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.