You have already received so much great info I almost don't know where to start. So I will keep this short and sweet. With zero camping experience, unless you are very wealthy I would not go for anything more expensive than WalMart stuff. I have seen more than one WallyWorld tent fail in stiff winds, but why buy a $200+ tent only to find out in one night that you and your entire family hate camping. If you survive the first trip and want to go more, you can upgrade to better stuff. Keep in mind that a tent touted as a four person tent means four sleeping bags, usually mummy style, touching on the sides, and no room for gear. Pretty close just for sleeping, and if weather should drive you inside, cabin fever will set in fast. Go bigger than you think you will need! If sleeping on the ground, you can go top dollar with the good stuff, or you can get a decent Coleman brand self inflating pad for about !/3 of the good stuff. I actually prefer my Coleman, unless I am packing it on my back, 'cuz it has a built in pillow. And speaking of pillows, don't forget them. If you guys normally have a nice fluffy pillow under your noggin, a couple of nights without any will be a bummer. Take a large ice chest with food/sodas/whatever, and enough munchies to stuff something in a kids mouth if they start sounding hungery. Insect repellant, and sunblock are a must. I could probably go on, but I kindasorta promised to keep this short. Go, have fun, and then upgrade to better stuff for the next trip...