Family camping tent selection is very important. You want the best tent to serve the needs of you and your whole family so that they are safe, comfortable, and will enjoy the camping vacation as your home away from home

There are several parents who will say the most memorable part of their childhood was their family camping vacations. Whether the camp out happened in the backyard or one week vacation at their favourite camping site, camping is near and dear to a many peoples’ hearts. It makes sense that as those kids grew up and started families of their own that they would like to continue the tradition and take their own kids to an exciting camping trips also. Of course to make this dream come true, the most important piece of equipment is definitely the family camping tent. These tents have changed over the years into real paradises of home like comfort.

Family camping tents are now available in a big selection of styles, sizes, and colours. Almost every version could be found to accommodate the family’s size and needs. With the advancement of technology, family camping tents are created better than ever and are constructed of the best durable and weatherproof materials. While it might not be the optimal experience to camp in bad weather, these tents help to ensure that it does not have to be a bad thing either. There are certain criteria to remember when shopping  for the perfect tent for your family.

It is important to get one of the best made family camping tents on the market before considering style. When you locate a tent that might be the one, check online message boards for honest reviews of the products performance. There are many websites designed to provide consumer opinions. Check your local sporting goods store to see the tent up close and personal. Have a good look at the zippers, fastenings, and how easy or difficult the tent is to assemble.This is the time to check the type of material used in its construction and quality of the attachments.A good family camping tent should be made to last a very long time and hold up to the conditions of the great outdoors.

Once you have locate the family camping tents you like, scale down your selection according to your personal preferences. Many family camping tents are large one room design, while others are equipped with a tunnel between two rooms that kids find a lot of fun. Also consider the size and space available in the car that will be used for camping vacationsSeveral models are made to be compact and space saving for smaller automobiles and vans.

Family camping vacations are a great experience. Be sure to be properly prepared with a high quality family camping tent.

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Camping means different things to different people. For some, it is going out with a camper and practically all of the comforts of home. For others, it is backpacking into the mountains and sleeping in the open elements with nothing over your head but the stars. It could even mean foraging for your food (hopefully you’ll come across a good trout stream!). My definition of camping falls on the more comfortable side of the two, loving the camping experience, but needing to have some basic comforts also.This article will give you a few tips that you can use no matter what kind of camping you enjoy!

Starting With A Plan

A great camping trip starts with a great plan! Planning out your camping trip will help you be prepared and build excitement way before time to head to the hills (or the beach!). Make sure that you include the whole family and let everyone have a part in deciding what you’ll need to bring to make this a great adventure and a pleasurable experience. Camping with your family is a great way to build a closer relationship between parents and kids. Good quality time spent without the distraction of the TV, computer and video games can make for some great memories and shared experiences that will be remembered for years to come. You’ll experience quality time for everyone involved.

Deciding Where To Camp

One of the first things you will want to decide is where you are going to camp. Do you prefer “roughing it”? This means no electrical hookups, no camp host or camp store, and bathroom facilities means “the woods”! For most campers, I would recommend an established campground. State Parks provide some of the best campgrounds available and they are usually very well maintained and reasonably priced. You will have the security of knowing that they have done their best to keep the area maintained and as safe as possible. In choosing the campground, you will also want to look into what kind of activities, if any, they offer or are offered in the nearby vicinity. I would recommend you pick up a good campground directory such as Woodalls campground guide and directory to help you decide where to camp.

Selecting Your Gear

Once you’ve found the perfect location, you will then want to begin to plan what to take with you. Will you be camping in a tent, “pop-up” type trailer or possibly an RV? Shop around; see what is offered and what will work the best for you and your family. Be sure you include everyone in this decision. It makes for some great excitement and will have everyone looking forward to the first time you try out that new tent or camper. Also, if everyone has a part in this decision it limits the number of complaints that you may hear about later on! Do you plan on using a sleeping bag? Remember that an adult size sleeping bag, does not necessarily mean one size fits all! If you will be tent camping, another thing to consider is having a mattresses or foam padding under the sleeping bags. Foam padding usually folds up to a compact size and is much easier on the back than sleeping right on the floor of the tent. It just might be worth the extra trouble to pack it along to insure a good nights sleep! I would also recommend a large battery operated lamp for your tent. Another great idea is for everyone to have their own flashlight, in case any get separated from other members of the family during trips to and from the bathroom facilities (or woods!).

