Just curious, does anyone go camping with tents anymore?

[Angelseyes28]

There is a lake where we use to go camping all the time, that has water and electric at each site which is great if you wanna use a fan or something in the tent at night but the only problem is there is generally a camper at the site next to you so you have to hear their a/c running all night lol. There is another area for tent campers but it doesn't have water or electricity. I don't mind camping in a tent but I don't want rough it lol. Does anyone else still use tents or has everyone converted to campers and rv's?

[captorquewrench]

when i actually get to go......tents

[shelhop]

We use a tent...that's all 7 of us. but I have to admit it, we don't "rough it". We have a huge 3 room cabin tent with all the frills. A living room with carpeting, a television, chairs and a small refrigerator, The kids use blow up mattresses and hubby and I have an actual portable queen size bed. We don't have air conditioning, but if there was a way :rolleyes:
Believe it or not, this year we have added to our camping mecca by purchasing a shower tent and converting it into a bathroom, complete with a chemical toilet and a toilet paper holder.
Camping can be as primitive or as lush as you want it to be. I never thought I'd say I prefer a tent, but set up the way we like it, it's great for all of us. Our usual campground has both a no power or water tents only area, and a power and water tents only area, as well as the busy part where all the RVs and pop ups park.

[justme23]

Oh man... camping with a tent... not since I was a wee little girl. My hubby and a friend of his from work tried to plan a camping trip for this summer somewhere in OK. I nixed that real quick... It's too hot, I can't sleep w/out a fan and I'm not about to tinkle w/ the snakes... and on ya, It's TOO HOT. They were all very upset w/ me... I told them to go w/out me if it was that important. I grew up in the sticks, you'd think I'd deal w/ it for a weekend... but not a chance... I'm 'old' now (as they like to say... I'm only 27).

I hope you guys that do go camping have a great time, tho, I do remember it being fun as a kid... just can't deal w/ the heat and the grass in my toushie no more!

[catssass]

We use a tent, too! But no roughing it for me...LOL Where we camp (near Danbury, Wisc.) they have an indoor pool, lodge with pool tables, TV, game room, a grocery store with take out food like pizza etc. and the best thing, clean HOT showers and nice bathrooms, that is the only thing to make sleeping in a tent worthwhile.....plus there is a casino only 5 miles away!

[Angel Lips]

u havent gone camping, my bf doesnt want to go, but i really want to go, and if i do go i'll use tents also. old fashion ways is the way to go... so is anyone up for a camping trip with me?

[captorquewrench]

sometimes........if the weather is nice........just a sleeping bag in the open.

but i'd never do that with the kids until they are much older and choose to do it.

[Angelseyes28]

sometimes........if the weather is nice........just a sleeping bag in the open.

but i'd never do that with the kids until they are much older and choose to do it.

Could never sleep out in the open unless it was the middle of winter......the mosquitos and such are horrible here.

[Katt]

We have a 3bedroom tent, that also has a screened in room for a table. We always get electric though for the fans and my nebulizer. Where we go, everyone is far enough apart that you can't really hear a/c's or anything like that. BUT, I Have someone wanting us to buy their popup that is REALLY nice, so I've been debating on it. ;)

[heymom]

We just came back from 10 days of traveling. On 7 of those days we used tents. (3) We had a great time. We get sites with electric but only because of sons nebulizer. Other than that it was roughing it. Even cooking over a campfire.
We moved 2-300 miles a day ,so my kids got very good at taking down and setting up the tents quickly. :)
We left home with 9 kids and 2 dogs and came home with 11 kids and 3 dogs. I can't begin to say how much fun we had.

[Army-Mom]

when the kids were small we did use a tent with no electic. but the park we stayed at did have showers and bathrooms ( a must for me) we still have our tent but we havent used it in many many moons..we would like to buy a camper trailer and use that as we both love to camp and fish but since I have r. arthritis and fibro. sleeping on the ground is out for me even with a blow up mattress.
Marcia
we did have some fun camping trips.

