diff --git a/app.js b/app.js
index 3814ec3..971baff 100644
--- a/app.js
+++ b/app.js
@@ -2,21 +2,40 @@
 const express = require('express')
 const mongoose = require('mongoose')
 const path = require('path')
+// require models
+const Campground = require('./models/campgrounds')
 // port number to listen for requests
 const port = 3000
+
+// connect to MongoDB database
+mongoose.connect('mongodb://localhost:27017/yelpcamp')
+
+// check the status of database connection
+const db = mongoose.connection
+db.on("error", console.error.bind(console,"connection error"))
+db.once("open", () => {
+    console.log("Database connected")
+})
+
 // create an express application object
 const app = express()
 
-
 // set parameters for rendering templates
 app.set('view engine','ejs')
-app.set('views',path.join(__dirname,'/views'))
+app.set('views',path.join(__dirname,'views/'))
 
-// receive get request for the main page
+// RECEIVE REQUESTS
+// main page
 app.get('/',(req,res) => {
     res.render('home')
 })
 
+// campgrounds
+app.get('/campgrounds',(req,res) => {
+    const camp = new Campground({title:'Backyard'})
+    res.send(camp)
+})
+
 // listen for incoming requests
 app.listen(port, () => {
     console.log(`LISTENING ON PORT ${port}`)
diff --git a/models/campgrounds.js b/models/campgrounds.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7aa6870
--- /dev/null
+++ b/models/campgrounds.js
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+// include mongoose
+const mongoose = require('mongoose')
+const Schema = mongoose.Schema
+
+// schema for campgrounds
+const campgroundSchema = new Schema({
+    title: String,
+    location: String,
+    price: String,
+    description: String
+})
+
+// create a model out of campgroundSchema
+module.exports = mongoose.model('Campground',campgroundSchema)
\ No newline at end of file