Use A Camping Checklist

A camping check list makes every trip much more enjoyable in several ways. First, the whole family gets involved together in creating your camping check list. Making out your check list long before the trip is kind of like starting your vacation early. It builds up the excitement and anticipation when everyone begins to think of items they want and need to bring. Second, check lists help you organize and pack your camping gear. The check list reminds you what to bring, and where to pack it. Third, check lists help you remember to take everything with you. No one likes to get to camp and find out they forgot some important item (even though you will probably will forget something!). Fourth, check lists help you remember what NOT to bring next time. This is important, because each trip is a little different, so make notes on your check list about what camping gear you used, what you didn’t and what you wish you had taken. This lets you plan to make your next camping trip even better.

Planning Out Your Meals

Food is another important factor. You need to consider what you will be taking for food and what you will need in way of storage for it, such as an ice chest, etc. Most camping areas have a cooking area. Do you want to bring your own grill or use the outside cookers which may mean waiting your turn? Don’t forget to take the can opener if the food that you are taking with you will require one. Don’t forget cooking and eating utensils. Remember, you don’t have to wash paper plates and plastic cups! If you decide to use these type items be sure you dispose of them properly and don’t leave your trash for someone else to pick up! Meals that can be cooked at home ahead of time, and travel well in a cooler, will save a lot of time especially on the first night of your trip. Precooked meats will last longer in the cooler than raw meats, especially if you use block ice in your cooler. It will last much longer than cubes. If you’re an ice cream lover, nothing is better than home made ice cream on a camping trip. Depending on where you’ll be camping, you can bring along your electric ice cream maker or your “old fashioned” hand crank ice cream churn. Of course you’ll want to make sure you have access to a local store that has ice! If you’re in an area inhabited by bears, special precautions must be taken with both your food and garbage. if you’re in an established campground, place your food in the special bear-proof receptacles at night. If you leave food in your vehicle, a hungry bear will find a way to get inside it, and he doesn’t care what kind of damage he does to your vehicle! It’s always a good idea to talk with the local Park Ranger about wildlife in your campground area.

What About Your Drinking Water?

The water around organized campgrounds is probably safe. Their water is usually privately treated or it is supplied by a near by city treatment plant. The water from lakes, springs, rivers and streams however, is untreated and can carry a lot of bacteria, viruses, and other things that can cause illness. Water that runs rapidly over gravel, rocks, and plant life appears clean and limpid, but this is no guarantee it is safe for you. Your best bet to ensure you and your family’s safety is to always treat any water obtained from unfamiliar sources, such as all the sources mentioned above. It is not that hard to do and it takes so little time. There are many different ways to treat water, but boiling water is probably the most common method used. It is best to boil it for more than 10 minutes at a steady boil. If you are camping in a wilderness type area where treated water is not available, then be sure to bring your own. Don’t forget to add that to your checklist!

Clothing Considerations

Bring extra clothing along. If the weather is different than you had planned on, then you’ll be glad you did. Don’t forget a first aid kit for any unfortunate minor injuries. Bring activities that can be enjoyed inside the tent as well as those for outside, such as books, games, etc., in case inclement weather makes you want to be inside. Plan for everything that could go wrong, and then be grateful and glad when all goes well. And finally, one last important item…..a camera to capture those memories!

Make it a family adventure that all will enjoy and possibly want to repeat another time. Above all, have a fun-filled family camping experience!

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With the skyrocketing prices of gas and food, many families simply cannot afford to hop on a plane and head to an exotic locale for their yearly family vacation anymore. However, don’t let the economic downturn ruin your plans to have a family vacation this year. One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to have a family vacation on a budget is to go camping.

There are a variety of campgrounds across the US so you don’t have to go very far to enjoy a unique camping adventure. Because you won’t have to travel a long way, you will save on gas and thus help to preserve our environment. For an eco-friendly vacation that is equally friendly on your pocket book, go camping for your next family vacation. Whether you want to head to a campground in an RV, stay in a cabin, or pitch a tent, there are numerous activities you and your family can enjoy in the wild.

