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

Fall.. A Great Time for Camping

Can you smell it? The crispness in the air, caramel apples, pumpkin pies, warm cider. Just imagine waking up in the outdoors, the smell of the campfire, bundled up snuggling close with the kiddos and your hands wrapped around a hot cup of Joe. It's that beautiful season of fall, perfect time to pitch that tent or crank out that camper for a few last runs before the winter. If you have been sad faced about being stuck indoors for the winter here are a few good reasons you can use to say out a bit longer :)

SAVING MONEY: There's a good place to start, right? Since popular camping holidays have subsided and the summer rush is over, campground rates are cheaper since they aren't in such high demand. Scoot on out and get the best spot!

FAMILY FESTIVITIES: Why not enjoy the perks of fall where it really feels like fall, outside! Buy a few pumpkins for carving or painting with the kids, apples for making homemade carmel apples, see below for a apple cider recipe you can make over the campfire!

WEATHER: Who doesn't love relaxing in a hoodie and eating s'mores next to the campfire! You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the fall leaves changing color with the added bonus of no bugs! When I was camping as a child I remember going on hikes in the fall and trying to step on the fallen leaves because I loved the sound of them crackling under my feet.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: There are less crowds, still great fishing, and it won't be so hot out so you can enjoy sleeping in your tent everyone cuddled up next to each other. Camping is such a great way to make memories that last, get the most out of the season!

Apple Cider Recipe:
1 gallon apple cider
2 apples
2 oranges
2 apple cinnamon tea bags
1 Campfire pot

You will need 1 gallon of apple cider (NOT apple juice), add 2 tart, firm apples, thinly sliced, 2 oranges also thinly sliced and 2 apple cinnamon tea bags. Place all in a campfire-suitable pot with a lid and allow to simmer for about an hour or so (or longer if you like a stronger flavor).

* Don't forget to apply a small amount of dish soap on the outside of pot for easy clean up.
Find Fall camping gear for the family www.FamilyTentCamping.com

"Beat the Heat" While Tent Camping

Camping is a great time for family and friends to gather around the campfire and share stories and enjoy delicious campfire desserts next to a nice warm fire on those cool crisp nights... Well, we can look forward to those times in further months ahead. Just as we prepare for the cooler months ahead we also need to be ready when the temps bring unfavorable conditions, such as triple digit HEAT! Here are a few tips for Tent Camping in the heat.

1) Location, Location, Location: Look for shady areas to pitch your tent. Then make use use of your compass to strategically pitch your tent towards the east. Also, try to find spots where there is trees, a hill, or any other sun blockade that can give you shade while you are sleeping or during the hottest part of the day.

2)Consider the direction of the wind as well: Find out which way the wind blows. Pitch your tent in a way that the wind blows directly into the mesh windows. Switch the location or position of the tent if you notice that the wind direction alters. This is very important if your tent only has a little mesh on it. But if it is purely made of mesh, don't worry about the positioning. For a back up plan pack a battery operated fan, just in case...

3) Open and air out your tent: In the early morning when temps outside are still cool open your windows and doors to expose the screens. This will keep your tent from becoming stuffy and uncomfortable. Some tents have roof vents built in for ventilation which is a nice feature. Throughout the day close the tent in any area the sun is directly beating on and open the sides facing shaded areas. By keeping this process going until sundown, your tent will keep much cooler temperatures during extreme heat conditions.

4) Have a good quality, Screen Tent: In triple digit heat there can be lots of bugs, so a screen room is a wonderful item to have. A Screen Tent will allow you to sit outside with plenty of fresh air without the bugs! A Screen Tent with no-see-um mesh is a good feature to look for so the smallest bugs can't get through. The Turbo Screen Machine is quick and can be easily set up over a picnic table, or our newest Malamoo MOZ Screen Tent is perfect for 1 person, can be used on the ground or fastened to the King Goanna Stretcher

5)Did you know if you wear lighter colored clothing keeps you cooler: light-colored clothing if you're in the sun. Dark clothing absorbs heat. Light-colored clothing can help keep you cool by reflecting the sun's rays.

Tips for buying camping accessories

Camping out in nature doesn't always have to equate to roughing it. Whether you're a car camper or a backcountry minimalist, there are a variety of items you can purchase to make camping more relaxing. This guide will cover a range of items you can add to your camping gear to make trips more comfortable.

