[sharkchomp]

There are tons of good tents that are cheap, but two tips. One, put the tent up in your house or backyard before you go camping and apply a good seam sealer. The stuff I used was a roll on type. I think I had to apply a few coats but it goes on fast and easy. Second, buy a rain tarp - or make sure the tent you're buying comes with one. This provides you with an extra barrier between your tent and the rain. You'll be happy you bought one if it does rain.

I would buy a good lantern and have extra batteries. It's been a long time since I last went camping but I used to go fairly often and I'm trying to remember things that were important to me.

If you're backpacking then it's different than car camping because everything you buy is about weight. For instance, if you're backpacking it, taking a cast iron skillet - unless a very small one - will get heavy. Food gets heavy. Water gets heavy. Are you going for one night, two or three? Is water accessible? Is it potable or is it stream water?

I'd find out exactly what you're doing, then plan from there.

~~~shark~~~~~~~