I'll be honest—I've never been a huge fan of camping. It's not that I have anything against nature, I'm just partial to showering and sleeping in my own bed. In fact, the only part of camping I've ever really enjoyed is sitting around a campfire.
The next time you're out camping, whether it's outdoors in the wilderness or right outside in your own backyard, try this hack out for an effortless campfire all night long. While there is definitely some prep work involved, it's well worth it if you don't need a huge bonfire, and more so if you plan on cooking meals over the flames.
The basics of how to pack personal gear for a canoe trip. This video doesn't cover food or larger gear like tents and canoes, but the rest is covered. Enjoy!
Check out this how-to video to use essential tent setup tips for camping. Camping without a tent is like living without a house! Check out these easy tips for buying and taking care of your tent, and you'll be able to camp with it for a lifetime.
Check out this how-to video to learn tips on building a camp fire. One of the most enjoyable things in the world is a long-burning campfire in the great outdoors. Check out these tips for getting a campfire going without harming the environment... or yourself.
This is just a simple survival light source. You can use a cheap outdoor solar yard light like the one in the video from walmart. There only about 3 to 5 bucks but you can use them not only as a light source but a way to recharge AA rechargeable batteries.
It's known that during the Thirty Years' War that took place in Europe between 1618 and 1648, soldiers used Swedish fire torches (also called Canadian candles) for heating, lighting, and cooking meals.
Take your magnet, and rubbing it over and over again in one direction down half the length of your needle. Rotate the needle to make sure you've gotten the whole thing!
All you need is a single long piece (at least fifteen meters) of sturdy paracord, as well as a clasp for either end. You can also use this technique to make a rifle sling or something else for which you will need a long length of woven paracord. The knot itself is not difficult - just watch carefully and make sure you've given yourself enough time to finish this project. A great project to make for yourself, or the survivalist in your life.
Always practice good fire safety! Even homemakers go camping sometimes, and you'll want to know how get a good fire going. You can use a firestarter log if you don't have any kindling. If you don't have a firestarter log, you can use twists of newspaper.
Starting a fire is one of the most important things you can do in a survival situation, but doing so is seldom as easy as you'd like. This video will teach you all sorts of ways to light fires, including making firestarters out of cotton balls and petroleum jelly, using natural tinder, and using the old spinning stick and string method.
Square lashing is a great way to hold two things together at a perpendicular with rope or cord. Like most any knot, there is more than one way to tie it, and in this video you'll learn how to tie the Japanese MKII version of square lashing.
Pop-up tents are much more convenient to pitch than the tents of old, but doing it for the first time is still tricky. Watch this video to learn how to set up both types of pop-up tent: the umbrella style and the coiled-spring style.
This clip presents an introduction to ladder lashing. Once you get the hang of it, you'll find it's quite easy. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started creating your own ladder lashes, watch this video tutorial.
This clip presents an introduction to the ancient Japanese technique of square lashing. Once you get the hang of it, you'll find it's quite easy. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started doing square lashing yourself, watch this video tutorial.
In this video, we learn how to tie a Knute hitch. The purpose for this is to make an easy dummy cord on something with a hold for it. To start, tie a simple overhand knot in one end and then make a bite in the knot. With this bite, insert this into the hole in your item. Once it's through, take the end with the knot and put it through the loop. Then, pull the end of the string until it's tight over the item with the hole. Then you can use this as a handle so you don't lose your item!
I will show you how to make a loud whistle from a twig from a sycamore tree. In fact they are so loud that they could be used in an emergency situation to attract attention from potential rescuers. The international distress signal is 6 whistle blasts in quick succession.
Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy nature, but choosing just the right spot for pitching you tent can be tough. This video will give you some tips for choosing a site that is safe, convenient, and comfortable.
Using dirt for cleaning dishes? It can be done! If you're camping in the great outdoors and don't have dish soap, using dirt is a natural method of washing dishes. All you need is some dirt and boiling water to practice this valuable sanitation skill.
To build a stone rocket stove, you will need the following: stones, wood, a tender pile, and lighter (or something to start a fire)
Gather large stones. A fire pit is useful. Make a base with the large stones. Place 2 parallel. Then, close the ends, by placing stones around it. This will give you a firebox. Make sure that you leave space to allow air to flow in. You'll be able to place a large stone on top and a pot on top of it. Start a fire in your firebox. Slowly add fuel: i.e....
