How to Set Up a Screenhouse Camp Shelter for Bug-Free Camping

Quick answer

Set up your screenhouse on level, cleared ground, assemble the color-coded poles in the correct order, and stake all corners and guylines before attaching the canopy to ensure a taut, bug-proof shelter.

Step-by-step screenhouse setup

1. Choose and prepare the site: Find a flat, open area free of rocks, sticks, and sharp debris. Clear the ground to prevent punctures and ensure a level pitch. Avoid low spots where water might collect. A quick sweep of the site prevents tears and keeps the floor dry.
2. Lay out the canopy and identify poles: Unfold the canopy on the ground with the intended entrance facing away from prevailing wind. Separate the pole sections by color or label as indicated in the instructions. Do not force poles; they should slide together smoothly. Mixing up pole segments is a common mistake that can stress the fabric.
3. Assemble and insert the poles: Connect the pole sections to form full-length arches. Insert each pole through its designated sleeve or clip, working from one end to the other. Keep poles untwisted so the canopy rises evenly. If a pole resists, check for a twisted sleeve rather than forcing it.
4. Raise the shelter and stake the corners: Lift the center of the canopy to stand the poles. Immediately stake the four corners at a 45-degree angle away from the shelter. Pull the fabric taut before driving each stake fully into the ground. Staking corners first prevents the shelter from shifting in the wind.
5. Attach guylines and adjust tension: Secure all provided guylines, especially on the windward side. Tension each line evenly so the mesh walls are smooth and wrinkle-free. A taut mesh leaves no gaps for insects to enter. Re-tension guylines after an hour; fabric relaxes as it warms.
6. Seal the interior skirt (if applicable): For shelters with a sealed interior skirt, press the skirt flat against the ground inside the shelter. Use additional stakes or weights if needed to hold it down. This creates a barrier against crawling bugs. A lifted skirt is an open invitation for ants and spiders.

Product facts

• Victory™ Screenhouse Camp Shelter: The Victory™ Screenhouse is floorless with a solid canopy, built-in rain gutters, and a sealed interior skirt to protect from the elements. The sealed skirt and rain gutters help keep water out, but only if the shelter is staked evenly to maintain proper tension and drainage.