Hot Camping How-Tos
How To: Build a perfect campfire
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 y...
How To: Pack for mountaineering & backpacking trips
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 a...
How To: Build a shelter in the wild
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 le...
How To: Use a square lashing
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.
How To: Prepare a survival tin for camping
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.
How To: Use a tent pole repair sleeve while camping
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.
How To: Put up a camping tarp
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...
How To: Pack patrol boxes with useful items while camping
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, tow...
How To: Set up a tent when camping outdoors
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. Staking the t...
How To: Build a comprehensive chuck box for camping
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.
How To: Cook with various types of camp fires
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.
How To: Make a fire starter out of recycled candles
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 ...
How To: Start a fire with a fire steel
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 s...
How To: Prepare your kids for their first camping trip
In this clip, learn how to get your children ready for a camping trip. Camping can be a fantastic experience for your little ones where they can learn about the environment, animals and basic outdoor activities. Teach your kids outdoor safety and get them involved so that they have a ton of fun.
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: 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 survival whistle out of a willow twig
If you're out in the wilderness with only one or two other people, it's easy to get separated. Even worse, if you planned for the trip to be "all natural" and decided not to bring any electronic gadgets like TVs and cells phones, then there are no lines of communication between you and your buddies.
How To: Find edible wild food to stay alive in the wilderness
If you were on the hit show "Lost," would you be able to survive? While most of the main castmembers on the show tough it out through learning how to eat the island's vegetation, we know that most of you probably would have no clue as to how to distinguish between a poisonous mushroom and a non-poisonous one, and which plant growths are edible and which aren't.
How To: Sharpen a knife with a Japanese water stone
When you're out camping in the woods one of the best survival tools you can have in your kit is a sharp knife. Handy for cutting plants, vines, and skinning animals if it's nosh time, a knife must be kept in tip top condition to work efficiently.
How To: Use plants in the wild to heal wounds and aches
Here in civilization, any sign of a cold can be instantly erased with a trip to the doctor and the right medicine, but when you're stuck out in the wild without any pre-packed meds, you're in major trouble.
How To: Make a survival cache for outdoor adventures
This survival cache is made for adventurers who, if lost, may stumble upon this handy little tube and immediately get some food and knowledge of their geographic location.
How To: Use the common rope seizing knot
Rope seizing is a technique that is used when two things need to be held together with rope, like two pieces of timber for example. This video from ITS Tactical demonstrates how to use some cord to perform rope seizing on a big, heavy rope so that you can use it to suspend an object or perform other heavy rope-using tasks.
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: 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: Plan for a backpacking trip
Backpacking sounds like the most basic way to travel but it is actually quite a large undertaking. In this tutorial, learn all you need to know to plan for a backpacking trip, no matter where you're traveling to. This will help you stay safe and prepared for anything. Of course, before arranging backpacking gear for a trip, it's important to make a plan of the trip in order to determine which items are necessary. Learn about bringing backpacking gear that fits the climate and conditions of a ...
How To: Backpack and camp with healthy food
Just because you are not at home is no reason to abandon your healthy eating lifestyle. In this tutorial, you will learn all about planning healthy meals and snacks while you are on the go. Discover how to pack your backpack with the right, lightweight snacks and maintain proper nutrition when out and about. Of course, when planning caloric intake and healthy eating for a backpacking trip, it's important to create a backup plan in case something doesn't go according to plan. Learn about carry...
How To: Pan for real gold
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to pan for gold. Users will need a gold pan. Begin by add some dirt and rocks into the pan. Then pan has ridges that will keep the gold in the pan. Dip the pan and fill it in some water. Now gently shake the pan from side to side for 20-30 seconds. The gold will sink to the bottom as you shake. Then slightly tilt the pan forward to pour out some water as you're shake the pan. This video will benefit those viewers who are interested in searching for mi...
