Going camping is a fun way to relax and reconnect with nature. Generally, when camping you will not have electricity to provide light at night, so you will need to buy a camping lantern. This guide will walk you through how to light a camping lantern.

While there are several different types of lanterns available, the ones most commonly used for camping are fueled by either gas or another type of liquid fuel such as kerosene. Lighting a camping lantern can be complicated, but if you break the process into some simple steps, lighting your camp spot should soon be easy.

1. Make sure the lantern's fuel valve is tightly closed, generally by turning it all the way to the right.
2. Take off the fuel filler cap.
3. Insert a funnel into the opening to avoid fuel spillage or splashing.
4. Fill the lantern with fuel. It is advisable to fill it about 2/3 full.
5. Replace the fuel filler cap.http://www.ehow.com/how_2083587_use-coleman-lantern.html

By pressurizing the fuel you have just added, you help ensure that your lantern gets a consistent flow of fuel.

1. The pressurizing pump plunger is normally a small knob just above the fuel tank.
2. Unlock it with a one-quarter turn to the left.
3. Push the plunger approximately 25 times.

The mantles are the parts of the lantern that actually burn, usually covered with mesh material shaped into a bulb.

1. Open the fuel valve slightly by twisting it to the left.
2. Listen for a soft spitting sound which indicates fuel is going to the mantles.
3. Close the valve.

1. Light a match and hold it close to the mesh of the mantles.
2. Open the fuel valve just a bit.
3. Open the fuel valve a little more until the mantles catch and start to burn steadily. Remove your hand and let the fuel valve open completely.
4. Pressurize the system once more with the pump plunger.
5. You can now control the brightness of the light by allowing less or more fuel into the globe via the fuel valve.http://www.ehow.com/how_4815305_light-coleman-lantern.html

Lighting a lantern is only complex the first few times you do it. Just be sure to have extra fuel and mantles on hand in case you need them.