Activities Families Can Enjoy on a Camping Trip

When you go camping there are activities appropriate for family members of all ages. Some common activities associated with camping include: golfing, hunting, fishing, canoeing, swimming, kayaking, biking, river rafting, hiking, caving, and bathing in hot springs. Many campgrounds also have activities especially for children. Whether you want to relax and read a book by the waterside or enjoy adventurous activities and get some exercise, you’ll find plenty of activities to keep you entertained on a camping trip. Also, don’t forget the classic camping activities such as telling stories around the campfire and making s’mores.

Accommodation Options

If you’d like to enjoy the conveniences you have back at home on your camping trip, consider renting a cabin or traveling in an RV. Approximately seven million Americans now own RVs, making them a popular vacation option. Camping out in an RV or staying in a cabin is certainly a more comfortable option but if you are on a tight budget, consider pitching a tent. All you need to go tent camping are tents, sleeping bags, and other basic supplies.

If you have never been tent camping and you have young children, consider trying it out for a night in your own backyard first to get everyone used to it.

Food on a Camping Trip

When you go camping, one of the areas you save the most money in is food. You typically won’t spend any more money than you would if you stayed at home. If you have an RV you can prepare all of your food in its kitchenette but if you are traveling by car, you may need to take a camping stove and other supplies with you, depending on what facilities are available at your campground. It’s a good idea to take all of the food you think you’ll need so you don’t have to spend your vacation at the super market. Plus there may not be much available near your campground.

In conclusion, it’s possible to have a fun-filled family vacation without breaking the bank. There’s no need to travel halfway across the world to give your family a vacation to remember when you can take a local camping trip and have a blast. Go to a campground close to natural attractions so you can enjoy all that nature has to offer while saving money on food, activities, and accommodations.

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Having an RV, lets the family visit and experience the countryside in there own backyard or if they more adventure and the time, travelling around the country.

With an RV a whole week can be spent at the beach for just what one night in a hotel would cost a family. And with packing their own food, they can have good healthy meals, that one has trouble finding in restaurants or fast food chains. The cooking can be done either inside, when weather isn’t cooperating or outside when the weather is bright and sunny. The children enjoy cooking over the fire or even barbequing their favourite hotdogs or hamburgers.

Having your own home away from home can bring a family closer. Working together to setup the campsite and cooking meals together is a great way for a family to become closer. The living outdoors during the days, swimming, playing or just laying around the campsite is good for the body, mind and soul. With an RV families can visit the National Parks and connected with nature.

RV’s are great because you have your own bed to sleep in every night along with your bathroom facilities. RV’s provide more comfort, than sleeping in a tent. If the weather isn’t cooperating with your day, the family has a warm, dry place to go to watch TV, or play games or just relax and read a good book.

Having an RV, the family becomes very flexible. You can stay or go onto the next place that interests the family. There are always numerous places that offer the type of camping your family is looking for. If they want swimming, either in a pool or a lake. There is always a campground near. If they want hiking and communing more with nature, there are plentiful campgrounds situated around these areas to offer what the family is seeking,

If you want you can join an RV travel club. These clubs give the RV’er a discount on campsites around the country, Canada and the United States included.. This is especially a great way for those that are Retired and are living on a fixed income to travel the country.

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www.campingequipmentco.com. At The Camping Equipment Company we offer a wide variety of large family camping tents. These 6 person tents, while in different shapes and styles, all have one thing in common quality. We pride ourselves in providing the most innovative and affordable camping tents to families worldwide.

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Quick overview of a Huge Bass Pro Shops Family tent for our craigslist ad. This is the biggest one we have built ! Need a tent? Find our latest tents on Craigslist at austin.craigslist.org Search for “backpacking tent” or “camping tent” or “family tent” . We do accept PayPal, Thanks!

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Camping out has always been a very popular recreation, particularly with family groups since there is nothing better to build close family relationships than a good camping getaway. Going camping has these days become a lot more popular in today’s economic crisis because it is an economical option for a vacation. You won’t have to pay a lot of money in resort or hotel room charges and you can help save even more by cooking your own food. A lot of camping areas have their own recreational facilities plus some even supply night-life for free or with a small charge.

The greatest cost when you first go camping is buying the tent. This is the most important piece of camping equipment. If there are two of you a 3 man tent is an excellent size since you’ll have more space for a lot of your other supplies as well as clothes. Another good size tent is the 6 person tent, which will typically have 3 separate compartments. This is ideal for a family group of four because the parents can sleep in one inner compartment and each one of the kids have a distinct inner compartment of their own without being too much away from their parents. When you have a huge family unit or party of people going on a trip together, then big tents with lots of individual areas can be purchased. You can get 10, 12 and 14 man tents, and the big tents may have five to seven chambers.

