Kelty


Lean-to – made with any tarp, this is minimal shelter. Pray for no wind or rain.


Roof – made with any tarp, this is better in foul weather, but far from perfect.

Three years ago, the troop bought a bunch of Kelty tents and we use them to this day. Each is like a little “home away from home“, and just like a real home, they protect us from and shut out the outside world while we sleep. Also, just like a real home, they require maintenance. Stuck zippers, leaky places, lost bits and pieces are just the start. They also usually require drying and cleaning when we return from each camping trip. 

I was all in favor of these tents when we got them, but slowly, as the scouts reached 14 or so, they started to want to really camp out. They wanted to wake up outside in the morning, not in some artificial cocoon. This was fine with me, but it was only after I tried it myself that I saw the difference your house can make to your camping experience. Now I am a gung-ho tarp camper, at least until mosquito season.