How To: Pan for gold using "backwash & tap" method
The video shows how to pan for gold using the backwash and tap method. Take about a quarter cup of Georgia concentrate and add to a panning tray (looks like a shallow bowl with ridges). Add some water to cover and gently move the mixture around to wash off the lighter sand and dirt particles (gold is heavier and will sink to the bottom). Resettle the mixture at the bottom and start over, continuing to wash off the sand until you start to see specks of gold along the side. Keep resettling the ...
How To: Make leather string or thong from an old glove
You will use an old work glove to make the string. First cut the seems of the glove to the finger tips with scissors. Cut out the palm part of the clove. Remove the elastic off of the back with a knife. remove the hem with your scissors. Next, start cutting at the edge up around the shape of the glove. Keep going round until it starts turning into one long piece. Go back around the leather and trim up the rough edges and corners. He ends up with about seven foot of string. It's a cheep free w...
How To: Pan for gold a few simple steps
In this video, Graham shows us how to pan for gold. In a few simple steps, an individual could become rich!!! Graham is working with sandstone in Virginia in a swamp like area, but this process could be done in any river. Gold usually gets stuck in cracks in the sides of rivers, and in this case, the cracks are in sandstone rock in this swamp-like area. Shovel up some of the sandstone bed bedrock, or whatever type of material is available, place the shoveled up material in the pan. Fill up th...
How To: Pan for gold outdoors
In this Outdoor Recreation video tutorial you will learn how to pan for gold outdoors. This is a good excuse to play in the dirt for young kids or even for the whole family. Go to the woods, find a stream that is shallow and the current is not strong. Choose a spot that has roots, because the gold gets in the roots. Scoop up some mud in a deep pan and remove all big stones from it. Then put the pan underwater and stir it. Loosen the mud with your fingers and keep stirring the pan. Gold being ...
How To: Use bowl gold panning techniques
Space Painter demonstrates how to pan for gold. Put the sediment in a pan and fill it with water. Agitate the pan back and forth. The light sediment will rise to the top as the heavy material sinks. Tip the tray into the water trough to remove the lighter sediment. Gold panning techniques have evolved over the years although it is a very similar process. Use a motion of the ocean or a straight up and down agitation technique. The gold panning pan should have grooves. There's still a lot of go...
How To: Practice food safety on a camping trip
Before you make that extended camping trek out into the wilderness, there are a few things any self-respecting camper should know how to do. And one of those things is how to safely feed oneself. With this free video guide, you'll learn how to practice food safety when roughing it in the wild.
How To: Cook your food while backpacking
Before you make that extended trek out into the wild, there are a few things any self-respecting camper should know how to do. And one of those things is how to feed oneself. With this free video guide, you'll learn how to safely and efficiently cook food when backpacking. For more information, watch this free video guide to camp cooking.
How To: Fit a hiking backpack
You literally carry it on your back for miles upon miles (or, depending on your locale, kilometers upon kilometers). Make sure it fits right. This guide will make sure you know everything you need to know to ensure that your hiking pack fits snugly and comfortably.
How To: Make a camping sitting stool
There's nothing greater than being in the outdoors and away from all the hustle and bustle of the city. Of course that doesn't mean you should be without basic necesseities. In this two part tutorial find out how to make a sitting stool used for camping. Enjoy!
How To: Make a cheap woodburning stove for camping
Finding yourself in the wilderness where there is no chance of possibly making a fire outside is pretty dangerous. But you can avoid the danger by making your very own cheap woodburning stove for the inside of you shelter. Enjoy!
How To: Prep a hide for tanning
Warning. This video is not for vegetarians or animal lovers since it does show an animal's hide. Now for those interested, this two part turorial shows you how to prep the right equipment needed to tan an animals hide.
How To: Car camp
Whether you're at a concert or on a road trip, sometimes you need to camp out. Check out this video if you are planning a car trip where you will be camping along the way. Car camping requires plenty of preplanning and patience but will be totally worth it in the end when you have one sweet road trip!
How To: Build an upside down fire
If you ever find yourself in the woods after a long day of hunting or fishing, you're going to need a fire. So in this two part video tutorial you'll find out how to build an upside down fire and make it last longer than the traditional method of making a fire. Enjoy!