7 Habits of Good Campers

There are certain rules, some of which are unwritten or unspoken, that you should follow when you’re camping. Generally speaking, courtesy and common sense will go a long way in knowing what sorts of behaviors are acceptable when camping, and what sorts aren’t acceptable.

Here are seven habits every good camper ought to cultivate:

1. Pick up after yourself. Leave your campsite cleaner than it was when you arrived. Clean your campsite each night so as not to have a huge mess at the end. Clean pots and pans immediately after using them to help prevent critters from wandering into the site.
2. Be quiet during quiet hours. Most campgrounds have quiet hours. Observe them. Turn off your TV or radio, and keep your voice down.
3. Don’t walk through others’ campsites. Even if it means you’ve got to walk way around, don’t walk through other peoples’ campsites. It’s much like walking through your neighbor’s living room to get to the place next door.
4. Drive slowly through the campground. There may be children playing, or even adults walking on the road. Be alert at all times when driving in the campground. Obey the posted speed limits within the campground.
5. Wash your dishes at your campsite, not at the drinking fountain or water pump. The food debris from your dishes can contaminate other people’s water.
6. Watch your children. Make sure they’re being courteous to other campers. If they’re disturbing folks, ask them to stop. The same is true for your pets. Keep them on a lead or a leash at all times, and keep them out of other campsites.
7. Don’t leave food out where it can attract animals. Store your food in locking coolers. If possible, store your food inside your car. Make sure that all of your trash, especially trash that may contain food, is disposed of properly in the campground trash bins every night.

The Most Common Types of Tents

When we first started camping, I had no idea there were so many different types of tents available. I hadn’t camped in a tent since I was a small child, and back then tents seemed a lot simpler. Here is a quick list of the various types of tents I came across when I started looking to buy a tent:

Dome Tents

Dome tents are made from nylon. They are hexagonal in shape, and have to be staked down to keep from being blown away. Because dome tents are so lightweight, they’re ideal for mountaineers, hikers, winter campers and backpackers. Dome tents tend to be relatively quick and easy to set up, as well.

Tunnel Tents

These are single-user tents. Tunnel tents are made from nylon, and are even lighter in weight than dome tents. You roll and unroll a tunnel tent, and can even store it in a backpack. Tunnel tents have quick and easy setup and tear-down, and usually have excellent ventilation.

A-Frame Tents

Generally more spacious than the two previous types, A-frame tents are popular among backpackers, climbers, hunters, fishermen, and hikers. They also are made of nylon, and typically weigh around three to six pounds. When you use an A-frame tent, you can gain extra space by adding an entrance at the front opening. A-frame tents are not nearly as popular today as they have been in decades past.

Cabin Tents

These are the largest of the tent types. They are heavy, bulky, and often complicated to set up. They are not recommended for campers who need to hike to their campsite. Having said all of that, they are the most convenient and useful tent type for a large family, or for groups of people camping together.

In many cases, cabin tents may offer extra features and amenities, such as a screened-in porch, beverage holders or even a clothesline.

When our family goes camping, we use a cabin tent for the adults, and the children stay in two or three different dome tents, depending on how many of us are camping.

What to Look for In a Canvas Tent

When choosing a canvas tent, look for the following features. They will ensure that your canvas tent will get years of use:

Strong seams. A canvas tent is only as strong as its seams. Make sure they are double-stitched. Not only does this create a more streamlined seam, it adds an extra barrier against separating and tearing.

Durable zippers. Often the first thing to go on any camping tent is the zipper. Make sure that zippers are top-quality. Nylon zippers with large teeth that can be zipped up and down easily are ideal. Zippers should be securely sewn into the fabric.

Durable flaps. Inspect door and window flaps closely. Flaps should have strong mechanisms with which they can be secured, whether opened or closed. Toggle-style flaps should be securely fastened to the canvas in order to withstand pressure from inclement weather. Flap zippers should be strong and durable.

Weatherproofing. As already mentioned, canvas holds up very well under many weather extremes. Do you expect that you’ll be using your tent in very rainy conditions? In these situations, extra weatherproofing may be necessary. It may need to be treated with a rainproof coating. Another option is to purchase a tarpaulin that can be hung or draped over top of the entire structure to keep rain out.

Canvas tents come in a variety of sizes and styles, with many options for features. This makes it easy to find one that perfectly suits any need and any use.

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