creek, at least once.
Bring along a parka of some sort, Those mornings are very cold and chipper.
Don't forget that trying to walk around camp in teenies or bare foot, does not cut it. Get a good pair of hiking/all purpose walking boots.
(IN case the car will not start, and you have to hike back out to the nearest General Store, in that cute little town, you passed on your way up to your camping site.)
Keep all food in some kind of cooler. Pack it full of ice. You will need extra water/melted from the ice, when you leave your campsite, to DROWN your FIRE in the Pit. NEVER LEAVE A FIRE UNTIL IT IS TOTALLY OUT.
Don't forget to pack out all of your litter when you leave your campsite. Especially if it is one that does not have any trash bins or cans chained to the nearest log.
Yes, ThIS MEAN ALL PAPER AND TRASH.
Your next camping experience will be even more successful as you get more proficient. What you took the first trip, and never used. Leave it at home next time.
Get a good set of camping Utensils. Dutch Oven/Water Boiler, fry pan, don't forget the handle. Stainless Steel Works the best. Easier to clean.
Cast Iron skillets work great over open fires. Don't forget to season them at home first. Nothing worse than Sunny Side Up Eggs, that wind up scambled. Don't forget the Wooden or Metal spatula/pancake turner.
After cooking all that bacon and eggs, you forget you have to clean those cooking pans. Take them down by the creek, find some good sand, and clean them with it. DO NOT WASH THE PANS IN THE CREEK.
EVEN NON PHOSPHATE SOAP MAY BE HARMFUL TO THE FISH AND THE PEOPLE DOWN STREAM who depend on that water for their drinking water.
BRING PLENTY OF PAPER TOWELS. At least 3 rolls of toilet paper.
Hand SANITIZER, I never had all those years of camping, excellent for todays, novices, as well as experts.
ALWAYS, put together a GOOD FIRST AID KIT.
SHOVEL.
AXE.
SAW.
You might need to cut branches off a tree, to put under your tires in case you get
stuck in the MUD or SNOW. Even SNOW TIRES or chains might have been
forgotten.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Observe as you drive in. As you may have
to walk out, and land marks are essential in not getting lost.
ALWAYS KEEP THE TENT or CAMPSITE WITH IN EYE SIGHT. Esepcially if you are Compass oriented.
DON'T FORGET TO GET A COMPASS any way.
GET GOOD, updated, TOPOGRAPHICAL MAPS FROM THE RANGER STATION or your nearest AAA Auto Club.
If in National Forest, where predators may be active, KEEP A FIREARM on your side. BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN MAULED or DEAD.
Keep small children ALWAYS in your line of sight. DO NOT EVER ASSUME THAT YOUR MATE has them with them.
From being an EXTREME NOVICE to an Experienced Camper/Hiker/Fisher Person/ Hunter, takes lots of trips and MUCH TRIAL AND ERROR.
Enjoy Your Self in the wilds of this Great Country we call the United States of America, for the TREMENDOUS WILDLIFE that may still be OUT THERE.
Especially before it is all DUG UP FOR OIL and its MINERALS. And is off limits to all but who wish its vast resources for the ALMIGHTY DOLLAR.
hykerboy Mar 20th 2010 4:55PM
That bear hang was super weak. Sure it'll hold with a package of ramen noodles in it, but I guide for a living and that little parachute cord would break with just my food for a one week trip let alone a group of 5 or 6. Also you should be cooking away from where you plan to sleep and then hanging your bear bag away from both of those sites. I suggest learning that skill and the others in this article from more knowledgeable folk, the Outward Bound, NOLS, and the WEA. One thing they did'nt cover was going to the bathroom in the great outdoors. I suggest a book called "How to Shit in the Woods" it is a real book I swear. In addition one should also visit the leave no trace website for further ethical camping information
David S. Mar 20th 2010 5:25PM
Camping? Eh, no thanks. I will be staying at the local Holiday Inn Express......but have fun.
Jim Mar 20th 2010 6:08PM
Camping is awesome. I used to go camping with my wife and friends. Then I had two sons who I took camping. Now I'm 48 and that sleeping on the ground doesn't work. I still don't understand Winnebagos and huge buses like that. Whats the point? Thats not camping. Camping is a tent, sleeping bag, and cooking over an open fire.
JackAssin Mar 20th 2010 7:02PM
I'd camp with Lindsay Lohan!
Dribbles Mar 20th 2010 6:05PM
Note to Patricia: this is not a term paper, dear.
Joe Papierz Jr Mar 20th 2010 8:59PM
There is always a self appointd expert, isn't there? Even so, her rambling comment was somewhat interesting anyway.
tip Mar 20th 2010 7:28PM
sure camping is fun if you bring half the things you own with you . try roughing it for a close & natural experience once in a while, have fun, Tip