Try scout’s tents. I remember we had black canvas tents that we had to button together before each trip. Always fun whilest singing.

First of all, it should be an amazing experience to spend a night in a aquarium. Amazing pictures.

Yeah, the cot is super sturdy and will probably last decades. I have been using a Coleman Converta cot (http://campingandcamping.com/coleman-converta-camping-cot-review/) for 5 seasons already and will not switch to other one anytime soon. It is cheap, yet sturdy. No maintenance, no adjustments. Just pack it in your trunk and unfold it once arrived on site.

All the best to you…

This brings back memories of a music festival I attended about 20yrs ago. When I was asked if I wanted to go for the weekend I asked where we were staying. The answer was in a teepee. I had to go just to check out the experience. First was jumping on a privately owned bus with about 20 people, all who were supposed to be staying in the teepee to my amazement. When we got there jobs were divided up. A man had made the teepee himself, it was all natural, and huge. I was amazed as long wooden posts were lashes together (ex local young trees) by just him and a couple mates experienced in the “tricks” of doing it. The surround was a great piece of oilskin cotton canvas. It went up so fast. The floor inside was strewn with woven mats, also natural fibre and we were allowed to have a fire in the middle (pre-organised by the man in charge). This is where my culinary skill got appreciated :). It could have fit 30 people, I’m sure. It had so much room, and no leaks. One of the best memories I treasure (and in Australia). Apparently you can still buy teepees of natural materials, and if clever use a pattern to build your own of any size required. Well worth it, I built a little one for my children (now grown) in the back yard.

What about building a small yurt? plastic free, and fun looking.

I love those army cots!!

Ooh – camping in an aquarium sounds amazing!!! Oh, and love the cot idea too instead of inflatables.

Before they had plastic tents they had canvas. And Canvas Tarps. I have an old Canvas Tent that was my MIL’s got it just as my plastic tent bit the dust. Never liked the plastic tent, it was noisy, it leaked (the rain cover did’t cover the whole thing). It was lighter and easier to set up that the canvas (with metal poles) one but the Canvas one is just nicer. I have two plastic tents (also from my MIL) for backpack camping. With proper care they will last me for some time :)

I’m totally jealous, this looks like so much fun!

I’ve wanted a real canvas army surplus tent for Burning Man for years. It’s the best solution I’ve seen, much more comfortable than an RV, IMHO. I went in one and it was like a house. You could also build a Yurt, there is one on instructables called “Yurt without steel” that I’ve wanted to build.

When I was young, it was a treat for me to sleep on my father’s old army cot which he would set up for me in my grandparents apartment downstairs. I loved it and remember it was really comfortable and thought it was so cool with all those wooden pieces. Who knew it would be considered ‘going green’ for sleeping outside your home. Thanks for allowing me to bring back that fond memory.

Ooh, ooh–you need one of these http://soulpad.com/ ! I’m trying to think of a way to justify getting one for my family :).

LUCKY DOG!!!

How fun! The last photo is intriguing, what is it? Right here in Bodega Bay we have ‘Carolyn’s Canvas’! Carolyn and her team will whip you up a custom tent any size, shape or color. Or they can repair a or customize a used tent if you find one. They’ve made custom covers and bags for my husbands tree service business. Their quality is outstanding and their prices, while not cheap, are fair. They can be reached at: (707) 876.3555 (tell her Merle Nelson/Nelson’s Tree Service recommended them). My husband also suggests Cabella’s for canvas ‘guide tents’. Good luck!

How about a nice net hammock? Not the kind with bars at the head and foot – just a traditional Mayan net hammock, made of hemp or cotton or what have you. So good for you.

i live in australia and LOVE my canvass swag, which can be a bed-roll or extended out slightly to form a mini tent if it rains. so comfortable! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swag_(bedroll)

my family had those kind of cots for camping trips- they really do work.

Husband and I took our 5 year old grandson for his first camp out this last summer up near Kennedy Meadows. We all slept in a tent and on the ground with air mattresses and pads. Oh my goodness! The GGs could barely get up in the morning! We decided then and there to find the old school cots. Thanks for eBay tip. Might even go to our local army surplus store and see if they have any. Love you aquarium photos! That must’ve been so cool to sleep surrounded by fish!

I’ve always loved the cot I slept on in 1969, exactly like this one! As for the Aquarium evening – now I must plan to go. Thanks for the pictures! :)

Best place for canvas tent are military surplus. They often have a load of them, both small and enormous. Prices are great too, since it’s generally used stuff (with all the environmental advantage of buying use in bonus). I would recommend going to an actual military surplus store instead of ordering on the internet, since you can see by yourself the condition of the tent.

Go for a canvas tent. My uncle madea huge canvas tent years ago and they still use it to this day.

Super cool! That looks much more comfortable than a foam pad on the ground, but I guess the ground would have to be level. And, yes, only suitable for car camping. I think before plastic people were tougher and just slept on a bedroll straight on the ground. Not my idea of awesome.

Beth, I have friends that we camp with every year that have a great canvas tent with metal poles. It’s tightly woven so it is waterproof and it has served them well for years. I’ll inquire where it came from the next time I see them.