So you want to try camping? continued........

What do like to eat? You can cook extravagant foods with the latest camp stove, or simplify with sandwiches, hot dogs, beans and trail mix.

How much sleeping space do you require? Most campers want some elbow room, so consider this when buying a tent. Here are some tips for selecting tents, sleeping bags and cooking gear: Because your tent will be your home, and your weather-proof barrier, pay special attention to what you purchase. An average four to six-person tent will range from $69 to more than $400, but you don't have to sacrifice quality and extra features for an affordable tent. A good price range to start out with is $100 to $150. Keep in mind the tent's stability and design, its fabric and construction, and its waterproofness and assembly features. Not all tents offer the same features in the same price range, so make inquiries and get educated.

A three-pole, aluminum or fiberglass frame will provide good stability, and shockcorded poles and clip attachments will simplify the assembly and speed set-up time.

Eureka! tents offer these features, plus a durable fabric with reliable waterproof coating and a bathtub floor, which means the seam between the floor and walls is above the ground so water cannot seep in.

Shockcorded poles and clips are the quickest assembly features available, and will save valuable time and steps when you first learn to set up your tent. Waterproofness is crucial, as any camper will confirm. A tent that isn't coated well or doesn't have a waterproof nylon fabric won't withstand a driving rain. Design is also important. When assembled, the tent should be taut and able to shed water. If water accumulates on the roof or other areas, the tent might sag and water could drip through the fabric. It's also very important to seal all tent seams before a trip.

Good ventilation is another important element. Your body can release up to a pint of water a night and if there's no place for it to go, you'll wake up in damp
quarters. Eureka! positions its large windows low on the tent walls, so air can flow in near the floor and circulate up throughout the tent. The NightScape tent has a retractable fly that not only adds ventilation, but also offers star-gazing in nice weather.

Sleeping bags are a staple for camping. A bag should be rated for 20 F to keep you warm in most spring through fall camping conditions. Bags with goose down insulation are the lightest and very warm, but quite expensive and loose their insulating effectiveness when damp or wet. Good alternative insulations are Hollofil,
Micro-loft or Quallofil. It's important to buy foam or self-inflating sleeping pads for the extra comfort and insulation against the hard and damp ground.

For cooking gear, don't throw away those old pots and pans or plates. Pack them away for camping. Also, shop thrift stores and garage sales for old cast-iron or aluminum pans, and plastic plates and cups. Remember, camping is enjoyed by millions of people each year. Let your budget work for you to make it an experience you'll want to do again.

Johnson Outdoors