Ten Tent Tips

Ten Tent Tips

Our family of 6 camped a lot. Each summer we packed the family van and headed out on a big adventure to see more of this wonderful country. Some of our favorite family memories happened at the campsites we found along the way.

While camping can seem a little daunting for beginners, here are a few tips for choosing and caring for your tent that can make life easier.

· Choose a tent that is easy to set up and practice at home before you head out.

· Water seal the seams if recommended by the manufacturer.

· Remove sticks and stones from that ground where you will set up the tent.

· Place a tarp or piece of sturdy plastic underneath the tent to keep the bottom of your tent dry and clean.

· Don’t forget a hammer or the back side of a hatchet to help you pound stakes into hard ground.

· Have a mat at the door for wiping feet and get in the habit of removing your shoes as you step in the tent. (For middle of the night bathroom turns slip on sandals are much easier.)

· Keep a whisk broom handy for sweeping out the unavoidable grit.

· If the nighttime temperatures will get cold, zip your sleeping bags together to share body heat.

· Paper towels are helpful for many things, including wiping off the stakes as you take down the tent in the morning.

· If moisture condenses inside your tent, or rain makes the outside wet, try to allow time for your tent to air dry before rolling it up and packing it away for the next leg of the journey. When you return home, it is always a good idea to open it up and air it out and clean up any dirt. The tent will last much longer if you take good care of it.

There are many other tips about camping that we will share at another time but for now, close your eyes and imagine resting in your cozy tent. Nothing beats falling asleep to the sound of water bubbling over the rocks in a nearby stream or hearing owls hoot back and forth in an evening conversation.