Is your Tent Weather-Proof?

Think your tent is weatherproof? Many campers do, only to find themselves waking up drenched in the middle of the night. If you prefer a dry sleeping bag, make sure your camping tent really is weather-ready.

When you purchase a new tent, read the label carefully. This means to read between the lines. Understanding some common terms can help you decide just how waterproof it really is.

Many people mistakenly believe that if a tent is water- or weather-resistant it will not leak. In reality, the material will resist leaks in a light or short rainfall.

Weather- or water-resistant tents usually have not had any additional weatherproofing treatment. Instead, the word resistant refers to the inherent ability of that tent’s fabric to keep rain out.

In a light rainfall that lasts a few minutes to a couple hours, it will probably do fine. However, if it rains heavily or for several hours straight, water may begin to penetrate the fabric.

Purchase a camping tent that is waterproof. A tent labeled as waterproof is reasonably assured not to leak. It also means that the fabric has been treated with a sealing agent.

Waterproof may also mean that it is made from a type of material that is more naturally resistant to water. The material might also be more tightly woven to keep rain out.

Also, purchase a rainproof cover or tarpaulin. Some people prefer this method. Tents that are rain-sealed or have fabric that is tightly woven sometimes don’t breathe well.

Using an untreated tent may allow for better airflow. A rainproof cover or tarp can then be draped or hung over the entire tent to keep water out.

If you camp frequently or in areas where regular rain is likely, you should consider greater protection, like waterproofing your tent with a special sealant to stay warm and dry throughout your trip.

Big Tent Camping Basics

Pup tents and dome tents may be fine for the individual or the couple wanting to get away to nature for a few days, but what do you do when you have a family of five?

Fortunately for bigger families, there are a number of different types of big tents. Each has its own features and characteristics.

Cabin Tents

These are the most common type of big camping tents. Cabin tents typically sleep up to 16 people at a time. They usually have dividers that create walls, breaking up the tent into a number of rooms.

Cabin tents have large windows, and may even have a screened-in porch just outside of the entrance. Most of the time, cabin tents are tall enough that an adult can stand up inside without having to bend at all.

Cabin tents come in a number of different designs, shapes and sizes. There are square, rectangular and hexagonal cabin tents. There are cabin tents with a mesh roof and a rainfly, and ones that just have a single roof. There are cabin tents that sleep as few as 8, or as many as 24.

When you are looking for a cabin tent, here are some characteristics and extra features you want to look for:

• waterproof floor
• rain fly for weather protection
• lantern loop
• extra storage room
• windows with inside zips
• multiple doors for easy entry and exit
• insect protection screenings

Eureka Tents

This is another type of big camping tent. Eureka tents are freestanding, have spacious headroom and steep walls. Eureka tents have removable floors, doors that can be used as patio sunshades, and fully-enclosed inner hanging rooms.

Commercial Tents

A different type of big camping tent, a commercial tent, isn’t for sleeping. Instead, commercial tents are used to provide shelter from the elements during special events such as festivals, company outings or picnics, fundraisers, and even fairs. Commercial tents are made from long-lasting vinyl or sturdy canvas and can vary in size from 9’ x 10’ to 120’ x 400’.

Extra Features Your Tent Should Have

When you purchase a tent for camping, one aspect you may want to consider a few aspects that make your trip more enjoyable. Here are some things to think of before you buy:

If you are camping alone, you want a tent that you can set up without much labor or strain. When you know you will camp with other adults, you can look for something more elaborate since you’ll have the extra help.

Ease of transportation is something else to think about. Do you need a camping tent you can carry easily on your back? There are many durable, lightweight tents on the market today. A compact, lightweight tent is perfect for backpackers going to areas not accessible by vehicle.

Look for reinforced eaves when buying a camping tent. The eaves handle most of the pressure on camping tents. When tightening roofs with ropes and stakes, the eaves bear the strain. Reinforced eaves are especially important for winter camping. Tents tear along the eaves and grommets when heavy snow collects on the roof. Reinforced eaves can prevent this from happening.

Look at purchasing a rain fly for your camping tent. A rain fly covers the roof and walls of your tent, which provides several benefits. Air collects between the rain fly and the tent roof, which becomes insulation in cold weather.

A rain fly protects a canvas camping tent from ultraviolet rays, which can cause the canvas to break down. A rain fly can also prevent tree sap, bird droppings and other foreign substances from falling directly on the roof of your tent.

Above all, consider good, old-fashioned comfort when buying a camping tent. You know what you like and what makes you feel comfortable. Look for tent features that suit your needs. Your camping experience will be much more enjoyable when you love where you’re living.

Teaching Children to Fish

Sport fishing can be a wonderful and enjoyable activity for the whole family. Whether you’re camping or just going fishing for the day, bringing the kids along provides bonding opportunities and passes the hobby along to the next generation.