One of the latest designs in tents is the tunnel tent as suggested by its name is shaped like a tunnel with the entrance either in the end or in the middle. The bigger tunnel tents have separate tunnels off from the primary tunnel which can be individual rooms. Normally 3 man, 4 man and 6 man tunnel tents have the entrance on one side and have an area off both sides and opposite the entrance for the 6 man tent. Greater volume tunnel tents including 8,10 and 12 man tents have smaller tunnels or compartments off the main tunnel. A different style is the dome tent which is in a dome shape of different sizes with the dome separated into compartments. A good brand of dome tent is Wenzel tents.

Cabin tents have always been a popular family tent because they were the earliest kind of tent to possess separate chambers plus a living/dining space. The cabin tent is perfect for family trips as every family member can have their own area. The cabin tent has a main entrance way that leads right into a living area and is then sub-divided into separate chambers with dividers. Cabin tents are usually a six person tent at least but can go right up to 12 to 14 person tents for larger families or parties.

Another necessary bit of camping equipment is sleeping-bags. These come in various shapes and sizes. You may get double sleeping bags for couples and even specific girls sleeping bags which are a great pink color or boys sleeping bags with their favorite football team on it; a well-known make is Coleman sleeping bags. A superb piece of advice is to buy sleeping bag liners and camping mats. These will assist to maintain your sleeping bag in good condition and also keep going longer. You will also want either a sleeping mat or camp cot for additional comfort and also to keep you protected from the terrain.

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When travel and lodging are cost prohibitive, you can still have a vacation right at home. Yes, in your own backyard. Many of us live within reasonable distance to museums, campgrounds, historic sites, and beautiful state parks. You might be surprised at what you find in your own local area.

Do some research in your area to find free or low cost activities and sites to visit. Schedule something for each day of the week, even if it’s just a park visit for a picnic. Some areas have local public beaches. Plan an outing at a local public beach. Visit historical sites. Many of these are free, educational, and fun for parents and kids.

You can even plan activities at home just as if you were at an exotic vacation spot. Have a different theme for each day. For example:

1. Beach day – sun tanning, volley ball, make some fancy icy drinks to sip on in the sun, have a picnic.

2. Camp day – stay in a tent or sleeping bags under the stars, build a little fire if allowed in your area, roast marshmallows, make smores, sing campfire songs.

3. Have a backyard fair – create booths with games like ring toss or balloon popping to win little prizes.

4. Colonial day – dress, and live in another era!. This is great fun. I thought of this one purely by accident when the electricity went out one day. The kids expressed how “neat’ it was to live like they did in the “old days.” No lighting except candles and lanterns, no T.V. or radio, no video games or computer. Sounds boring, but believe it or not, they had fun coming up with ideas to keep occupied. A good teaching tool too! Shhhhhhhh….. don’t tell the kids.

5. Cultural Day – Live, celebrate, dress, and eat as you learn about different cultures. Some examples might include an Irish, Native American, or Spanish Day. Another great learning experience. Try to include some ethnic games to make it even more fun and interesting.

These “theme days” at home will take some imagination and a little work, but will be loads of fun for everyone. Half the fun will be in the creation, so let everyone pitch in. With a little imagination and creativity you can have a wonderful vacation right in your own backyard. You may even have more fun than actually being in another part of the world!

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Dalhart, Texas. A small town near the famous XIT Ranch, it acts as both the site of the annual XIT Rodeo and Reunion, and serves as a stopping point for people on their way to the Rocky Mountains for some fun in the summer, as well as people on cross-country driving trips. RV camping there is easy as pie if you follow some common sense rules of RVing.

When planning your trip through or to Dalhart, decide how long you will be staying. If you are only going to be passing through one night, setting up a good parking space at the Dalhart Wal-mart may be the easiest (and cheapest) solution. But if that’s not your style, or you are bringing the family down for some vacation time, setting up in one of the 3 RV sites available in Dalhart is usually a simple matter. Look for RV spots in El Highway 54, the Corral, or Sunset Village campgrounds. If you know when you will be in town, reservations are always a good idea, especially if you are driving into town for the XIT Rodeo.

