| So you've decided to brave the great outdoors | | | | headroom as the cabin style. Both family tents |
| and embark on a family camping trip. One of the | | | | usually come with a zip-down divider which will |
| most important decisions you have to make is | | | | give some privacy. Or you can leave the divider |
| what type of family tent to buy. While at first it | | | | up and have one large, common sleeping place. |
| may seem like an expensive undertaking, it will be | | | | Dome family tents are simpler in design to set up. |
| one that will pay for itself over and over again for | | | | They also travel easier-the stakes and tent can |
| years to come. Just think what decent hotel | | | | fit into one backpack for easy hiking. Dome tents |
| rooms cost per night for a family of five! When | | | | are preferable in areas where you may expect |
| searching for the perfect camping tent, there are | | | | high winds, since the shape stands up better and |
| a few important things to keep in mind before | | | | you run less of risk of collapsing due to the |
| making your final purchase. | | | | conditions. |
| Camping tent manufacturers often overestimate | | | | Cabin family tents require a bit more practice |
| the number of people who can fit comfortably in | | | | setting up and, their shape may make them more |
| a tent. As a rule of thumb, always add one or | | | | prone to collapse. Cabin tents also require more |
| two people to your estimate when buying a tent | | | | effort to pack. Usually the poles are in one bag, |
| for your family. If you plan on camping with two | | | | while the tent itself is another. Remember though, |
| adults and three children, look for a family tent | | | | cabin tents usually provide more room and much |
| that can sleep seven or more people. | | | | more "walking space" inside. |
| Quality tents come in two basic categories: three | | | | Both types of tents make excellent |
| season and four season. Most of the time, a | | | | accommodations for family tent camping. |
| three season tent will be enough to suit your | | | | Regardless of what type to family tent you |
| needs. Three season tents can handle the most | | | | decide to purchase, always remember to have |
| likely weather conditions you will encounter. They | | | | some type of ground cloth underneath the |
| are designed to keep you comfortable in the | | | | bottom of your tent. It will keep the inside of the |
| warm summer months with ample ventilation as | | | | tent drier and will protect it from any jagged |
| well as during a light snowfall. Four season tents | | | | edges from rocks or branches. A painter's tarp is |
| are designed for the cold and heavy snowfall and | | | | cheap and effective ground cloth that will protect |
| don't have the ventilation of a three season tent. | | | | your tent for many years to come. |
| There are three season family tents that are | | | | Two last things to keep in mind. Always practice |
| designed to be convertible into four season tents, | | | | putting your family camping tent together in your |
| but they are usually more expensive. If your | | | | backyard before your trip. You don't want to be |
| camping plans don't include trips in rough weather | | | | caught in the middle of nowhere with a tent that |
| conditions, it's probably not worth the extra cost. | | | | can't be raised. Also, spend a couple of dollars on |
| You also need to decide which family tent shape | | | | some extra spikes. They can break from damage |
| works best for you. The two most common | | | | or be misplaced during your trip. |
| designs are cabin and dome tents. A cabin tent | | | | So take a few minutes to do your homework |
| resembles the shape of a house or cabin. They | | | | and decide what best suits your families needs |
| are usually roomier and will allow an average-sized | | | | when buying your next family tent Most |
| adult to stand up inside the tent. A dome is more | | | | importantly, HAVE FUN and camp safely! |
| igloo-shaped and generally don't have the same | | | | |