by Lana Evans

Created on: April 19, 2008

I'll take a tent any day! But, I have other people to consider; my kids and husband. They seem to loath tents, especially my kids. I could always force them to endure a few nights in a tent, but that is where RVs make a better camping experience.

In an RV, my kids are safer. My 2 year-old can't breach the locked door when we go inside. We have a private toilet room. There's heat and A/C. You don't want to expose small children to harsh weather.

Ants and other critters can get into tents, and that wouldn't be good with little kids who are always snacking. Even if they don't eat inside the tent, the ants will be drawn to the area. And tents are flammable.

Tents can be pretty dark at night, too. So can state parks. I might like tents, but even I was terrified walking through the dark with a flashlight to go to the facilities at night. I've walked into ant piles, tripped on logs that someone thought would make a nice space divider between tent sights, and run blindly from weird chirping sounds! And I've actually had my flashlight go out on me; a moment later, I walked right into the wall of someone else's tent! That was thoroughly embarrassing. When there's a new moon, or just a whole lot of clouds, and you're at a state park, you'd better either bring a turbo-powered flashlight, camp only during a full moon, or abstain from all that tempting bottled water!

Besides, you don't want to deal with the lack of privacy in a tent. You can hear everything in another tent, from laughter, to music, to things you really don't want your kids to have to listen to at 3 a.m.. Sometimes campers aren't that considerate.

If I had no kids, my whole outlook would be different on tents, and lots of other things. Once they are grown, I will always say that I prefer tents, under the right conditions, of course. I think they're cozy and fun. I wouldn't want to stay in a tent for weeks, though. That would get old, fast; unless I furnished it with an oriental rug, leather chairs, and an entertainment center.

I actually did stay in a tent, years ago, for three weeks. And I actually did deck it out. I had a welcome mat outside, a rug inside, some plants, and end tables for my inflatable bed- but I guess that's cheating, right?

For now, however, I think that if you're going to take the whole family camping, there will be less eye-rolling and arm-crossing if you camp in an RV. That alone will make your whole experience much more pleasant.

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