A camping experience, whether it's your first or 100th trip, will be a more positive one if you stay dry, comfortable, and can enjoy a level of convenience that suits your needs. With all the modern camping equipment available, you can plan just about any type of camping or backpacking trip imaginable. But no matter what the trip, a good, stable shelter that offers solid protection from the weather and comfortable accommodations is an absolute necessity.
If you haven't shopped for a tent lately, sorting through the myriad of styles, sizes and colors can be a bit overwhelming. The first thing to do is determine what type of camping you plan to do and how much space you'll need.
Car campers generally use their tents more and will need plenty of space for their gear. A backpacker's main concerns are size and weight because they are only going to sleep in it.
Here are some other guidelines for choosing a tent:
Style
Dome tents are a popular all-around tent style for all types of camping. They offer
excellent interior space for their floor size, and fold up compactly to pack nicely in a
car or a pack. By design, they shed wind effectively and can hold up well in rain and
rough weather. They come in several shapes: hexagonal, square, rectangular and
some hybrid models.
Backpackers and light gear travelers might prefer an A-frame, small dome, or hybrid
tent, which have minimal weight and can fold down into small, compact packages.
Because space in these tents is very limited, the tent should have good ventilation
channels, either a large window or door and/or a net roof vent.
Traditional large cabin tents provide the most space for families or large groups, often with separated rooms for privacy. Large umbrella style or dome tents are also
excellent choices. Some larger tents have attached awnings for additional sheltered
area.
Staying Dry
Once you've determined the style and size you want, look for features that will keep you dry. Even if it doesn't rain outside, plenty of moisture can develop from within. A sleeping camper can emit up to a pint of water in one night. If all that moisture can't escape, it condenses inside the tent making everything wet. Make sure the tent has permeable nylon in the roof and walls to allow moisture to escape, and waterproof nylon in the fly and floor to prevent water from coming in.
Durability
Whatever style you choose, it should have long-term durability. Family tents, in
particular, need to withstand a lot of rough treatment from active kids and busy
parents walking in and out of the tent.
The tent's strength and stability depends on the framework. Steel poles are not as
durable as aluminum poles and are more prone to bend and corrode. Fiberglass has
good strength and stability and flexes well to hold a curve or arc. Drawn seamless
aluminum is very strong, stable and is lighter weight, a feature that helps minimize
the weight of large family tents. 7000-series aircraft aluminum provides excellent
strength and is extremely lightweight, a much-appreciated feature in backpacking
and expedition-style tents.
Fabric is also important. Most tents are made with nylon, but each manufacturer has different standards of quality regarding fabric defects and grade of water repellency. A large tent that you can stand up in should have a heavy duty Oxford nylon floor because it will withstand the foot traffic. Eureka! uses StormShield Cloth in its large family tents because it withstands longer periods of exposure to UV rays, has excellent tear strength and waterproofness. Look for reinforced seams and corners in the tent construction.
Color can play a role as well. For example, certain colors don't hold up well under
Ultra Violet rays; the fabric will break down faster and disintegrate. Eureka! conducts UV tests on all of its color choices.
Value
Beware of bargain tents with prices that are too good to be true. You can't always see or feel the level of quality in a tent until it falls apart. It's no deal if you buy a tent at a low cost and the frame breaks the first time you use it. Ask the dealer to explain the framework and fabrics in different tents to help you make the right decision. A warranty is also a good thing to look for when purchasing a tent, and a good tent will have a lifetime warranty. Your tent is an investment in many years of outdoor activity. Make sure your outdoor home provides plenty of comfort, space and dryness, to ensure your 100th camping trip will be as memorable as the first.
Family camping molds values and an appreciation for nature
"You kids have been inside too long. Why don't you two go outside to play and get
some fresh air!"
Frustrated parents have uttered these words for decades - and there's a lot of truth to what they say. But, according to a recent survey, they're only half right. Yes, children are happier and healthier when they spend time outdoors. But so, the survey says, are their parents. Perhaps we need to start putting more value and time as a family into the outdoor experience.
According to a 1994 national survey for the Recreation Roundtable, outdoor
recreation participation leads to a higher quality of life, both for children and adults.
For example, the survey cited these important findings:
- Children from recreationally-active families become adults who are more satisfied with their lives, families, friends and careers.
- Outdoor recreation leads to improved physical and mental health.
- Outdoor recreation gives people a better appreciation of nature and the environment.
- Outdoor recreation promotes stronger families and shared family values.
So, how does a typical family going in 10 different directions decide on an outdoor
activity that all family members will enjoy?
Leading the survey list in outdoor recreation activities were pleasure driving (40% of respondents said they had participated in this activity in the past 12 months);
swimming (37%); picnicking (33%); fishing (26%); tent camping (25%); and bicycling (22%).
Of those activities, camping led the pack for the outdoor activity enjoyed at an equal rate among men and women. But, will camping become just another fad like the hula hoop? Fact: the people surveyed that camped in tents last year said they plan on camping even more this year. And, industry experts believe this trend will continue.
According to the folks at Eureka!, family tent camping is an easy and affordable
activity to gear up for. The Eureka! experts say the key to making camping a
long-lasting outdoor activity families look forward to is to start out slow.
To get used to the idea of camping, start with an overnight or weekend trip at a site that has access to restaurants and indoor plumbing. This will soften the initial shock of having no electricity and a soft bed. Investing in good quality equipment from a reputable manufacturer and dealer is also important to remember. Learning the difference between water resistant and waterproof in the middle of a monsoon is not the ideal time!
Eureka!'s Equidome and Equinox are examples of quality tents designed for
years of trouble-free family camping. Unless a family is camping in cool or cold weather of early spring or late fall, slumber party bags and warm blankets can be substituted for true sleeping bags; however when affordable, sleeping bags are preferred. Investing in quality foam pads or air mattresses to keep their bodies off the damp, cool ground is probably more logical than spending a lot of money on expensive sleeping bags.
Camping without TVs, VCRs and video games encourages families to get to know
each other on a level only the outdoors can provide. It promotes teamwork and a sense of accomplishment, and is a healthy and valuable experience families can enjoy together.
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