18 of 38

Tents

Write now Article Tools

Although I have not much experience in an RV, I would conclude that tents offer a better opportunity for anyone who has never really enjoyed the outdoors. The RVs (recreational vehicles) is available for those who may be a bit older and like the convenience of experiencing the outdoors. Another factor, RVs would be feasible for those who have smaller children and would like to give them an idea of camping outdoors. Although I think the RVs for some people are worthwhile, camping in a tent far outweighs the experience of camping.

My personal experience with tents began during my military training, which also included my job as an Officer training Army Cadets between the ages of 12-19. We often ventured away on weekends to various camping sites around Ontario and would often camp during winter months. This is known as winter indoctrination where we learn and teach how to survive in the cold. Both Officers and Cadets participated without any special accommodations. For the entire weekend, we would sleep in tents in the snow including cooking our meals and using snow to make water for washing up and cooking our rations.

I recall one camping trip with my cadets; we were stuck in over a foot of snow and were unable to put our tents up unless we cleared the area. As an Officer in some cases I used the free rein leadership approach but in this case, I was the participatory leader. Therefore, I assisted my Cadets in clearing the area, it took us all day and it was imperative we did it before sundown. We managed to clear some areas but hammering in the pegs in frozen ground was a disaster, some tents fell while we were asleep but like anything we had contingencies and were able to recover. Overall I would look back at a glorious camping experience despite being snowed in.

In this article I would not be able to provide any comparable elements between the RVs and tent camping but from what I have learnt from others, who have RVs they really never experience the real outdoors unless they are in a tent. I have had this discussion with many RV owners more than half enjoy their RVs but when camping outdoors, some also bring along tents in order to fully experience their camping enjoyment.

Nothing can compare to sleeping in a tent and having a fire pit while everyone sits around and roasts hotdogs and tell ghost stories. My camping experiences included this and all the kids I supervised during my military experience embraced and enhanced this novelty to the fullest. It was nothing like being in the wilderness and laying half way out of the tent looking up at the Milky Way.

The RV is the mechanical extension of camping while real genuine camping is about putting the tents up, fire pits, hotdogs and reminiscing about life. The time will come when I will have something to teach my children about camping and enjoying the outdoors. This is something I look forward to; it's about the calm, tranquil and simplicity of nature and all it has to offer.

Learn more about this author, Nadia Ghanny.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Which provides for a better camping experience: RVs or tent-camping? ?
We want to hear your view. Write now!