54 Nebraskaland • March 2021
or many, car camping at a state park marks the unoffi cial
beginning of spring. People dust off the family tent, pull
out plastic bins marked "camping gear" and make sure
the old green stove has fuel. Dedicated practitioners
may even revel in "glamping" — short for "glamour camping"
— with palatial motorized accommodations, portable fi re
pits and barbecue meat smokers.
But what if you have never been camping and would like
to try it? You might feel hesitant to invest money toward an
activity you're not sure you will enjoy. How much gear do you
really need to have a successful camping trip? Fortunately,
the answer is "not much." With the exception of a tent, you
could fi nd most camping essentials around your house.
The Tent
The No. 1 piece of equipment is a tent big enough to
accommodate your camping clan. Borrowing a tent has been
an acceptable practice for generations. A few phone calls to
family or friends will usually result in success. Keep a few
things in mind, however.
Quality matters. Cheap, off -brand bargain tents are not
a bargain at all and usually fi nd their way into the nearest
trash barrel after a single use. Dome- and cabin-style tents
are the most appropriate for car camping. Coleman makes a
variety of aff ordable models.
Size matters. Backpacking and mountaineering tents can
work for car camping since they are usually of higher quality
(with prices to match), but they may be too small for family
comfort. Use the plus two rule: If there are four people in your
family, get a six-person tent. If there are six people in your
family, get an eight-person tent.
Practice matters. Once you have acquired a tent, practice
setting it up before you go camping to make sure it's in good
shape, has all the poles and stakes required and that you are
familiar with its operation.
If you are unable to borrow a tent and aren't ready to buy
one, it is possible to rent a backpacking tent from either
the University of Nebraska at Omaha or the University of
F
People relax in the tent campground in the Valley View Flat area at Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area in Loup County.
Camping
for Beginners
By Matthew Marx
PHOTO
BY
ERIC
FOWLER
