How to Put Up a Basic Camping Tent From "Dad, How Do I?"

Dad, how do I?

Transcript provided by YouTube then edited with AI.

Intro

Hey kids. Today I’m going to show you how to set up a basic tent, along with some tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years while camping. Camping is such a great activity to do with your kids, and I’d really encourage you to give it a try.

In the U.S., we have campsites everywhere—you just need to look online and book in advance. It does require a little planning, but whether you’re camping for fun or out of necessity, these tips will help you set up with confidence.

But first, a dad joke for you:

Did you hear about the fire at the circus?
It was… intense!

Alright, let’s get started.

Choosing the Right Location

The first thing you want to do is choose the right location. Look for flat, dry ground without rocks or roots. Avoid low spots where water might collect if it rains. And don’t forget to look up—make sure there are no dead branches overhead that could fall on you.

If you have a tarp, you can place it underneath your tent. Make sure it’s slightly smaller than the footprint of your tent so water doesn’t collect and run underneath. If it’s a bit too big, just fold it under.

Staking your tent is essential. Don’t skip this step! We’ve all seen videos of tents blowing away because someone forgot to secure them. Stake your tent down tightly so it doesn’t become a kite while you’re off exploring.

Another thing to think about is the tent entrance. Plan which way your door will face. If it’s windy or rainy, you don’t want the door facing into the elements. Try to angle it away so you’re not letting rain in every time you unzip the tent.

Finally, if it’s your first time using a new tent, try setting it up at home first. Practice makes perfect. It’s a great way to make sure you have all the parts—and know how everything fits together. It’ll save you frustration when you’re out in the wild.

Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad free

Setting Up the Tent

I’ve picked out my spot and I’m going to remove the tent from its box. I like to save the original cardboard box—if the tent fits back in that, it’ll fit back in the carrying case.

This particular tent is about six or seven years old. It’s a simple two-person tent. Start by laying out all the pieces: stakes, poles, and the fly. Set the fly aside for now—we’ll get to that later.

The tent has two long cross poles and a shorter one for the fly. These newer poles are great because they snap together easily. Just unfold and snap each section until you have one long, connected pole.

Lay the tent out in the orientation you want—make sure the door is facing the direction you want before staking it down. Start with one corner and work your way around, pulling the fabric tight as you go. Use a rock or mallet to push the stakes into the ground if needed.

Once the tent is staked down, assemble the poles and thread them through the sleeves diagonally across the tent. This forms the tent’s structure. Once threaded, insert each end of the pole into the corresponding grommet at the base of the tent. It helps to have a second person here, but it can be done solo too.

Adding the Rain Fly

Now it’s time to add the rain fly. If you know the weather will be clear, you could skip the fly and enjoy stargazing through the mesh top—but if there’s any chance of rain or you want extra warmth, go ahead and put it on.

This fly has its own short pole that runs across the top. Insert that into the little pockets on each end of the fly. Lay the fly over the tent so it sits perpendicular to the door, creating a small awning above the entrance. Use the provided hooks to secure it to the corners of the tent.

Next, stake down the guy lines on the sides of the fly. These are usually about 6 feet long, but I like to shorten them to 3 feet to reduce tripping hazards. Angle the stakes for better holding power, and use a rock if necessary to secure them into the ground.

Inside the Tent

Let’s take a look inside. Unzip the door and you’ll find a cozy two-person space. Most tents have a way to roll back the door flap and secure it—just use the little loops and ties provided.

Inside, you’ll usually find a few mesh windows and maybe a small gear pocket. These windows can be unzipped for airflow and then rolled and clipped back, just like the main door.

If you leave the rain fly off, you can enjoy looking up at the stars through the mesh ceiling while still being protected from mosquitoes. It’s one of my favorite parts of camping.

Taking the Tent Down

When it’s time to pack up, just reverse the steps you used to set it up. But first, sweep out the inside of your tent. Make sure it’s clean and dry before storing it away.

If you have to pack it while wet, be sure to set it up at home later to dry it out properly—otherwise, it could get moldy or damaged in storage.

Before you start folding, unzip the door a little bit to let air escape. This prevents air bubbles from forming while you roll it up, which makes the job a lot easier.

Remove the poles and stakes. A little tip—use the ring attached to the tent to help pull stakes up instead of trying to yank them out by hand.

When folding the tent, use your storage case as a size guide. I usually fold it in half, then in half again, then roll it tightly. Leaving a little gap in the door helps release trapped air.

Put the poles and stakes back in their pouches so you’re not searching for them next time. The rain fly can be folded loosely—it’s lightweight and easier to fit back in the bag than the tent itself.

My carrying case has an expandable tab to make repacking easier, but I’ve never needed to use it. Everything fits fine when packed carefully.

Final Thoughts

All right, I hope this video was helpful for you. Thanks for watching—and God bless you!

—

This post was previously published on YouTube.

Welcome to “Dad, how do I?” Here you will find “How To” videos by a dad who has raised 2 adults (and we still talk). I will do my best to provide useful , practical content to many basic tasks that everyone should know how to do. On this channel, you will find a variety of content like How To’s, Story times, Dad Chats, and more!

Link to my book: https://amzn.to/3idKKzq Official Website: https://www.dadhowdoiofficial.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dadhowdoi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dadhowdoi

Disclaimer:
This video is produced by “Dad, how do I?” and it is provided for informational, educational, entertainment purposes only. Some of these projects, materials, and techniques may not be appropriate for all ages or skill levels. “Dad, how do I?” does not make any claims of the safety of the projects, techniques, or resources listed on this site including this video, and will not take responsibility of what you do with the information provided by this site. Viewers must be aware by doing DIY projects on their homes or vehicles, they are doing it at their own risk and “Dad, how do I?” cannot be held liable if they cause any damage to their homes or vehicles. “Dad, how do I?” assumes no liability for property damage or personal injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. “Dad, how do I?” recommends safe practices when working with tools seen or implied in this or any other video on my channel. Due to factors beyond the control of “Dad, how do I?“, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not “Dad, how do I?”.