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Keeping your Tent Clean & Dry

Purchase a plastic sheet or tarp as a ground cover to put under the tent, or even use it to line the tent as an inexpensive shelter. The tip here is to buy a much larger sheet than the tent bottom at the paint department of a hardware store (known here as a drop cloth) where it is a fraction of the cost. Drape the excess area of the sheet over the tent for extra rain protection or warmth, even if it came with a fly, becaues these are usually undersized. Remove the sheet for lighter rains so the tent air will circulate and remain cool.

Coping with Rain

No matter how much your tent is advertised and described as water repellent or rainproof, buy some seam sealer in a can or bottle so it can be brushed on. This liquid compound is brushed liberally over the bottom seals of the tent (not completely under the fly) while the tent is up. The tent must dry for several hours before packing away. Failure to do this on our tent is what caused our leakage. If staying for several days, invest in an easily erected picnic canopy, a tent-like structure without a floor or walls, over the picnic table provided at each campsite. In case of rain, such a shelter will provide a dry haven with plenty of room. Yes, one can expend the time and effort to fabricate their own by tying the ends of a plastic sheet or tarp to branches or poles. While this costs less, it violates the spirit of low maintenance camping. Most outdoors or sporting good departments have canopies.

Picking the Ideal Site

Thanks to Dave Sweet, the Camping Guide at About.Com for the following tip on how to pick the ideal campsite, if of course, the campground will let you scout around and choose! Dave suggests you avoid the area near the trash containers, which may smell and draw animals. Avoid sites near toilet and shower houses, which will be noisy and attract insects. Avoid RV-dense areas, which will be noisier. Avoid sites next to those with pets, who may be noisy or scare the kids. In Dave's experience, at campgrounds laid out in loops, the better campsites are usually at the end of the loop and furthest away from campground amenities.

Sleeping Soundly

In the summer, sleeping bags are not necessary unless they are used for cushioning or the kids simply have to have them. Unless you are at high altitudes, they are way too hot when zipped up. Instead, bring some plain sheets and blankets. Buy a sheet of foam rubber large enough to cover the floor of the tent interior. This makes for a very comfortable living space and makes costlier camping mattresses unnecessary except for the most massive campers. It sets up immediately without inflation (visit the Target bedding department).

Eating Well

Bringing groceries is unnecessary and risks spoilage. Buy whatever you need nearby and include grilling meat. Each campsite has a functional cast iron fireplace. Instead of charcoal, the one time you may want the high maintenance approach is when building your fire from collected deadwood -- for some reason it seems to make food taste better.