Tips for Camping in Spring

Spring is a great time to get out and enjoy the camping experience! Even though the spring weather & cooler temps can be unpredictable, making Spring camping a bit more challenging. Spring camping requires more planning to "be prepared" by choosing the right gear, date and location with the best weather possibilities. Despite the excess preparation, spring camping still has some great benefits! It is always best to plan for the best weather and be prepared for the worst.

It's been a long winter for most of us, many are feeling "cabin fever" set in and are ready to get out of the house and spend more time enjoying the great outdoors. Spring camping not only provides an escape for hanging out outdoors but to take notice the plants and flowers just starting to come out, trees starting to sprout there leafs, and the wildlife are showing signs of the end of winter.

Spring camping preperations may make some fair weather campers reconsider the idea of camping in the spring, but for those willing to step out, the benefits are fantastic. First, and foremost everyone on your camping trip needs to bring items for staying warm, here are a few key items to keep in mind, clothing is not to be taken likely, layering is a key component to keeping dry and maintaining body temperature.

A good quality, properly rated & fitted sleeping bag is key to a restful sleep. Choose a proper size sleeping bag that fits you and has a temperature rating of a few degrees below the lowest temperature you expect to encounter. It is better to have a sleeping bag that will keep you too warm rather than having one that is not warm enough. Tip#1, when choosing a temperature rating you may also consider purchasing a sleeping bag with a warmer temp rating and installing a sleeping bag liner or an OzTent Rivergum sleeping bag with a removable super soft fleece lining that can be either zipped in or out for easy washing & optimal temperature performance.


With your sleeping bag, you will want some sort of barrier to put between your sleeping bag and the bottom of the tent. An air mattress or a self inflating air mattress is recommended or a camping cot if space allows, this extra layer of insulation will keep the cold ground from seeping into your sleeping bag. You may also want to bring a camp heater that has a switch that will turn it off if it falls over.


Be sure to also bring along plenty of warm, lightweight, waterproof clothing. Layering is the best way to stay warm and dry during a Spring camping trip. Long underwear is also a great way to stay warm Tip#2, keep a few pieces of clothing inside your sleeping bag with you to avoid having to put them on cold to maintain your body temp... Also bring along waterproof footwear and a waterproof jacket to wear while hiking or participating in other outdoor related activities, another item to keep in mind is a dry bag for storing clothing when dealing with wet conditions. The most important single piece of clothing is a hat or head protection. An exposed head loses body heat rapidly,therefore wearing a stocking while in your sleeping bag is another way to keep warm while maintaining body temperature.

As for shelter, make sure you have seam sealed all tent joints and placing a floor saver underneath will not only protect your tent floor but is also a good way to keep dry.

On a closing note Spring weather can be unpredictable and being prepared is the key to spring camping,don't forget the small things, "big doors swing on little hinges", there's nothing worst than showing up on your campsite and forgetting... Download a FREE Gear Checklist to keep with your gear.

Visit our website for all your Spring camping needs www.FamilyTentCamping.com

Tips for Fall Camping in your OzTent

Camping in the Fall is a great time of year to enjoy the outdoors without the crowds and pesky flying insects, especially the Mosquitoes! Although the OzTent is easy to set up and pack away, here are a few tips to consider after your OzTent is set up and "Ready" for camping, if you normally enjoy sleeping on the ground, here is a way to minimize the damp cool ground from radiating through the floor, you can use a sleeping pad, or a large matted moving blanket to create a barrier of protection between you and the ground. If your like me, sleeping on the ground days are over, or for the comfort you choose to sleep on a camp cot it really makes a difference! The moving blanket when spread out on the floor not only provides additional padding when used with the sleeping pad but also to provide floor protection from the cot feet when resting on the blanket. Utilizing the rain fly prevents condensation build up inside the walls of the tent when the outside temps drop lower than the temperature inside the sleeping area. Keeping all the windows and front door zipped closed will help to retain the warmth inside, with the exception of the upper windows above the door which should be rolled up for controlled ventilation. Most importantly when choosing a sleeping bag that is rated properly for the outside temperatures. If you have discovered additional ways to camp comfortably inside your OzTent make sure to drop us a line to share with other OzTent lovers!

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Visit www.FamilyTentCamping.com for Sleeping Bags, Camping Cots & Tents

Tips For New Tent Campers

Camping is a new experience for everyone, we all have to start somewhere, right? I'm sure there is a camping story that made you rethink the idea of doing this camping thing again. There is an old saying that applies to every camping situation "live and learn?" Here are a couple tips to prepare you for the long haul:

Tryout your gear:
Before you arrive at the campground you should always try out your gear. There is nothing worse than arriving at your site and then trying to put together a tent that your not familiar with, that has so many poles you have no clue where they go. Most of the time the colored stickers that are applied to the poles for "easy assembly" can be found at the bottom of the tent bag. " LOL " Your best option is to purchase a camping tent with intergrated poles for quick and easy set up, a bathtub style floor, heat taped seams, and quality materials. This will make your trip a lot easier, drier, and more fun for everyone.

Buy a bigger tent for family comfort:
New campers usually make the mistake of buying a tent just big enough for their family members. I recommend purchasing a family tent with a capacity rated two higher than the number of campers. So for a family of 4 I would recommend a 6 person tent, for a family of 6 an 8 person tent and so on. For a more comfortable experience buy smart and go big.

Choosing a Sleeping Bag:
Sleeping bags can somtimes be overlooked, when choosing the right sleeping bag keep in mind the temperature of the location you will be camping at and the time of year. Your body will generate heat inside of the bag so base the sleeping bag rating accordingly.

Practice setting up your tent in the backyard and sleep in your sleeping bag one night prior to your trip. This will save you the aggravation later.