Shelter is one of the most basic of human needs but I still see people everywhere thinking that you can buy a cheap family sized dome tent and think it will work as adequate shelter. Instead what you get is a big sail that's not waterproof and likes to fold flat with any level of wind.
I've also noticed a disturbing trend in the last number of years with family campers in Australia during summer. They cover their tent in at least 1, usually more tarps to keep them waterproof. Not only adding to the set up time, but putting extra pressure on that already stressed out cheap fibreglass tent poles.
These so called shelters also take forever to set up compared to most other tents. You need to feed poles through loops, hooks and guy out every conceivable pole intersection and use 18 or more pegs.
If you want to camp, buy a decent tent. A good hiking tent, or a family size canvas tent. Forget those budget large family dome tents unless you want to end up like this photo in the middle of the night. Which isn't a great way to get your family convinced that camping is good fun.
The poor people in this photo were having their very first camping experience and bought this tent. No doubt some expert from an large family camping store suggested it would have great space and be easy to set up!