[Anthill]

We are the ones that own the RV w/ the Central Air running. SORRY. We park our trailer w/ the slideout in Sea Isle, NJ but on our site, we are thinking of getting a tent. My husband built a screen room where we have a refrig, tv w/ a dvd player, cd/radio player, futon, wicker furniture, kitchen table, micro all the convenience of home. THat is the closest to roughing it for me. When I was younger we had a trailer parked in Avalon, NJ but we did not have a bathroom, we had to use the public showers etc. Now that was Rough for me. I know alot of people love to camp w/ tents, I will drive thru our campground and see all the tenters and think how can they do that??? Especially when it rains it must be awful. BUT they seem to have fun. That's not for me. My husband gets so mad when I tell people that we are camping. he always says this is not camping and I say for me it is

[kelly12569]

We used to camp seasonal in a camper, all summer long. Until we bought this house. Then we sold the camper and now we only camp in tents. We camp in the primitive section. Which means no electricity, etc. There is one campground that we go to (as a matter of fact , going there the week after the 4th) that when we camp in the primitive section they still allow you to walk over to the other section and use the hot showers which makes it nice. We have several tents and we load the pick up full with wood and we love it. Our kids have been camping since they were all babies and they love it as well. Cant wait til our trip here in a few weeks! :D

[Lora_1994]

when we go camping, we rough it. We take tents,sleeping bags to lay on, food for the campfire, marshmallows, fishing poles, cards, and the kids' bikes, plus what we actually need. And we're good to go. We are going again this weekend hopefully. I absolutely LOVE to go camping. Hated it as a kid(dad drank) and when I was with my 2 oldest boys' dad, I loved to go, but HATED going with him(abusive relationship and a WORSE drunk than my dad), but with my husband now, I LOVE going and its always my idea to go. I cant get enough of it. We camp from May or June all the way up until about Sept or so. Usually everyweekend and then 1 good long camping trip through the summer. Usually a week or so.

[Tippytail]

We just got back from tent camping for 5 days at Turner Falls in Oklahoma.

Hubby and I have talked in the past about getting a pop-up but we decided that tent camping is the only way to go for us. Thankfully Pickle agreed. so we went and got a bigger tent...20ft X 10ft

Hearing the wildlife skittering around in the middle of the night or seeing the stars through the screened in window on the top of a tent sure does something good for stress reduction.

Now, if we could just get it to NOT rain everytime we go camping... :rolleyes:

[jcw]

Well we got tired of staying so hot and it always rained on us so we bought a pop up. We always camp where there is showers. Put a portable potty in the pop up, a microwave etc. The air conditioning is really nice. We haven't camped in about 1 1/2 years but I would love to go again real soon.

[feliciac]

Yep, Yep, Yep, Hubby and I use a tent when we go camping. In fact, I have a new tent (and all our other camping equipment) on layaway cause ours got stolen when we went camping at Heber Springs a couple weeks ago. We've been camping probably 3 times in the almost three years we've been together and are going again next weekend (in our new tent, lol). I'd love to go camping in a camper but we just don't have the money for it right now, so we'll camp the old fashioned way for now, lol.

P.S. Hey angelseyes28 you sure are a hard one to get ahold of!!!! :D

[Jolie Rouge]

We always tent camp, what is the point of "getting away from it all" if you bring it all with you ?

Boy, you sure do appreciate the "comforts of home" when you get back :)

[kelly12569]

OHHHH and wanted to pass these "tips" along to you if you plan to camp for more then just a couple days like a week or so this comes in handy....


Rinse out half gallon plastic milk jugs and fill them with water and freeze them. Use them to line the bottom of a LARGE cooler to help with keeping your food cold. They stay frozen longer than ice cubes!

If you have meat that you are not going to be eating the first couple of days, freeze it before you put it in your cooler that way it will thaw gradually in the cooler and not go bad as quickly.

Sometimes we soak our "kinlen" (?) in citronella oil before we put it on the campfire to help keep the skeeters away. My brother and his wife say they can tell a difference when we do this. ;)


Hope that helps! :D

[queenangie]

My family camped when I was a child w/ tents and a pop-up camper that slept 8 comfortably. It was great fun.

First few years of married life, we camped a few times when going canoeing. Camped on a hill, major storm hit, slid down the hill in a mudslide ~ tent & all. That stopped me for a few years.

DS#1 had his first family campout w/ Cub Scouts. That is when we started camping as a family. We have had some great memories of weekend camping:

Hiking

Cooking on the open fire

Cooking on the fold-up Coleman stove

Making Some-Mores!

Fishing

Boys catching bugs

Boys playing with worms

Collecting fallen wood for firewood

Boys playing on the playground toys

Lying in the tent, with the top covering "dome" off the tent, & gazing at the stars and catching a shooting star

Seeing all kinds of wildlife - deer, raccoons, possums, snakes, squirrels, bunnies, birds

Watching in the moonlight as 2 bucks were butting heads & hearing the echo of it in the middle of the night

Makes for great family memories!

