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anonymous
I am leading a youth group camping trip this summer and I'm looking for a very large tent to accommodate optimally 15-16 people? I have looked at several 12 person tents (Gettysburg 12 Family Camping Tunnel Tent, Trekker⢠20' x 16' Cabin Tent and the Copper Canyon 12), but was hoping for something maybe a bit bigger.
Positive reviews about waterproofing is also a must. Our tents last year leaked horribly in the rain, even with the rain fly on and tarp underneath.
Answer
How much money do you have, how big do you need to go?
http://armytents.com/tents/tent-tmpr.html
As far as managing a group several smaller tents would be more suitable, you can arrange the tents around a central canopy for example like the circling of the wagon trains of old. this works best with vertical wall tents of the cabin styles like the Copper Canyon 12 or the Coleman Instant 8. Figure also gear for each camper unless they are on a cot each person will have gear that takes up sleeping space so figure 1 extra space for 3 persons is needed so a four man tent actually comfortably sleeps three, an eight man sleeps 6 and so on.
Personally as having been there done that thousands of times as a scoutmaster, The Coleman Tent family has the best reputation for staying dry in and not breaking the bank, so I highly recommend them.
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-14x10-Foot-Person-Instant/dp/B003QUT9OE/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1360109250&sr=8-7&keywords=12+man+tent
How much money do you have, how big do you need to go?
http://armytents.com/tents/tent-tmpr.html
As far as managing a group several smaller tents would be more suitable, you can arrange the tents around a central canopy for example like the circling of the wagon trains of old. this works best with vertical wall tents of the cabin styles like the Copper Canyon 12 or the Coleman Instant 8. Figure also gear for each camper unless they are on a cot each person will have gear that takes up sleeping space so figure 1 extra space for 3 persons is needed so a four man tent actually comfortably sleeps three, an eight man sleeps 6 and so on.
Personally as having been there done that thousands of times as a scoutmaster, The Coleman Tent family has the best reputation for staying dry in and not breaking the bank, so I highly recommend them.
http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-14x10-Foot-Person-Instant/dp/B003QUT9OE/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1360109250&sr=8-7&keywords=12+man+tent
What are good ways to relieve stress while preparing for a camping trip?
Star
Me and my husband go camping three to four times during the summer. I always seem to get really stressed out right before the trip. There is just some much to do, packing, cooking, etc. The stress seems to put a negative spin on the trip. It takes me a while to relax once we get out there. I'm looking for any tips that might make getting ready to go camping easier and less stressful.
Answer
Store as much as you can already packed. We keep 2 'camping tubs' ready to go- one for the kitchen, one for everything else (tarps, stakes, lantern, ax, games, rope, spare toiletries, etc.. Everything was washed after last use, and packed so it does not get smelly or nasty between uses. Some is in plastic bags, some wrapped in paper, etc. Checklists lay on the top of the stuff ready for a quick review. The checklists note the things that might have an expiration date, and what we need to add- like food.
The tent, sleeping bags, etc. are stored in loose pillowcases between trips, and go into their own duffel bags when it is time to go.
Streamline personal stuff. Each person has 2 duffel bags- one holds their sleeping bag, sheet, sleeping mat, and a small camping pillow, all pre-packed except for the bag itself as above.
The other bag has their camping toiletry kit (which includes some bug and sun juice and everything they need for showering, etc. We no longer 'share' kits for logistic reasons!), their camping 'pocket kit' (whistle, knife, lighter, first aid, pocket flashlight, cordage, etc.), towel, shower/camp flip-flops, etc. When it is time to go, they add their clothing and any book, etc. they want to bring.
Streamline cooking. For a weekend, figure on cooking one BIG meal- Saturday breakfast, lunch, or dinner depending on your plans, Everything else is as pre-packed and ready to eat as possible. Breakfasts of Pop-tarts and cereal, or oatmeal. Lunches of 'just add hot water' soups and quicky sandwiches, or maybe just various kinds of trail bars. Utensil-less or minimal utensil cooking is also fun- kabobs, hot dogs on a stick, etc.
