Welcome to the DCG 201 guide to Hacker Double Summer! This is part of a series where we are going to cover all the various hacker conventions and shenanigans at the start of July to the end of August both In Person & Digital! 2022 is a GIGANTIC year for hacker hysteria with so many events this will break the most guides we have ever written with the lucky number 13 as the goal. As more blog posts are uploaded, you will be able to jump through the guide via these links:
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part One: Surviving Las Vegas, New York & Virtually Anywhere
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Two: Capture The Flags & MLH INIT Hackathon
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Three: SummerC0n
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Four: ToorCamp
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Five: A New HOPE (HACKERS ON PLANET EARTH)
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Six: SCaLE 19X
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Seven: Back2Vegas by RingZero
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Eight: BSides Las Vegas
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Nine: Black Hat USA
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Ten: The Diana Initiative
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Eleven: USENIX + SOUPS
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Twelve: DEFCON 30
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Thirteen: Wiki World’s Fair
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Fourteen: Blue Team Con
HACKER DOUBLE SUMMER — Part Fifteen: SIGS, EVENTS & PARTIES IN LAS VEGAS
ToorCamp 2022 Hacker Camp
Date & Time: Wednesday, July 13th — Sunday July 17th (8:00 AM — 2:00 AM PST)
Location: Doe Bay Resort (107 Doe Bay Rd, Olga, WA 98279)
Website: https://toorcamp.toorcon.net/
Tickets (ADULT TICKETS SOLD OUT): https://toorcamp.toorcon.net/registration/
Virtual Platform(s): UNKNOWN
Schedule: https://talks.toorcon.net/toorcamp-2020-2019/schedule/
Live Streams:
TBA
Virtual Chat: Discord (https://chat.toorcon.net/)
Affordability: ToorCamp had three tiers of In-Person tickets based on the proximity to the convention’s date. Currently All Adult Tickets are SOLD OUT.
Code Of Conduct: https://wiki.toorcamp.org/Code_of_Conduct
ToorCamp is a multi-day gathering where we focus on technology and its integration into society.
ToorCamp, the American hacker camp, first “launched” at the Titan-1 Missile Silo in Washington State in 2009. The second and third ToorCamp happened in 2012 and 2014 on the beautiful Washington Coast.
For the past 2 events (2016 and 2018) and upcoming 2022 are now at the Doe Bay Resort on Orcas Island, WA and are looking for groups to participate.
Show off your crazy projects you’ve been working on, bring some ideas you want to hack on with the other technology experts that will be showing up, organize a campsite with all of your friends and show how awesome your group is, or just see what all the other groups are up to.
The literal meaning of “Hacker Summer Camp” ToorCamp (unrelated to the Tor Browser) is literally a five day camping trip on an island off of Washington State where hackers do what hacker do. It’s the American version of similar European hacker camps such as C3 Camp and Hacking At Random.
You will have to survive the wilderness and other 1337 hackers as you roast weenies and servers alike. With it’s own culture, traditions and bomb ass parties, this is one type of hacker hangout you should try to do at least once in your life!
TOORCAMP 2022 MAP
ARE YOU COMING?
If you’re planning on coming to camp and haven’t already, please fill out their participant questionnaire to make sure ToorCon has your up to date t-shirt size, contact info, and to apply for their on-site parking permit lottery for during the event:
WHERE THE F&%K IS THIS PLACE!?
Doe Bay Resort is located on one of the San Juan Islands in between mainland Washington State and Canada. Doe Bay offers a variety of accommodations on 38 acres of the most beautiful, pristine waterfront land on the San Juan Islands.
How Do I Get To Twilight-er-The Mainland?
The closest major airports are Bellingham International Airport (BLI) (~1 hour away from the Anacortes Ferry Terminal), Seattle/Tacoma International Airport (SEA) (~2 hours away from the Anacortes Ferry Terminal), Victoria International Airport (YYJ) (~10 min away from the Victoria Ferry Terminal). It can then take up to 90 minutes to get to the island on the Ferry and then another 30 minutes drive from the ferry terminal to the Doe Bay Resort.
Usually SEA has cheaper flights and rental cars. Victoria, BC is closer but probably more expensive because it’s in Canada and you may have more issues with renting cars and driving them into the US but their airport is right next to the ferry terminal so it may be a good option if you plan on not renting a car.
Land-Lubber Method
For the most convenience, drive your car onto the boat, in which case you will want to make sure to get a reservation on the ferry ahead of time or you could be waiting multiple hours or days to get across.
TIP: Most of the ferry spots are sold out for the 8th and 12th at this point. If you need a spot, 30% of the pool will be released 2 weeks before the sailing date (next week Wednesday and Sunday), and another 30% 2 days before. They’re released at 7am, so make sure to set an alarm (or script your botnet) and book immediately at 7am to guarantee a spot!
Orca Shuttle rides between the ferry landing and multiple stops on the island including Doe Bay from 8AM until 11PM daily. For early-morning or later-evening pick-ups, there is taxi service on the island to take you to and from Doe Bay — (360)-376-TAXI. It is also possible to rent cars on the island, with free drop-off and pick-ups at the ferry dock if arranged in advance — (360)-376-RIDE.
Busses are available from Seattle to Anacortes via Bellair Charters and Airporter. They also pick up in Bellingham, though the route may need a connection to get from the I-5 corridor to Anacortes ferry terminal.
NOTE ABOUT PARKING: Because of the number of attendees this year, everyone will need to park in our off-site parking down the street except for a few rare exceptions. They’ll allow you to drop off your gear on-site when you arrive, then you’ll need to proceed immediately to the off-site parking lot. We will have a shuttle running regularly between the off-site parking and the event.
Haxor Airlines
From Lake Union Kenmore Air offers daily scheduled seaplane flights from Lake Union in Downtown Seattle directly to the Rosario Resort which is a short drive away from the Doe Bay Resort. Call 800–543–9595
From Boeing Field Kenmore Air offers daily scheduled flights from Boeing Field to Eastsound on Orcas Island (reservations are highly recommended). Once you arrive at Eastsound, taxis are available to take you to Doe Bay.
Complimentary Shuttle Service is provided for transfers between Sea-Tac Airport and Boeing Field. Advance reservations are required. Call 800–543–9595
From Bellingham, Anacortes & Friday Harbor San Juan Airlines and Northwest Sky Ferry have recently merged, offering more planes, more pilots and more flight options from Bellingham, Anacortes, the San Juan Islands & Canadian destinations. Call 800–874–4434
From Portland, British Columbia & all other Northwest locations Charter flights available from: Westwind Aviation Island Air Rose Air San Juan Airlines and Northwest Sky Ferry
I’M ON A MOTHER F&%KIN’ BOAT
There’s some great water taxi options that will take you directly from Anacortes to Doe Bay Otter Cove Beach and is definitely the coolest way to get to the camp. Contact Island Express or Paraclete to arrange for group transportation.
The Victoria Clipper travels from Seattle to San Juan Island daily during the summer time. From San Juan Island you can walk on to the inter island ferry to Orcas landing. You would then need to find transportation from Orcas to Doe Bay. This trip involves coordinating schedules and planning. It would take at least a half day, but might be an enjoyable way to travel if you enjoy boat rides.
The Doe Bay Resort has a mooring buoy that private boats can use and then take a small dinghy to a beach landing spot to get to the resort that could be a good option for those wishing to travel to the resort by boat. There are also other water taxi services that can be chartered for those wishing to park on the mainland and boat directly to the resort. If you are interested in this option, please post to the mailing list.
I’m Here And My Feet Are Broken…
The Doe Bay Resort offers a shuttle service with the following restrictions:
- A 5 person or $100 minimum is required for any shuttle run to or from the ferry
- The shuttle is $20 each additional person each way to the ferry or Eastsound
- Group reservations (paid by a single party) are $85 each way. The van holds 10 passengers
- We also offer shuttle service to Lieber Haven, Rosario or Moran State Park for $10 per person, each way — with a 5 person or $50 minimum
- All other destinations are $75/hour with a one hour minimum
- Shuttle is available from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST— unless by special arrangement with 48 hour notice
- An alternative is to rent your own car or van through www.orcasislandshuttle.com, 360–376-RIDE (7433), or contact the local taxi service 360–376-TAXI (8294)
- ToorCamp has arranged a 10% discount through our local taxi service, Orcas Island Taxi. If you mention that you were referred by Doe Bay they will be happy to extend this discount! 360–376-TAXI (8294)
So I’m That A$$hole With An RV…
There’s a limited number of reserved campsites that are large enough to park a small RV or camper (maximum 25 feet long). If you are bringing an RV you will need to purchase an RV parking ticket. A limited number of RVs will be allowed to park on-site, the rest will need to be parked in off-site parking.
Can I Bring The Denial Of Service Dog?
In an effort to keep make sure everyone has a great time at ToorCamp, they’ve arrived at some rules and regulations around bringing your dog to the camp! There is a limited number of dogs that we’re allowed to bring, so you must register your dog ahead of time to ensure that they can come.
- Pets are only allowed in pet friendly lodging spaces
- One pet per pet-friendly lodging space (subject to pet fee from Doe Bay)
- One pet per premium camping site
- No pets in general camping
- Clean up after pets — enforced
- Pets ALWAYS ALWAYS on leash at all times — enforced
- You must register your dog with ToorCamp by emailing david@toorcon.org
Doe Bay and ToorCamp staff will be given the directive to not intervene or take any action in the event of a dog fight. It is the sole responsibility of dog owners to prevent this from happening and to solve it if/when it does. Doe Bay and ToorCamp assume no liability for any dog bites, attacks or destruction of property.
I Ran A Command Without SUDO And Now I’m Bleeding…
ToorCamp will be providing on-site EMT staff as well as a Fire Marshal and will have proper evacuation plans in place. If you come to the camp, they’ll do all we can do to make sure you have the safest time possible, but please don’t come after them if something happens to you. Please refer to our Part One Survival Guide for First Aid ideas.
VARIOUS FORMS OF SHELTERS AT TOORCAMP
The venue features 31 on-site cabins, 8 yurts, 2 geodesic domes, and full camping facilities so this year is all about relaxing and hanging out with other technology enthusiasts
NOTE: ALL CABINS & YURTS ARE SOLD OUT
HOW TO CAMP AND NOT DIE
Common First Time Camping Mistakes To Avoid
You don’t start out an expert in anything, so be prepared for some frustrating (and comical!) trial and error as a new camper. From your first rainstorm to your first real meal cooked at the campsite, you will pick up on numerous intricacies that, ultimately, make the experience more enjoyable. Here are a few common mistakes that we’ve made ourselves, or watched others make, during their first trip camping.
- An excessive amount of camping gear — Overpacking creates organizational nightmares, uncomfortable travel arrangements (best not to lose sight of your child amidst the pile of gear in the back seat!), and frustrating campsite setup clusters. Rather than buying everything that you think you might need in advance, wait until you’ve camped a few times and developed an actual need for something. Your opinions on necessary gear will, often, change after a few trips.
- Cheap tent — Unless you enjoy soggy living quarters, poor puncture resistance, sticky zippers, and limited structural integrity, we suggest splurging a bit for a well-designed and quality manufactured tent. Not only will it provide a more comfortable experience, it is, likely, the more affordable option over the long-term, as you won’t need to replace it as frequently. Check out this article on caring for your tent to get the most out of your investment.
- Improper disposal of grey water and food waste — If you’re well-schooled in the principles of Leave No Trace, it can be a frustrating sight to watch newbie campers, carelessly, dumping their dishwater and food scraps in the trees behind their site, increasing the likelihood of animal encounters, and creating nasty sites for future campers. Follow the rules for proper disposal at every campground you visit. Most will have specific locations for dumping grey water, often sinks near a bathroom or at a gravel drainage site within the campground.
HOW TO PRACTICE CAMPING
Your backyard or local park is the easiest place to practice setting up a tent and sleeping outdoors. After backyard camping, we recommend car camping for beginners. Having a car nearby gives you space to over pack and shelter from rain, and leave quickly if you need to. But car camping still provides the experience of sleeping outdoors in a tent.
Next start at a traditional campsite, such as a state or national park or a KOA. These locations usually have staff or park rangers, bathroom facilities and paved trails, along with other campers.
Once you’ve become comfortable at a traditional campground and familiar with the things you need to pack, you are ready for “dispersed camping,” where you drive to a back-country location but still set up camp near your car.
After these three things, you should be over-prepared for being stranded on an island full of hackers.
PITCH A TENT (GIGITY)
A good camping shelter is simple to use and able to keep you dry, warm and safe. How to camp comfortably and safely depends on how you choose to stay — in a tent or an alternative lodging option. Tents are a popular beginner-friendly option because they are portable and adaptable.