[halvarado]

we OWN a tent. does that count for anythingLOL????????????????? we have not been camping together yet, our kids are 7, 3, and 2. i think next year we will go. i love camping and i want my kids to enjoy it, too :D my mom has a camper, but she is six hours away and we don't have a vehicle that could pull it. so, tents it is :D

[Angelseyes28]

we OWN a tent. does that count for anythingLOL?????????????????
LOL you sound like us. We OWN a tent but haven't used it in ages! :eek:

[Angelseyes28]

Yep, Yep, Yep, Hubby and I use a tent when we go camping. In fact, I have a new tent (and all our other camping equipment) on layaway cause ours got stolen when we went camping at Heber Springs a couple weeks ago. We've been camping probably 3 times in the almost three years we've been together and are going again next weekend (in our new tent, lol). I'd love to go camping in a camper but we just don't have the money for it right now, so we'll camp the old fashioned way for now, lol.

P.S. Hey angelseyes28 you sure are a hard one to get ahold of!!!! :D

Awww sorry girl:( Hey where do ya'll go camping at? We generally just go to Sardis.

[Jolie Rouge]

10 Stellar US Campsites
Need a break from the hustle and bustle of city life? Roaring campfires, beautiful vistas and scary ghost stories--when was the last time you slept out under the stars? Grab your sleeping bag and get ready for some rugged relaxation! Our experts have put together a list of the 10 best places to sleep under the stars.

http://local.msn.com/special/archive/sports_camping.asp


Bear Mountain State Park: Bear Mountain, N.Y. : This Catskills playground offers spectacular Hudson Valley views.


Enchanted Rock State Natural Area: Fredericksburg, Texas : Hike-in park popular with climbers and hard-core campers.


Fort Stevens State Park: Astoria, Ore. : Find hiking trails, a historic shipwreck and the occasional herd of elk.


Golden Gate Canyon State Park: Golden, Colo. : Enjoy this 14,000-acre alpine gem's extensive trails and snowcapped views.


Henry W. Coe State Park: Morgan Hill, Calif. : Even with plentiful trails and lakes, this rugged retreat screams solitude.


Malibu Creek State Park: Malibu, Calif. : "M*A*S*H" was filmed at this Santa Monica mountain spread.


McKinney Falls State Park: Austin, Texas : Historic ruins, shady trails and a creek for dangling toes or a line.


Mohawk Trail State Forest: Charlemont, Mass. : Hike miles of ancient trails or fish cold, clear waterways.


Mount Tamalpais State Park: Mill Valley, Calif. : Explore redwood-lined trails and sweeping vistas near the Golden Gate Bridge.


Pocahontas State Park: Chesterfield, Va. : Mountain-bike trails, two lakes and an Olympic-sized pool--everyone's happy.


http://a1796.g.akamaitech.net/7/1796/33/d0fbc7aedb03fc/images.citysearch.com/msn/echannel/splash/st2campsitebottompic3.jpg
Camping Packing List
What to bring into the wild
By David Emblidge

http://fitness.msn.com/articles/feeds/?dept=outdoors&article=od_aw_042604_campinglist

Camping from your car or hitting the trail? Here are items you'll need in almost all situations. Personalize your list after trying ours. This list is good for backpacking trips of a few days or longer (if you'll wash clothes en route). Car campers: Bring more clothes to avoid doing laundry!

BACKPACK: External- or internal-frame packs are both okay, but buy from a reputable outfitter. Internal-frame packs hug your body closer and are better for keeping your balance over rough trails. Have the pack (loaded 30-40 pounds) fitted to your torso. Women: ask for a "women's frame." Backpacks 4,000 to 5,000 cubic inches should be plenty large enough for long weekend trips.

MAP, COMPASS, AND TRAIL GUIDE: Topographic map; compass (clear plastic base, handy for seeing map beneath); photocopied pages from trail guide.

BOOTS: Hiking boots (not sneakers), with strong ankle support and lug sole.

SHELTER: Make sure your tent is big enough to hold people and all equipment in a storm. Remember to pack the tent's rain fly, poles, stakes, and ground cloth, which should be a few inches shorter than the tent's base.