Having a restful sleep is important regardless if you're camping or not. There are varying sleeping pads and mats available to help you sleep comfortably in the outdoors. Mattress pads or camping cots also elevate and insulate you from the ground, helping you stay warm on cold nights. Foam and inflatable mattresses come in several lengths and thicknesses, and in lightweight to extra thick mats. If using inflatable mattresses, consider purchasing a 12V or rechargeable air pump; they'll save you time when setting up your sleeping quarters. For those with room to spare, a cot can be an excellent add-on. You can even get organizers to hang off the cot's side to keep personal items within reach. Don't forget a pillow. Camp pillows feature a soft casing (often flannel). Small models are available with the space-conscious camper in mind and can be compressed when packed. Small accessories can help make your tent more comfortable, especially in rainy weather. Portable, battery operated lights and lanterns, small radios, and fans are some examples. Look for these accessories in camping tent models that can be hung from the ceiling or suspended another way so you're not forced to hold them. A deck of cards, a small board game and a book are good to have too in case you get caught in a day-long downpour. It's a good idea to bring some extra supplies for your tent, especially tent pegs. A mallet for driving in and removing stakes is another time saving device. Finally, a spare piece of carpet, or an actual mat, is handy to leave outside your tent door to hold footwear and wipe muddy feet.

Storing your camping tent over winter

With the camping season behind you, it is now time to store your tent over the winter. Here are a few helpful steps to assure your gear is properly stored and ready for spring when it’s time for camping again.

 The easiest and most efficient way to check over your tent is to set it up in the back yard and give it a good look over from top to bottom, after you have checked it over thoroughly, lay it out on a flat surface such as a grassy area and brush off any debris or spot clean where necessary. Untangle or repair frayed guy ropes, replace missing parts, and straighten out bent tent stakes.
 This would be a good time to check over your tent for damage, such as separated seams, holes or zippers functioning properly by lubricating with a silicone base lubricant.
 Repairs should be handled right away to assure repairs are completed and not forgotten about when spring comes, only to find repairs that need to be completed therefore holding up your plans. Methods of repair would include patching, stitching or glued. When repairs are completed and tent is clean and dry it is then time to roll up and pack away knowing it is in good condition and ready for use when needed.

OzTent FoxWing Vehicle Retractable Awning

Introducing our NEW! addition to our family camping line from Australia, the FoxWing awning a brilliantly designed, 1 piece, easy to operate swing out awning that will shade the side and rear of your vehicle in seconds. Unique, due to its simplistic 1 person operation, the FOXWING Awning can be set up and packed down in minutes, making it the perfect solution to protect you from the elements. The FoxWing awning extension is also available to provide additional side coverage.

Supplied with fitting kits the FOXWING awning easily attaches to any Rhino-Rack Roof Rack cross bars. Great for camping trips, tailgating & watching the kids play sports. The FOXWING Awning is also ideal for tradesmen or mobile coffee operators for example.

Made from the same high quality material (rip-stop polycotton canvas) used in the OZTENT the FOXWING Awning is UV protected, water proof and mould resistant. The solid frame consists of anodised aluminium and corrosion resistant hardware so it won't rust. All telescopic poles, guy ropes and pegs are included and come with their own travel bag for neat and tidy storage when not in use. Perfect for the avid camper, traveller or tradesman, the FOXWING Awning is the quick and easy solution to protect you from the elements. You can even attach your Oztent to it (with the purchase of the Awning Connector).

Camping With Tents

Camping with tents

If you are new to camping then you are going to have a lot of gear to purchase. One of the most important camping investments you will make is your tent. When you are shopping for a new tent you will want to consider several different factors to ensure you are happy with your purchase. If you buy a good tent the first time around, you will be happy with it for a very long time and you will definately get your money's worth out of the tent.

Tent sizes, Multi-Room Tents and Other Tent Options

The first thing to consider is the size of your tent. If you are planning a backpack, mountain biking, canoe or other type of camping trip, you want a tent that wqill be easy to carry. Tent capacity is based on the aquare footage of the tent and how many sleeping bags you can fit in it.

Tents range from one person "pup" tents to 6+ multi-room tents. However, you will find that you will want a tent that is slightly larger than how many people the packaging says it sleeps. Two people, for example, will be much more comfortable in a four person tent. A good rule of thumb is to buy a tent that sleeps two more people than you have. If you are bringing large dogs along as well you will also want to have a room for them, as they need to sleep inside too.

Multi-room tents are nice as well, especially if you have a large family. There are two room style tents where the tent is basically split down the middle with a zippered divider. There are three room styles to accomidate larger families. If you are camping in one tent with a large family, then these are very handy. One room can sleep the kids, the large room can sleep you and your spouse and the other room can be used as a changing room or a storage room. You can also put pets in one room if you wish.

Types of Tents:

Dome Tent:

-Freestanding

-Easy to move

-More headroom in center

-More floor space

-No large surfaces exposed to wind

Cabin Tent:

- A lot of headroom & floor space
- Large surfaces are exposed to wind

can easily be destroyed by wind.
- Guy ropes needed to support tent to

reduce risk of tent damage

- Usually is a Heavy Tent

Multi-Room Tent:

- Multi-function capabilities
- Available in two and three room models

- Usually takes a little longer to set up

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.