You can find tents in various shapes and sizes, with varying degrees of weather protection and insulation. Some are designed with solo travelers in mind, while others have multiple rooms for the whole family. Before choosing a tent for your first camping trip, consider the following:
- Your needs: Tents are beginner-friendly for most campers but not suitable for everyone. Older adults or those who may struggle sleeping on the ground should seek out more comfortable alternatives. Additionally, some tents may not be ideal for young children or rambunctious pets.
- The weather: Tents do not have air conditioning or heating. For hot weather camping, you can pitch your tent in the shade or bring along a battery-operated fan — but some prefer to skip tent camping in the heat altogether. Frigid temperatures can also pose as a deterrent. While tent heaters are available, they require strict attention to safety guidelines and may not be ideal for all environments.
- Your experience: If you are unsure how to get into camping, one of the best places to start is by learning how to pitch a tent and create your own campsite. That said, some tents are more complicated than others and may require assistance or previous training. Always read your tent user manual and watch some how-to videos before you hit the road.
Tents come in a various shapes and sizes, and each type has a slightly different setup process. Types of tents include the following.
- Ridge or A-frame: For years, the classic A-frame tent was the go-to tent style, with a sturdy build and easy setup. Typically, A-frames rely on guylines and tie outs for stability, and most modern models use aluminum tent poles.
- Tunnel: Tunnel tents have a series of curved poles, creating a long, tunnel-shaped structure. They are roomy, versatile and comfortable, though they can be heavy and vulnerable to collapse in high winds.
- Pop-up: By dosing, these simple tents are designed to open up without construction — all you need is to tie them down once they’re up. Though lightweight, easy to carry and roomy enough for two people, pop-up tents also tend to be more expensive and less stable than many other types of tents.
- Dome: Dome tents are some of the most common types of tents for today’s camper. In dome tents, two flexible poles cross at the top and bend back down to the ground. Typically inexpensive, lightweight and easy to set up, dome tents are popular for a reason, though they can be unstable in high winds.
- Geodesic and semi-geodesic: A geodesic or semi-geodesic tent is essentially a sturdier version of a dome tent. Designed with many crossing poles and a more complex design, these tents can be challenging to set up, but they are lightweight and stable even in bad weather conditions.
- Inflatable: One of the newest tent designs on the market, inflatable tents require minimal setup time. They feature air-filled beams instead of poles. Easily packed and carried, inflatable tents are ideal for casual family camping trips and music festivals, but they are not the best choice for more rugged settings.
- Cabin: If you have ever wanted to squeeze your entire family into one tent, a cabin tent is the perfect style for you. Cabin tents are the ultimate spacious tent, and they often have dividers to separate the main area into smaller rooms for privacy. Though cabin tents are fun and roomy, they are also heavy, can be complicated to assemble and are unstable in heavy winds, so you may only want to rely on them for fair-weather trips.
- Backpacking: When you’re backpacking, every ounce counts. Backpacking tents are as lightweight and compact as possible, and though they aren’t spacious, they are streamlined and sturdy enough to withstand harsh conditions. Many models come with a simple installation process, and some can stand on their own without any additional supports.
In this guide, we will focus on dome, tunnel and A-frame tents, but once you know the basics of these three forms, you’ll understand how to set up many different types of tents.
THE PERFECT SPOT FOR YOUR TENT
Not every open space is suitable for setting up camp. Below, we’ve outlined some characteristics to look for when you’re selecting a campsite.
- Level: The perfect spot will be relatively flat and level — if you pitch your tent on a slope, you may end up rolling to one end of your tent while you sleep.
- Large enough to fit your tent: Make sure you practice setting up your tent before using it for the first time. If you aren’t certain about your tent’s size, you could accidentally select a spot that is too small to fit your tent and any other elements of your camp, such as a fire pit.
- Safe distance from fire pits or grills: To make your campsite as safe as possible, pitch your tent far from fire pits or grills. If you put it too close, you risk it catching fire in the event of a stray spark or ember.
- Higher ground: The ideal tent site will be on higher ground, where you will not be too close to creeks or bodies of water. If it rains, water levels could rise, soaking your camp. A higher-ground location will also prevent rainwater runoff from getting your tent wet.
- Shade: When camping in the summer, look for a spot with some shade. If you pitch your tent directly in the sunlight, your tent could get uncomfortably hot in the morning.
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR SPOT BEFORE PITCHING YOUR TENT
Even the perfect spots aren’t always immediately ready for you to set up your tent. Here are some steps to prepare your chosen campsite before unpacking your tent.
- Check for debris: Before setting up your tent, check the area for debris like sticks and rocks. Clear them away from your tent spot.
- Examine the ground: Feel the ground to make sure it isn’t too wet. Also, check the ground’s hardness — if it feels unyielding and packed down, consider adding a layer of leaves or pine needles beneath your tent to make the location softer for sleeping.
- Lay down a tarp: Once you’ve cleared away debris and checked the ground, lay down a tarp and fold until it’s slightly smaller than your tent’s footprint. If it rains, this extra layer will help prevent moisture from seeping into your tent while you sleep.
After you’ve prepared your spot, you’re ready to begin pitching your tent. (gigity)
HOW TO SET UP A DOME TENT
Dome tents are the most common type of camping tents. Below, we walk you through the process of putting up a basic dome tent. These instructions can apply to any size of dome tent, from small two-person models to large family-sized tents.
- Lay out your tent: First, find the bottom of your tent and lay it on top of the tarp, positioning it in the right direction. Think about where you want your tent doors to face — you may choose to arrange your tent so that its entrance faces away from prevailing winds or toward your campsite for easy access. As you lay out your tent, account for all of its components, including tent poles and stakes.
- Connect the tent poles: Depending on what type of tent you have, you might lash your tent poles together with bungee ropes, or you may need to connect the pieces yourself according to their numbers. Some tents, such as pop-up tents, may not require tent poles at all. Once you’ve connected the poles, lay them across the flat tent.
- Insert the tent poles: Next, insert the tent poles into the sleeves or clips on the tent. Various types of tents have sleeves and clips in different locations. For dome tents, the tent poles typically form an X across the top. Some larger tents have additional poles to extend the front or back. Insert the end of the pole into an eyelet at each corner of the tent, and proceed to attach the poles to plastic clips on the top of the tent or slide the poles through small flaps on top of the tent. Consult your tent’s instruction manual to make sure you are inserting the poles the correct way.
- Raise the tent: Raising a tent often requires coordination, and it’s helpful to have a partner aid you in lifting the tent off the ground. Once you’ve fit your poles into the connection spots, they will probably bend and raise the tent on their own. Fit the bottoms of the poles into a small sleeve or clip at their connection points. Some tents require a little more coaxing to stand up — make sure the poles are untangled and secure, and try pulling the corners of the tent apart so that they’re square. Freestanding tents can stand on their own once the poles are connected, but other tents may require guylines for stability.
- Reposition the tent as necessary: Once the tent is standing, you might need to adjust its position before staking it down or attaching the guylines. Make sure the doors and any windows face the direction you intended, and that you have centered the tent over your tarp.
- Stake it down: Take the tent stakes and secure each corner of the tent to the ground. Insert each stake through a loop at the corner of the tent at a 45-degree angle, angled away from the tent — this will help the tent remain secure. If you’re staking your tent over turf, you can probably insert the stakes using the force of your hands alone. However, on hard or rocky terrain, you might have to use a hammer or a blunt object to push them into the ground. Some tent stakes are malleable, so take care not to bend them.
- Attach the rainfly: Some tents come with an extra guard against rain called a rainfly. For some tents, you can clip the rainfly directly to the tent, while for others you need to tie them above the tent. Consult your tent’s instruction manual to make sure you are using the correct method for your tent.
- Use the guylines: Some tents come with guylines to provide extra stability in storms and high winds. Often, guyline attachments are on your tent’s rainfly cover — to tie the guylines, you might need to pull on the rainfly. Attach guylines to guyout points, which are sturdy loops located roughly halfway up the tent wall. For maximum stability, attach guylines to points uniformly surrounding the tent, such as nearby trees, logs or rocks, or stake them into the ground.
- Enjoy: Celebrate successfully pitching your tent and then make it cozy with your sleeping bag, air mattress and pillows. If it’s evening, set up a campfire and enjoy the start of your vacation.
HOW TO SET UP A TUNNEL TENT
Setting up a tunnel tent is similar to the process of assembling a dome tent — the primary difference is that with tunnel tents, the tent poles run parallel across the ridge of the tent. Here’s how to set up a tunnel tent.
- Position the tent: First, open up the tunnel tent and spread it out over your tarp. Consider the wind as you decide which direction to face the openings of your tent.
Stake down the corners: - When pitching a tunnel tent, you may choose to stake down the tent before raising it, depending on the size and design of the tent. Staking down the corners before you begin gives you extra stability, especially in windy weather. Peg out each corner of the tent at a 45-degree angle, and pull each edge taut — a tight tent base will make the rest of the tent easier to assemble.
- Secure the canopy: If your tent has a canopy, peg it down in front after staking the four corners of the main tent base.
- Assemble the poles: Arrange and assemble the poles of the tunnel tent. Depending on your model, all of the poles may be the same length, which simplifies the assembly process.
- Insert the tent poles: Thread the tent poles through the sleeves running along the sides of the tent. Begin with the two middle sections — this gives the tent support and puts less stress on the front poles of the tent. If the wind is blowing, start inserting the other poles on the wind-facing side. Feed the poles through the sleeves and lay them down flat on the ground.
- Raise the tent: Hold the tent up as you bend the poles to fit into their clips — manually supporting the tent lessens the pressure on the poles, reducing the chance that they will break. Clip them in along the side of the tent to secure them in place.
- Use the guylines: Unlike freestanding tents, almost all tunnel tents rely on guylines for stability. If your tent has a canopy, begin staking out the guylines from this section of your tent. Work your way around the tent, pulling the guylines tight. If your campsite isn’t close to rocks or trees, you can peg guylines directly into the ground at a 45-degree angle.
- Enjoy: Once your tunnel tent is sturdy and secure, sit back and enjoy your campsite.
HOW TO SET UP AN A-FRAME TENT
A-frame tents are an older style, and they are less common today than dome or tunnel tents. However, some backpackers prefer A-frames, though they can be trickier to set up than other types of tents.
- Lay out your tent: Position your tent over the tarp where you want to set it up. You cannot reposition an A-frame tent after pitching it, so choose your location wisely.
- Stake down the corners: Once you have positioned your tent, stake down the corners. When pitching an A-frame tent, you must peg down the corners before moving on to other steps. Make sure to stretch the tent fabric tight.
- Connect the tent poles: Next, connect the tent poles. Depending on your tent’s design, it will either have one pole for each end of the tent or two poles for each end that form a triangle. Both types have an additional pole that runs horizontally along the ridge of the tent. Older A-frame tents may use more rigid tent poles, while modern A-frame tents often use tent poles connected by bungee ropes.
- Raise the tent: In traditional A-frame tents, place separate poles at the front and back of the tent. Position one pole at the top corner of the tent at one end and stick it vertically into the ground, repeating the process with the other end of the tent. In modified models, two poles at each end of the tent form a triangle with the ground, giving the structure greater stability. With both styles of A-frames, the poles at the end of the tent support a ridge pole that runs down the length of the tent.
- Attach the guylines: Pull the guylines out tightly at the front and back of the tent and stake them securely into the ground at a 45-degree angle — tight guylines are essential for the stability of an A-frame tent.
- Attach the rainfly: If desired, you can place a rainfly over your tent and stake it into the ground using its guylines.
- Enjoy: Once you have raised your tent, pat yourself on the back for successfully pitching a traditional A-frame tent.
HOW TO SET UP A CABIN TENT
Some of the largest tents you can find are cabin tents, which boast plenty of room for an entire family. Since they’re so large, they can be complicated to set up. Follow these steps.
- Lay out the parts: The first thing you should do is lay out and identify all of the tent’s parts and pieces, ensuring you have everything you need. You’ll also want to lay the tent out where you want to set it up.
- Insert the roof poles: The roof poles are the main foundation for the tent’s structure. Most cabin tents require you to criss-cross the roof poles and insert them into sleeves.
- Connect the joints to the poles: Joints will allow you to connect the corners together, creating a dome-like shape. Make sure you secure your poles into the proper joints.
- Raise the tent: Once you have inserted all the poles and attached the joints, you should be able to raise the tent. Since cabin tents tend to be large, raising them may require a second set of hands.
- Stake the corners: Always be sure to stake your tent’s corners and attach all securing clips. Most cabin tents require staking corners as the last step.
- Attach rain covers: Attach any rain covers or tarps to the top of your tent, if desired.
