Make sure the spot you wish to pitch your tent is clear of stones, branches, chewing gum, etc. You may want to carry a rake with you, or borrow one from the campground office. Otherwise your hands will suffice.
You will want to be sleeping in such a way that your head is at the high end of any slope your site may have (although our sites are fairly level). If you end up sleeping with your feet uphill, you are likely to wake up sore.
Make sure all belongings are out of the tent before you pack it back up (don't forget to check the pouches inside the tent). It's no fun having to go back and unpack the tent to get someone's wallet, watch, or what-not back out.
Make sure the tent floor is swept clean before taking down your tent. Having a tent broom and dustpan handy is a good idea. Most dried mud that may be splashed on the tent will usually brush away too.
When rolling up your tent be sure to roll towards the door. That way air will escape more readily making it roll up more easily.
If you must pack the tent wet, get it dried as soon as possible to avoid mildew. Also, avoid getting it too hot until it is dried, because some coated tent fabrics may stick together.
A groundcloth is a good way to protect your tent floor from objects on the ground. It can be a sheet of tarp material or any other waterproof material. Groundcloths should be cut the same size as the tent (even an inch shorter around) so that none of the material sticks out from under it. If any of the tarp sticks out, rain water can fall on it and collect under your tent's floor.
Campfire Tips
It is a good idea to carry a scrap piece of tarp or carpet or even a small rug with you on camping trips. It can be laid on the floor inside the tent to collect sand and such from damaging it. It should cover one-third of the tent floor - the end closest to the door.
Almost anything will burn if it's cut small enough. Work your way up in wood size - start small and add larger pieces as the fire grows. You may have to fan a fire with a newspaper to get it going. Building the fire in a tee-pee shape is also helpful since fire follows the grain and moves upward.
A fire-starter you can make at home:
Cut newspaper into 2 to 3 inch strips, then roll up and tie with string. Soak in melted paraffin (can be found at most grocery stores). Finally, lay out to cool on foil.
The most important campfire rules:
Never leave a campfire unattended.
Make sure your fire out before leaving or retiring for the night.
Be sure to keep a bucket of water waiting nearby.
Make it a rule that there be no horseplay around the fire.
Cold Weather Tips
Fluff your sleeping bag before climbing in. This creates more air space between the fibers or feathers, which creates better insulation from the cold.
Nibble on a high calorie food before turning in for the night. The extra fuel will help keep you warmer during the night.
Not only will a sleeping pad add comfort, but it also helps keep you warm in the night. Your body will lose more heat to the cold ground than to the air. Foam pads work better than air mattresses at insulating you from the ground.