This video demonstrates the tripod method of setting up a campfire for cooking in the wilderness. In order to set up the tripod, you will need three large branches of hazel, some copper wire, and a hooked branch to be used to hang a pot from the tripod. The copper wire will be used to attach the hooked branch to the tripod setup and cord or rope may be substituted. Another method of cooking which is demonstrated is to cook food in a pot over some embers. A hole is dug in the ground and a fire...
In this video, we learn how to properly put on a heavy mountaineering backpack. It's very important to do this properly, or else you can severely injure your back. To put this on, grab the strap with both of your hands, then lift it up onto your knees, then slide it and kick it up onto your back. Next tie it around your waist and pull it so it's nice and tight. After this, use a chest strap so it's tight, but not enough so that you cannot breathe and it takes weight off your shoulders. Next,...
It's really easy to take lazy route and purchase fire starters at a grocery or hardware store to aid you in creating campfires, but storebought fire starters tend to have massive amounts of environment polluting chemicals and toxins that you probably shouldn't be anywhere near.
Sometimes when you're camping it's necessary to pitch a little something called a tent after a long trek hiking and exploring the great outdoors. And when you're ready to call it a day, make sure you can do so peacefully without the fear that your tent contraption will fall down on you during the middle of the night.
In this tutorial, we learn how to lash a bamboo tripod. First, you will tie a clove hitch by taking one piece of bamboo and wrapping the rope around it, then crossing the two sides of the string together to make a hitch. Next, you will secure the clove hitch around the third piece of bamboo. Now, you will rap all the pieces of bamboo together with the rope. Continue to do this until all the pieces feel secure together. Wrap the rope several times around each of the pieces, then wrap it in the...
In this video, we learn how to harvest seed for flour in the wilderness. First, gather up some seeds from your yard inside the different plants. After this, let the air dry your seeds so there is no more moisture left inside of them. After this is done, you can take the seeds and grind them up into a fine powder that you can use as flour when you are baking. This is a great way to eat more healthy and use what you have in your garden instead of going out to purchase flour from the store. You...
In this tutorial, we learn how to bundle kindling. First, gather up 25 pieces of kindling together and tie it together with a rope on two ends and in the middle. Before you do this, you will cut the tops off of the kindling so you are just left with the branches. The water will go through these and it will build the bank up, that is what these kindling bundles were created for. You can bundle kindling in larger groups or smaller groups, depending on what you need it for. These were once used...
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to adjust a hiking backpack. Begin by loosening all the straps on the backpack. Then load the backpack onto yourself. Have the majority weight of the backpack on the hips. Tighten the hip belt and strap it around the hips. Make adjustments on the shoulder straps. Pull down the load lifters. Finish by tighten and connecting the sternum strap. This video will benefit those viewers who are planning to camp and learn how to survive in the wilderness, and...
Diagonal lashings are a popular type of knot for building structures with wooden poles that allows you to join two poles at a 45-90 degree angle. It can replace a square lashing, but not vice versa. This video will show you how to tie a diagonal lashing yourself, which can be used in all sorts of outdoor construction projects.
Round lashing refers to a knot that you can use to hold two poles together easily and securely. This is useful for constructing a flagpole, as the creators of the video did here and building a-frames. This video will show you how to use round lashing quickly and easily for your next outdoor project.
In this tutorial, we learn how to put together a cooking kit and canteen on a budget. To make a cheap pouch, you can take a pair of pants and cut the leg off. Then, sew one end completely and sew the other as a drawstring. To pack your kit, make sure you have an absorbent towel to help with everyday things. Also, make sure you have a cooking kit, which can be made by an empty coffee can, water bottle, empty soup can, utensils, and water bottle. The last things to include in your pouch are a pan...
In this tutorial, we learn how to use a propane tree to operate a camp stove. Start off with your propane tree that connects together simply. Attach this to the propane adapter so you can use the propane for both the stove and lantern. The lantern will be able to stay on around 10 minutes with the tree. Next, connect the eight foot adapter to the propane tree and place it on an attachment into the stove to use for heat. It only takes about five minutes to hook all of this up, and it will...
In this tutorial, we learn how to build the perfect campfire. It's important to consider the materials, it's impossible to take a lighter and light a large piece of wood. You want to start the fire small and build it large. Think about the wood you will be using, which will decide if you are going to cook on it or need it for warmth/light. Birch bark is great for a base layer. Cinder is perfect to place on top of the birch, then add in larger pieces of wood as you create a bigger fire. When you...
