Texsport Kendall Square Dome Tent

Large enough to accommodate five, this 10-foot-square domed tent protects campers during three seasons and features a half-length four-peak rainfly. A D-style door with zippered storm flap, windows, and large roof panels let in lots of light and air and are made of fine mesh to screen out insects as small as no-see-ums. Inside there's a mesh storage pocket. Measuring 78 inches high at its tallest point, the tent sets up on a two-pole pin-and-ring frame system with shock-corded fiberglass poles. Durable steel clips secure tent to frame. Polyurethane coats heavy-duty, flame-retardant taffeta walls and rainfly. The floor is rip-stop polyethylene. Stakes and a carry/storage bag come with the tent. Setup instructions are included.

Amazon.com Tent Guide
Selecting a Tent
Fortunately, there are all kinds of tents for weekend car campers, Everest expeditions, and everything in-between. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Expect the Worst
In general, it's wise to choose a tent that's designed to withstand the worst possible conditions you think you'll face. For instance, if you're a summer car camper in a region where weather is predictable, an inexpensive family or all purpose tent will likely do the trick--especially if a vehicle is nearby and you can make a mad dash for safety when bad weather swoops in! If you're a backpacker, alpine climber or bike explorer, or if you like to car camp in all seasons, you'll want to take something designed to handle more adversity.

Three- and Four-Season Tents
For summer, early fall and late spring outings, choose a three-season tent. At minimum, a quality three season tent will have lightweight aluminum poles, a reinforced floor, durable stitching, and a quality rain-fly. Some three-season tents offer more open-air netting and are more specifically designed for summer backpacking and other activities. Many premium tents will feature pre-sealed, taped seams and a silicone-impregnated rain-fly for enhanced waterproofness.

For winter camping or alpine travel, go with a four season model. Because they typically feature more durable fabric coatings, as well as more poles, four-season tents are designed to handle heavy snowfall and high winds without collapsing. Of course, four-season tents exact a weight penalty of about 10 to 20 percent in trade for their strength and durability. They also tend to be more expensive.

Domes and Tunnels
Tents are broadly categorized into two types, freestanding, which can stand up on their own, and those that must be staked down in order to stand upright. Freestanding tents often incorporate a dome-shaped design, and most four-season tents are constructed this way because a dome leaves no flat spots on the outer surface where snow can collect. Domes are also inherently stronger than any other design. Meanwhile, many three-season models employ a modified dome configuration called a tunnel. These are still freestanding, but they require fewer poles than a dome, use less fabric, and typically have a rectangular floor-plan that offers less storage space than a dome configuration. Many one and two-person tents are not freestanding, but they make up for it by being more lightweight. Because they use fewer poles, they can also be quicker to set up than a dome.

Size Matters
Ask yourself how many people you'd like to fit in your fabric hotel now and in the future. For soloists and minimalists, check out one-person tents. If you're a mega-minimalist, or if you have your eye on doing some big wall climbs, a waterproof-breathable bivy sack is the ticket. Some bivy sacks feature poles and stake points to give you a little more breathing room. Also, if you don't need bug protection and you want to save weight, check out open-air shelters.

Families who plan on car camping in good weather can choose from a wide range of jumbo-sized tents that will accommodate all your little ones with room to spare. A wide range of capacities is also available for three- and four-season backpacking and expedition tents. Remember, though, the bigger the tent you buy, the heavier it will be, although it's easy to break up the tent components among several people in your group. It's also helpful to compare the volume and floor-space measurements of models you're considering.

Customer Review: Beware! Old and Used Tent from Amazon!
To be honest, I was excited that I was going to get my first tent and I plan to use it really soon. However, after I received it today, I was surprised to find out that the condition of the tent was in. It was not new at all and as matter of fact, it was very used. The carrying bag has dirt/grass over it. The tent was folded nicely in a box to fool me to think that it was new but once I opened up the tent, I notice that the tent has probably been used many times. I guess it was a customer-returned item before. I am a regular customer of Amazon. It's not my first time that I received an used product from Amazon but this time the condition of this tent was just not acceptable (I would probably find a newer tent in a thrifty store). Needless to say, I am returning this but the shipping charge will be costly and straight coming out of my pocket. What a disappointing experience.

One of the best and most affordable ways for people to get away from it all with their family is to plan some type of a family camping vacation. Camping with kids is a great way to bond and will help develop good memories that will last a lifetime.

I think back to the times I used to spend with my own parents as a young boy and everything about it is good. I can remember quite clearly canoing with my folks on quiet rivers and eating stew around the campfire at night. Beaches and swimming stand out in my mind along with the sunny days that accompanied those activities. No matter how I look at it, all the times that I spent camping with my folks are times that I remember as good times.

Most folks are concerned with getting away with their families for a week or so to help bond and develop good memories for the kids as they grow older. Camping with kids is something that can take a little planning. Kids have short attention spans and require change a change in activities throughout the day.

Naturally swimming and playing on sand beaches is something my own kids don't grow tired of. So if you're inclined to relax in a lawn chair with a magazine that is an easy way to keep them occupied. Most family campgrounds have a swimming area for kids that is safe and they're likely to meet all kinds of other kids while they're playing.

As a family you can invent games to play. Something like trying to find insects or animals, plants, etc, that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Mom's and Dad's need to participate in this. The kids will remember it as long as they live.

Fishing and nature hiking are great ways to keep the kids busy as well. All my experience tells me though that parents need to be nearby to help remove fish from the line and provide "bravos" and mral support. This makes children feel good.

I noticed when I went camping with my own son that he had a real desire to help with things. I had one of those folding camping saws and he wood use it to cut firewood. He was just small and not strong so the only wood he could cut was the punkiest wood that was around. It sure made him feel important though. We would no sooner finish eating and he would be looking for the saw saying "I've got to go get more wood, Dad."

Try taking your own kids out for a camping vacation. They'll love it, you'll love the time you get to spend with them experiencing new things and you'll be helping create memories that they will eventually be telling their own kids as they grow older and start families of their own.

Ian Kurz a camping enthusiast and is the owner of http://www.everything-about-camping.com Please visit his site to for other tips and advice on how to make your camping experience more enjoyable