We have a meeting each month where we take a break from our work and practice brainstorming about ways to improve everyday items. We thought an appropriate name for this meeting was "Build a better mousetrap," but as it invariably happens to long titles, we shortened it to "Mousetrap."

This Month's Challenging Topic: Build a Better Camping Tent

Tribester Responses

A tent that combines the principals of a tent for protection and air mattress for comfort would be great. The bottom could be an air mattress that when inflated also runs the air through the tent poles for super fast set-up.
-- Tony Passero

One simple addition would be integrated lighting using available flexible LED or mini-light technology to provide useful night time lighting. The lights could be battery powered so electric would not be needed. This addition would not compromise the basic characteristics that all tents should have: light weight, portability and durability.
-- Joe Kaput

I've never been accused of being a 'nature lover' or 'outdoors-y.' My camping experience is limited to one overnight experience while briefly enrolled as a Cub Scout. Looking back on that experience, the tent was lacking (in no particular order of importance) running water, air conditioning, a bed with a firm yet comfortable mattress, screens to keep the bugs out, or a refrigerator. All of those items would top my list for a better 'camping tent.'
-- Andy Owens

The one thing I don't like about camping is sleeping on the ground. I don't mind cooking over a fire, brushing my teeth with a water bottle, or even not having a shower, but I simply hate sleeping on the hard ground. My perfect tent would have a built in air mattress and come with a small battery powered air pump that could easily fit in a backpack. I could throw my sleeping bag on top and rest peacefully without having to move because there is a rock stabbing me in the back.
-- Carrie Pendergast