hizgeorgiapeach
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I haven't camped since, well, um, since I was about 10 years of age. I'm going beach camping and since I haven't the slightest idea about tents and such, any advice would be appreciated.
I was looking at those pop up tents anyone ever try one of those? Would these,
http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link_6393752_5?ie=UTF8&node=267174011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=auto-sparkle&pf_rd_r=09T7XNC32K2Q79E6Q6FB&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=421464001&pf_rd_i=pop%20up%20camping%20tent
stand up for a weekend camping trip? I'm thinking probably not, but I'm hopeful as these are probably as much as I will be able to manage to put together.
What am I getting myself into. I can't wait for this adventure to begin. I'm sure its going to be quite a comedy of errors once I get on site. 
I camp FREQUENTLY (like.... every weekend that I can con someone into taking care of my dad for me, since he can't be left by himself), and could honestly recommend any of the tents on that particular page.
Properly taken care of (put away in their bag when taken down, not put away wet from rain, set up at the begining of each camping season to be re-sprayed with a good water repellant) any of those can last you for several seasons. Make certain you stake the tent out properly, and check the ground where you plan to set it up Before you lay it out (and if you're smart - take a rake with you, to remove any twigs and large rocks from that specific area, it really comes in handy, and keeps the floor of your tent from death by accidental wooden staking - do NOT ask me how I know this, it was not a pretty death for a faithful tent.) Don't just check for sticks and rocks though - Check For Ants' Nests and Such as well!
Whether the photo Shows it or not, I can't think of ANY tents that I've seen sold in the past 5 years that do Not come with a rain-fly, not even single person pup tents.
For lighting, I would suggest a Coleman Electric Lantern - costs about $20 at WalMart, it runs on 4 D size batteries, but is rechargable, and comes with both a regular outlet plug and one that can be plugged into a car lighter/outlet - the light lasts for about 8 1/2 hours on High, or 16 hours if you are only using the really dim "night lite" feature that's part of it.
As long as you set the tent up properly (read the directions and set the tent up once Prior to going on your camping trip, so you already know which tent pole goes where!) and put the rain-fly in place, you shouldn't have any problems with it holding up to the water. Main thing there is to make sure you do NOT place anything in Direct Contact with the sides of the tent. Things in contact with the tent cloth breaks the tension, which is what allows water to get in more easily. If nothing is in direct contact with the tent material, it maintains it's tension, and should suffer from no leaks as long as you put it up properly.
Personally, I camp in all types of weather from sun to pouring rain to snow, and all seasons of the year from the mildest of springs to the deepest portions of winter to the hottest days of summer and the balmiest portions of fall. I Prefer to take a decent air mattress with me if I'm going to be spending a Lot of time camping - but I'm just as prone to simply throwing a couple of blankets, a sleeping bag and pillow, and some spare clothes in the car and heading to the lake. Be smart - take an Extra Blanket with you, and place it on the floor of the tent UNDER your air mattress - it will help prevent heat loss, which means you won't wake up shivering. (Yes, that can and Does happen even in the midst of summer if you're camping in the "right" areas!)
(and btw, DMiCT - I figure if a tent says it sleeps 4, then it's barely adequate for 1 - but then, I camp by myself in a 15x17 that claims it sleeps 8 to 10, and it's barely adequate for myself and my gear when I go to SCA events..... that queen size pop up camp cot and air mattress takes up half the friggin floor space, and barely leaves enough room for my folding camp endtable that I use as a dressing table, the stool that I use with it, my clothes trunk, and the cooler that is Specifically for my booze for the event.... the cooler for Food is stored seperately, with my full camp kitchen that typically goes with me, under a 10x10 gazebo that has it's own removable walls.)
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