Guide to Camping Basics

[mwmil...@gmail.com]

Is there any sort of helpful printed or online guide to camping in
the
outdoors? I haven't camped since the boy scouts, but would like to
return to the outdoors in a tent. Topics I am foggy on would
include
hoisting a 'bear bag' to keep food items safe from wild animals, and
how to pitch the tent step by step, though I may need other help
with
other topics, i forget just what it is to be camping after so long.

Any helpful input appreciated,
Matt

[d.s.]

I would suggest "Feedng Bears for Dummies".

Sorry, to make up for that, I'll try to come up with a real reference.

[d.s.]

On Apr 30, 2:36 pm, mwmiller...@gmail.com wrote:

Backpacking, or car camping?

[d.s.]

"Camping for Dummies" is on Amazon. I haven't read it, but the
reviews are "ok". It's not geared towards car camping, if I interpret
one review correctly.

[d.s.]

> one review correctly.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I did read this one, and it was fairly helpful, from what I remember.
It's on backpacking.

<http://www.rei.com/product/731986>

[mwmil...@gmail.com]

both

[Rev. Jones Says "Drink More Koolaid"]

here are a couple of on-line tips pages with useful info
http://www.mikebentley.com/camping/index.html
http://home.gwi.net/~spectrum/camping.html

Hope that helps some.

Jones

[Robert Bonomi]

In article <dc97ceb6-945f-46b0...@d1g2000hsg.googlegroups.com>,

The "boy scout handbook". an older edition. I'm not being facetious. It's
hard to find a better compilation of _everything_ that you might need to
know, all in one place.`

Lots of stuff in the handbook you *won't* put to use -- _PROBABLY_ -- but
there's not going to be much that you do need that -isn't- there.

One exception -- 'pitching a tent' depends *greatly* on the type/style/kind
and size of tent involved. A 2-person pup tent is very different from a
5-person 'dome' tent, is very different from an 8-person, 3-room, outside
frame, is very different from a mil-surplus canvas "wall" tent, is very
different from a Circus pavilion tent. READ THE DIRECTIONS applies, with
a vengeance.

In addition, nylon tents require very different handling from canvas ones.
The same applies to the 'care and feeding' of them _between_ trips.

[richard tucker]

for camping locations go to a book store and check out woodalls camping
guide for campsites,also check out national parks, on line you can get
info for cooking, hiking,bears, storing food, backpacking, whatever!
I live in a tent in summers for a couple of months, i have set up my
tent in 49 states and canada, I love it and it is so easy and less
expensive way to see the great outdoors.
Passes are available to get in national parks free, certain restrictions
apply, good luck

[Bill Gill]

Try Barnes & Noble or another local bookstore for books on camping. I
got a book by Bill Rivera on Camping several years ago at a store that
covered everything from building a kitchen to camp stoves and tents for
winter camping.

[GregS]

I must have learned some stuff in Boy Scouts. I did keep my old books.
Seems like experiance or just plain doing it is a must. I would also
watch Survivorman. Maybe the Dog Wisperer would help with the animals.
I always take my bug spray.

Camping lists are real nice to have.
You always learn something new.

greg

[Puppet_Sock]

On May 1, 4:27 pm, mwmiller...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Apr 30, 8:45 pm, "d.s." <nodamnspa...@yahoo.com> wrote:

[snip]

> > Backpacking, or car camping?
>
> both

It's really quite difficult to go wrong car camping. You don't need
to be so finicky about light equipement. You can take lots of
extra this-n-that, like blankets and pillows and ton-o-bugspray.
And you can go big on Coleman, things like lanterns and
propane powered mini-fridges and folding lawn furniture and so on.
Really, your limits are the space in the car and your budget.
And the car is always there as an emergency backup if things
do go wildly wonky.

For example: If you just get one of those large size coolers,
put your food for the trip in then fill it full of ice, then in the
trunk, then wrap it in blankets. A reasonable ice chest done
this way will keep ice for five or six days.

The big thing about car camping is you still need to keep to
discipline regarding cleanliness. You need to store food correctly
so as not to entice large mammals, bears or elk or moose
or any such. You need to keep your camp tidy. You need to
keep food smells out of your tent. You need to follow proper
discipline regarding your waste products, both food and bodily
waste products. You need to keep soap out of the water supply
when you are washing up. And so on.

What I really like about car camping is using the car as a base
to do out-and-back hikes at some interesting place.
Socks