I had boys in scouting, and in 2004, was looking for material for scout leaders when I came across this: http://mormonsite.wordpress.com/camping-in-a-hammock/ This guy is from Maine, and says he camps in complete comfort in a string hammock with a pad. I went on line and found the hammock he used, and the rest was history. The only time I had to come back to ground was on a trek to Philmont, where they won't let you use a hammock because of the bears. (but I bet if they tried it, the bears would love hammocks too).