- Enjoy: Your entire group will enjoy your spacious cabin tent! Once you’ve securely set up your home away from home, you can focus on essentials like port-scanning the entire internet.
TIPS FOR HOW TO PUT UP A TENT BY YOURSELF
Whether you’re on a solo camping adventure or your companions are busy with other tasks, sometimes you have to put up a tent by yourself. Here are some tips on assembling a tent on your own.
- Pick a good spot: To make the tent setup process as easy as possible, pick a good campsite with high, clear and level ground.
- Lay out your tools: Before you begin, lay out all the tools and materials you need.
- Use your surroundings: If your tent begins to slide while you’re trying to raise it, use a rock or another nearby heavy object to brace one corner in place while you push up the tent.
With a bit of practice and preparation, you won’t need anyone to help you set up your tent. You will even know how to set up a large tent by yourself!
HOW TO SETUP A TENT IN THE RAIN
The weather can be unpredictable, but you can still enjoy a camping trip during a drizzle. Here are a few tips on how to put a tent together in the rain.
- Set down a tarp first: It is always wise to place a tarp on the ground under your tent, especially if it’s already raining.
- Wear appropriate footwear: Campers should always bring along waterproof shoes with good traction to avoid slipping and sliding in wet conditions.
- Wait out heavy rains: If it’s pouring rain, you might want to wait until it lets up a bit before setting up your tent. Just be sure to pitch your tent before dusk starts to fall.
- Practice at home: One of the best things you can do is practice setting up your tent at home. The more familiar you are with setting up your tent, the easier it will be when you’re in a hurry.
- Keep your cool: Though it might be frustrating to set up a tent in the rain, do your best to keep your cool. A level head will help you stay focused and avoid making mistakes.
About Tent Sizes
When a tent is marketed as a 2-person tent that means 2-people and nothing else! As someone who regularly camps with my significant other, I can tell you that you’ll want a 3-person tent.
We recommend sizing up when choosing a tent. When driving to your campsite, you don’t need to worry as much about the added weight.
A larger tent will ensure you have space for people, pets, and your bags. Just remember that food should never be stored in your tent!
Use your rain fly the right way
Most tents come with a rain fly, the piece of material that goes over your tent to waterproof it and protect you from rain.
But here’s the pro tip: you can strategically use your rainfly to regulate the temperature inside your tent.
In hot, dry weather, leave the rain fly off! You can sleep under the stars and get extra airflow. Just be sure to check the weather forecast for rain!
In cold weather, you can cover your tent with the rain fly and zip it up entirely, trapping in your body heat and reducing airflow.
If you’re in between, or expecting light rain, you can put your rain fly on but stake it out to let in some airflow.
PACKAGE MANAGEMENT IN MEAT SPACE
CAMPING ESSENTIALS FOR BEGINNERS
A successful camping trip starts with knowing what to bring and how to use those items. A printable packing list of first-time camping essentials is an excellent way to keep your belongings organized and make sure you have not forgotten anything essential.
GO TO BED!
Bring along everything you need for a good night’s sleep, including quilts, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, blankets, an inflatable mattress or a cot. Because your body will be adjusting to new sleeping arrangements, this is not the ideal time to try out new pillows, so bring along your favorites from home to help your body adjust easily. Some new campers also find eye masks or white noise machines helpful for falling asleep more quickly.
The appropriate type of sleeping bag depends on wet or dry weather and the maximum low temperature. Thin sleeping bags are generally only good for summer conditions, while others are designed for various levels of frigid temperatures. If you’re staying out in the ice and snow, you definitely want to have the right kind of sleeping bag, so check the labels before you buy them. For winter camping, it’s also a good idea to bring more blankets than you might need.
CAMPSITE NEEDS
Headlamps, flashlights, lanterns and outdoor lighting like torches or LED tube lights will keep your campsite well-lit. You will also need a few bundles of approved firewood, a cooler and ice, a water dispenser and matches, a lighter and fire starter.
For your belongings that require batteries, bring some extras in case your lamp or flashlight stops working. A portable charger or power bank for your phone or other devices is also good to have on hand. If reception is going to be poor in your area, you might also want to invest in a Wi-Fi extender or similar device to stay connected.
Jackery SolarSaga 100W Portable Solar Panel for Explorer 240/300/500/1000/1500 Power Station: https://www.amazon.com/Jackery-SolarSaga-Portable-Explorer-Foldable/dp/B07Q71LX84
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300: https://www.amazon.com/Jackery-Portable-Explorer-Generator-Optional/dp/B082TMBYR6
FURNITURE AND DECORATIONS
Add style and comfort to your campsite with camping chairs, plastic tablecloths and tablecloth clips for the picnic table, insect-repellant candles, small tables, shade structures and portable rain pavilions. An outdoor rug will help catch dirt and grass before you go inside your tent, RV or cabin.
INSECT REPELLENT
NECESSARY ITEMS
Bring hygiene items and toiletries, including towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo, shower shoes, your toothbrush and toothpaste and your contact lens case and solution, if applicable. You might also enjoy the comfort of a soft robe and slippers.
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Do not forget to clean up your campsite after each meal and before you leave. Bring trash bags, paper towels, a cleaning sponge and wipes, if necessary.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Personal belongings include your wallet, spare cash, keys, lip balm and any licenses or permits you need to camp or hike. You should also pack event tickets or parking passes you plan to use during your stay.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Stay safe with a water bottle, sunscreen, first-aid kit and portable fire extinguisher. A local field guide may also be useful if you plan to explore a new area.
Bring a Large Container to Store Drinking Water
While most campgrounds have drinking water, it’s always a good idea to bring your own water source as a backup.
You have two options here:
- Buy a reusable water container and pre-fill it at home
- Buy 5-gallon water jugs at the grocery store before your trip
If you plan on camping more than a few times, it’s most cost-efficient to buy a reusable container. It’s also great for road trips or sporting events!
KITCHEN SUPPLIES
Bring kitchen essentials, like pans, tongs, spatulas, a grill grate for cooking over the fire if desired, roasting forks, a coffee percolator, dishes and utensils. Make sure all pots and pans you bring are rated for campground use and can withstand cooking over an open flame or however you plan to prepare your meals.
Beginner Friendly Propane (Hank Hill Approved): https://www.amazon.com/Propane-Fuel-Cylinders-pk-oz/dp/B016YLUXLE
- Clear Plastic Bin for Storing Camp Kitchen Gear: https://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-Quart-Ultra-Storage-See-Through/dp/B07H7QN4X5
- Long lighter
- Small pot and lid
- Plastic mixing bowl
- Set measuring cups and spoons
- Potholders
- Spatula
- Wooden spoon
- Tongs
- Chef’s knife with a sheath
- Cutting board
- 1 plastic plate per person
- Plastic or aluminum mugs
- Sporks or utensils
- Paper towels
- Aluminum foil
- Cooler with ice
- Trash bags
- 1 sponge or brush for cleaning dishes
- Biodegradable soap
- 2 dish towels
HOW TO NOT SMELL LIKE @$$!
Bring The Basics:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Face wipes with makeup remover
- Baby wipes
- Face moisturizer
- Deodorant
- Toilet paper
- Essential medications
- Hairbrush
- Baby powder or dry shampoo
- Contacts or glasses
- Hand sanitizer
- Ziploc bag for storing used wipes, disposable contact cases, toilet paper, etc.
HACK THE POTTY
One of the more intimidating parts of camping is going to the bathroom outdoors. But you may not have to deal with it at all!
Many campgrounds have bathrooms with plumbing. At the very least, they have pit toilets. You’ll really only have to go outdoors while hiking, primitive camping, or backpacking.
But if you do find yourself needing to go #2 outdoors, just follow these simple steps:
- Dig a small ‘cathole’ with a trowel (small shovel). Try to dig this hole about 6 inches deep.
- Do your business in the hole and bury it by covering it up with the dirt you just dugout.
- Pack out your toilet paper or wipes using a sealable Ziploc bag with a small amount of baking soda inside. This will reduce odors and make sure you’re following the Leave No Trace principles. Never leave your toilet paper in the wilderness.
When peeing outdoors, don’t worry about digging a cathole.
As If SCOTUS Was Enough For Your Uterus:
Periods while camping isn’t much different than at home, especially if you’re at a campground with bathrooms.
If you’re camping at a more primitive site or will be doing long hikes, keep extra tampons or pads in your backpack.
You should also carry a Ziploc bag with a small amount of baking soda for disposal. The baking soda helps keep odors down.
If you don’t want to use a clear bag for disposal, duct tape the outside of the bag to hide the contents!
Just remember to bring enough tampons or pads for your entire trip. A menstrual cup is also a popular eco-friendly option.
BRUSH YO TEEF!
This is another part of camping hygiene that will be similar to home if you are camping at a place with a proper bathroom.
If you’re camping at a site without running water and sinks, you’ll need to follow one easy rule for outdoor-friendly teeth brushing.
Use drinkable water from your water bottle to wet your toothbrush and brush your teeth as you normally would.
When you’re ready to spit, simply keep your mouth closed and spray the toothpaste instead of spitting it in one pile. This mind reminds me of a classic sitcom spit take when someone hears something shocking.
This prevents toothpaste from pooling and affecting animals or plant life.
TAKE A GOD-DAMN SHOWER YOU HEATHEN!
The ToorCamp Site should have showers on property and we are pretty sure there is also some sort of shower share system. However, if you are stranded or you are that MF’er that gets off on deploying Gentoo in production, here are other ways to not get mistaken for Big Foot by smell alone.
CHEAP BASTARD VERSION:
I GOT MONEY AND I WANT TO BE SMART:
PET OR CHILDREN’S SUPPLIES
If you are camping with your pet or child, you will also need to bring their items. For pets, this means a leash and harness, food and water bowls, toys, a pet first-aid kit, ID tags, bedding and vaccination records. For children, you might need a stroller, portable crib or play area depending on their age, toys, special first-aid supplies and child-friendly food.
PRACTICAL CLOTHING THAT’S HACKER AF
Much of your clothing decisions depend on where you are going, the season and weather conditions and what activities you plan to participate in:
- Rain gear, including boots, a water-resistant coat and umbrella.
- Light layering pieces, including long-sleeve shirts, lightweight tops, underclothes and jackets.
- Extra socks and underwear.
- A swimsuit or swim trunks with sandals or flip flops.
- A sunhat, visor or beanie, weather depending.
- Shoes for all activities, including hiking boots and comfortable walking sneakers for sightseeing and tours.
- Winter clothing, if applicable, including thermal layers, gloves, a scarf, an insulated coat, thick socks and long pants.
- Patagonia Capilene T-Shirts are perfect for camping. They have built-in sun protection and come in both long sleeve and short sleeve. These are great alternatives to cotton t-shirts which hold odors and moisture. >> Get the Women’s Patagonia Capilene Tee or Men’s Patagonia Capilene Tee.
- REI Merino Midweight Half-Zip is perfect for an extra layer in the evenings when temperatures are around 50 to 60 degrees. Merino wool is odor-resistant and lightweight, making it perfect for multi-day wear. >> Get the Women’s REI Merino Half-Zip or Men’s REI Merino Half-Zip.
- Patagonia Better Sweater is great for colder evenings and is stylish enough for your daily wardrobe! I wear mine to work, at home, out to dinner, and while hiking and camping! >> Get the Women’s Patagonia Better Sweater or Men’s Patagonia Better Sweater.
- REI XeroDry GTX Rain Jacket is the best budget-friendly rain jacket. The REI XeroDry is made with Gore-Tex, a waterproofing material, for a full water repellent seal. >> Get the Women’s REI XeroDry Rain Jacket or Men’s REI XeroDry Rain Jacket.
- Exofficio Underwear is perfect for camping. Unlike most underwear, they are quick-drying and odor-resistant. When you’re skipping showers while camping, you’ll be thankful for odor-resistant underwear. >> Get the Women’s Exofficio Underwear or Men’s Exofficio Boxer Briefs.
- Smartwool 150 Base Layers are perfect for sleeping. The layers are made from merino wool, making them quick-drying and odor-resistant, perfect for wearing a few nights in a row. Smartwool makes both tops and bottom for men and women. >> Find your perfect Smartwool base layer.
MEAL PLANNING FOR CAMPING
The easiest way to save time and make camp cooking a breeze is to plan your meals before you go. This will help you stick to a budget and prepare items ahead of time. As you meal plan, consider on-site dining options or local restaurants you want to try while you are out exploring.
You have a few options for cooking your meals when camping. The option you go with will depend on your campsite’s amenities and what you pack.
The types of Camp Cooking:
- Campfires are great for all-in-one foil meals or roasting hot dogs on sticks.
- Charcoal grills are best for cooking meats and vegetables, like a grill at home. If you’re cooking vegetables, bring along skewer sticks!