Simplify. Camping is supposed to be fun and a chance to get AWAY from stress, TVs, electronics, etc. What can you leave behind? What have you never used? What can be made smaller or easier?
Pack as you close. On he last day, take the time to clean things and put them away right. Try hard to put them away NOW, so they can stay there and be ready for next time instead of the traditional 'pack it dirty, chuck it somewhere, hunt it, clean it, repack it' method most people use.
Speaking of pre-packing- what foods can you pre-pack? Potato flakes, rice, biscuit mix, soup and gravy mixes, seasonings, drink mixes, pasta, etc. can all be stored easily for several months. Condiment packets can be collected and used on campouts easily. Aim to carry stuff to make emergency meals with, or stuff to enhance other meals. You don't need to carry it all, but having it available is sure handy!
We can decide to camp on a Thursday evening, and all we need to do to leave on Friday after work is to throw some clothes in a duffel, grab the binoculars and maps, put the tent in the tent bag, and toss the tubs and duffels in the car. Grab some groceries after work, pack the cooler, and off we go.
When we get home, the tent and sleeping bags go in their storage bags to finish airing out (or get washed if needed), the tubs and duffels go back on the shelf, dirty clothes to the wash, non-storable food to the fridge or whatever, take a shower and we are done.
Store as much as you can already packed. We keep 2 'camping tubs' ready to go- one for the kitchen, one for everything else (tarps, stakes, lantern, ax, games, rope, spare toiletries, etc.. Everything was washed after last use, and packed so it does not get smelly or nasty between uses. Some is in plastic bags, some wrapped in paper, etc. Checklists lay on the top of the stuff ready for a quick review. The checklists note the things that might have an expiration date, and what we need to add- like food.
The tent, sleeping bags, etc. are stored in loose pillowcases between trips, and go into their own duffel bags when it is time to go.
Streamline personal stuff. Each person has 2 duffel bags- one holds their sleeping bag, sheet, sleeping mat, and a small camping pillow, all pre-packed except for the bag itself as above.
The other bag has their camping toiletry kit (which includes some bug and sun juice and everything they need for showering, etc. We no longer 'share' kits for logistic reasons!), their camping 'pocket kit' (whistle, knife, lighter, first aid, pocket flashlight, cordage, etc.), towel, shower/camp flip-flops, etc. When it is time to go, they add their clothing and any book, etc. they want to bring.
Streamline cooking. For a weekend, figure on cooking one BIG meal- Saturday breakfast, lunch, or dinner depending on your plans, Everything else is as pre-packed and ready to eat as possible. Breakfasts of Pop-tarts and cereal, or oatmeal. Lunches of 'just add hot water' soups and quicky sandwiches, or maybe just various kinds of trail bars. Utensil-less or minimal utensil cooking is also fun- kabobs, hot dogs on a stick, etc.
Simplify. Camping is supposed to be fun and a chance to get AWAY from stress, TVs, electronics, etc. What can you leave behind? What have you never used? What can be made smaller or easier?
Pack as you close. On he last day, take the time to clean things and put them away right. Try hard to put them away NOW, so they can stay there and be ready for next time instead of the traditional 'pack it dirty, chuck it somewhere, hunt it, clean it, repack it' method most people use.
Speaking of pre-packing- what foods can you pre-pack? Potato flakes, rice, biscuit mix, soup and gravy mixes, seasonings, drink mixes, pasta, etc. can all be stored easily for several months. Condiment packets can be collected and used on campouts easily. Aim to carry stuff to make emergency meals with, or stuff to enhance other meals. You don't need to carry it all, but having it available is sure handy!
We can decide to camp on a Thursday evening, and all we need to do to leave on Friday after work is to throw some clothes in a duffel, grab the binoculars and maps, put the tent in the tent bag, and toss the tubs and duffels in the car. Grab some groceries after work, pack the cooler, and off we go.
When we get home, the tent and sleeping bags go in their storage bags to finish airing out (or get washed if needed), the tubs and duffels go back on the shelf, dirty clothes to the wash, non-storable food to the fridge or whatever, take a shower and we are done.
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