Start Your Adventure
TeachMeHowToCamp.com exists to close the gap between wanting to camp and knowing how. We're here for the person who never had someone show them how to pitch a tent, read a map, or build a fire. No experience required, and no judgment either.
This started with a family tradition: generations of tents, trail maps, and campfires. Ryan and his team have over 40 years of outdoor experience, distilled into one simple goal: helping the next person feel like the outdoors is theirs too.
Camping culture can feel like a club with a dress code. It’s not. You don't need the perfect gear, the right resume, or a childhood spent in a tent to belong out there. You just need someone willing to walk you through it, honestly and without an attitude.
That's what we do here. Beginner-friendly articles, tutorials, and gear guidance. Hands-on lessons and guided first trips, from a single campfire lesson to a full accompanied weekend. Straight answers to the questions you were afraid were too basic to ask.
We draw on decades of hands-on experience, but TeachMeHowToCamp.com isn’t for us. The point is you, and getting you from curious to comfortable outside.
The outdoors isn't a test. It's yours. Let's go.
Learn With Us
CAMPFIRE BUILDING LESSONS
There's nothing quite like a fire you built yourself. In this hands-on session at a local day-use area, I'll walk you through everything: how to choose your wood, build a structure that actually catches, and light it on the first try. We'll cover fire safety, how to read conditions, and how to put it out properly. You'll leave knowing you can do this on your own next time.
GEAR SELECTION CONSULTING
Entering an outdoor gear store, in person or online, can feel like getting hit by a wall of options you didn't ask for. I'll help you cut through all of it. We'll talk through where you want to go, how you like to sleep, what your budget looks like, and what you actually need to have a good first trip versus what can wait. No upsell, no pressure. Just honest advice from someone who's slept in a lot of tents.
PACKING & KIT ORGANIZATION
You've got the gear. Now what? Getting it all packed smartly and in the right order makes a bigger difference than most people realize. We'll go through your kit together, figure out what fits where, talk through why things are packed the way they are, and make sure you're not showing up at the trailhead missing something important. Leave feeling actually ready.
ACCOMPANIED FIRST CAMPING TRIP
This is the one. My team or I go with you: your very first camping trip, start to finish. We pick the site, pack the car, set everything up, make the fire, cook something, sleep outside, and break camp in the morning. I'm there for all of it. Not to take over, but to make sure you never feel alone in figuring it out. By the time we're done, you'll know you can do this again on your own.
BEGINNER CAMPING WORKSHOPS
Coming soon!
Want to learn alongside other people who are figuring this out for the first time? Group workshops are coming. Skills-based, hands-on, and designed for people who've never done any of this before. Get on the list and you'll be the first to know when dates are announced.
Let’s Connect
From the Campsite
The iconic Tunnel View upon entering Yosemite National Park
Who enjoys hiking more - kids or dogs?
A father teaches his son how to build a campfire
The iconic Tunnel View upon entering Yosemite National Park