- Propane camp stoves are perfect for meals cooked in skillets or pots. While this can also be done on a campfire or charcoal grill, it’s way easier on a stove.
- Dehydrated meals are often used by backpackers. These just-add-water meals are great for campers who don’t want to deal with the hassle of cooking and cleaning. Don’t forget to bring a Jetboil Flash for ultra-fast boiled water!
CAMP COOKING MUST-HAVES
Regardless of which recipes you choose to cook, there are some camp cooking must-haves that all campers should have on-hand:
- Cooking essentials: Pantry staples like seasoning blends, spices, dried herbs, cooking oils, salt and pepper, condiments and sauces will give your food flavor. Choose your essentials based on your meal plan. For example, if you plan to barbecue or grill meats, you may want to bring along barbecue rubs or sauce.
- Snack items: Choose non-perishable snacks that travel well, like kettle corn or popcorn, jerky, trail mix, chips, pretzels, cereal, granola or s’mores ingredients.
- Meal staples: Proteins, starches and carbs will help keep you full and energized. Popular camping meals usually involve potatoes, eggs, grilling meats, breakfast meats, fresh produce, sandwiches, canned beans and soups, and bottled water, juice and soft drinks.
For easy meal planning, use these tips:
- Consider dietary preferences: If you are camping with a group, consider everyone’s individual preferences and include vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, dairy-free or gluten-free options if necessary.
- Prep before you go: To save space and time at the campsite, prep what you can at home. Cut, core and de-seed fresh produce and mix up some omelet ingredients for an easy pour-and-cook breakfast.
- Use storage containers: Plastic food storage containers and zip bags are great for storing pre-prepped meals and keeping them secure inside your cooler.
- Choose multi-use ingredients: Choose recipes that utilize similar ingredients — like potatoes, a specific sauce or fresh veggies — to keep preparation simple and take up less space in your cooler or food storage container.
- Include extras and snacks: You will likely be more active than usual, especially if you engage in any outdoor recreation. Plan for high-energy snacks and extra meals to keep you energized.
Find meal inspiration on the KOA camping recipe database, where you will find ideas for cooks of all experience levels and dietary preferences.
HAXOR CAMP COFFEE
What you need:
- Aeropress Go coffee maker
- Aeropress Go filters (included when you buy the Aeropress Go)
- Method for boiling water (I prefer the Jetboil Flash)
- Drinkable water
- Pre-ground coffee beans (either grind at home or grind at the store)
HOW TO CREATE A CAMPFIRE BESIDES OVERCLOCKING YOUR RTX 3090
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAMPFIRES
In many ways, a fire is a fire — they keep you warm, help you cook and create a cozy atmosphere. However, not all fires are created equal. Various types and styles of campfires will provide different effects, including heat output, cooking potential and length of burn.
Here are five of the most common campfire types — experiment with a few different ones on your next camping trip.
1. TEPEE OR CONE
One of the classic fire shapes, the tepee or cone fire gets its name from the shelter it resembles.
A tepee fire has a circular base with a wide diameter, letting in plenty of oxygen. To build a tepee fire, begin by laying down a large bundle of tinder. Next, use small pieces of kindling to form a tepee shape above the kindling. As the fire grows, continue to add larger sticks to the tepee structure.
One of the benefits of a tepee fire is its easy maintenance — simply lean more sticks against the frame to feed the fire as it burns. Because a tepee fire burns through wood fast, it is generally used to warm up quickly or for small cooking tasks such as boiling water.
If you want to use a tepee fire to cook a meal, wait until the wood burns through, and the cone collapses. Set a small pan or pot on the coal bed and feed the fire with small sticks or twigs to keep it going.
2. LOG CABIN
For a fire that is long-lasting and easy to maintain, try a log cabin arrangement.
Begin by stacking wood as if you were building a cabin — place two pieces of wood parallel on the bottom, then stack two on top, perpendicular. Repeat the process until your fire reaches the desired height, then place tinder and kindling in the center square and ignite.
Use your broader pieces of wood for the bottom and add thinner, lighter pieces for the top. You can also experiment with tapering the shape as it grows taller, creating more of a pyramid shape than a cabin.
As they burn, the logs fall in on one another, constantly feeding new wood to the coals. Because of this, a log cabin fire tends to burn more slowly than a tepee, making it a good choice for the evenings when you want to spend a few hours around a crackling blaze.
3. PLATFORM OR UPSIDE-DOWN PYRAMID
Similar to the log cabin type, the platform fire was designed to cook food. The main difference between the two styles is that the logs of a platform fire are stacked closer together, and you start the fire at the top instead of the bottom.
Because you start a fire at the top of the wood, the fire burns down the logs instead of up. This creates a solid, flat platform of hot coals, perfect for cooking — you can set pots or pans directly on the coals, and the fire will sustain itself as it burns.
To build a platform campfire, start by laying three or more pieces of firewood on the ground. Place three or more on top, perpendicular to the first layer. Keep adding wood until the fire is at least three levels high, and then set tinder and kindling on top of the platform.
4. STAR
When you are low on wood supplies, the star fire may be the perfect solution. It uses whole, un-split logs and burns them slowly at the ends to create a long-lasting and efficient fire.
To begin, gather four or five logs of any length. Build a small tepee fire with kindling, and drag the logs around it — one end should face the fire, and the other should lead away from it, like the points of a star or the spokes of a wheel. The tepee fire in the center will ignite the ends of the logs. As they burn, push the logs closer to the center to replace what has already been consumed.
5. LEAN-TO
If you’ve camped in breezy conditions, you have experienced the frustration of trying to start or maintain a fire in high winds — it can feel as though you are constantly battling the elements, trying to sustain a blaze long enough to cook food and keep warm.
Next time you are in the great outdoors during high winds, try building a lean-to fire. Using its own wood as a windbreak, a lean-to protects your flames from frustrating gusts.
For the simplest style of a lean-to fire, find or place a thick log on the ground and lay your tinder against it, away from the wind. Lean your kindling against the log, so it covers the tinder — once you ignite the tinder, the kindling will catch and begin slowly burning the log. As the fire grows, gradually add larger sticks to build it up, and add another full-sized log to the fire when it is big enough.
MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED FOR BUILDING A CAMPFIRE
Before you leave for a camping trip, make sure you pack or will have access to the supplies below. Also, always check with the park or campground’s policies before gathering your own materials at your campsite — some locations don’t permit campers to forage for tinder, kindling or firewood to protect the environment.
1. TINDER (NOT THE DATING APP)
Tinder is the smallest, easiest-to-catch materials used in building a campfire. Common types of tinder include:
- Cardboard strips or pieces
- Wadded up paper
- Wood chips or shavings
- Dryer lint
- Pine needles
- Dry leaves or grass
- Candle wax
- Commercial fire starters, sticks or bricks
You can usually gather tinder around your campsite. However, if conditions have been wet or you are worried about tinder not being readily available, you can always bring some tinder with you to make the fire-starting process easier.
2. KINDLING
Kindling is larger than tinder but smaller than firewood. The most common types of kindling are small twigs or branches.
Make sure your kindling is thin — if it is too thick, it won’t catch and will extinguish your small fire.
3. FIREWOOD
Firewood is the fuel of a fire, and the most important element of good firewood is dryness. For the best campfires, you want firewood that is completely dry — it will light easily and maintain a good flame.
Most campers don’t have a preference when gathering or purchasing firewood — during a camping trip, you take what is readily available. However, below are some of the common types of firewood, so you know the distinctions between each species if you have to choose:
- Oak: Oak is one of the most popular types of firewood. It is a dense and slow-burning wood that produces a hot, minimal-sparking fire.
- Beech: While beech firewood can burn hot and long, it must be properly seasoned for at least a year — beech wood is heavy and dense, so it needs to dry a long time before use.
- Maple: Maple trees are dense and hard, and maple firewood is known for producing a long-burning campfire with high heat output.
- Birch: Birch is a softer type of firewood that tends to burn quickly. However, it also gives off plenty of heat, creating a cheerful, bright campfire.
- Ash: Lightweight and easy to split, ash firewood tends to burn hot, slow and steady.
- Cherry or Black Cherry: With a lovely aroma and low amounts of smoke, cherry is a favorite wood for cooking, especially for smoking meats such as pork, beef, chicken and fish.
Check your location’s policies carefully before attempting to gather firewood — many campgrounds sell firewood at the campground store, so you don’t have to worry about packing or gathering firewood once you have set up camp.
4. SPARK OR FLAME SOURCE
The final thing you need is a spark or flame source.
Knowing how to start a fire with just a few sticks is a valuable survival skill. However, unless you have practiced the technique and are confident in your ability, consider packing matches or a lighter.
Flint and steel, matches, lighters and other fire starters can reliably produce a spark or flame to get your fire started.
HOW TO BUILD A CAMPFIRE
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, you’re ready to begin building your campfire.
Keep in mind that a fire needs three things to succeed: good fuel, a spark source and proper oxygen flow — even if you have great firewood and a lighter, if the pieces of wood are too close together, the flame won’t get enough oxygen and will quickly die out.
Follow these steps to build an impressive campfire on your next trip:
1. CHOOSE A SAFE SPOT
The first step in building a campfire is finding a safe spot.
All KOA campground campsites have a designated fire pit or fire ring, but you should still check the surrounding area to make sure there are no dead branches overhead. Clear away anything close to the fire pit that might catch fire from a stray ember or spark, and avoid starting a fire near dry grasses or brush.
In backcountry locations where fires are allowed, use an existing fire ring if possible, and only build a new ring in emergencies. Ideally, the base of your fire ring or pit should be mineral soil, gravel or sand — intense heat can sterilize healthy soil, so choose your site carefully. Make sure to clean out the fire ring of any debris before you leave the campsite.
2. CREATE A TINDER BED (GIGITY)
Once you’ve found a safe spot, set down a layer or bundle of tinder.
Make sure you use enough tinder — if you lay down too little, the flame will quickly die out before catching the kindling on fire. Wind or wetness could extinguish a small flame, so protect your tinder from any wind or soggy surfaces.
3. ADD THE KINDLING
Next, stack kindling on top of the tinder.
The exact way that you lay your tinder will depend on the type of fire you are building. For example, if you are building a platform fire, you will need to build up a stack of firewood before setting your tinder and kindling on top. Alternately, for a lean-to fire, setting kindling below and around your tinder can help a spark catch.
Make sure your tinder is small enough to nurture a small flame and dry enough to easily catch fire.
4. BUILD YOUR FIRE
Now, build the frame for the rest of your fire.
Think about what kind of fire you need — are you looking for a steady cooking fire, or are you wanting a hot, slow-burning fire that will keep you warm all evening?
Some fires, like platforms, stars or lean-tos, require the larger pieces of firewood to be present from the beginning. However, other types of campfires are built gradually as the flame grows.
For example, with a tepee fire, begin by arranging the kindling in a tepee formation around the bed of tinder. Continue adding larger and larger pieces of kindling as the fire grows, working your way up to firewood.
5. CELEBRATE!
Congratulate yourself on building a beautiful campfire, and get excited about the delicious meal or warm blaze you are about to enjoy. Next step, lighting your campfire!
HOW TO START A CAMPFIRE
Once you’ve constructed your campfire layout, the next step is to ignite it.
If conditions are favorable and you’ve built a solid fire, you should be able to start it by simply lighting the tinder with matches or a lighter. However, if your campsite is too windy or humid, you might experience some trouble.
It’s better to prepare for a difficult fire-starting process than be caught by surprise — consider packing some waterproof matches or extra tinder that is sure to catch, like bits of broken candle wax. Once a lighter or spark has caught the tinder on fire, blow gently at the base to provide oxygen. This increases the intensity of the blaze, and it helps the flame ignite the larger pieces of kindling or firewood.
Have extra tinder and kindling ready and on-hand to feed the flame once you get a spark, and keep adding tinder and kindling until the larger pieces of firewood catch. You may need to gently fan or blow on the fire depending on which type of campfire you have built to make sure it receives enough air flow and oxygen.
HOW TO START A CAMPFIRE WITH WET WOOD
When you’re camping, you never need a fire more than when cool and damp out. Sometimes, the cheerful glow of a campfire is just what you need to warm up your campsite. However, starting a campfire in wet conditions is notoriously frustrating, even for seasoned campfire-starting experts.
Try these tips if you’re stuck in the rain on your next camping trip:
- Look for sticky materials: In wet conditions, look for spruce, firs, pines or other needle-bearing trees. Their wood has sticky, highly flammable sap, which makes them a great choice for starting a fire. Evergreens are also known for keeping out the rain — look for dry wood underneath their canopies.