Still, teaching kids to fish can be a challenge. You want to make sure they have a good time, so that they’ll want to do it again. You want them to be successful, and you want them to learn.

Here are some things to keep in mind when teaching kids to fish:

• Start out somewhere well-stocked. If a child is going to be interested in fishing, she needs to experience some success early on.
• Help and instruct your child, but don’t do it all for her. Show them how to tie a lure, and let them try. If they get stuck, help out until they can get themselves.
• Make your child comfortable. Dress him in layers, in case the temperature drops or rises. If you’re fishing on a boat, make sure there are seat pads for him to sit down.
• Share your success with your kids. If you snag a large fish on your line, ask the kids to help you reel it in.
• Keep it active. Children get bored easily. Make sure there’s something for them to do, and somewhere for them to stretch their legs. Fishing from a pier or from the shore is often the best way to do this. Make sure there’s food and drink, as well.
• Keep it safe. Put life jackets on your child if you’re out over the water. Bring a first aid kit for those fishhook accidents.
• Be patient. Like with any other time you teach a child something, you’re going to have to be patient while the child works through it. Try not to criticize her, but guide her gently instead. Praise her for listening and for following your instructions.

Keep these few principles in mind when you take your kids fishing and you increase the likelihood that everyone will have a good time, and that your kids will develop an interest in fishing.

Great Tents Keep Campers Happy

A camping trip is one of the most exciting outdoor activities you can have. Searching for the right tent is an adventure all its own. While you’re rifling through various types of tents, looking for the perfect match, make sure that you know what to look for.

The most important aspect of camping is to have fun. To make sure that your camping trip is enjoyable as well as safe, you’ll need to pick your shelter wisely.

Make sure that you have the right size, as a cramped tent is an unhappy tent. Little pup tents might be great if you plan on spending the weekend by yourself, but you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of room if you’re bringing friends and family along for the trip.

When you look at the capacity of different tents, it’s wise to aim high. It’s always better to have too much room than not enough, especially if the weather gets nasty and everyone has to stay inside for a long time.

If you’re a tall person, you’ll want to make sure that you have plenty of leg room when you lay down to go to sleep. A person who is six feet tall will need at least seven feet to lay down comfortably.

If children are coming along, be aware that they tend to take up a lot of space with their playthings.

Make sure that you have enough room. The more room you have, the more comfortable everyone will be. Equipment will stay dry when people aren’t crawling all over each other to move around the tent, and dry equipment is important.

Spend a few extra dollars to make sure that your tent is quality. When you’re stuck in the middle of a downpour and water starts dripping on your head, you’ll be wishing that you went with a well-made tent.

Too many discount tents suffer from poor materials and workmanship. Besides leaking, these kinds of tents can easily blow away in a strong wind.

Make sure that the tent you are looking at is built for the season. If you need a shelter for the colder months, make sure that your tent is thick and sturdy.

Many tents are specially designed for use in harsh weather. They may cost a bit more, but they’ll be worth it.

The tent you choose can make or break a camping trip. The right-sized tent, made with quality materials and handled with care will give years of camping enjoyment. It’s an investment you won’t regret making because it will make memories that will last a lifetime.

What Type of Tent to Buy?

Trying to decide what type of tent you need can seem confusing. There are many different types of tents on the market, all for various camping trips.

First, know how your tent will be carried. Will you be driving right up to the campsite, hiking, biking or boating? If you’re driving, frame tents are the first choice of many campers. They are usually large enough to walk around in and can feature separate bedrooms, cooking facilities and a living space.

Ridge tents are also a perennial favorite among campers who don’t have to carry their equipment very far. They feature a horizontal post that is held up by two vertical posts, with canvas stretched over all of them. The resulting triangular tent is great for pleasant weather, but isn’t suitable for rain or high winds.

Hiking tents and pop-up tents are great for campers who will be using bikes, boats or sturdy boots to get to their campsite. They are both lightweight, easily collapsible and small enough to carry on one’s back.

If you still aren’t sure what you are looking for, take a trip to your nearest sporting goods store and explain your circumstances to a salesperson. With any luck, you’ll find exactly what you are looking for.

When you do, you’ll be well on your way to a great first camping trip.

Keeping Your Campsite Critter-Free

Everyone has heard tales of a bear wandering into a campsite looking for food. Popular culture is full of references to bears invading campsites, from Yogi Bear to television commercials. Fortunately, it is very rare for a bear to actually enter a campsite.

Unfortunately, there are other critters that are much more likely to invade your little place in the woods. Raccoons, squirrels and mice are just a few of the most common animals that might wander into your campsite.

The good news is that there are things you can do to protect your campsite from animals and keep it critter-free.

