Tiger
Wolf
Bear
Webelos
Scrapbook
Tiger's Lair
Scout House
Calendar
Rel. Emblems
Leaders
Library
· Tiger Helps
· Wolf Helps
· Bear Helps
· Webelos Helps
Links
![[ Guest Book ]](images/guestbook.gif)
![[ E-mail ]](images/mailPost.gif){kind=small}
![[ This month's Boys' Life ]](http://media.scouting.org/boyslife/current/cover-sm.jpg)
![[ This month's Scouting ]](http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/issues/current/cover.jpg)
![[ BSA Legal Issues ]](http://www.bsalegal.org/images/bsa_square.gif)
(Last updated: Oct. 5, 2007)
| For first-time campers -- try to borrow, not buy, a tent. My guess is that you have family members or neighbors who have almost-new tents stored in their attics. Once you know camping is for you, you can purchase a tent for the spring campout. |
| Remember -- the bigger the tent you bring, the more complicated it will be and the longer it will take to set up. A modern two-man tent can be erected in 15 minutes or less. The family tents you'll see can take an hour or more. |
| Very Important -- set up your tent at home to learn how it goes together a week or two before the campout! As an example and to my chagrin, the Swanson's mammoth family tent is quite difficult to put together. When attempting to erect the new tent, I had to go to the manufacturer's website for the special instructions not included with the tent. Luckily, I had followed my own advice and was at home for the learning experience. Besides, your children will love practicing for the campout. |
| Purchase a ground cover/tarp to go under the tent -- even if it has a floor. This will protect the tent from getting wet, dirty, or ripped. If it looks like rain, make sure the ground cover is tucked under the tent on all sides. If the ground cover is exposed in a rain storm, water will flow between the tent floor and the tarp, leaving a pool of water right in the middle of your tent floor. Just imagine a leaky water bed. |
| Many modern tents come in two parts -- the basic tent and a "rain tarp." The rain tarp is an integral part of the tent. Even if it is not going to rain, do not leave the rain tarp off. A couple of years ago, a nameless SVDP dad left the rain tarp off his new tent. At 4:00 AM, his son and he woke up soaked by the dew and condensation. Thinking quickly, he threw the tent and equipment in the car and drove straight home. |
| On Sunday, don't pack your tent until it is dry. If you need to get home in a hurry, just throw the loosely bundled tent in the back of the car. At home, spread it out in the yard until dry. If you pack the tent up tightly when it is wet, you will have a significant mildew or mold problem when you open it five months from now on the next campout. |
| Attempt to take off your shoes and boots before you enter the tent. You'll be surprised how quick your tent floor can get dirty. On the same note, try to keep your children from playing in the tents -- tell them it is only for resting and sleeping. |
|
Pat Swanson Cubmaster, 2007-date |
Home - Tiger - Wolf - Bear - Webelos - Scrapbook - Tiger's Lair
Scout House - Calendar - Rel. Emblems - Leaders - Library - Links
Please sign Pack 505's guest book
Sam Houston Area Council B.S.A. Pack 505
URL - http://www.stvincentscouts.org/p505/tenttips.htm
Questions or comments regarding this page should be addressed to
the webmaster