THE BRANDON SUN • Lake Life • SPRING 2026
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A good camping experience requires
BY WENDY KING
Ethan English and Clayton Heppner, owners at Stream N Wood in Brandon, say it’s a good idea for novice campers to seek advice before they pitch their tents. (Submitted)
T
ent camping is a great way to discov- er Manitoba’s lake country. For the
“The fly is the really important piece. Rain flies go over- top of the tent and give you protection from wind and, most importantly, rain. No one likes to wake up in a tent when it’s wet.” New campers often hesitate at the price of a quality tent, which can run in the $300 to $500 range, but com- pared to the cost of a hotel room versus the number of times you will use the tent, it’s a reasonable outlay. “When it comes down to the nitty-gritty, if things turn sideways, the tent needs to keep you safe and dry,” English says. A good sleeping bag means a good sleep. The basic types are mummy style with a hood that comes up around your head — designed for cooler temperatures and slight- ly more restrictive — and rectangular, which is roomier, or a barrel shape, which falls in between, combining some roominess with thermal efficiency. They are insulated with synthetic fill or down and are rated by warmth.
novice camper, good advice and quality equipment can set you up for success.
Ethan English is a seasoned family camp enthusiast. To- gether with Clayton Heppner, English owns and operates Stream N Wood (streamnwood.com), providing quality outdoor equipment in Brandon. He shared ideas about must-have gear. The first consideration is a tent to keep you warm and dry. English says people often make ease of setup their priority — but there might be more to it. “The more complex a tent is to put up, the better they hold up in the wind. When it’s really windy, and you’re in a not very nice tent, it can fold flat on top of you. With a tent, you want two to at least three poles,” he says.
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