One item that has served our family well over the years is the addition of a kitchen shelter. Because we started our camping experiences at a time when counting pennies was essential we came to the realization that a relatively small sleeping tent would suffice if we could have enough room to eat and lounge comfortably outside the sleeping tent.
We used awnings and tarps for awhile but were constantly driven into the tent to escape the bugs or just to get warm. Then we realized that investing a bit of extra cash for the purchase of a kitchen shelter would give us exactly what we needed, without breaking the bank.
There are many makes, models, and designs of kitchen shelters on the market but there are a few essentials you should consider before you begin your search.
1. Look for a shelter that is screened on all four sides.
2. The shelter should have entrances on two sides.
3. The screened sections should have a waterproof cover that can be rolled up, or down, completely or partially.
4. There should be no floor in the shelter, but it should have a 6” to 8” “lip” inside the tent. You can place heavy items or rocks along this lip to help keep animals out.
5. Be sure it is large enough to put a picnic table inside.
For those of us that like to camp on the ground the shelter will quickly become an essential piece of equipment because:
1. The screens will keep the bugs out.
2. The waterproof covers will ensure that you and your equipment are dry when the rain falls.
3. Your camp stove, or even a lantern, will provide enough warmth to keep the chill off for those evening card games.
4. Strategically closing the covers on one or two sides will give you will have greater privacy when you’re eating or lounging.
Get that shelter on your Christmas list and be ready for dry, bug free camping trips next summer.
Lloyd
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