BEDDING: Sleeping bag (synthetic or down filling) good for 35 degrees or colder, with stuff sack (and plastic bag liner). Sleeping pad (foam or self-inflating air mattress).

CLOTHING: Keep all clothes in sealable plastic bags. Avoid cotton. Socks: 3 pair, wool or polypropylene // Sock Liners: polypropylene, 2-3 pair // Underwear: 3 pair polypropylene // Long-sleeved undershirt, T-shirt and long bottoms (Women: quick-dry sports bra) // Insulation (wool or fleece): two layers for your torso, one layer for your legs // Shorts: quick-dry nylon // Rain jacket (hooded) and pants: waterproof, not just water repellent // Camp shoes: lightweight rubber-soled sandals or sneakers // Hat, Balaclava: wool or fleece; hats need chin straps or tie-downs // Mittens or gloves: in foul weather, mitten wind shells are handy.

WATER: Two one-quart rigid, translucent bottles, one with wide mouth, one with mouthpiece. Water purification: Iodine tablets or backpacker's water filter. Car campers or backpackers in large groups may want a collapsible water carrier.

FOOD AND COOKING: Stove and fuel: backpackers prefer one-pot meals, cookable quickly on a one-burner lightweight collapsible stove, usually burning white gas. Car campers may indulge in a two- or three-burner table top camp stove, using white gas or propane.

Cook sets: plan menus, then assemble the cook set. Minimalists like one- or two-pot nonstick nesting affairs, removable handles. Gourmets may want more tools. No iron skillets!

Cleaning up: pot scrubber, pliable food filter screen, biodegradable dish soap, quick-dry dishtowel; Ziploc bags (leftovers, garbage) Utensils: Lexan (unbreakable plastic) large spoon and fork; insulated plastic mug with top.

FIRST AID: First Aid Kit: varies with size of group and likely risks. Outfitters sell personal-, family-, large group-, and wilderness first aid kits. Always bring moleskin, Band-Aids, and your prescription medicines (inform someone of your needs).

HYGIENE/SANITATION: Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap/shampoo, towel. (Women: feminine sanitary supplies, Ziploc disposal bags) // Toilet paper: half-roll, plus sealable plastic bags for carrying out used TP // Trowel: to bury human waste // Additional garbage and smaller bags (for wet clothes), all sealable

SAFETY/UTILITY: Bug repellent: liquids, not aerosols // Flashlight or head lamp: (AA batteries); spare bulb and batteries // ID materials: driver's license, health insurance card, medical data card (prescriptions, allergies, blood type, family/friends for emergency notification) // Jackknife: rugged, with screwdriver, other built-in tools // Matches: wooden, "strike anywhere," or lighter, in Ziploc bag // Mirror: small, steel (for signaling) // Money: some cash, one credit card // Notebook, pencil // Sunscreen, bandanna, visored hat // Watch // Whistle (kept within easy reach)

WHAT NOT TO PACK: Weapons, illegal drugs, alcohol, electronics that may disturb other campers or hikers (radio, cell phone). Weather radio or cell phone may be appropriate in extreme circumstances.

RAIN GEAR: A high-quality waterproof/breathable shell is your best bet. Patagonia or North Face make great products that are both lightweight and packable.

SPECIAL ITEMS FOR COLD WEATHER: Think about how bad the weather is going to be. You want to be comfortable. Waterproof pants are as important as a jacket.

GLOVES:Fingerless gloves are useful for adjusting the focus on binoculars and cameras.

[fatesfaery]

The last time I camped in a tent, we took a porta-crib for DD. So it's been about 17 years. We rented the tents from the air force base, it rained and the tents leaked like sieves.
My best friend's(and later my cousin's wife) parents had a mobile home on the lake, so we usually stayed there.

[HumblePie98]

We camp in a tent every year, even with my son and the dogs!! We have a blast!!!

[kelly12569]

We are leaving Monday to tent camp for the week! Taking all 5 of the kiddies plus an extra (dd's friend) plus 2 of the dogs. Grant me some sanity! :eek: :D

[Angelseyes28]

We are leaving Monday to tent camp for the week! Taking all 5 of the kiddies plus an extra (dd's friend) plus 2 of the dogs. Grant me some sanity! :eek: :D
:eek: Forget sanity....you need prozac:D Good luck, have tons of fun:)

[peaceluver]

We always use a tent. We do stay in the part for tents only so no water and electric. There is a great spot right across from the bathrooms that we like.