107th Edinburgh Scout Troop

Camp Kit List \| Patrol Site Layout \| Types of Tent \| Troop Tents \| Fires \| Cooking
There are many different types of tents on the market, each made for a specific purpose. It helps to know what these different types of tents are, so that you can choose the best tent for the situation. There are usually two main purposes for tents within Scouting; firstly, there is the traditional standing Troop camp which normally uses the large, heavyweight patrol tents which sleep up to six people and, secondly, lightweight one, two or three person tents ideal for smaller camps and expeditions where the tents need to be carried in or on rucsacs.
Patrol Tent This is the tent most commonly used for Scout camps. Made of a heavy canvas material, it is particularly robust and hardwearing. Patrol tents can sleep up to six people with kit and because of its size, normally requires at least three people to erect it. Technically it could be considered as a ridge tent as it has a horizontal pole going across the top of the tent.
Ridge Tent This tent is any tent which has a horizontal pole going across the top. The upright poles that support it may be a single upright pole, or two sloping poles (also known as an 'A' frame).
Tunnel Tent It is made up of two or more hoops along its length, giving the appearance of a fabric tunnel. These hoops are of equal size, and usually this tent does not have a set front end. This is a lightweight tent with a large working area inside.
Hoop Tent This is a cross between the tunnel and the ridge tent with a single hoop at the entrance and an upright pole at the far end. Having no ridge pole means that the tent takes up less space, but it is less rigid. The advantage is that these tents can offer less resistance to the wind, and have a better access area to get in and out of. The hoop tent is usually a small tent and is used for lightweight camping and expedition work, and would normally sleep from one to three people.
Dome Tent Its design has only been possible with the introduction of strong flexible materials. It consists of several hoops going across the tent in different directions; this shape means that with no corners, sharp edges or flat surfaces, these dome-shaped designs are better at shedding water and standing up in high winds. These tents are usually used for lightweight camping and walking and are made of lightweight materials rather than a heavy grade canvas.
Bell Tent This has a single upright pole in the centre of the tent, and is then guyed out from it. There are very few lightweight bell tents available, most are made from the same heavy canvas as the patrol tent. The groundsheet is not sewn into this tent.