Wilderness Skills

While those shiny silver survival blankets look like nothing more than huge sheets of aluminum foil, they are actually made of a metalized plastic film called Mylar. The material was originally...

Shoelaces for a poncho shelter are used to suspend the poncho in the air to form a tent. Learn to use shoelaces for an emergency shelter with tips from an Eagle Scout in this free wilderness...

If a person has a tarp and rope, he can make a tent in a lean-to style with the tarp pointing downhill, so that water runs away from the sleeping area. Find out how to tie a tarp to a tree to make...

Before buying a sleeping bag for a camping trip, determine the style of bag and temperature rating that will be appropriate for a given trip. Find out why sleeping bags shouldn't touch the corner...

A dome tent should be set up on nice, flat ground with a ground cloth underneath, so that the tent is protected from moisture and dew. Find out how to put tent poles together to make a dome shape...

Sometimes the very success of a camping trip is determined by a tent site. But there is so much to consider when you pick a tent site, whether front country or backcountry, near the river or...

Examples of primitive knifes date back to Paleolithic era, and they still are valuable tools if you ever must survive in the wilderness, far from the conveniences of home. Not every knife can be...

Even though bear attacks are rare, take caution when you are hiking, playing or camping in an area where bears live. Talk to rangers, hikers and campers about recent bear activity. Be constantly...

Bears in the wilderness are usually more interested in finding food than attacking you. Preventing encounters is the best way to avoid trouble.