First of all, be selective about where you place your tent. Try to place your tent at least 50 yards from the tree line. If you’re camping deep in the woods, it may not be possible to camp out in the open, away from the wooded areas. If you’re at a campground, however, it may be easier.

Most critters that wander into a campsite do so because they are hungry, and they believe there is food in the campsite. To keep animals from smelling your food, keep it in a cooler that has a locking lid. If it’s practical, hang the cooler from a tree, at least seven feet off the ground. Alternatively, you can keep the cooler in a vehicle.

Never bring your food into your tent. The same is true for toothpaste. Mint attracts certain types of animals, so keep your toothpaste in a sealed baggie or in with our food.

Don’t leave leftover food lying around. Put it away in the cooler. If you don’t want to keep it, dispose of leftover food in the park’s dumpster, or burn it.

Keep your dishes clean. If there are pieces of food on your plates, they will attract critters. This goes for all of your camp cooking utensils, too. It even includes marshmallow roasting sticks.

The smell of fabric softener repels some animals. It also can help to mask the smell of food. Bring some fabric softener sheet and use a clothespin to attach them to your tent ropes, your coolers, and anywhere else that’s practical.

Who Uses Canvas Tents?

Canvas tents are not often used for the casual camper. They are more used for long-term or semi-permanent encampments.

One of the most popular uses of canvas tents today is in large, long-term camps. Summer camps, retreats and other outdoor events use canvas tents to house participants.

Hunters and fishers also enjoy the great qualities of canvas tents when enjoying their sports away from home. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a wood-walled cabin, a semi-permanent canvas tent can be erected for a very small cost.

Military installations also make good use of canvas tents. The affordability, durability and transportability of canvas tents make them an attractive option for this environment.

In fact, military groups all over the world have used canvas tents to temporarily house their troops.

Environmentalists and homesteaders also know the best qualities of canvas tents. When settling on undeveloped land, many modern settlers choose to live in canvas tents.

For some, this is a temporary arrangement while they construct a more permanent abode. For others, a canvas tent is a long-term living arrangement complete with electricity and running water.

Due to the durability of canvas tents, they can be modified for use as vacation homes and used comfortably for many years. Some luxury canvas tents include bathrooms, wooden floors and formal windows in addition to electricity and running water.

These luxury tents are not meant to be taken down and moved often like camping tents. However, if the need arises to move a luxury canvas tent, it can be done with ease.

Canvas tents can be very comfortable and fun. They can provide four-season comfort without the expense of a permanent building. The affordability and ease of setup mean that you can get your canvas tent up quickly and get right to enjoying your favorite outdoor activities.

Types of Tent Structures

Here is a look at just a few different types of tent structures.

A dome tent has three or more intersecting hoops at the top, which create a dome structure. They are strong but sometimes difficult to assemble.

A wedge tent is a more popular option for hikers and bikers because of their ease of assembly. An old, pup style tent is a good example of an a-frame tent, but these have been phased out by the popularity of dome, cabin and wedge types.

Other types of tent structures include pyramid, avian and hoop. An avian tent provides quick shelter, but it is open to the ground below. A hoop tent forms a tunnel shape around the camper. A pyramid structure has one main pole and lots of different rooms.

When selecting the type of tent that’s right for you, be sure to consider the difficulty of assembly. If you are a first time camper, or even if you have some camping experience, you don’t want to spend hours and hours putting together a difficult tent instead of enjoying time with your family.

Make sure you allow enough room for everyone to feel comfortable in their home away from home. Certain cabin tents will allow some members of your family to fully stand up inside the tent, which makes changing your clothes or simply stretching out in the morning a little bit easier. Allow at least 30 square feet of floor space per person.

Look at buyer reviews online to find firsthand accounts of what setting up your prospective tent is really like before you buy.

The Useful Pop-up Tent

Camping is one of the simple pleasures in life. Getting outdoors and enjoying nature is something that almost everyone can enjoy. Even people who don’t enjoy typical outdoor activities like hiking and boating can appreciate the fun of sleeping under the stars.

For some campers, buying the equipment and setting up the campsite is the most fun part of any outdoor adventure. Buying a new tent is a lot of fun but can be full of many confusing choices. What type of tent should you buy?

Many campers are gravitating toward pop-up tents. These tents are simple to put up at the campsite and easy to take down when you’re ready to go home. They don’t require a lot of complicated assembly.

Often, all that is required is to put the tent on the ground and move a few poles. The tent pops up and provides instant shelter, leaving you more time to enjoy your outdoor fun.

Pop-up tents are made from lightweight material with lightweight poles. Since they are so lightweight and portable you might be tempted to think they are flimsy. However, pop-up tents are generally very durable and will last for many camping seasons.

When the camping trip is over, pop-up tents are simple to take down. They don’t require complicated tools or any special knowledge to take down, so you can be out of your campsite and on the way home quickly.

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