I want to buy a light and a fan for our tent. Is there any way I can buy something that does both those jobs in one?

Take a look at this funky little light from cascade designs http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/tents/tent-accessories/enhance/led-tent-lights/product or Walmart have a more traditional hanging tent light http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Zephyr-LED-Tent-Light-and-Fan/4767725

Walmart have tent stakes that are reasonably priced and you can buy them individually which is really helpful. We lost just one of ours and I didn't want to replace the whole set. http://www.walmart.com/ip/COLEMAN-TENT-STAKES-10/13848624

Read this article that's in the abc of hiking. It gives some really good advice about tents and what to look for. It should make you more confident about being given the sales pitch in the camping shop. http://www.abc-of-hiking.com/hiking-tents/tent-buying-guide.asp

In general, tents should be able to keep away a light drizzle but may not be waterproof in a downpour. If you know that you are camping in bad weather, you can buy tents made from better rain resistant material. You can buy a waterproof sealant from a hardware or camping shop and seal the joins on your tent. Make sure you use a groundsheet under your tent to add a protective layer.

The first things to consider when you are buying a tent are size and budget. Figure out how much you have to spend and then try and get the best quality tent you can for that amount.

How many people do you need your tent for?

A 2 person tent is actually quite cramped for 2 people and it might be better to invest in a 4 person tent.

Speak to people who have been camping and ask them how comfortable their tents were.

You also need to consider issues such as the material the poles are made from (aluminium is stronger), how big the rainfly is (this is the tent's umbrella) , vents, zippers and guy lines(these keep your tent attached to the ground).

Go to a camping shop and get feedback on all these issues before you rush out and buy.

Tent fans work with batteries (as people who use tents are usually away from electricity plugs...)
These fans usually operate on 4 or 6-D cell batteries. I recommend taking some extra batteries with you if you are going on a trip, you never know when you will need them.

It sounds like something soaked in, either a rain shield product that wasn't allowed to dry before putting the tent away or a leak during storage. Tents can be cleaned with mild cleansers, but it's best to try just plain warm water first, as cleansers can leave residue behind that will impact the rain resistance of the fabric and attract more dirt. If you do have to use a cleanser, rinse the tent well afterward! Make sure the tent dries fully (including the seams) before putting it away again. Here are more detailed instructions:

http://www.hiking-gear-and-equipment-used-for-camping.com/how-to-clean-a-tent.html

Try an iron on patch, you can buy these in a drapery. Be very careful not to have the iron too hot as it might melt the tent material, it might be wise to try it out on something else first. Stephen.