CAMPING

Last fall, Tori Spelling and J.C. Penney celebrated the launch of Spelling's line for kids, Little Maven, at a family-friendly event at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. Banners strung between treelike posts decorated the outdoor area.

Pieces from the Little Maven clothing collection hung above a kitschy campfire setup on the lawn.

Dessert table offerings sat upon rustic wood slabs at the Little Maven event.

After a move to Las Vegas, Maxim's annual Hot 100 event returned to Los Angeles this year. Taking over SBE's newest property, Create (formerly Vanguard), the Visionary Group transformed the raw space into an ode to American summer nights. Outside, the patio had a bonfire built into a real sandpit.

At Maxim's bash, there were lounge areas with embroidered beach cushions and custom listening stations in Coleman coolers, where guests could test Sony's new headphones. "We knew having an expansive patio was key to integrating the theme," said Visionary Group's Brian Diamond. "While we wanted to infuse the spirit of summer and patriotism throughout the overall event, building out an inviting outdoor space for guests to gather was what this concept was all about."

At the Hennessy V.S. Presents Details at Midnight event at Coachella, guests gathered in a tricked-out teepee.

Conceptbait Global Events & Florida Design Group used real graham crackers, Hershey bars, and two sizes of marshmallows to create centerpieces at the launch party for Three Olives S’mores Vodka at Hattricks Tavern in Tampa. Designers spray-painted manzanita branches brown and used a blowtorch to char the marshmallows before attaching them to the branches.

At the Catalina Casino for the Catalina Island Conservancy Ball in Los Angeles, the camp theme included centerpieces of illuminated apothecary jars filled with the makings of s'mores. Although the chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows on the table were there for the look, guests did have a chance to taste the nostalgic treat. Chef Paul Hancock of the Santa Catalina Island Company, who created a three-course meal for the evening, served a dessert that comprised layers of graham crackers with bittersweet dark chocolate and melted marshmallows.

At the 2011 Campfire Ball benefit for Children’s Oncology Services in Chicago, Cork Catering set up a make-your-own-s’mores station.

Sears and Kmart wanted a garden-like setting for the December 2011 press preview of the spring 2012 home collections. Inside the the pop-up park at Openhouse Gallery in New York, an oversize picnic table set the tone for the warm-weather motif and provided a creative setting for the brands to showcase the brightly colored tableware in the Sandra by Sandra Lee collection.

For the fifth annual Scotiabank Nuit Blanche, an all-night celebration of contemporary art presented by the City of Toronto, British artist Ryan Gander set up a wood-burning campfire at Yonge-Dundas Square for an exhibit called "Just Because You Can Feel It Doesn't Mean It's There."

Throw a little craft-making into the mix for a camp-like experience. At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2012 in Miami, guests engaged in a make-your-own-jewelry station. Attendees at the D.I.Y.-themed poolside cocktail party were invited to make haute couture summer fashion accessories out of the luxury car brand's seat leather.