Tent Camping and Equipment

Many good cyclists love the idea of taking the whole family camping by bike. Certainly you can’t beat the savings that can be achieved this way.

Camping is considered a cheaper alternative to many other travel options. But as many new campers realized, the costs of purchasing new camping equipment add up and may not be as cheap as we would like.

Not all tents were created equal. Some tents could use some help in the waterproofing deparment. That is where waterproofing products such as KIWI Camp Dry come in. Silicon protects gear from getting soaked while maintaining breathability.

Just spray your tent/gear with the waterproofing spray and wait 1 hour. Repeat. Then let cure for 48 hours.

Are you a gadget guy or gal? Myself, I am always on the lookout for some new and cool stuff. Even if I don’t buy it all, it is good to keep up with what is new out there.

Almost every campsite I have ever been to had a picnic table. It is great for the weekend trips and meals. You can even put it inside of your screen house for the protection from the elements and mosquitoes. But for sitting around the campfire and going to the beach you will need a folding chair.

My worst memories about tent camping are related to sleeping on a lousy air mattress.  Waking up with an aching back can ruin your whole camping experience, don’t you think?

Tents come in quite a few shapes and sizes. Some are dome shaped and some have an A-shape, some are more house-like shaped and some are a combination. Some tents, especially the larger and taller ones, use aluminum poles and outside ropes and stakes to support them. The dome tents tend to be stand alone structures, supported by flexible poles connected by stretchable cord running inside them.

In general there are two types of sleeping bags when it comes to their shape: rectangular and a mummy. Rectangular is your regular sleeping bag while the mummy is contoured to the body shape and has a hood. As you may have guessed the mummy is for colder weather and more severe conditions. If you are planning winter camping, fall camping in a colder climate or some mountain climbing then you should invest in one of those.

Back in our tent camping days we visited a wonderful park of Awenda, right on the shores of Georgian Bay. The sun was shining and the forecast predicted a weekend of beach weather. Just what I like.

In the early days of camping, the only light source available was either candles or kerosene powered lanterns. They did the job, but did not illuminate the campsite enough for cooking, and it was virtually impossible to read.

Before I go into tips for tent buying, let me say this: If you aren't avid campers, and only find yourselves heading back to nature once or twice a year, don't purchase a tent! You can rent camping equipment, or borrow from family and friends for those occasions you camp. I only suggest buying camping materials (any really) if you go more than four times a year. Any less, and you are hogging up space, and wasting money.

Whether your next camping trip is one for adults or you are bringing the kids along, there are some tips that you need to know so that you can make the most out of your excursion. So let’s get right to it.

So you want to go camping, but you've got a little person to consider? Don't sweat it.

If you've got vacation time coming up, but can't afford to rent that beach front property you've been swooning after, think more simply. You can still go away and have a blast, and your bank account won't cringe in horror. If you've been camping before, good for you! These money saving tips will be something you can store away for the future...if you haven't, seriously consider it.

How to Prepare for a New Camping Season

We have been discussing GIANT RVs, fancy motor-homes, and BIG BUCK TOYS. What about the poor guy roughing it in a tiny tent?

Here are a few tips to help you along the way.