- Split wood and kindling: Split pieces of wood to help them catch faster. Instead of using whole sticks and twigs for kindling, snap or cut them in half — the exposed inner, drier wood will light easier than the bark exterior.
- Peel off the bark: Bark is designed to protect a plant from fire, and most barks aren’t flammable. Carve, peel or tear away the bark from your kindling to expose dry wood underneath the surface.
- Light low from the windward side: Heat rises, and fire climbs — start your fire low, and the heat from the fire will dry out the wood as it climbs. Also try lighting your fire from the windward side to let the flames move through your sticks, setting them on fire faster and more efficiently.
- Adjust the shape: If you are having a difficult time keeping a fire going, opt for a taller shape — many fires are doomed from the start because the layout of the wood is too flat. Choosing another style like the tepee allows the heat from the fire to efficiently dry out the wood, prolonging your fire and producing more heat.
Consider bringing along some fire helpers as a last resort — fire bricks, dryer lint or cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly are guaranteed to catch fire, making the process less time-consuming.
HOW TO BUILD THE BEST CAMPFIRE FOR COOKING
Not all fires are great for cooking. Try one of these cooking fire types, arranged by what you want to cook and available supplies:
- Cooking with pots and pans: Platform fires are intended for cooking over with pots or pans. If you have brought these materials with you on your trip, try building a platform fire for the best results.
- Cooking with sticks: If you plan to cook your food using sticks or skewers, a lean-to or tepee fire is your best bet — they are easy to build and burn hot, providing you with a fast meal.
- Cooking with foil: For cooking hobo packs or other foods that can go directly into the coals, any fire can work. However, wait until it has produced a solid base of coals for the best results.
While it’s possible to cook something using any heat source, save yourself time and energy by building one of these fires specifically designed for fast, efficient meal preparation.
REMEMBER FIRE SAFETY
An unattended fire can damage both the environment and your supplies — stay safe by following these fire safety tips:
- Stick to designated spots: Unless you are camping in the backcountry and are experiencing an emergency, only light campfires in designated fire pits or fire rings.
- Watch your fire: Stay with your fire while it is burning — never leave it unattended.
- Put it out before you sleep: Once you are done with your fire, extinguish it safely and thoroughly. Never leave your fire or campsite without making sure your fire is completely put out.
- Keep water or dirt on-hand: Keep a bucket of water, dirt or sand on-hand to quickly extinguish a fire in an emergency.
On average, humans cause nearly 62,000 fires across the United States each year — with the right precautions, you can make sure you keep your campsite safe.
COOKING IDEAS WHILE YOU WAIT FOR UEFI TO BOOT
OH HELL I’VE BECOME THE FOOD!
Wildlife encounters can be one of the most intimidating parts of camping for beginners. But if you follow these simple tips, you can try to avoid wildlife encounters and know how to react if you do have one.
- The first thing to know is that all animals are more scared of you than you are of them. Most often, animals are aggressive when they are surprised. To avoid surprising an animal, make plenty of noise when hiking or walking through the brush near your campsite.
- Animals will occasionally enter campgrounds attracted to the scent of food. To avoid attracting animals, store all food in the provided food storage lockers. You should also dispose of all trash in the campground’s dumpsters after cooking and before bed.
- If you do see an animal, remain calm and slowly back away. You should always keep at least 25 yards away from less aggressive wildlife. For more aggressive animals like bears and mountain lions keep at least 100 yards away. For more on how to react in wildlife encounters, check out my fellow outdoor blogger Renee Roaming’s guide on bear safety.
- Store all scented items in the provided food storage locker. Never store scented items like food and toiletries (including deodorant, toothpaste, and hand sanitizer) in your car. Bears have been known to break into and destroy vehicles after detecting scented items.
LEAVE NO TRACE OFFLINE LIKE YOU DO ONLINE
The most important part of spending time outdoors is following the 7 Leave No Trace principles. These are a set of guidelines that help protect nature from human impact and preserve the outdoors for generations to come.
When camping, there are a few essential things you can do to follow the Leave No Trace Principles:
- Camp on previously camped on surfaces. This means camping at your designated campsite and reducing your impact on other areas.
- Dispose of all trash. You may have heard the phrase ‘pack it in, pack it out’. This means that every time you leave your campsite and before you go to bed, you should pack up all trash and put it in the campground’s dumpsters.
- Leave wildlife alone. If you happen to see wildlife on your camping trip, be sure to leave plenty of space between you and the animal. Never feed animals, including birds, squirrels, and racoons. Be sure to store your camp stove and dispose of any crumbs after cooking to avoid attracting animals to your campsite.
RUGGED TECH
TOORCAMP RESOURCES
Wireless Communications
UNLIMITED POWER!
The greatest effort will be made to accommodate every camps power needs. Nevertheless Toorcamp does not have an unlimited amount of power to provide. Priority will be given to camps providing services for the greater community through presentations, workshops, installations & community services. Remaining power supply will be distributed to camps for their own internal usage.
Outlets for charging personal devices will be available in workshop areas, presentation areas and other locations throughout the camp.
Requesting Power
If your camp, workshop, installation has specific power needs that you would like to be included in the pre-event planning — please consider the following questions and send in a request for a power reservation.
- How much & what kind of power do you need? (Volts, Amps & Watts are good things to include specifics for here)
- Is any particular connector needed?
- What times will you need the power? (i.e. During a Workshop, Daylight Hours, Night Hours)
- Have you considered ways to minimize your power requirements? (i.e. Batteries, Solar, Generator)
- Do you know where you will be needing the power? (In/near a cabin, in the open camping area, reserved camping area, quiet camping area)
- Do you have the ability to bring the power to you? (i.e. Do you have available extension cords to bring the power 50' to 100' to your needed area)
$HADYBUCK$
We’re proud to serve TOORCAMP’S households with the future of banking. Each TOORCAMP attendee will be issued one (1) ShadyBucks card, the new rewards card of TOORCAMP. Cards must be activated at Camp Beerocracy.
If you’re a village/theme camp: Accept ShadyBucks at your camp! We’re also looking for more villages to set up Global Entry access. Global Entry is a red carpet (any kind, just needs to be red) that lets attendees skip to the front of the line.
If you’re a TOORCAMP attendee: Earn and Spend ShadyBucks! Shadybucks will literally pay you to answer the phone. Earn access to more perks like the LOUDner program and GLOBAL ENTRY. The ShadyBucks app makes it super easy! You can also earn ShadyBucks by providing a useful service.
If you’ve vending in the NIGHTMRKT: Sell items or accept bribes in ShadyBucks. Bring better shit, get moar bucks.
Shadybucks are brought to you by Shadytel and Beerocracy.
HOW DO I CONNECT TO THE WIFI?
Looking for info on the Wireless Network? There are two WiFi Networks to choose from. One uses PEAP, which is enterprise authentication, and protects the individual session. The second is a static WPA2 Network, with a shared key. Both networks do not allow peer-to-peer traffic, however the static network can easily be cloned and abused. Anyone with a pineapple can easily setup an EvilTwin and pretend to be the same AP.
WiFi SSID: ToorCamp
Authentication: Enterprise PEAP (more secure)
Credentials:
User: toorcamp
Password: toorcamp
Windows Profiles (Win 8/10/11): Windows PEAP Profile
Apple Profiles (iOS/MacOS): Apple ToorCamp PEAP
Android Profiles (YMMV): Android Config
Public Keys:
WiFi SSID: ToorCamp-Static
Authentication: WPA2 Static Key (ok security, but can be cloned easily)
Credentials:
Password: toorcamp
Windows Profiles (Win 8/10/11): Windows PSK Profile
Apple Profiles (iOS/MacOS): Apple ToorCamp-Static
Android Profiles (YMMV):
To connect to the ToorCamp SSID you will need to either
install the device profile or download and install the
following certs: CA Root for AndroidorServer cert
MD5: file
POINTS OF INTERESTS AROUND TOORCAMP
NIGHTMRKT
Experience Toorcamp’s version of a traditional Asian night market. They are temporary open-air bazaars operated at night where street hawkers can buy, sell, and trade whatever they’d like. Food, sketchy electronics, the hottest warez of 1992, whatever. The currency of choice is SHADYBUCKS.
Toorcamp will have a set of stalls (ez-ups and tables) set up. While a few are permanent outposts, they are largely first come first serve. Please clean your space when you get tired of being a NIGHTMRKT vendor.
ShadyTel
ShadyTel is back this year! They’ll again be providing their (sub)standard level of telephone service to whoever stumbles across some twisted pair running through the woods or is able to bribe a technician to run a line to their tent. Make sure to bring your best landline telephones, acoustic couplers, modems, BBS software, lineman’s handsets, vampire clips, captain crunch whistles, and other equipment that’s probably been gathering dust in your parent’s attic. Unfortunately, there will be no GSM service provided this year so no need to bring your unlocked phones.
Ada’s Cyber(^H^H^H^H^HDeer)Punk Cafe
Ada’s Technical Books & Cafe are back in the Treehouse again this year, but this time themed as a dystopian CyberPunk internet cafe. Come check out the Ada’s Internet Cafe and dial into the World Wide Web at blazing 56k speeds. They’ll also have modems that you can check-out in so you can BYOPC to dial into the various dial-in services throughout the camp!
Beerocracy
Here a crat, there a crat, everywhere a Beerocrat. Ready to embrace the beerocracy and visit our camp; a Tourist Visa you must earn! Spy one of us yellow-tied, business forward Beerocrat members in good standing and ask us for a form. Dot your i’s and cross your t’s in the proper beerocratic fashion to earn your stamps of approval and the honorary Beerocrat Badge.
Bring your friends to our special events, play our games, and collect limited edition swag — but earn the right permits to grant yourself access. Drinks and laughs for all ages available; permits (or bribes) are mandatory.
Milliways
A Milliways tradition! The restaurant at the end of the universe is bringing together whiskey lovers to share their latest faves. Stop by with a bottle and taste what others have brought! Happening at the Milliways camp on Friday and Saturday night.
ANSI Drink and Draw
Like to draw? Like to drink? Come draw pixelart with other creatives! We’ll be doing a quick overview of how PabloDraw works. You can even make ascii and send it to our ascii printer. Didn’t bring your laptop? We’ll also have paper for you to draw on.
When & Where
9:00 PM PST Friday at Beerocracy by the Yoga Studio
What is ANSI Art?
ANSI Art is text mode art created by using block style font characters like ░▒▓█▓▒░ from the IBM VGA CP437 font set that was standard in the DOS era of computing in the 90s. Using only the 16 colors available in DOS text mode with block characters and other glyphs and a lot of creativity, this format was used to create the wonderful art of the BBS era.
For modern examples, check out these resources:
Who can participate?
Anyone can come and join us for drawing fun, first timers welcome and other mediums also welcome if you just want to be around others drawing. This event is not restricted to Toorcamp and others can feel free to join remotely.
How do I participate?
Bring your own computing device with PabloDraw or Moebius ANSI Art editors installed. Both support Windows, Linux, and MacOS. If you have a stylus, it will work best with Moebius.
CONTESTS
Titanium Chef: Toorcamp Edition
For the contest — A short list of potential secret ingredient(s) is going to be published two weeks prior to the event. The actual ingredient(s) are to be shown and given to the competitors 3 hours before they need to present. The teams have 3 hours to find out what they can get at the local grocery store and finish plating. Teams are not allowed to cook before then. Teams only have 3 hours to cook. Judging order is done via first come first serve to sign ups. You will need to a small meal for 5 judges. Teams not being shown first get an additional 5 minutes to warm up (please note this is to warm up only and not to cook) any food items before it is served.
Voting is simple. For each team and criteria there are three categories for a total of 25 points per judge.
Appearance — Does it look appetizing? Does it have impact when you look at it? Does it look appealing? Does it make sense? (5 pts)
Taste / Flavor — Is this the best way to present the secret ingredient? The secret ingredient is the most important flavor of this dish. It should not be the second flavor you taste. Also important, did you like how it tastes? Do the flavors go together? Is it seasoned well? (10 pts)
Inventiveness / Creativity — How it was made? New technique? Did they use a sou vide, liquid nitrogen, centrifuge, or did they invent a new technique no one else have done? Did they do something creative? (10 pts)
Q&A
Q. When is it?
Titanium Chef will begin at 13:20 HRS PDT on Friday, and will commence at the dome where we will reveal the preliminary ingredient. Contestants are encouraged to get there early because the contest will start at 1320 HRS PDT sharp, you’ll have from 3 hours to collect ingredients and cook, judging will be on 1620 HRS PDT Friday at a place announced during the reveal.
Q. What are the potential ingredients for 2022?
These are the potential ingredients for Titanium Chef Toorcamp 2022 (alphabetical order)
- It is a surprise
Q. Why a surprise?
This is to prevent contestants from going home and trying things from the list like Durian fruit for 4 weeks before the event.
