Still Dreaming of a pop up but need tent advice!!

[FourCampers]

Hello Everyone,
We are still looking for that pop up that is meant for us but until then we are still camping.  We have borrowed our in-laws class c (before they sold it) we have rented cabins and have tent camped a few times.  We really enjoy tent camping so we know that the pop up is the way to go for us.  Until then, does anyone have any advice or direct us to a good website on tent camping?  We have 2 kids, 12 yrs and 5 yrs, and so far have only stayed at SP sites with water and electric.  Next weekend we will be at a National Park with no water or electric.  I love this site and all of the great info and didn't know if anyone could "remember when" before you had campers and maybe did some tent camping!!  :-)

Thx!!  FourCampers

[treephiz]

this is my expirience.  Tarps, Tarps, Tarps.  If mommy and the kids are wet the trip is a bust.  everything else is minor.

[Camp&Fish]

I don't have a good tent camping website, but here are a few things I've learned over the years.  Most of my camping is done in areas without water or electric.

1)  If it's cold, plan on it being 15 degrees colder than forecast.  When you're outside full-time, it feels colder than what you remember at home.  So, pack more warm clothes than you think you'll need and pack plenty to stay warm while sleeping.

2)  If  it's warm, especially at night, be sure you can get some air moving around you.  If it's breezy and no rain in sight, open up the tent and let the air flow through.  If it's calm or the rain fly needs to stay on, take a small battery powered fan.  I can't sleep when it's hot and still.

3)  The collapsible canopies (get the wind walls, too) are money well spent to help get out of the sun, wind and rain.  My favorite are the First Up brand, found at Wal-Mart.  We even use them in the winter by putting the walls up and placing a large propane heater inside.  It's easily 10 degrees warmer inside and being out of the wind helps a lot, too.

4)  For water to use for general use like washing dishes, washing hands, brushing teeth, etc, buy the 2.5 gallon containers at the store.  You know, the ones with the handle on top and the spout on the bottom.  Just remember to take a knife with you so you can punch a hole in the top for venting.  Without it, the flow is slow and it gurgles all the time.

5)  Air mattresses are worth it.

That's all I can think of for now.  My tent camping experience went way up since I bought two First Up canopies.  They're much easier to set up than attempting to strap tarps up between trees.  I can't believe I waited so long.

[IMakeItRain]

I found camping is camping.  I tented for years before I found my starter pop-up.  Most of the items I accumulated for tenting are used in my pop-up.  For supplies to bring, check out the checklists located in this forum.

1.  Keep everyone dry.
2.  Comfort - air matresses and air pumps (I still use a manual).
3.  Tents fill up fast with items and end up on the side of the tent.  I use tubs (18"x18"x24") for storing supplies (mess kits, silverware, pots pans etc).  These now reside under the popup slideout and still contains all the same stuff.  1 is for cooking supplies and another for the assorted things (rope, clothespins, lamps...)
4.  A small rug to help keep the dirt out of the tent.
5.  A good sense of humor...I still have not identified all the critters that have walked through my camp.  :confused: