Off the Fort wilderness topic but..... a question for tenters

[tiggereyore]

Well I've gotten spoiled fast. I love my camper and the comforts it provides for bathroom and beds but now my 6 year old is really into scouts and is so excited for the may camping trip.
So heres the delema (sp): I have to go back to tenting (I can deal with this now that the youngest is 4) but what's changed since I bought the last tent 12 years ago? and storage inside? hints any and all are appriciated. I got til end of April to gather it all together and work out the logistics. My poor ignorant brain has been transported to the ease of the camper. So I turn to you to beg for help I feel pitiful when we tent camped for 8-10 years and have only been out of it for almost 3.
Thank you all in asvance

 

[Rhonda]

I haven't really noticed too much of a change in the tents. You can get really big 2-3 room tents now (but maybe you could back then too). Most of the tents now are dome tents; very easy to set up and take down.

When you tent camp, make sure you have good air mattresses (mine is a self-inflating Swiss Army one from Walmart - queen size). A tent with a rain covering on top is nice too.

We use a little electric heater in ours for cooler nights, and a little fan for warmer nights.

We've found that it's much easier and more comfortable to use sheets & blankets instead of sleeping bags.

 

[my3princes]

We are also getting to tent again with the cub scouts. We purchased a new 3 person tent. We have a large cabin style tent from our early tenting days. I have found that the places around here that the cubbies camp may only accomodate a small tent. We can barely fit us in the tent, but at least we'll be able to put it up.

 

[clkelley]

We have found for Scouting Camping that we needed our own individual tents.

The boys were each in a separate patrol, so slept in different areas, and as an adult, I was over in the adult area. So a large tent wouldn't work for us.

Of course, my boys are older (17 & 18). When we did Cub Family Camping, the boys shared a tent, and I had a tent.

Over the years, we've actually accumulated 4 almost distinct sets of camping gear.

Car camping without electricity. Of course cold weather sleeping bags are a must there, (If you follow the Guide to Safe Scouting, no type of flame source (heater) is allowed inside tents) but then we can bring the air mattress, rechargeable air pump, gas lanterns, etc., battery operated fans.

Car camping with electricity (Meaning Ft. Wilderness). Of course then, the fans and/or electric blanket can be brought.

Backpack camping. - Super lightweight stuff, one man tube tent, bear bags, lightweight stoves, etc. (I don't do the backpacking anymore).

Extended Resident Summer camp, where tents on platforms and cots are provided, but then we bring some different stuff such as mosquito netting, a "backwoods Maytag", etc.

Enjoy those Scouting years!! Mine are almost over. My oldest just finished his Eagle in November, my youngest is almost 18, and should have his Eagle in a few months. But we'll be going out with a bang with over a month of camping this summer, first a week at Summer Camp, then 3 weeks at National Jamboree.

Carol

 

[tiggereyore]

Thank you all.
Carol We've just started the scouts. Levi is a Tiger and has really thrown himself into this. He has over 1/2 of his beads (needs 3-4 more) and has 20 electives done. He'll be getting his first belt loops and 1 pin in march. (they won't make it here for blue and gold) So I can see were here for a while. The other is 4 1/2 by camping time so we're going with the 6 man 2 room tent for now I guess. I have a 3 man dome that Tom and I fit in fine with the dog years ago, so I'm saving that for them when they are older.
Debbie (At least I think it's you) Our pack does Quechee State park. and I know the den leader has a fairly big tent so hopefully I'll be okay with this one it 14X10 I'm looking at on ebay brand new and my bid's dirt cheap.
Rhonda I definately need the air mattress to many years of flying off my horses have done in my back. I'm actually looking forward to trying this again. I definatly need heat or something in the tent once I'm cold I'm a real bear!!
Anyone have and organizational tips I may not think of? Thank you all

 

[my3princes]

Hi Christie
Hunter is also a Tiger. He earned his Tiger patch and received it at the Blue & Gold last night. He has done over 60 electives, but he won't get those beads until next month. He has really jumped in, probably because my older son is very into it. Chris and I are den leaders for 2 dens. We are planning a Pack camping trip to Sugar Ridge Campground in Danville in May. I am trying to help families with equipment needed and activity ideas. It is a private campground so they have lots of activities available and we will be able to do a fishing challenge and a mini golf tournament. It should be fun, but puts a lot of responsibility on my shoulders. Because the boys are just cubs we have to do it family style so I think that we have a group of about 60 people. Good to hear from you.

Deb

 

[clkelley]

Ya'll enjoy the Cubs and all the years to follow!! Take lots of pictures and KEEP them somewhere safe.

I am trying to collect some pictures for my oldest Eagle banquet for a slide show and while I do have some of his Tiger year and Wolf year, there are noticeably very few from from Bear and Webelos. Once he got up into Boy Scouts the pictures improve as digital became more widely used. Also get a Rubbermaid box now and start saving all those little tidbits, patches, books, ribbons,and uniform pieces. A display of the Scouts history is customary at his Arrow of Light Ceremony and Eagle Ceremony.

Sounds like Tigers has changed a lot! Back when mine were Tigers, they had an Orange T-Shirt that was their uniform where they earned Iron On Tiger Paws for each event they attended. Each family hosted an event each month, and we went to the montly Pack Meetings, then in May they Graduated to Wolves and then became an actual Cub Den with a leader and assistant leader for weekly activities.

Carol

 

[tiggereyore]

Deb it really helps them when they've got that older sibling. We have one like that in our group. The other 2 that have older siblings are about were Levi is We should be done with almost all of his by the end of March.
Carol Tigers is different from 17 years ago my husband is still in shock at what they do now compared to what he did (hes 34).
We're meeting in the next 2 weeks to do the planning for the camping trip. They not only cmp but we do a whole park clean up too.
Sounds like fun

 

[Rhonda]

Tiggereyore: For organization in the tent, I bring one of those 3-drawer plastic "dressers". They may be made by Rubbermaid, I'm not sure. You can get them at KMart or Walmart. They're lightweight and work out great in the tent to keep things off the floor!

Another idea that my parents do -- they have 2 cots that they tie together, then put their air mattress on top of them. Then, the space underneath the cots becomes storage! Gives them a "real" bed to sleep on, plus keeps things neat!

 

[bobcat]

As far as organization we use the large rubbermaid tubs. All of our camp gear goes in these as well as our bedding and clothes. They stack great and we use one for a side table, alarm clock and lamp included. I have been looking for inexpensive cots to use under my air mattress because I find as I get older it is more uncomfortable to sleep that low to the ground.