Camping for Beginners

[weeniecat2442]

Hi All!
I thought Id come to the experts in the hopes that I could get some guidance on basic camping supplies. My boyfriend and I want to start camping (something we both did as young children).
I am just wondering what you all would recommend for good basic camping supplies. We live in RI and most likely would be doing summer and fall camping in New England.
Id like to purchase a tent soon. Was thinking a 4 person for extra space. Something that is easy to set up, would last a decent amount of years but not breaking the bank. We also have a dog (about 15 lbs) that will be joining us so extra tent space for him would be good too.
Thanks for any help!

 

[bama_ed]

Hi weenie.

We had some threads in the past on the main Camping board specifically around "what tent to buy" lately. The summary answer was most tents today are similar in quality for what I call "car camping" (what we do at the Fort instead of backpacking in the mountains). Most of your Target or Academy Sports tents are fine so find the style/size/layout you prefer. You can use the "Search Forum" function to find discussions about buying tents.

Down here the basic idea is to have a tent (multiple rooms if you want, big enough to stand up in if you want, with a front awning or attached screen room if you want). Then an EZ up awning for shade which are usually 10x10 or some similar size if you need that. Some folks like to get these as a screen room as opposed to open walls but it just depends on if you camp in a buggy place. A cooler big enough for a weekend of chilled food and drinks with ice is next. A Coleman-type stove (2 burner) that runs off the 1-pound dark green canisters (about 12 inches each and cheap) is on the list. The same canisters can run a propane lantern (I love the hissing sound the propane makes as these are lit and burn). Or a couple flashlights if you don't do the lantern (DO IT).

The big variable is the bed situation. Some folks like the inflatable bed mattresses (they can leak). Some folks like the folding aluminum cots with the nylon webbing (heavier than the inflates but my preference). Some folks want real sleeping bags for that camping effect and some folks make due with bedding from home.

Be careful of buying tents that are labeled "4-person" or "8-person". Those are the sizes laying on the ground shoulder to shoulder, cheek to jowel. If you think you can make it with a 4-, get a 6-. If you think you can make it with an 8-, get a 10-. Go bigger than you think and don't look back. With a dog you will want to definitely plus up. Look at the "footprint" of the tent. 10x12, 8x10, etc. Also the straighter the wall of the tent, the more useable space inside. Slanted walls feel closed in more so it would have to be bigger to get the same feel as a smaller straight wall tent.

Never put your gear away wet. Air it out or dry it when you get home before you pack it up. Start small, add on as necessary. First trips should be close to home, in good weather, to build confidence and learn your gear's limitations. After you get comfortable with your set-up, it will be time to head to the Fort. And you know those crazies over there on the main Camping Board will want pictures, a trip report, and your life's story.

Or you can slip in under the dark of night and leave us hanging. But we promise we will show you some love if you do a Trip Report.

Make it happen this summer! Good luck.

Bama Ed

 

[weeniecat2442]

Bama Ed thank you so much for all that info! I have been to Disney many many times and have yet to stay at the fort but it is something I have always wanted to do! it is definitely in the future!
I will put your sage advice to work over the next couple months as we start gathering something's for our first camping trip.
Thank you again!
~WeEniecat

 

[daveag]

Great stuff. We did the same thing over the past 2 years acquiring gear. We rotate between buying gear at Target and REi. Have fun! Our newest glamping must have is a tent lighting system (glorified Christmas Lights).

 

[weeniecat2442]

Hello! A few months have passed since my original post and I am happy to say that we successfully accomplished our first camping trip over memorial day weekend!
I got a great deal on an awesome Coleman 6 person weathermaster tent with screen porch and made last reservations at camp ground an hour away on Cape Cod. We went with my cousin who camps a lot so she showed me the ropes!
Our tent went up surprisingly easy (we didn't even fight!) and within a short amount of time we were up and ready to go. We did most of our cooking right in the fire which was awesome. We drove to a great dog-friendly beach a short ways a way for a few hours one day, lounged around, played games and just had a great time.
My dog LOVED his first camping trip- the place was really dog friendly and had a great dog park.
Hopefully we can get a few more trips in this summer!

