Well summer is finally here :(

[Chocolatl]

My dad just called wanting to know of a good place near here (Tampa) to take his kids (half-sibs, ages 5 and 7) on their first camping trip this weekend.

"Maybe somewhere north of the Mason-Dixon?" I replied.

Kitsune and I just shook our heads in horror as my dad insisted they were up for an adventure. The heat, the humidity, the bugs, the crowds of a holiday weekend.

"Don't do it," I advised solemnly. "Just don't do it."

My dad doesn't own a tent or any camping gear. His plan is to go pick it all up tonight and break it in tomorrow night. Kits and I have informed him his kids will spend the rest of their lives hating camping after this.

Campfire to roast marshmallows? No need! Just hold them up to the blistering sun...

[Perry Winkle]

Originally Posted by Chocolatl

My dad doesn't own a tent or any camping gear. His plan is to go pick it all up tonight and break it in tomorrow night.

The heat and crowds are bad enough, but this seems the real flaw in the plan to me. You don't want the frustration of the first-time putting up a particular tent when you need to sleep in it shortly after. Almost guaranteed to have a mishap that leaves you putting it together by flashlight, in wind, rain or all of the above.

Then you get the fun of forgotten items (tent stakes that come with tents are generally worthless, gotta buy decent ones) or missing items. Want to try to return to the outdoor store at 9 pm to get replacements? Good luck.