Choosing a Tent Site: Free Online Camping Guide

Series Summary

While tents have been utilized as homes by nomadic peoples for centuries, today they are most commonly used as shelter for recreational camping. The ability to set up protection from the elements is essential to any camping trip, and knowing a few tricks of the trade will help ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. Modern tents can be found in a number of shapes, styles and sizes, but are fairly easy to set up once you understand a few basic principles.

In this series of free video clips you’ll learn how to set up a tent. Expert Brian Rajchel takes you through the entire process step-by-step, from choosing, clearing and preparing a campsite, assembling the support rods, to pitching or raising the tent, hammering in the tent stakes, and connecting the rain fly. You’ll also get tips for using the tent door and setting up the bedding, as well as techniques for rolling up a sleeping bag and cleaning and repacking a tent after camping.

Video Transcript

" Hi! This is Brian on behalf of expertvillage.com. Today I’m going to show you how to properly setup a tent. The first step, and perhaps the most important, is to properly choose a site. You want to have a site that is relatively flat such as this one here. You will also want to notice the clouds, there is a potential for rain tonight. You want to avoid low-lying areas such as the wash down there, which can flood immediately and leave you in danger in the event of any rain. We have got a site here that’s relatively flat, very good place for a tent, and it’s on fairly high ground. If you notice there is also quite a variety of trees and everything around, which also helps protect from wind and things like that. In addition to those concerns, you also want to pay attention to the area where you have your other activities taking place, such as the campfire, other cooking area. Generally, you don’t want the tent right by the fire; you want it to be about 10 feet back. You also tend to want to keep it away from your food prep area. Quite often, that draws animals and things like that, and you would rather them go at your food rather than at you."