You need to get out more. You don’t need to be a mountaineer or an Eagle Scout to enjoy a weekend in the wild—getting your dose of nature can be as simple as a couple nights in a tent at a nearby park. So conquer the great outdoors with tips on how to:

• Buy the right gear—sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, boots, rope, and more
• Pick a campsite, pitch a tent, tie essential knots, build a fire, and cook outdoors
• Avoid and handle common problems, from poison ivy to mosquitoes to bears