tent

Sturdy. Simple. Quick. Ozark (can be found at Wal-Mart for under $30) makes a two person tent that is suuupppper simple and functional! It unrolls and only requires only two polls that slip through the top and criss cross to form the dome! These pieces have elastic inside them and fold up to be very compact and light. It includes 4 metal stakes to hold down the corners and a rain cover for the top, which has clips on the ends that connect to the bottom of the tent. Bonus feature for the tent is a small mesh loft that connects in the very top peak inside your tent, great for a small light, phones, keys or anything you want handy!

I would say this is the most important thing if you want to camp. Investing in a good tent, particularly if you want to stay for over four days is definitely worth it. Something that's waterproof, comfortable and has enough room. If you want sleep two get a three person tent, for three get a four person tent etc. The last thing you want is to be sleeping on top of people that you have no interest in.

I've camped without one,but I'd rather not.Tarps do not keep little visitors like mosquitos,snakes and such away from your snoozing butt effectively. I'd strongly advise one with what's called a "bathtub" floor.I'd also advise the use of seam sealant.Staying dry is a big part of enjoying your wilderness forays.ALWAYS stake your tent & if you REALLY don't want to put the rainfly on,for gawdsakes keep it close & ready.

I camped without a tent when I was a boy scout, but I don't know why a person would choose to camp without one. They can be found very light and easy to assemble, so there really isn't any reason to have one.

Shelter is a good idea most any time.

Obviously. . .and the older you get the more expensive and quality-driven the tent purchases get. . .

True story time.A long time ago, a certain young irish-canuck inveigled a young woman of his acquaintance, who had a pronounced interest in the outoors, on a camping trip.  (Let it be stipulated, that said young mick had prurient designs upon the person of said young woman.)Said young mick, who had not camped much cobbled together a variety of equipment from friends, and gathering young woman, headed off for a weekend of what he hoped would be lustful bliss in the semi-wilderness.Upon arriving at their destination, said mick and his female companion unpacked his vehicle (an MGB sports car.  This is important, so remember it for later)  They discovered, alas, that a tent was not among the equipment, but given that it was early summer, and not a cloud dented the heavens, no particular concern was evinced.The happy young couple hiked, and made a camp, and a fire, ate, and sipped at wine (which fortunately had not remained behind with the tent) indulged in some mild somewhat illegal pharma... Read more

Tents are good, but if the weather is right I rough it sometimes.

This is the definition of camping to me.  I've been tenting all of my life, with a breif period of my parents travelling with a pop-up camper when I was a teen.  I've camped with a tent lashed onto a back pack, thrown inot a canoe, strung to the rack of a bike, and I've hauled a bivoac up a cliff wall.

Not necessary but a plus if you get one or remember it.

Like the tent

In Canada, this is essential. It stops bears from coming to steal your booze.