Camp Area Setup

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Beat the heat. Stay warm in cold nights. Find a good spot. Sleep good. Eat good. Be comfy.

Here’s how I do it.

1) Be comfortable. You don’t have to rough it. 

2) Be friendly. Help others, share, inform. 

3) Be Informed: Know the rules, Stage schedules, special events 

4) Be mobile. The more you see, the more you hear, the more you know. Bring a bike or scooter.

 This can make a huge difference in your experience. Given a choice, here’s what to consider: 

- Level high ground: You don’t want to wake up in a puddle. You won’t sleep if you’re tilted.

- Shade: Get under trees (even with a canopy). Use tapestry to create shade walls. 

- Proximity to Stage: I like to be close to the action.  I want pedestrian traffic (so I can goof with folks).

I’ve had this Gazelle Pop-Up for years. It is sturdy, easy to setup/pack, and comfy, Two doors that double as windows, and 6 more windows. It goes up in seconds. I’m 6’1 and can stand up. The walls bow out adding more space.

I’ve had this 10x15 Master Canopy for a couple years. I do like that extra 50 feet of space.versus a 10x10. 

Always stake down your canopy.  If winds near 25 mph, remove any walls, and lower the height. And if higher winds approach, remove the canopy too.  

After trying different cots (that sag), and a variety of pad/foam combinations (that are in the ground), I’ve settled on the inflatable air mattress. I like the higher version, so you can sit too. 

Inflatables mean you better have a backup plan. 

I have extra blankets just in case. I have so many power supplies, I might even have my electric blanket.   

This SylvanSport Pop-Up kitchen has 4 zippered shelves, a fold-out cutting board, a sink, and a trash-holder.  It's high-end.  So are my meals.

Bring the Coleman 2-burner stove, a pan, and a percolator for the coffee. 

Soap, sponge, dish-towel and paper towels.

You will use them often, so bring good quality comfortable chairs. I like this GCI Comfort Pro Chair so much that I have two. Bring extras to plant at stage, or host new friends.  

Thie Lounge Chair is a new addition. It has 8 adjustable legs which, I thought, would be a sleeping solution for any hilly situation. But it isn’t as comfy as the air mattress. A sturdy/comfy lounge chair that could serve as backup to an air-mattress problem allowa me to relax under the shade. (YOUGYM XXL Camping Cot). 

Adjustable height is a nice feature. Bring extra tables (they’ll always be full). I have one in my tent, and at least 3 more.   

Solar rechargeable LED lights are the way to go, but bring some battery powered lights too. 

I bring 4 extendable poles, and use a tarp and some cords/ties/clamps to create even more shady areas. You can create a carport to shade your vehicle. It gets over 140 degrees in cars real fast on a sunny day. Looking for something is easier when you're not sweating. This pic hides my car that is under my make-shift carport.  (All by design)