 

[tiggerdad]

Cool! Glad you seemed to have gotten started off right.

 

[2goofycampers]

Welcome to the wonderful world of camping!

 

[bama_ed]

Good for you weeniedog.

Actually cooking on a campfire is pretty advanced. And Cape Cod, being what it is, means there's beach in almost every direction within a short distance I bet.

I re-read my post above and wanted to let you know I took my propane Coleman lantern camping with me at the Gulf beach this past week for the first time in years. The first time I opened the valves and struck the match to light it, I almost singed my eyebrows off (typical me). But it made a satisfactory "PUFF" sound and then glowed for all it was worth.

Oh, did I mention Fort reservations can be made 500 days in advance of arrival? Just a random comment. Maybe some day you can throw the camping gear in the car and point it towards Orlando ... Where did that come from?

Congrats on the first trip and good luck on the next. You sound like ya'll are fast learners already.

Bama Ed

 

[weeniecat2442]

all that matters is that satisfying PUFF sound! Hopefully you saved some of your eyebrows though!
The Fort will happen some day! I love checking out pictures of some of the set ups people come up with!
Thanks for the encouragement all--I am thinking we are going to head to VT or NH for our next camping trip. Places seem to fill up awfully fast which I somehow didn't expect.
Is there a place on these boards where the campers share camping recipes?
Enjoy your week!

 

[peg110]

I would say anywhere in the "Camping" forums (Camping at Disney World or Camping Community Board) would be appropriate for "Camping" recipes.

 

[Flametamr]

Welcome to the wonderful world of camping. You either love or hate it. Be flexible and adventurist. If you love it like us it gets addicting and possibly expensive. I started in a tent going to Nascar races. Then moved to a Pop Up. Got married and needed more beds so we got a 29ft bumper pull camper. Now that we need less beds and more comfort I just made a big jump to a 5th wheel camper. Lots of money but oh so worth it.

 

[Flametamr]

Did I mention we'll be taking the new Fifth Wheel to the Fort for Halloween this year.

 

[xfiles3010]

Hello my uncle is planning on driving his RV to Disneyworld. I told him about Ft Wilderness campgrounds. Do guest get the same perks as the one staying at Disney resort hotels i.e. booking ADR 180+10, Fastpass selectios at 60 day mark?? TIA

 

[chartle]

Hello my uncle is planning on driving his RV to Disneyworld. I told him about Ft Wilderness campgrounds. Do guest get the same perks as the one staying at Disney resort hotels i.e. booking ADR 180+10, Fastpass selectios at 60 day mark?? TIA

Yes

 

[xfiles3010]

Yes

Thank you chortle

 

[peg110]

Do guest get the same perks as the one staying at Disney resort hotels

No, they don't get the same ones. They get MORE. Of course as Chartle stated, they do get the perks, but they also get all the squirrels and armadillos as well as being able to commune with nature.

 

[BOST99]

Would you mind sharing where you went on the Cape?

My dd has been begging us to go and would like to take the dog too.thanks!

 

[kamik86]

I know you have now been camping but wanted to add one more thing since you are camping in NE.

Since you live in RI you probably know that NE had these nasty cold spells. Like the recent one where I went to bed with it warm and fans on and woke up to find that my house was 55 degrees at the beginning of June.

Given these if you go camping towards the beginning or end of the season (April/May or September) be sure to bring sweathshirts and have a good high quality sleeping bag. Sleeping bags come with temperature ratings of how cold they are good to.

I have been on a few early April camping trips where we woke up to frost and in my opinion NOTHING makes a more miserable camping trip then being cold at night. Thankfully we had nice warm sleeping bags and everything was good.

 

[chartle]

Hello my uncle is planning on driving his RV to Disneyworld. I told him about Ft Wilderness campgrounds. Do guest get the same perks as the one staying at Disney resort hotels i.e. booking ADR 180+10, Fastpass selectios at 60 day mark?? TIA

There is one thing you don't get, free ice.

Oh and its chartle not chortle.

 

[peg110]

There is one thing you don't get, free ice.

That's true. Never really thought about it because our TT has a nice freezer and we make Ice. Don't need a large volume of it either so it's not been an issue.