Its my husband and I, and our two kids, ages 4 and 8- we want to buy the started supplies, mostly tent to start, but want to know whats a decent one for a good price, that will hold up to a thunderstorm if it happens, and keeps snakes out (my biggest concern )


I saw a Eureka copper canyon that got good reviews but it was a few hundred dollars, can I do cheaper?
TY

can you borrow some stuff to see if you will like it?? tent camping isnt for everyone (me) although we camp like crazy in our camper. I would hate to see you invest in a bunch of stuff you wont need.
Also, you dont need "everything"...lots of people cook on a grid over the fire with charcoal briquets thrown in, and hot dogs on sticks etc. Also, do you gargae sale?? there are good deals to be had, and finally, we saw some tents with more than one "room" on clearance last year at Target, so keep looking, and "put the word out", maybe someone will come through for you...
PS...an air mattress would be a good idea too, but I would buy a used pop up before I would spend hundreds on a tent that would be intricate to put up....JMO

Link to this she had a link last summer we got a great $140 tent for under $40 shipped with a sale and a code. And it's 6 ft tall so hubby can stand up in it.
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When buying a tent it's great if there are two "doors" especially with a big family. You want "windows" for a cross breeze and be sure to check the zippers. Right there in the store zip and unzip them over and over. That's usually what goes first on a tent. Make sure it's easy to put up. Not too many poles and check the poles also for durability. Plastic stakes are standard and they work pretty well you'll need a mallot or ax to pound them in.

Bring a tarp in case of wet ground so it goes under the tent.

Try to find an expensive tent on sale.

Here are some reviews.
Sport and Outdoor - Tents Camping and Hiking Sport and Outdoor - Epinions.com

Also if you go to the online store for example target.com they have reviews of products right there. You can see what others think first.

Camping is fun and it's better if you have a mattress or thick foam pads. It's the getting up and down from the hard ground that's killing me these days!

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

Here are some good places to start looking.

Outdoor Gear from Campmor - Clothing, Camping Equipment and More - Top Brands including North Face & Columbia Sportswear


REI: Outdoor Gear, Equipment & Clothing for Camping, Hiking, Cycling, Fitness, Kayaking, Canoeing and More

I got a great deal at Target when they clearanced out camping gear.

I forgot...I always mention the camping forum I use...
www.rv.net/forums
they have a tent camping, family camping, camp cooks, camground and other forums that would help and be of interest to someone starting out.

When we started out, we went to a military surplus store and bought a great heavy duty tent, sleeping bags, and some supplies. It was all cheaper then stores and some of it was used, but you couldn't tell it.

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

Don't skimp on your tent. Trust me. Pay the extra bucks and go to REI. Watch their sale page. You can get a quality tent at a great price. If you have an REI in your town, it would be worth while to go in and ask some questions. Most of the sales people are great and will walk you through it.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

Definitely invest in a good tent! (It will have a bottom that will keep the snakes out!) You also might want to get a tarp to put up over the tent in case of a heavy rain. Even a 'waterproof' tent can leak. I agree with the poster who said to borrow someone's tent for a weekend to see if it's what you want to invest in.

My only suggestion is to get a tent larger than you think you need. For example, if there are 4 of you get a 6 man tent. A four man tent would just be too crowded. You will be glad you did when you get stuck in the tent for several hours because of rain. Gives you room to play board games and cards and even use your camping stove if need be.

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Mary