Q. How do I apply?
Please submit your team roster. Handles / names — a brief description to titaniumchef2014@gmail.com
Q. What is the final ingredient?
Wait until Friday of Toorcamp
The Rules
A list of potential secret ingredient(s) is going to be published two weeks prior to the event. The actual ingredient(s) are to be shown and given to the competitors 3 hours before they need to present their entries. Judging order is done via first come first serve to sign ups. Teams not being shown first get an additional 5 minutes to warm up (please note this is to warm up only and not to cook) any food items before it is served.
Q. Why do this?
A. For fun, the glory, the prize and bragging rights until the next contest
Q. Do we need to supply our own cooking gear
A. Yes, I assume you have some since this is supposed to be a campsite.
Q. Can I substitute my own secret ingredient?
A. Good idea…um no. You still need to use the secret ingredient.
Q. What if my team mates don’t return in 3 hours what happens?
Complete Teams who are not at the campsite within 3 hours of revelation will not be able to compete. However if for example one or two team members are onsite and the third team member didn’t return with the material they need to cook with then only the members who are onsite can compete but cannot use any material gathered by the absent team member if they eventually show up.
Q. What if I am vegan and your secret ingredient is meat.
A. You can still enter the contest as one team has done in the past. But you still need to use the ingredient even if its a meat product.
Q. How many people can I have in a team
A. Up to 6.
Q. Who is chosen first to serve?
A. Who ever submits their team roster to Titaniumchef2014@gmail.com first, then second and so on.
Q. What if I am being judged second or later?
You are given 5 minutes to re-heat the food before serving. Presentation points are to be determined from a completed dish done at the allotted time. Also, if a team finishes way ahead (like an hour) of everyone else, we will start judging them if the first team to present gives permission.
Q. Can we bribe you
A. You can try, but it won’t succeed.
Q. How many plates do we need to show for presentation?
A. 1 for each different variation. If you decided to cook three items with the ingredient you will need to produce 3 plates for presentation and proper amount of food left for the judges.
Q. Do I need to bring the good china and silverware?
A. It’s a campground not the Russian tea room, Chinet and (at least biodegradable) silverware is fine.
Q. Can we add in an alcoholic beverage for the judges to drink while tasting the food?
A. You have enough for everyone?
Q. Are there other rules?
A. We will add them as needed. Rules are subject to change to give all teams a fighting chance to win.
Q. Where do I sign up?
A. E-mail Titaniumchef2014@gmail.com to sign up. Please include all your team mates, E-mail address, point of contact for the team, your team name and a quick bio on each of your team members. Judging time is calculated on who submits their e-mails in which order.
Q. When is the last day to sign up?
A. Teams have until July 13 to register. The logistics of obtaining the ingredient(s) and bringing out to the campsite is not easy. We will have 1 extra secret ingredient(s) onsite as a spare. However two teams wants to join in the last minute, they will need to battle each other in a 30 minute competition involving an ingredient that may or may not be on the list.
Q. Can I bring a professional cook?
A. You can. However we do want to see the creativity the community can bring in on their own.
Q. How many judges will there be?
A. 5 judges and 1 arbitrator. Judges will be a few of the members of the first place team of the last Titanium Chef Toorcamp contest who are in attendance of the current event (if they are not competing). 6 servings of food will be needed.
What is a Stupid Hackathon?
This Stupid Hackathon is a time-limited event that gives creators the opportunity to produce variously useless, horrifying, boring, and/or bad things. Create terrible things alone or with a group! After 24 hours of production time, bring your terrible thing to our Stupid Hackathon showcase for judging.
Who can participate?
Any ToorCamp attendee is eligible to submit a project for the Stupid Hackathon.
How do I participate?
Hackathon signups will be held from 5:00PM to 5:05PM on Friday at Prime Dome. There will be a brief walkthrough of what to expect, followed by plenty of time to chat with other entrants to form teams or generate ideas.
The Hackathon showcase will be held at 6:00PM Saturday at Prime Dome, just before closing remarks. All participants will be invited to demo their creations. Our panel of judges will award trophies in categories they’ve probably made up on the spot.
What can I win?
Probably nothing! But perhaps a trophy, or seed funding to take your project to the next level.
Beerocracy and Fuzzing IO are proud to present an all new hacking RPG / CTF challenge at Toorcamp 2022!
EuphoriaCTF is a capture the flag contest that takes the form of a hacking simulation where you will complete a progressive set of challenges involving hacking history, cracking passwords, data analysis, reverse engineering, and exploitation!
Players will connect to the Euphoria Cafe BBS and enter a world of underground hacking like its 1999. Check your echomail, play games, or get to work on jobs fit for a cyberpunk netrunner!
Who can participate?
Any ToorCamp attendee is eligible to participate. The game will be restricted to onsite attendees only. The game has been designed to allow entry level players to make some progress and enjoy the game while more advanced players will eventually find higher difficulty challenges requiring writing full remote exploits.
How do I participate?
The competition will begin Wed, Jul 13 12:00 PM and end Sat, Jul 16 at 5:00 PM. Connection information will be posted at the top of this page prior to the start time. Participants will submit a tokens generated by the CTF to register progress for scoring. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded in the Prime Dome before closing remarks on Saturday. The game will stay live until Sunday morning for people still wishing to solve challenges for fun.
What can I win?
New Relic has very generously sponsored prizes for this competition including JBL Headphones and an XBOX One!
DecoContest
Decorate your tent and win a prize! The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. The theme is Deerpunk — a mix of urban decay, subtle glows, and overgrown forest. Find Pinguino (usually at Beerocracy) or Geo (usually at the Prime Dome) to show your decorated tent (or cabin, RV, yurt) by midnight Saturday and a winner will be chosen at closing ceremonies.
Categories: Single Space (camping with 1–2 people), Group (Large group, vehicle, or cabin)
PARTY TIME!
Thursday Night Party
ToorCamp kicking off Thursday night with a chill party at Music & Events that’ll go until 9:55 PM PST. They’ll have a number of Hacker DJs and musicians providing entertainment throughout the night starting at 7:00 PM PST. Hope to see you all there!
Memphis Terrazzo Live Remix set
2022–07–14, 18:00–19:00 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
Memphis Terrazzo brings the custom MIDI electronics and original remixes to mash a live set resurrecting all the adrenaline rush of 90s cyberpunk cinema. Turn up for electronica that makes you want to put on sunglasses, rollerblades, and a pager.
House Music Session
2022–07–14, 19:00–20:00 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
House DJ hailing from Seattle, ready to drop some tunes
echo’s spooky techno
2022–07–14, 20:00–21:00 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
This set will be a spooky techno set, with a healthy dose of squelchy acid synth lines. This will be an entirely eurorack set, with no DAW or laptop in site!
dj supersat: a ten year EDM retrospective
2022–07–14, 21:00–22:00 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
2012: the golden era of Electronic Dance Music. Get nostalgic and dance your ass off to the best EDM classics of the 2010s.
Friday Night Party
This year because of sound curfew on the island (and because, face it, we’re all getting old) we’ll be scaling back our Friday night party to end at 9:55 PM PST. This year we’ll have some great Hacker DJs putting on a show that starts at 7:00 PM EST.
Music to fill out forms to
2022–07–15, 18:00–19:00 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
If you find yourself stuck in an endless beerocracy you’re gonna need a soundtrack. While Cisco’s Opus Number 1 is a certified banger, sometimes you need some variety in your on hold music. Listen no further than DJ Mass Accelerator, bringing you the finest tunes to fill out forms to. M-F 9:00–5:00, excepting federal holidays.
dj supersat: techno trouble power hour
2022–07–15, 19:00–20:00 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
Missing the non-stop techno thump of European hacker camps? Come join dj supersat for some Berlin-inspired techno, perfect for either late night hacking or dancing the night away.
Star Guts
2022–07–15, 20:00–21:00 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
DJ mattrix
2022–07–15, 21:00–22:00 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
Tech House / Funky House
Saturday Night Party
Ahh, the last night of the camp. We have some live performances starting outside right after closing remarks and then DJ Keith Myers and some special guests to rock the dance floor in the Yoga Studio. Don’t forget to fax your song requests to the request line while you’re there! (Thx ShadyTel!!!!)
bash explode
2022–07–16, 20:00–21:00 (US/Pacific), Yoga Studio
bash explode will be playing a set of electronic music + guitar + maybe singing + live remixes!?
A ton of songs off bash explode’s new album will be played. The album will be released later this year :)
DJ Keith Myers & Friends
2022–07–16, 21:00–02:00 (US/Pacific), Yoga Studio
Once again we have DJ Keith Myers and many guest stars for a night of fun and dancing until 2:00 AM PST!
Self-Organized Sessions
Usually we called this section “workshops”. Then we told you on this page, that a workshop doesn’t need to be an event with hands-on and making — but sure it could! We said that a “workshop” is just something, that happens at a special time and place. Therefore we changed the name to “Self-organized Sessions” that includes everything — everything that is organized by you!
Such an event can be…
- … a gathering of a project group or on a special topic,
- … a contest or a game
- … a small talk or lecture
- … a screening of a movie
- … something with music, literature and art
- … a follow-up-discussion on one ob the “big talks” or another topic that happened rencently
- … everything else you think that needs to take place at the camp
- … and hey, it might even be a workshop!
Register
To register your self-organized sessions just use the self-organized session form.
For now, the crucial information are
- Name of the self-organized session (which will be used as the site name)
- Abstract (short description, 1–3 sentences)
- valid email address (might be used by the orga team to contact you)
The following information can also be added later
- detailed description, it will be the main body of your session page (that’s the Free text field: This field allows the usual mediawiki syntax, feel free to add URLs, pictures etc)
- some information about the person and village performing the self-organized session
- rough start- and end-time for the schedule
- location
CONFIRMED SESSIONS
Fortnite Gaming Session
Description: Join our party and have some Fortnite fun!
Starts: 2022/07/15 13:00
Ends:2022/07/15 15:00
Duration: 120 minutes
Location: Let’s meet in the field near the dome and we can all decide where the best place is to go play!
Psychedelic Salon
Description: Talking about drugs.
Starts: 2019/07/14 22:00
Ends: 2019/07/14 23:00
Duration: 60 minutes
Location: BigBrotherVillage
VILLAGES
A village is a distinct area of the Camp that is run by a certain group or community. Please browse through this list, but even more important: Browse through the camp-site and have a chat with the villages around!
Some villages are just a bunch of normal sleeping tents whose inhabitants feel a sense of community. Most of them have a public space to hang out together, work on a shared project, and present what they are doing. Many of them organize their own workshops or other events, everybody can participate and visit!
BigBrotherVillage
Location: 38.89537002552480 N, -77.02511120614247 E
Location: TBA
OlyMEGA
OlyMEGA (Olympia Makers, Engineers, Geeks and Artists) is a nonprofit (501c3) Makerspace located in Olympia, WA. We are dedicated to fostering creativity, collaboration, and education.
The mission of OlyMEGA is to create an open maker community in the Olympia/Thurston County.
Members are encouraged to share their knowledge, learn from others, and create from what they learn.
We have a shared workshop called a Makerspace at the rear of 312 4th Avenue E., Olympia, WA. We have a weekly Open House on Thursday Night starting at 7:00 PM PST.
PROJECTS
A project is a collaborative enterprise that brings together certain people, groups or communities. A project is normally connected to one or multiple Villages. You can use a project page to describe the different things which go on in your village, besides Self-organized Sessions and regular camping.
2m Foxoring
Find small hidden radio transceivers! They will be hidden around the campsite. So bring your 2m radio receivers or SDRs. Directional antennas might be helpful, too.
Bikesharing
They’re planning to test and develop an open source bike (and other vehicle) sharing stack. For this, we like to test sharing with other people at the camp. If you like, come to the open village, bring your own bike to share it with all camp visitors or hack and test with us a nicer sharing solution for your space/city/group of friends/….
WHAT DO I DO WITH MY SMOL HACKER DIAPER GOBLIN!?
Registration
Please make sure to fill out the ToorCamp Kids Registration form so they can make sure to have enough sitters and activities setup for your little ones!
Daycare
ToorCamp is setting up a daycare to cover all of the time that talks are going on at the camp and kid-focused workshops for those older kid hackers that are able to make it out! Activities will be set up near the Retreat House in the lower part of the upper field. If you’re interested in registering your kid for daycare (<6 y/o), we just ask that you volunteer for an hour each day that your kid is in daycare.
Kids Workshops
If you’re bringing an older kid (> 5 y/o), there will be activities and workshops. These aren’t daycare, they’re activities for you to work on with your kid.
From about 10AM to Noon each day, they’ll have some organized activities running.
