Today's tents are not shapeless beige flapping canvas you drape over poles. Eureka, for example, which is known for their stylish, brightly colored tents just came up with one that has built-in lighting. Before you get caught up with all that coolness, though, make sure the tent you are buying scores high in the 5 basic important factors:
Factor #1. Is it roomy and comfortable?
* Forget about the occupancy numbers suggested by tent makers. They are meant for sardines. Go with a higher number. * Look for tents with almost-vertical walls and not sloping walls that cave in on you. * Tent height ? you should be able to stand up straight in it. Otherwise how are you going to change your pants? * Space savers ? are there hangers, pockets, shelves inside to stow your knick-knacks? * Sense of space ? large, airy windows, moon roofs and awnings can add a perception of space
Factor #2. Will it keep you warm?
* Summer tents are lightweight and have mesh walls that allow breeze to flow through. * Although we camp mostly in the summers yet we remember some chilly dawns especially when we are at high elevation such as Acadia National Park. * So to be safe, get a 3-season tent even if you are mostly a summer camper. * 4-season tents are for winter camping which most families stay away from until they become more experienced.
Factor #3. Will it keep you dry?
* Major seams should be reinforced to prevent water leaks. * Tent floor should have bathtub corners to keep rain floods out. * Beginner campers don't realize that rain is not the only threat to dryness. * A sleeping camper can emit up to a pint of water in 1 night. If all that water can't escape it condenses inside the tent makes everything wet. * So look for tents with breathable nylon walls.
Factor #4. Is it quick and easy to set up?
* Only 1 way to find out. Set up the actual tent. * Some stores like REI are happy to demo the tent setup in the store. If not, try setting it up at home. If it's not quick or easy, look for another tent. * Always practice setting up the tent at home before you leave. Lest you embarrass yourself on the campsite fighting with your spouse which pole goes where.
Factor #5. Will it last?
Kids and busy parents are constantly walking in and out. You want a durable tent. Look for these features:
* Breathable nylon walls but tougher polyester rainflies. * Inspect seams for extra reinforcement in the critical areas. * Aluminum poles are compact, light but strong. Fiberglass poles can shatter easily. Stay away. * And always use a tarp to protect tent floor. A footprint is a special tarp that has been cut to the exact footprint of the tent. Very convenient, looks great, but costs extra.
Your camping tent is your shelter against the elements. But it is also the sanctuary for quality time playing Go Fish and Old Maid, telling ghost stories, watching the stars through the moon roof, making happy memories?
Need more camping tips, recipes or gear suggestions? Watch fun camping how-to videos at www.JoyofCamping.TV.
Camping is one of the best ways to foster a sense of family harmony. Even the youngest of preschoolers can benefit from the camping experience. Every part of the trip provides an opportunity for teaching teamwork and instilling an appreciation for nature. Even pitching the family tent offers good teaching tools for children.
To make your family campout a success, begin with a good tent. Fortunately, there is a wide array of options when it comes to camping tents. Picking the best one will require assessing your family's own particular needs. Some of the most important considerations you'll need to make are:
* The number of people in your family. Tents are typically labeled according to how many people they will sleep. Family-style tents may range from ones that sleep three people all the way to ones that sleep eight or nine. If you have a family of five, you'll naturally want to consider at least a five-person tent. However, it's important to remember that these sizes are generalizations. A tent that is made for five typically refers to five average-sized adults. For this reason, a four-person tent may be suitable for a family with two adults and three small children. Conversely, a family with two adults and three large teenagers may find a five-person tent a bit cramped. In this case, a six- or seven-person tent may be a better choice. Remember, you'll also want to take into account the amount of gear that you'll be storing inside the tent. The more luggage you have, the more sleeping space you lose.
* The sizes of all campers. In addition to the number of people a tent sleeps, you should also consider the dimensions of the tent. Adults and taller children may find it more comfortable to have some extra headroom when standing up. Some tents are shaped in such a way that some parts of the tent are wider or longer than others. Dome and tunnel-style tents may be wider in the center and become narrower at the edges. Tall children or adults may have trouble sleeping if the area isn't long or wide enough.
* Years of use. If camping is going to be a lifelong hobby, you probably want your investment to last as long as possible. Do you plan to have more children? Factor this in to the size of the tent you plan to buy. If your children are small, they'll most certainly need more space five years from now. Consider purchasing a larger tent that will accommodate your family longer.
* Privacy needs. Some families prefer sleeping in the same space. This may be especially true of families whose children are still young. Families with older children may want a little extra privacy at night. In this case, you might consider a tent with separate "rooms." There are two basic styles of roomed tents. The two-room style is simply divided in half down the middle by a fabric barrier. The three-room style usually has a common room in the center, with two separate rooms at each end. In some tents, the fabric barriers can be removed. This allows you the option of having a one-room tent when the children are younger. Then as they grow older, barriers can be added as needed to create separate rooms.
Camping tents come in various styles and types of materials. They can be simple or very elaborate. Whatever camping tent you choose, you're off to a great start for making camping memories that will last a lifetime.
Both Zinlist & Warren Smith are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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