Buying tents.

[Mike Long]

Interesting. We are exactly the opposite with only one exception.

[cjmiam]

Man, I never would have imagined that this thread would have been as interesting as you guys made it! Way to go!

 

I sat there saying, yeah, uh-huh, right-on bro! And then, hmmm, well, Im not so sure. One thing is for sure though, I always have an opinion

 

I dont let Scouts bring their personal tents, because I dont want to be responsible for damages. It appears we have the same tents that Uncle Bob has. I bought 20 2-person tents from the Sports Authority for $40 each. Each patrol is assigned 3-4 tents and they have to use them for about 5 years. Thats right, we get 20 tents every 4-5 years for about $800. Thats about $200 a year. The only up-keep is buying about 50 stakes every year. I think we should invest in a metal detector instead

 

Like previously stated. Buy the tents that are right for you. A 4-season tent is gonna cost a lot more than $40. Do the zipper test in the store. Pretend you are a Scout in a hurry to get to the latrine in the middle of the night and see if it jams. If it does, keep on shopping!

 

Good luck.

 

PS- does anyone know of a good source for cheap tent pegs/stakes in large quantities?

[Mike Long]

Cheap tent stakes?

 

Try some thick welding rod, a vise and a weekend. Bend your own.

[Kevin M]

Here's an update since I started this thread: The committee said that since I'm Camping Chairman, the tent situation is up to the boys and me. Good! I'll recommend a 2-3 man size to the PLC. I've been looking around for reasonable quality inexpensive tents, and the only real options I have are mail order (Campmore), or the local Academy store. I'll take the PLC over there and teach them what to look for when tent shopping so they can take the active role in shopping. Hopefully this will encourage them to make sure the other Scouts take care of the equipment! I really appreciate all the helpful input here! Keep it coming!

[frankj]

2 man tents are better for backpacking and you can squeeze them in places where the larger dome tents won't fit.

One other aspect: you might find the guys fall to sleep faster if only 2 per tent. In the larger occupancy

tents seems like there is always someone who wants to keep the party going. My first Scout tent experience was in an

army surplus pup tent (shelter half) in the late fall, NJ Pine Barrens. Tents have improved a lot since then.

 

[jmcquillan]

If you're going to go the 2-3 man tent route, one of the most popular tents in Scouting is tht Eureka Timberline series. They're self supporting "A" frame tents with a door at each end. Our troop has about 15 of them. A really good idea, if you can afford it, and if you have a good dealer (Campmor should be able to do this, if not contact Eureka, is to build yourself a supply of replacement parts. Having extra 'bones' (plastic connectors), pole parts, and stakes is a good idea for when the tents come back from a trip with missing or borken parts. Ever notice how these parts were "in the bag when I packed it...they must have jumped out Mr. Scoutmaster..."