At the campground, choose a campsite on high, level ground that offers a good view and some shade. Such a campsite will keep you drier if it rains. Be sure to have a water source close by - since water is essential for drinking, cooking and cleaning up, you don't want to walk far to get it. Make your tent, tent pegs/stakes and a mallet the first things you unpack. Position your tent so that the door opens where you want it. Check the ground where you want to set up your tent to ensure there are no rocks hidden in the grass and check for holes that may be animal burrows. Once the tent is up, put all the sleeping gear and clothing bags, etc. and arrange the inside of your tent. Leave a warm hat next to your sleeping bag to wear on cold nights when you are sleeping.

Make it comfortable

            Next, arrange your kitchen and your dining room. Pick an appropriate area for cooking. Most campsites have a barbecue grill and a picnic table. Move the picnic table, if possible, to where you want it. Put your tablecloth on the table and secure it to the table with clips or put heavy items such as your water jug and your camp stove near the corners so that it does not blow off. Put chairs around the campfire pit, if there is one. Avoid putting chairs too close to where the fire will be to avoid being burned by popping embers. If you brought wood for your campfire, store it in a dry place, preferably near the campfire pit.

Now don't forget

           String a clothesline between two trees where you can hang wet clothes to dry. Put a lantern either on the table or on a lantern tripod to ensure a source of light at night. Observe campground rules which are usually posted near the campground entrance.