In this tutorial, we learn how to pack for mountaineering and backpacking trips. You will need a large backpack that fits your body, then lay out all of your items in front of you. Place your sleeping bag on the bottom of the backpack first, rolling it up tightly. Next, place climbing gear into the backpack and then fuel for the stove. After this, add rope to the bag, then a first aid kit. Next, add in a space blanket and some other clothing items you may need. Next, take a thermal foam pad and...
In order to set up a tent, for a camping trip, you'll need to lay out all of the parts of the tent. Place the poles at the end of the tent. Work on opposite sides. Inserting the pole on both sides. It may be easier with two people. Once you insert the pole, then you'll need to snap it, fastening all the snaps. After you have completed this step, lay the fly over the tent. Snap it in place, in all four corners. Make sure that sides are below the mesh. Now, you can stake the tent. ...
In this tutorial, we learn how to build a shelter in the wild. You can use trees with a branch as the top to cover yourself from rain. You can also use tree branches and sticks to keep the shelter up. A shelter is great to store things in, or to sleep in. You can keep the fire close to the shelter so the heat goes into your shelter, but not too close so you don't set a fire. If you work quickly, it should only take a few hours to build this shelter. Also, place a tarp over the branches and...
Square lashing is a knot-making technique that has been made famous by the Boy Scouts of America's massive pioneering projects, and is really integral to any structure made out of poles like the one you see in the thumbnail. This video will teach you how to use square lashing to bind two poles together perpendicular to one another. You will need to know how to tie a clove hitch to make this work.
In order to prepare a survival tin for camping, you will need the following: water purification, condoms, brass wire, a candle, a magnifying glass, waterproof matches, cotton balls, fishing hooks, small compass, whistles, fishing line, and empty tobacco tin, and artificial worms.
In order to build a good chuck box, you will need to do a lot of planning in advance, in order to make sure that you have the essentials and keep the weight of your chuck box down.
In order to tie a Miller's Knot, which is also known as the bag or sack knot, you should begin by wrapping the rope around the object you wish to bind: the Miller's knot is a binding knot. It is used to bind things. Next, wrap one of the free ends around it. You are, basically, wrapping one end around a second time.
Loosen the part of the binding that wasn't looped twice. This is the part of the rope that you just wrapped around twice with the other end. Take the end that you looped...
Putting up a tent is hard, but putting one up when one of your poles is broken is nearly impossible. Remember that little metal tube that came with your tent? Now is its time to shine. This video will teach you about the tent pole repair sleeve, the aforementioned metal tube, and how to use it to fix a tent pole and get your camping trip back on track.
Learn how to put up a tarp for shade and protection from the rain in this video. First, find two trees with a nice flat spot in between them. Throw a rope up over a limb at least fifteen feet or so high. Now, tie the rope off to itself or to a smaller limb. Next, secure the rope on the other tree and leave the slack on the ground. Next, put the tarp over the rope evenly and anchor one end with a wire tie, small rope or bungee. Now you hoist the tarp up using one end of the rope and pull it to...
In this video tutorial, viewers learn about patrol boxes. There are two patrol boxes that are mentioned in this video. The materials that are contained in the first box are: a twin burner stove, propane lantern , adapter hose, propane converter, fat wood, fire starter, matches or lighter, trash bags, aluminum foil, rope and a large paper mat. The materials contained in the second box are: several sized pots, pot lids, frying pan, griddle, colander, backpacking gear, plates, cutting board,...
There are some basic tips that you will need to know in order cook over various types of campfires. Hazel wood is a good wood to use, because it is a quick growing wood. Make a tripod with 3 wood posts and copper wiring. You will also need 2 hook sticks. Reserve them, when you are scavenging for wood for your fire and your tripod. These will be useful tools.
Cut an old sheet of news paper at about five inches in width. Roll it down to create a thick stick of newspaper. Get a roll of string that is specifically made of cotton or use a natural fiber string. Tie the string around your roll of newspaper to make sure it stays together or that it will not unroll. Submerge the rolled newspaper/s on a pot of hot and melted old candles. Let it sit for at least a minute or more as needed. Remove the rolled newspaper/s from the pot and let them dry out for at...
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to use a fire steel. The fire steel consists of a piece of steel and a striker. To use the fire steel, simply by pressing one piece against the other to create sparks. To ignite a fire with the sparks, users will need some sort of kindling or tinder. Simply strike the fire steel against the tinder to allow the tinder to catch the spark and create a fire. This video will benefit those viewers who are planning to camp or want to learn about wilderness...
