Which is the best tent for Scouts? One that can be used as a stand-alone tent and which can also lay on a cot in canvas tents and bunk beds in Adirondacks. It should be full (or mostly) mesh for the scorching summers and have a full-coverage rain fly all the way to the ground to block wind. And it should be less than $100. Sounds like SansBug.
“I will stipulate, again, that the SansBug including fly is still the safest tent in the Scout campgrounds because it does not need the guy lines which pose the most dangerous tripping hazard.” – Springfield Scout Leader Scott Newman
We’re thrilled that the SansBug screen tent has been featured in Scout Life magazine under Stuff we Like! The SansBug has helped thousands of Scouts and their parents brave through summer camp. “First time he came home without bites” and “first year he stayed at camp all week” is frequently heard.
Bug-Free Sleep Boosts Retention in Scouting
“My personal experience tells me that kids that go to summer camp are much more likely to stay with the Scouting program until they age out. And Scouts that go to three or more summer camps are much more likely to reach the rank of Eagle. This is one reason that bug-free sleep is so important.” – Scott Newman
We strongly believe that the SansBug is an important tool to boost retention rates. Recruitment is almost always easier than retention. Nothing beats the old fashioned word of mouth for recruiting youth into Scouting. It can happen organically by Scouts telling other youth of the rock climbing they did last weekend, the model rockets they’re going to launch at the next troop meeting, or the wicked camp they went to last summer. Parents can also tell other parents of how Scouting has had a positive impact on their child. Those experiences can then be used in ad campaigns to amplify the word of mouth marketing.
Disconnect with Nature Increases Outdoor Anxiety
But once you get youth to join, how do you make sure they stick around? The outdoors is a major part of scouting; it’s not just about dull meetings in a basement or selling popcorn. However, fewer and fewer kids are spending time outdoors. Kids today spend an average of 7 minutes a day playing outdoors vs. 7 hours in front of a screen. How much of the “outdoors” has green space is another issue. The disconnect with nature makes many kids anxious about bugs, insects, spiders, or even the dark. Getting Scouts who have these fears to stay at camp for the whole week is difficult. Even if they go once, try convincing them to return the following year! Are they just going to tolerate camp one year or will they look forward to next year?
Paul Kautz is a Master Educator of Leave No Trace and Red Cross authorized provider of Wilderness First Aid training. He was a Scoutmaster for 7 years and he knows of a few Scouts who missed some great campouts because they were scared of the bugs.
Managing Outdoor Anxiety
“Life changing! My son has a bug issue so we got him one of these and it’s working out great for him!”
Providing a safe cocoon at night when most critters are active has helped thousands of Scouts enjoy summer camp. Mosquito netting hung from the canvas tent or draped over poles doesn’t work because critters are still able to come in through the gaps between the floorboards. And it’s not just about insomnia because of arachnophobia, mosquitoes spread disease or at the very least keep you up with their buzzing. The SansBug screen tent with attached floor and zippered door is totally enclosed.
It’s not just the kids, even the grown ups take comfort from the instant refuge.
“There were flying cockroach looking bugs that came out at night. But my daughter and I slept securely knowing no bugs were going to crawl on us.”
If you can help manage bug anxiety, the Scouts can enjoy summer camp and focus on learning new skills. Get them the SansBug, the best tent for Scouts hands down!