Four Steps for Effective Tent Setup

Saturday, September 24th, 2011

Imagine it: you’re out under the stars, sitting at a lovely campsite with a roaring fire brushing away the chilly night. When it’s time for bed, you get under a spacious tent, which then blocks some of the overnight rain. You wake up dry and warm, ready for another day on the campsite.

Sounds like the ultimate camper’s dream, right? You can make it a reality with an effective tent set-up. Here are the steps you’ll want to follow.

• Step #1: Unload everything.Many tents come in tent packages that include all of the gear you’ll need, not to mention instructions and a protective bag. If it’s windy outside, make sure that all of these materials are well-protected from the wind or at least securely weighed down. There’s nothing more frustrating than poorly putting together a tent only to see the materials blow away.
• Step #2: Identify your materials.Following the instructions, you’ll want to make sure that you have all of the materials handy. Many instructions and manuals will make sure to list and illustrate all of these materials so that you can perform this step. Once you know you have the right materials, you’ll not only know where you can find them, but what they actually are. It’s better than going to search through a pile of tent materials every time you begin a new step.
• Step #3: Plot out a great spot.Most tent manuals will have you begin your tent by setting the foundation – this means driving stakes into the ground so that you can have a secure tent. Before you start following those directions, make sure you’ve chosen a flat, clear spot for your tent, far enough from the fire to prevent any potential hazards. Picking a good spot for your tent will be key – make sure that your tent door will face the campsite.
• Step #4: Follow the directions as closely as possible.At this point, you can begin driving in those stakes, establishing the tent skeleton, and attaching the tarp. Many tents are different, but a lot will follow these general directions. Make sure you read each step thoroughly so that you aren’t caught off-guard later. Some steps might include second actions that you’ll need to perform for later; don’t miss any of these.

Establishing a great campsite starts with the tent: if you have a good one, you can live in the outdoors as comfortably as you live at home. A large enough tent can fit a great inflatable bed, keeping you dry and warm every single night.