Camping as a section of Outdoor Recreation. Noncompetitive outdoor activities, equipment, and practices. Sporting competitions and vehicle identities remain in their subject families.
Test your knowledge with these top questions!
In KOA campground signs, what does the letter K stand for?
The first KOA opened in Billings, Montana, in 1962 with restrooms and showers for tent campers.
Why do campers pump the small plunger on a Coleman fuel lantern?
Pressure moves liquid fuel into a heated generator tube, where it becomes vapor before reaching the burner.
Which part glows to give a classic Coleman fuel lantern its bright light?
Mantles are fabric bags coated with minerals that glow brightly when heated by burning fuel vapor.
Which cooler part lets campers empty meltwater without tipping the chest?
The drain opening sits near the bottom so gravity carries the water out while larger pieces of ice stay inside.
Where does the ridgepole run in a traditional ridge tent?
Upright poles at the ends of the tent carry the ridgepole, much as house walls support a roof beam.
What supports the curved roof of a basic dome tent?
Some tents add extra crossing poles for heavy snow, trading greater support for more weight in the pack.
How does the insulation in a camping cooler help the ice last?
Foam insulation contains tiny pockets of gas that conduct heat poorly, slowing the warming of the cooler.
What did campers place under tents to block ground moisture?
A canvas or plastic sheet kept the tent floor drier and shielded it from rocks and abrasion.
Why did campers thoroughly dry canvas tents after rainy camping trips?
Damp canvas stored folded grows mildew that rots fibers and smells, so airing saved the tent.
Why did campers dig a shallow trench around canvas tents?
The trench channeled runoff away before sewn-in waterproof floors became standard on tents.