The purpose of this page is to help our camping terms wiki contributors learn the process and define a few guidelines and practices.

How to use a wiki:

Here is one of the best video descriptions of how to use a wiki on the Internet: ( Wasn't it nice of them to use a camping trip as an example? Incidentally, my son and hunting buddy Don used a Google docs wiki to plan the menu for a week long camping trip this spring. It worked out great!)


Watching this video should help you get a feel for how to edit a wiki page. First you have to apply to be a writer which is done simple by clicking on that option and answering only a couple of questions. This sign-up is done in an effort to minimize undesirable, commercial and unrelated content.

Guidelines:

• audience requirement - First and foremost keep in mind camping is a favorite family pastime and we have a mix batch of readers that includes some young people. Some scouting campers read and contribute to our camping community. Therefore language, content, photos, videos etc. need to be appropriate and respectful to that audience.
• Links to other web sites, including yours should you have one, are permitted and encouraged assuming the link adds good information to the discussion without violating the above audience requirement.
• Usually the people who sell things know the most about the things they sell,thus they can really help the rest of us understand the finer points of the gear or services offered by them and others. So their participation is encouraged. But, please do not attempt to sell you wares on our wiki pages. However, a link to your promotional page is fine, again, if it is in the context of the topic being discussed. For example, if you were to offer a page about lighting the campsite at night and you sell lanterns on your website, by all means link your page. ( And link it using the keywords you want to place well for in the search engines. ) For example, I have a web site that sells camp boxes, chuck boxes and patrol boxes so if you have a question about your camp kitchen, don't hesitate to ask me.
• Try to keep it simple, use pictures and videos if you have them.
• Check your spelling and grammar and don't be offended if someone rewords things for you.
• Quality is way better than quantity.

Basic writer procedures:

1. Log in - upper right where it says 'sign in'
2. select the page you what to edit from the navigation bar on the left OR pick 'add new page' under those.
3. click the 'easy edit button'
4. enter or copy and paste your text
5. Format the text the way you want it - font, bold italic etc.
6. Add 'bells and whistles' links, bullet lists, videos etc. ( those options are in the easy edit tool bar )

1. select the photos tab ( it's on the top navigation bar )
2. select add photo ( upper right )
3. browse to the adjusted photo on your computer.
4. upload the photo
5. go back to the page you are editing
6. Select photo and place it where you want it ( notice you have some simple text wrap options and such.)

Ideas: Some camping topics that have been requested. ( There are many more.) However you should write about what you know and enjoy.

• a few good knots every camper should to know.
• entertainment ideas - both night and day
• how to track and find animals
• best places to camp in your area/state
• how to get good outdoor photos
• every facet of outdoor cooking
• camping recipes

Thank you for choosing to participate! Please contact me if you have any troubles getting through the process. Maybe other people are having trouble with the same thing and it is preventing them from contributing? You can email or call me (please not too late - I'm on Arizona time ) Believe it or not I actually like talking to real people ;-)

Ken