The rest of the day, there’ll be some activities for you do work on yourself with your younger hacker.
WORKSHOPS TOP PICKS BY DCG 201 STAFF
(Blade)Running Club
2022–07–14/15/16, 08:00–09:30 (US/Pacific), Volleyball Court — NightMkt After Dark
Want to go on a morning run/jog/hike? Lets meet up at the Volleyball Court and go from there. There’s a few great trails we can do at Moran State Park if there’s enough seats to drive over or some nice routes directly from Doe Bay. Lets meet up and figure out a distance and terrain that works well for everyone.
Learn to Solder by building a Glow Club pathlighter badge!
2022–07–14, 13:00–14:30 (US/Pacific), Hardware Hacking Stage
Learn to solder and join the glow club! Join us to build a simple badge that can help light your path at night.
If you’re interested in learning how to solder for the first time or you want a fun new project to keep your soldering-skills sharp, this workshop is for you! Basic LED circuits are great to learn with because you can see the results and show it off all event!
Darcy’s Bio:
Darcy Neal is a new media artist, cyborg, and educator. With a background in sculpture, lighting installations, and audio electronics, their work has evolved over the years to explore the cross-pollination of the senses through interactive works and way too many hobbies.
Justin’s Bio:
Immersive and Interactive Technologist, live remix artist, maker of blinkenlights and synthesizers. Currently haunting Portland, Oregon designing museum exhibits, pop-up theme parks, and foregoing a normal human sleep schedule.
ToorCamp 2022 Badge Talk
2022–07–14, 13:30–14:30 (US/Pacific), Volleyball Court — NightMkt After Dark
A short presentation about creating the badges for this years Toorcamp.
I will talk about the project management and design process that went into creating this year’s Toorcamp Badge. We will cover budgeting, realistic timelines, and I will go into the art design process from concept to finished art.
A U.S. Army Bomb Technician who holds degrees in Fine Art and Electronics, he spends his time volunteering with the OlyMEGA Makerspace and working on his projects.
The Backyard Aluminum Forge
2022–07–14, 16:00–17:30 (US/Pacific), Volleyball Court — NightMkt After Dark
This workshop will show you how to build a forge to melt down aluminium cans and cast ingots
The backyard aluminum forge workshop will show you how to build a forge from commonly available items and charcoal as a heat source. We will melt down a lot of cans and cast some decorative aluminum ingots.
Franklin Hu is a mild mannered software engineer working for SAP Concur during the day. After hours, he is a mad scientist investigating the mysteries of the universe and experimenting with stuff.
Make Your Own Light-Up Wings
2022–07–14, 18:00–20:00 (US/Pacific), Hardware Hacking Stage
Make your own dragon or fairy wings, adding EL wire so you can be seen at night.
Come to this workshop and make your own EL wire wings to light up the nights at Toorcamp. We’ll have kits on hand for dragon and fairy wings. No experience needed.
Car Hacking Workshop
2022–07–14, 18:30–21:00 (US/Pacific), Volleyball Court — NightMkt After Dark
Car Hacking Workshop
TBD
Build Your Own Synthetics Monitoring
2022–07–15, 13:00–14:30 (US/Pacific), Volleyball Court — NightMkt After Dark
Synthetics monitoring is simulating user traffic and behavior on your web application. It is essential to proactively detect and resolve outages, security issues and poor performance issues before any users or your stakeholders notice. In this workshop, you will build your own synthetics monitoring test suite using Selenium webdriver and popular JavaScript testing frameworks.
Ben co-founded ToorCon more than 20 years ago back in San Diego, but then took a break from tech and spent more than a decade in community organizing and education. He is now a second career developer and works as a lead developer relations engineer at New Relic by day and is building hirethePIVOT, a reverse job board for career changers, at night. He writes regularly on the intersection of community development and tech. Originally from Southern California and a long-time resident of New York City, Ben now resides near Tel Aviv.
Chocolate as a Hobby: A Guide to Being a Fancy Chocolate Snob
2022–07–15, 14:00–14:50 (US/Pacific), Food Hacking Area
Come taste and learn about bean-to-bar chocolate. We will focus on chocolate makers that are local to the PNW. I’ve worked in chocolate on and off for several years, and currently judge for the International Chocolate Awards.
The bean-to-bar industry in the US has grown substantially in the past ten years as consumers become interested in buying bean-to-bar chocolate that costs much more than your average candy bar. This talk will discuss challenges chocolate makers face, quick hacks to temper chocolate without any equipment, ways to evaluate fine chocolate, and generally help you level up your ability to be discerning about chocolate. During the talk, we will also taste several chocolates from local bean-to-bar makers.
Adele is a senior security engineer focused in web and cloud pentesting. She is also focused on running a chocolate club for her coworkers.
Weather Balloon Launch
2022–07–16, 10:00–11:00 (US/Pacific), Volleyball Court — NightMkt After Dark
Launching and racing a mid altitude weather balloon to circumnavigate the earth! (Hopefully)
In coordination with the Great Plains Super Launch https://www.superlaunch.org/ we are launching a mid altitude weather balloon with a ham radio tracking device (APRS) in to the jetstream and racing it around the world. If you want to see it in real time the callsign will be K7HAK-12 for those of you that want to track it and see telemetry data via radio or on aprs.fi or tracker.habhub.org.
My goal is to have it find neutral buoyancy at the same altitude as the middle of the jetstream, the tracker is a qrp-labs lite APRS module that will be powered during the sunlight with a small solar panel and a couple super capacitors. It will be hauled by a sbs-13 super pressure balloon, I’m bringing everything unassembled and unprogrammed so if its anything that interests you if you hit me up and we can get this thrown together. Will need to construct the 2 meter antenna, solder the components on it, waterproof it somewhat and test it out preflight.
creaturetek * g * mail
Steve is a Maker, Hacker, Ham nerd, Beer brewer, Dad, InfoSec dropout, Network lackey, Hiker, Permaculture weirdo, Astronomy & space dork who is highly skilled in daily damage control.
Build Your Own Blue Box!
2022–07–16, 12:00–13:30 (US/Pacific), Hardware Hacking Stage
Grab a soldering iron and build your own phone-phreakin’ blue box! Learn to hack like it’s 1974 — and practice your skills on the Shadytel phone network. 25 kits based on an open-source design will be made available for purchase prior to and during the event. Plan to spend 1–2 hours with us if you are familiar with soldering, or ~4 hours if you are a beginner.
A blue box is a device that produces special signalling tones that were used within the long-distance telephone network. Used by famous phreaks such as Evan Doorbell, Ben Decibel, Steve Wozniak and Mark Bernay, the multi-frequency tones generated by blue boxes and red boxes could be used to route telephone calls, host chat lines, or fool a payphone into thinking coins have been deposited.
Come and build a blue box with our engineering experts, and learn how to use it from an experienced phone phreak!
While you probably can’t use the bluebox on the real phone network anymore (and we would never condone such action!) you just might be able to use it on the Shadytel network…
Mental Health First Aid, an Intro
2022–07–16, 13:00–14:30 (US/Pacific), Volleyball Court — NightMkt After Dark
MHFA is an amazing tool for helping anyone to navigate an increasingly complicated and chaotic world. MHFA is useful for anyone anywhere who has a brain and nervous system, or knows others who do. We will go over the basics of recognizing someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis and how to respond. We also will go over some exercises for recognizing and managing the signs in yourself that you need to pull back and take a break to prevent or manage burn out.
Colette usually goes by Bee these days, using they/them pronouns. They have been working in Community Mental Health for 5 years, and is passionate about helping others to know that mental health is not a thing only for Other people. Everyone needs help sometimes, and they are here to support and teach methods in safely being a member of our often overwhelming and at least constant world.
Soft Electronics: Sewing Circuits
2022–07–16, 14:00–15:30 (US/Pacific), Hardware Hacking Stage
Learn how to work with conductive thread to sew your own circuits. In this workshop we will make a plush sparkle heart emoji with felt, LEDs and conductive thread. You will learn:
- tips and tricks for using the different types of conductive threads
- how to hack regular through hole components into sewable ones
- how to make a simple electronic circuit that lights up an LED
Suitable for beginners and older children (11+). It will help if you know how to thread a needle and tie a knot but instruction will be provided.
Helen Leigh is a creative technologist who specializes in musical instruments and experimental electronics. She is Head of Community at Crowd Supply, a curated crowdfunding platform for open hardware products. Leigh is the author of The Crafty Kid’s Guide to DIY Electronics, and has written many articles about hardware for Make Magazine, Hackspace Magazine and Hackaday. Find her on Twitter @helenleigh.
This speaker also appears in:
DCG 201 TALK HIGHLIGHTS FOR TOORCAMP 2022 (PST)
This is the section where we have comb through the entire list of talks on both days and list our highlights for the talks that stand out to us. Note that this does not invalidate any talks we didn’t list, in fact, we highly recommend you take a look at the full convention schedule beforehand and make up your own talk highlight lists. These are just the talks that for us had something stand out, either by being informative, unique or bizarre. (Sometimes, all three!) (PST)
THURSDAY JUNE 14TH
COVID-19 Tracing Apps: The Proliferation of Rushed Development
2022–07–14, 12:00–12:50 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
The COVID-19 outbreak made 2020 an unprecedented year, bringing with it a slew of cybersecurity concerns. With the increase of COVID-19 cases crippling healthcare providers across the globe, tracking and containing the outbreak became a top priority. Countries scrambled to develop contact tracing applications and rushed their development, prioritizing application functionality over security. Driven by skepticism that rushed applications truly possess robust security controls, we were motivated to expose weaknesses present in contact tracing applications. Our talk will discuss the testing conducted on contact-tracing applications, including our discoveries. Then, we will run through the implications of rushed development, including its causes and effects. Finally, we will conclude with solutions that could mitigate and prevent security risks associated with accelerated application development.
Aleks Frelas is the Director of a Penetration Testing program, focusing on web application penetration testing, social engineering, and anything aviation security related.
Shiva — Advancing the programmability and security of the Linux userland runtime.
2022–07–14, 13:00–13:50 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
“Shiva” A modern look into advancing the state of Linux process runtime hardening against exploitation by introducing a modular programming environment for the design and implementation of new security technologies without the need for compile-time instrumentation. One example demonstrates a Shiva module which implements backwards edge control flow integrity to prevent stack corruption exploits. The technology is fast, dynamic, and offers developers the programmatic insight and control to build quality software security features.
This talk we will be discussing a technology that I call Shiva. It is an
innovative approach to expanding the programmability and security of the Linux
userland runtime. Shiva is a sophisticated program that functions as a custom
“program interpreter” for loading and executing modules into the process
address space at runtime. Think “LKM’s for userland”.
This talk will focus primarily on the use of Shiva for the design and
integration of security modules which harden programs against exploitation at
runtime. We will explore the Shiva API, and demonstrate it’s capabilities with
several modules that mitigate exploitation attacks, and a module which
implements a process sandbox to harden against general attempts at privilege
escalation. Shiva allows the programmer to have full command over the process
address space, with a flexible and innovative API that allows developers to
rapidly design new security technologies and mitigation features without the
need for compile-time instrumentation.
Moreover, we will cover the fascinating internals of the Shiva runtime
environment, and see how it can also be used as a standalone tracing engine to
accomplish complex debugging and instrumentation tasks, such as function
tracing, software profiling, and reverse engineering hardened binaries.
I have been into the computer security scene since about 1998, and have since developed an interest in exploitation, reverse engineering, software development, system internals and beyond. A good chunk of my research can be found at https://www.bitlackeys.org, and https://github.com/elfmaster — I have published in phrack magazine, vxheaven, POC||GTFO, and am currently working on a whitepaper with VirginiaTech University. I have a passion for hacking, and designing new security technologies, especially as they pertain to kernel internals, binary formats, and runtime instrumentation. Coding is the act of creation, and I love innovating.
${talk.name}: An Introduction to Template Injection
2022–07–14, 15:00–15:50 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
In this talk, I’ll begin by explaining what templating engines are, what need they serve, and detail where templates are generally used. I’ll then discuss how bugs in these systems can arise, how they can be detected as an attacker, and how they can be exploited. I’ll also discuss significant examples of template injection bugs, such as Log4Shell, and talk about how they were exploited and fixed.
Software is always changing, and new technology means new bugs. Modern web frameworks and technologies may be more resistant to classic bugs such as XSS and command injection, but templating engines open a new world of attack surface. Template injection bugs are often overlooked, but often lead to very serious vulnerabilities that are simple to exploit. In this talk, I’ll map out the landscape of templating engines, explain why template injection bugs occur, and talk about how they can be identified and exploited.