XIT Rodeo and Reunion

The XIT Rodeo and Reunion is probably the single biggest scheduled event in the town. It is named after the 3,000,000 acre XIT Ranch which was awarded to the men who built the state capitol building. The XIT Rodeo is a distinctly and uniquely Texan event. The Rodeo lasts for two weeks, and includes everything you would expect at a rodeo. Some of the top riders in the nation come to compete in this event, and you will be blown away by what these top riders can do. Event schedules are available every year before the rodeo, and are accessible vie the World Wide Web.

And for those who love history, the XIT museum has several exhibits that explore the history of the XIT Ranch. There are period rooms including a wedding chapel, and exhibits that examine the firearms and branding equipment used by the ranch hands. All this is definitely worth a visit.

So if you are at a loss for your next RV camping destination, consider going to Dalhart. The small town atmosphere is relaxing, the scenery is beautiful, and the Rodeo is an event that must be seen to be believed. You and your family will have a great time RV camping in Dalhart!

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When searching for a good family tent for your next excursion consider the Jeep Family dome tent.  If you’ve ever suffered in the wilderness in a poorly designed tent you will not want to be making the same mistake again. What plans will you be exploring with regards to your tent purchase? The Jeep two room eight person Cabin Tent is the solution to all the tent problems for your large family or group. This camp season you can avoid all the tent ills you may have had in the past by choosing the Jeep Family dome tent. 

With the Jeep Family dome tent, you can take along your entire family, and if your family is small you may even take your close friends. The Jeep Family dome tent is extremely spacious and comfortable. The tent has space for up to eight people easily and comfortably.  And the tent is constructed to have two large rooms which can be separated by a room divider. The Jeep dome tent will feel like your own home because of its two large bay windows that make the interior of the tent feel extra spacious, while you extend yourself relaxing. Most tents don’t usually hold up under extreme weather conditions, this is not so with the Jeep Family dome tent. The Jeep Family dome tent was created to successfully resist water entry. The flooring of the Jeep dome tent is sonic-sealed, and designed to prevent any water from entering the tent. Moreover the floors are welded and not sewn like other weaker modeled dome tents. You can forget about stitching floors or using your grandmother’s needles, these floors are welded. The Jeep dome tent continues to display water-resistant qualities in that it is built with a sturdy rainfly that provides superior waterproofing. To add to your protection, the strong sturdy rainfly of the Jeep Dome Tent can be used as a standalone awning on warmer than usual days, or as a protection against mild showers, when you are having meals outside of your tent.  

When it comes to storage, again the Jeep family dome tent outdoes the other models of tents.  This is because it offers ample storage compartments namely, two front storage areas and two overhead gear lofts for you camping equipment. These storage compartments provide plenty of storage room for securing valuables and important camping gear among other things. The Jeep dome tent makes your attempts to clean easier because it possesses a sweep-out doorsill for easy tidying. In addition, the Jeep family dome tent comes with a large mud mat to be placed at the entrance of the tent, so mud particles can be trapped and easily thrown away. 

The roomy, “home away from home” Jeep dome tent is allow adults over six feet tall to comfortably stand while inside the tent. The Jeep Dome tent is designed uniquely as its has two patented bay style windows for excellent spacing, ventilation and provides an extraordinary view of the nature around your campsite.  The Jeep dome tent is a must have, you are assured stability, durability, spaciousness, just to name a few qualities.

Check the review about this product from Amazon:

Nathan S.,

After hours upon hours of tent searching I arrived at this one but found very few reviews associated with it. I purchased it for my wife and I to go camping for our first anniversary while I was home on leave from Iraq. The first thing that I noticed is that it is a heavy tent! No big deal if you’re driving to the camping spot and unpacking your truck right there but you probably won’t want to be backpacking this thing into your site. Dome tents are designed for more headroom but that adds to the weight factor as well. The tent, the fly, the stakes, and the poles all come in a nice gym bag type carrying case that says jeep on the side. I absolutely LOVE it because the material is strong and will protect your tent while it’s in storage. It has two handles that make it more than easy to transport. The overall weight is between 35 and 40 pounds. My former cheaper tents came in poorly constructed bags that ripped and fell apart over the years. This one’s carrying case is wonderful and will last as long as your tent!

You will find the cheapest dome tents at Amazon.They are currently on sale for 25% off through this link.

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