Thread: Tips for new campers (Add on please)

8)When it's cold, put extra clothes inside your sleeping bag at the foot section to take up dead air space. Makes it easier to put them on, too, if you change into them first thing (they're still warm)!

9)Sleep with a knit hat/cap on when its cold.

10)Always have a flashlight close at hand.

11) If its an extended campout with fluctuating weather (ie, the Hill country in late Fall and early spring) use a large, clear plastic rubbermaid type container to pack your belongings in. This can be stored outside of the tent to maximize indoor space or if you have the room, it makes a nice "nightstand". Makes for easy "finding of that last clean pair of warm socks" or that one pair of shorts you brought, etc.

I haven't sealed the seams of a tent in years - if a tent needs the seams sealed, it prolly wouldn't help anyway. Proper design and factory taping make this unnecessary.

All tents must have the floor constructed like tub - a seam at ground level will collect water and always leak in the lightest rain.

Something I learned this year is to bring ear plugs to help you sleep in wind or if you have noisy neighbors.

Always have an extra pair of socks.

Hike in comfortable shoes.

Have flip-flops/sandals for giving your feet a break after hiking all day in boots.

Bring a small hand broom & dustpan for sweeping out the tent everyday. ALWAYS put up the rainfly (don't ask me how I know this ). Carry a small rug for outside the tent to collect *some* of the tracked in dirt. Take off shoes OUTSIDE when possible.

12. take a extra pair of shoes or swim shoes
13.bring extra clothes
14. extra's for your shower
15.Flashlights so you don't have to share
16.first aid kit
17.combs or hair brushes
18.something to read
19.a pillow
20.medications and a list of how you take it.Signed by parents

srds :cool:
Have Fun

Reply for toejam and others :thumbsup:
Most new tents do have what’s called a "tub floor". It's a seamless, heavy-duty waterproof material that lines the floor of the tent. It should go up the wall a few inches before it is sewn into the wall. Its purpose is to keep side seams away from the ground so that leaks can’t occur.

Older tents with bad seems will leak. Tents that are put away wet will leak. A good ground cloth should keep the floor dry, don't let the ends stick out, as many scouts find out that is a water magnet and now you have trapped water between two layers of fabric.

When we buy new tents, (more often than you think) we use sealer. We also setup the tent in the hall to become used to the setup and take down

Originally Posted by happybooker1

Bring a small hand broom & dustpan for sweeping out the tent everyday. ALWAYS put up the rainfly (don't ask me how I know this ). Carry a small rug for outside the tent to collect *some* of the tracked in dirt. Take off shoes OUTSIDE when possible.

Thats a great tip for tent campers Happybooker1! I use one of those heavy duty rubber/carpet front door mats like you would see in front of an office entrance and it stays put even on windy nights. Also you can fold it over on itself when you turn in at night to keep the dew off it! Nothing worse than crawling out of your tent onto a wet mat! I somehow left my $35. mat at Kerrville Schiener park site #49 a few weeks ago!!!! Thanks for reminding me! :laugh:

Maury

Sounds like some folks have experienced those Texas rain showers. Unfortunately no matter how often you tell parents and there boys to bring rain gear, its often not there when needed. When your in a tent for 2 full days, and it doesn't stop you get wet