Hot Camping How-Tos


How To: Make an All-Night Campfire with Just One Log
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.

How To: Bind poles together with a Japanese square lash
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.

How To: Lash a bamboo tripod
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...

How To: Tie the Miller's Knot (bag or sack knot)
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.

How To: Splice a loop into the end of a three strand rope
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.

How To: Make fire in multiple ways
In this Outdoor Recreation video tutorial you will learn how to make fire in multiple ways. For this you will need either cigarette lighters or matches. There are also a variety of fire making kits available with fancy strikers to produce sparks and chemically coated paper strips or ropes that catch fire easily. Another method is a fire piston. Put the ‘O’ ring on the plunger and some charcoal powder on the tip of the plunger and bang it in. when you pull out the plunger, the charcoal will be...

How To: Build a solar powered water distiller
Build your very own solar water distiller to discover how nature filters water via the sun and evaporation. The correct term for this is distillation.

How To: Start a fire without kindling
You don't need a stock pile of kindling to hold the flame and really get your fire started. There are a variety of creative yet effective substitutes. Leftover chips from lunch, an extra toilet paper roll, these are only a few ideas on how to start your next fire.

How To: Keep Mosquitoes & Other Annoying Bugs Away from Your Campfire or Backyard Fire Pit
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. Outdoor fires are perfect for socializing and cooking hot dogs, but they're also great at helping remove one of camping's biggest annoyances.

How To: How the Hookup or Connect a Battery to Your Camper or RV
Video: . This video will show you how to connect the positive and ground wire on the battery of your RV or camping trailer.

How To: Use Diagonal Lashings to tie poles together
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.

How To: Pan for gold in a lake
In this Outdoor Recreation video tutorial you will learn how to pan for gold in a lake. You will need the sand that you mined for gold. Put some sand in a pan, put water in the pan and mix it with your hands. Then stir the pan underwater. Loosen the sand with your fingers and keep stirring the pan. Gold being heavy, this will make the gold to settle down at the bottom of the pan and the dirt will remain on top. Then give the pan a good shake and tap it at the bottom. Now you pan the dirt out....

How To: Loosen or Unstick Frozen RV or Camper Stairs That Will Not Fold In
Video: . This video will show you how to free-up manual folding RV stairs that are frozen and will not fold in or retract for you.

How To: Make a comfy DIY camping chair for less than 5 dollars
Not every camper is looking to totally "rough it" while they are in the woods. In this clip, learn how to make a comfy, folding camping seat out of cheap supplies for less than five bucks! This foam pad is far better than the ones you buy at those expensive camping stores and because you made it yourself, you know it will work. The best part? If you lose it or it gets ruined out there in the wilderness, it was so cheap and easy to make that you can just create another one!

How To: Sharpen a swiss army knife
Learning how to maintain and sharpen your Swiss army knife is an important skill for campers and backpackers. You will need to have a sharpening stone that can be dry or wet. To use a wet stone simply add a little bit of water or homing oil. Keep the blade at an angle of 5 to 7 degrees from the surface of the stone and move the blade back and forth or in a circular motion.

How To: Tie two ropes together with different knots
For those who didn't learn any knot-tying skills in scouts, or have forgotten them all now, this video demonstration shows how to do knots from basic to more advanced knots such as Sheet Bend, Fisherman's Knot, Square Knot and Thief's Knot. Knot tying is essential for camping, sailing, fishing, and even when you least suspect it. Watch this video camping and outdoor preparation tutorial and learn how to tie two ropes together with several different styles of knots.

How To: Make a survival belt out of paracord using the cobra knot
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.

How To: Tie a Japanese MKII method of square lashing rope
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.

How To: Make a stone rocket stove
To build a stone rocket stove, you will need the following: stones, wood, a tender pile, and lighter (or something to start a fire)

How To: Bundle kindling
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 ...

How To: Use round lashing to build a flagpole or A-frame
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.

How To: Put together a cooking kit & canteen on a budget
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 p...

How To: Construct a DIY "whoopie sling" hammock suspension
When you are camping, it is always nice to have a comfy place to sleep or rest. In this tutorial, learn how to construct a strong but cheap DIY "whoopie sling" for making a hammock. This suspended cocoon will let you enjoy the great outdoors while staying safe, comfortable and off the ground.

How To: Make a lean-to in the wilderness
Sometimes you need a little shelter when you are hiking or camping. If it starts to rain, or you need a little shade from the sun, it will help you very much to build a lean to. In this tutorial, learn how to make a lean to if you are stuck in the wild.

How To: Keep sleeping bags warm with hot Nalgene water bottles
A few tips to make life on the mountain easier, such as the value of placing a Nalgene bottle full of hot water in a sleeping bag. This is shot from Mt Kilimanjaro the highest mountain in Africa. Throwing a Nalgene water bottle in your sleeping bag can add a great element of warmth to your camp. Keep sleeping bags warm with hot Nalgene water bottles.

How To: Make an ultra-light alcohol stove
Russell teaches how to make an ultra-light alcohol stove. He also shows how to light it.

How To: Tie a slip knot
Also called a running knot, the slip knot actually refers to any knot that "slides" along the rope, or can be untied by pulling both ends. Watch and learn how to tie one type of slip knot. Tie a slip knot.

How To: Secure a Kayak on Car or SUV Using J Bar Roof Rack
Video: . This video will show you how to secure your kayak to a J bar roof rack carrier.

How To: Get Your Camper or RV Toilet to Stop Smelling
Video: . Nobody likes an RV or camper toilet that smells, this video will show you how to prevent your RV toilet from smelling.

How To: Pack Personal Gear for a Canoe Trip
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!

How To: Fix or Replace a Broken Clearance Light on PopUp Camper and Utility Trailer
This video will show you how to fix or repair a broken clearance light on your popup camper. This will also work on a utility trailer.

How To: Set Up Popup Camper or Tent Trailer
This video will show you how to set up your popup camper also known as a tent trailer.

How To: Make a Survival Light Source
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.

How To: Make a Swedish Torch (AKA Canadian Candle)
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.

How To: Make a Compass in Your Kitchen
Things you'll need: Glass or shallow bowl

How To: Build a small outdoor fire in a chiminea or fire pit
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.

How To: Start a fire anywhere with premade fire starters and natural tinder
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.

How To: Pitch a pop-up tent the easy way
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.

How To: Create a rope ladder with a ladder lashing
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.

How To: Tie a Knute hitch
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!