Dylan is a Technical Lead at Leviathan Security Group. Previously he’s worked in defensive security, and as a software engineer. He’s engaged with the security community for several years, largely through open source contributions and research. Through these roles, he’s worked extensively with a broad variety of web application technologies and languages, both for building, and breaking software.
Intro to modular synthesis (eurorack)
2022–07–14, 16:00–16:50 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
Ever wanted to make electronic music, but found yourself getting distracted by the internet instead of producing music? Have you felt lost and overwhelmed at the infinite options of programs like ableton or fruity loops? Looking for a gateway drug to electronics and circuit design? A eurorack modular system might be for you! This talk will cover the history of synthesizers, a description of the eurorack format, an overview of synthesis techniques and a collection of cool hacks that are used to make everything from EDM bangers to movie soundtracks.
Echo is a hacker specializing in: audio hacking, biohacking, spicy math, and reality hacking (aka witchcraft).
FRIDAY JULY 15TH
KEYNOTE: When It’s Time to Disobey
2022–07–15, 11:00–11:50 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
It’s hard to know when to stop shouting at your mobile device and start taking action to survive. This talk is about how science fiction deals with that question, in stories about social complacency, resistance, and the unexpected consequences of revolution. I’ll discuss the ways storytelling helps us resist authority, including real-world examples from my experiences as a sci-fi author and science journalist.
Annalee Newitz writes science fiction and nonfiction. They are the author of the novels The Future of Another Timeline, and Autonomous, which won the Lambda Literary Award. As a science journalist, they are a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times, and have a monthly column in New Scientist. They have published in The Washington Post, Slate, Popular Science, Ars Technica, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic, among others. They are also the co-host of the Hugo Award-winning podcast Our Opinions Are Correct. Previously, they were the founder of io9, and served as the editor-in-chief of Gizmodo.
Circuit-switched retro-networking with FPGAs and softmodems
2022–07–15, 13:00–13:50 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
It is becoming increasingly harder to interconnect modern systems with old circuit-switched technologies, such as TDM/T1 trunk lines, ISDN, etc. Additionally, there are also a number of interesting older technologies that rely on telephone modems. To deploy new projects based on these technologies, we need a way to both interface with old circuit-switched phone systems and create virtual modem banks to support new services. This talk will introduce Tedium, an FPGA-based T1 interface that exposes up to 192 phone lines as USB audio devices, as well as our efforts to interface old softmodem drivers with this new hardware, allowing us to deploy and scale novel dial-up-based services at camp.
Karl Koscher (supersat) is a technology and security generalist with an emphasis on wireless and embedded systems security. As part of his dissertation work at the University of Washington, he and his collaborators were the first to demonstrate a complete remote compromise of a car over cellular, Bluetooth and other channels. He one of the Shadytel co-conspirators, heading up the Shadytel Labs subsidiary, where we are constantly seeking out new revenue opportunities through novel applications of antiquated technology.
Indiana Jones and the Warehouse of Phones: Restoring electromechanical telephone switches
2022–07–15, 14:00–14:50 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
At the Connections Museum in Seattle, volunteers have spent years locating parts for, and restoring the last №1 Crossbar and Panel telephone switches in the world. A tale of wild luck, adventure, and passion, with a reasonable amount of interesting technical details.
This talk can go in a few different directions depending on audience feedback. We can do a story-time thing, or we can focus on history, or the technical aspects of how the switches work. Anything goes! I will come prepared with content regardless.
Sarah Autumn is a volunteer at the Connections Museum in Seattle, WA where she specializes in early 20th century telephone history. Her main role at the museum is the maintenance and restoration of telephone central office equipment from the 1920–1960 era, and her passion for this craft has earned her the title of “Switch Witch.” It’s an appropriate moniker because the skills required to work on such large, complex and obsolete machines look like magic to an outside observer. Sarah has traveled the country to track down and obtain some of the necessary parts and pieces for these machines, so they can be brought back to life for museum visitors to enjoy.
In her spare time, Sarah enjoys traveling, spending time with her cat, and playing a whole bunch of musical instruments. For her “day job” she is a technical educator at a Seattle area tech company.
Hacking Gender: Transition À La Carte
2022–07–15, 15:00–15:50 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
What, exactly, does a gender transition involve?
Over time, it has increasingly become the case that there is no simple answer. The degree to which people can now pick and choose what they want in terms of (de)masculinizing and (de)feminizing effects/procedures is astonishing — even to many trans people and medical professionals providing them care. Much of this customization is especially attractive to non-binary (neither strictly male nor female) individuals.
From simply unbundling things that have historically been considered package deals to experimental surgeries and straight up biohacking… come learn about the gender transition “secret menu”, compared and contrasted with the traditional options.
This talk will cover the following topics:
Social transition, including presentation, pronouns and name changes.
Medical transition, including hormone replacement therapy, surgeries and specialized drug regimens.
Ryan has been involved in the hacking community for most of their life, but it really picked up on the original “Hackers on a Plane” trip back in 2007. That led to involvement with Noisebridge, attending the original ToorCamp in 2008, playing CTFs, running CTFs, a successful infosec career, and speaking at several well known conferences.
They are now working on their most challenging hacking project yet — their body.
Tools and Techniques for Mapping the Human Attack Surface
2022–07–15, 16:00–16:50 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
Modern criminals don’t hack computers, they hack people. Emulating modern techniques requires modern tooling. This talk takes you on a journey from being an outsider to full domain compromise of a modern corporate network, with a focus on identifying and leveraging human targets at each step along the escalation path, all using freely available open source tools.
The central focus of this talk is the re-release of a tool called Rolodex, and how it can be used in various Red Team and Penetration Testing engagements. Rolodex is a tool for managing information about people during an engagement, from that very first LinkedIn search, all the way to that final DCSync, tracking information about the human attack surface can be instrumental to success.
Dean is a computer security researcher from Portland, Oregon. He has attended all the Toorcamps so far, and even spoken at some of them on topics such as wireless hacking, surveillance, and hacking cryptocurrency smart contracts. Lately he has been working external Red Team and Penetration Testing engagements for various companies across several industries, so that’s probably the sort of thing he’s going to be talking about this time.
LIGHTNING TALKS
Lightning talks are scheduled 5:00–6:00 PM PST on Friday.
richinseattle will MC if needed
Lightning Talks should be 10minutes or less.
List of talks will dynamically update on the ToorCon Wiki:
SATURDAY JULY 16TH
The Return of the Hackerboat
2022–07–16, 11:00–11:20 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
We’ve brought various iterations of robot boats to every Toorcamp since 2014… now we’ve got one that sails and carries cargo.
Hackerboat started as a midnight hackerspace “wouldn’t it be cool if…” idea… now we’re a funded company building autonomous cargo vessels powered by the wind and sun. I’ll be discussing our progress and what it takes to teach a robot how to sail.
Pierce Nichols is the leader of Ladon Robotics, a company building autonomous cargo ships powered by nature.
8 Ways to Hack a DAO
2022–07–16, 12:00–12:20 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
We’ll cover some of the more nuanced, weird and off-kilter ways one might go about hacking DAOs, from Airdrops to Daoism, general hacks and social engineering. At the end, we’ll hand out some DIY DAO Card Games where you can practice hacking a DAO yourself! No DAO experience necessary!
DAOs are interesting, newish governance mechanisms with shared treasuries, multi-sigs, and organizational ambiguities!
In this talk, we’ll cover some of the more nuanced, weird and off-kilter ways one might go about about hacking DAOs, from Airdrops to Daoism, general hacks and social engineering. At the end, we’ll hand out some DIY DAO Card Games where you can practice hacking a DAO yourself! No DAO experience necessary!
Amber Case works on building, breaking and hacking DAOs for a living at https://daodao.zone/. She enjoys forms of governance and group dynamics.
Case has keynoted BSides and spoken at Defcon, and is the author of two O’Reilly books, Calm Technology and Designing with Sound.
She has also built a DAO table top game which anyone can play.
You can follow her on twitter @caseorganic!
My data in your signed code
2022–07–16, 13:00–13:20 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
Could a signed Windows executable be modified, but still have a valid signature? Everyone told me “no”, so I built a set of tools that does exactly that. Lets talk Authenticode, PE/COFF and a trivial Microsoft limitation that allows one to inject data without breaking signatures or triggering Defender and EDR warnings. Then, see what you can do with that “feature”.
Alex Ivkin leads a security solutions group at Eclypsium, a US security startup. His focus is on researching secure deployments of (in)secure software, including container orchestration, application security, and firmware security. Alex has two decades of itsec experience, delivered security trainings, holds MS in Computer Science, co-authored security certifications and climbs mountains in his spare time.
Gardening for Computer Touchers
2022–07–16, 16:00–16:20 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
I started gardening on my balcony about a year ago and it’s easy, fun, and emotionally fulfilling.
I’ll talk about:
- How I got started
- What you can grow
- What you’ll probably need to buy
- What to do when you have to travel for work and nobody’s there to maintain your plants
- Can you eat it (probably)
- Pivoting to other outdoor projects
Vito Genovese is a founding member of Legitimate Business Syndicate, organizers of DEF CON Capture the Flag from 2013 to 2017. Vito’s work included building infrastructure for distributed software development, designing and building both cloud-based and on-site scoring systems for CTF, visual design and branding of competition materials, picking fonts, sourcing coffee and other beverages, and writing public material for the Legitimate Business Syndicate blog and Twitter accounts.
Hacking your circulatory system: a less icky alternative to heterochronic parabiosis
2022–07–16, 16:30–16:50 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
Heterochronic pararabiosis is the interlinking of the circulatory systems of young and old animals. While it has been shown to have rejuvenative effects on the older animal, it is the sort of experiment that sends villagers into the mad scientist’s laboratory with pitchforks and fire. Last summer I convinced a few fellow hackers to try something novel and less icky: donate plasma on an aggressive schedule and see if we could observe similar effects in humans. It worked, and we published a paper about it. This is the story of what we did, how we did it, and what might happen next.
Read the paper: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.10.30.466597
Rob Flickenger is a long time hacker most recently interested in biochemistry, scanning electron microscopy, DNA sequencing, and longevity research. Previous Toorcamp adventures included a Tesla coil orchestra and The Tesla Gun.
Modular Synthesis with Eurorack
2022–07–16, 17:30–17:50 (US/Pacific), Prime Dome
Looking like mess of wires and knobs and resembling something Shady Tel might be familiar with, modular synthesizers stand at the intersection of art and technology. Individual modules follow the Unix philosophy of combining small tools that do one thing well. By connecting these modules in any of millions of different combinations, musicians create their own custom instruments capable of almost any sound imaginable. In this talk, the audience will get an introduction to modular synthesizers with the popular Eurorack format. Through a live demonstration of the author’s Eurorack system we’ll discuss the basic building blocks, introduce and walk through the classic “East Coast” subtractive synthesis style, and build up to some banging techno.
Aaron is a software engineer by trade, and a hardware tinkerer and musician by nature. He started playing with modular synthesizer three years ago, and quickly began open source designing modules of his own. He live in Seattle with his wife and two cats.
TOORCON 2022 UNOFFICIAL AFTER PARTY
Seattle Hardware Happy Hour July 2022!
Date: Monday, July 18, 2022 at 7:00 PM PST— 9:00 PM PST
Location: Old Stove Ship Canal (600 W Nickerson St · Seattle, WA)
Hardware Happy Hour (3H) Seattle will be having a post ToorCamp meetup. We will be meeting on July 18th 7–9pm PST at Old Stove Ship Canal brewery. This a 2nd location for Old Stove and is NOT their location at Pike Place market.
We will be meeting in the outside beer garden. We do not have reserved tables (since they don’t reserve tables) but there should be plenty of space.
Food Update: Food truck El Gran Taco will be the onsite food option for the evening.
Directions/Parking/Transportation:
- Brewery entrance and some off street parking is located on 6th Ave W. Plenty of street parking on W. Nickerson St.
- Bus stop for the 31 & 32 half block away. Bus stop for the 3, 4 & 13 about 1/4 mile by the Seattle Pacific campus.
What We’ll Do:
• Have fun!
• Share projects and stories.
What to Bring:
Your projects in any stage of completion from basic concept/idea to working product. We want attendees to share both their successes and failures with fellow makers. (You don’t need to bring a project to attend) Please note if your project needs power, bring your own. No guarantee you will be able to access an outlet.
Maker Exchange Box:
If you have something to share/donate to the local maker community… microcontrollers, breadboards, motors, resistors, LEDs, filament… give those projects you abandoned a new life!
Important to know:
Please read the Contributor Covenant: https://www.contributor-covenant.org/version/1/4/code-of-conduct.html
Communication/Question:
If you have an questions or need some more information on this event please post them to the Seattle channel of the 3H Discord server.
3H Discord: https://discord.gg/Zp2xf3R
