The Happy Camper The Essential Guide to Life Outdoors

The Happy Camper is a comprehensive, heavily illustrated, highly entertaining compendium of basic wilderness instruction and well-tested campsite advice. One of North America's top canoeing and outdoors experts, Kevin Callan explains how to get the most from your camping experience -- no matter where you pitch your tent, what you forgot to pack or what the weather.

Step-by-step, the book shows:

How to plan a trip for a day or even a few weeks
How to pack only what is needed
How to beat the bugs, stake a tent, build a fire, ward off unwanted wildlife, paddle a canoe and much more.

Other crucial topics include:

Choosing the perfect campsite
Using maps and compasses
Camp cooking
Camping with dogs and kids
Bruises, blisters and Band-Aids
Canoe and kayak camping
Wilderness photography
Cold-weather camping.

Kevin Callan is the author of eight books including the A Paddler's Guide series. He is a recipient of the National Magazine Award and a regularly featured speaker at North America's largest paddling events.