I am looking for a recommendation for a decent starting tent and gear for a family of 5. My oldest daughter is 7 and joined the cub scouts this year. The den is new and we are just getting things started, but the goal is to go car camping / hiking once a month starting Jan 2025. We will be in the great plains states in the USA for what it’s worth. Hot and humid summers, bone chilling winters, and everything in between. We also get ridiculous winds out here. I believe the states capital Scout’s group will help provide the heavy winter tents and stoves for the winter camps.
I’m really excited, because I will be her cub scout leader going forward.
My daughter(s) will inherit most of my gear from college when I solo backpacked a A LOT. There are a couple of nice bags and ultralight sleeping pads. It was all top of the line back 10-15 years ago. But, unfortunately, I basically haven’t gone camping since then due to sports injuries, health issues, new family, and new career.
What are some decent tents and sleep solutions for a 6’1" and 250lb guy with a bad back, a small and petite wife, and 3 kids under 7? I would like to start with the basics and then get into more creature comforts as we go and figure out what we like as a family.
Ideally I’ll wait for the holiday sales coming up and trying to stay under $500 for tent and my sleep set up. The kids are essentially taken care of for gear and my wife honestly won’t go too often with the toddler this coming year. I think she is fine with her current sleeping bag and an air mattress; I don’t usually do well on air mattresses anymore, but I could make it work. I’ll keep my 30* Marmot sleeping bag.
My friend, who is the scout master, just bought a core 9 person instant tent - would something like this work for us for a few years, or would you guys recommend something with a better rain fly and wind protection?
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I’m a Cub leader, too. For discount tents, check out Hiker Direct from Alps Mountaineering. There is a substantial discount for Scouts. As a tall person, you’ll appreciate the Camp Creek 6–I can barely reach the inside clip to hang my lantern. It also has straight sides, so cots fit if you want to go that route.
I have every sleeping pad known to man, and I love the Exped Megamat. It’s as good as home. Little kids can sleep on anything, so something like a traditional Thermarest Basecamp will last them a long time.
Someday they may want to go backpacking or to Philmont, but by then, tents may be made of spider webs or something, so cross that bridge when you come to it.
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Sign up for an account at Hikerdirect.com
It’s Alps Mountaineering’s discount program for scout families. They have a referral program, so ask if anyone in your pack is already a member.
They’re very aggressive with their discounts and it’s a good way to get higher quality stuff at around the same price as the budget brands.
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Gazelle tent and a cot.
Cots are a serious game changer. I always had trouble with pads that are too thin, or air mattresses that had a pinhole leak. Ever since I got a cot I look forward to a good sleep. And bring a pillow from home. Not one of those tiny hiking pillows, but a regular, big pillow from home.
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Keep an eye on sales from sites like REI and Backcountry. REI also has a resell section with good deals and an annual sale, though it might have passed.
I was in a similar situation—used to backpack, then my son joined scouts, and I became an assistant leader. We camp 9 months a year, mostly car camping as we rebuild post-COVID. I now use two gear sets: one for backpacking, one for car camping. A 4-inch foam mattress and 20-lb tent are great for car camping, but not for backpacking.
Favorites:
- REI Camp Dreamer Mattress: Comfy but large
- North Face Wawona 6P Tent: Spacious, but heavy
- Fold-up Table: Compact and useful
- Feathered Friends Flicker Quilt: Versatile but pricey