Single Mom Camping Logistics ??

[rwielatz]

Hi everyone. I have been lurking for a while and reading as many of the older posts that I can. what a great resource this will be!

I am a single mom of two girls (5 and 6yo) and I want to take the girls tent camping at Fort Wilderness. We will probably go in Sept or October. I only live about an hour away so the travel is not an issue.

My questions...It has been a very long time since I camped in a tent. can someone recommend a family size tent that would be fairly easy for me to pitch by myself? I will have the two girls but not sure if they will be much help. Of course, I'll plan on practicing before we go.

Thanks for any feedback.

Rita

 

[clkelley]

Since you haven't camped in a while, I would recommend something like this.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5622974

If you don't need the extra "stuff" that comes with it, Wal-Mart usually has a tent about that size just by itself that is pretty easy to set up.

Also purchase a few cans of Scotch Guard (or store brand) and set up the tent in the back yard and soak the material down.

Also get a roll of 6 mil painters plastic and cut a ground cloth the same shape as your tent about an inch smaller.

Wal-Mart tents are inexpensive and last awhile with moderate care. If you decide that camping isn't for you, then you haven't invested a lot.

The girls may not need one, but I would recommend an air mattress for you.

 

[rohan]

Finding a tent that can hold air mattresses is a good idea. At Target they have small inflatable sleeping bag mattresses for children. So you might all fit into one of these. While shopping for our trip I saw a deal at Walmart that had everything you need to camp with, so might be worth looking into. The kids will have a wonderful time with you and will always remember the trip so go for it. My son was 5 when my husband took him camping in Colorado mountains and he still talks about this adventure. So your kids will remember the camping and Disney trip forever.

 

[tkd lisa]

As another single mom who lives an hour from Disney (and camps), if I can help you, feel free to send me a pm. I live near Brandon.

I have one of the larger domed tents from Walmart, and I can set it up myself. I bought a fairly big one because I was a scout leader for a long time, and needed the room for my girl scouts.

Generally speaking, domed tents can be set up with one adult. The kids can help by keeping the poles that you have in place from slipping out.

Please let me know if I can help.

 

[cookiebrito]

This is a little off topic BUT it's great to hear that single moms out there camping with thier kids . My mom was a single mother with 4 energetic kids and I don't know how she made it. It should be mother's day... everyday.

 

[stacktester]

Oh I see, let's toot all the single mom's horns lol. Just kidding. I'm a single dad who takes his daughter to FW and other places each year. We got our first camper in 2004 and I can say it's definately brought us closer together.

 

[tkd lisa]

Yeah for single dads too! I think it's just great that we keep our kids lives as normal as possible.

There was a thread a while back on the community board about a dad who was helping his 10ish year old daughter find a bathing suit. Folks were speculating that this was probably a single dad, and that things like that would probably be hard for him.

Camping as the only adult can be a challenge, but it can be awfully rewarding too.

 

[rwielatz]

Thanks for all the feedback! I am very excited. I got a domed tent from Walmart and we are going to practice this weekend at my sisters house. I would eventually like to get a popup or something small like that since I don't really like the idea of roughing it! Thanks again.

Rita