CAMPING--What are the basic necessities? UPDATE WE'RE BACK

KATHINOWA

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 17, 2006
Messages
742
We're taking the kids camping for the first time in a couple of weeks. We have a tent, a gas stove, lantern, flashlights, air mattresses. What are the basic necessities? I don't want to spend a fortune to find we hate camping but also don't want to be miserable because we weren't prepared. I camped as a kid (but in a camper) and DH has never camped.

Any advice?
 
Beer.
:teeth:


Oh you might also condiser bug spray. Here in Texas I always take ant killer too (Fireants). Will the campsite have running water and /or electrical hook-ups? Other things I always make sure of are
Hand sanitizer
Toilet paper
Camp chairs
Rake (to clear the area)
Trash bags
First aid kit
Emergency road kit (floor jack has come in very handy for me before)

Have fun.
 
matches and fire starting stuff-kindling, hot dog cooking sticks/also for marshmellows and graham crackers with Hershey bars. Camp coffee kit, pancake mix and griddle skillet/also for bacon and eggs. Wash cloths and flip flops for showers house or sink baths. Line to hang stuff to dry. Bug repellent. extra batteries for lantern and books to read by flashlight at night. Everyone should have a small flashlight to put in the little pockets of the tent. pillows and sheets because the inside of a sleeping bag is sweaty and if it's hot-you sleep ON the bag with the light sheet over you. small broom to clean inside of tent b4 you pack it up. Be sure to take the rain fly off when it dry and leave the tent to dry for a while before you pack it up -otherwise they mold or rot when packed wet.
 
a hotel reservation :laughing: ... I'm sorry I couldn't resist :)...

Have fun :goodvibes ...
 

Tarps. One to go under the tent to keep condensation from seeping up from the bottom and extra(s) to go over it just in case it starts to rain (don't count on the rain fly doing much). Bungie cords or rope, hammer, stakes. Chairs, table, anything you can think of to sit and be comfortable and or eat at and be comfortable while eating.
We think headlamps for the kids are an absolute must. They just wear them on their heads and their hands are free for play. They use these everynight whether they are riding bikes or just running around playing.
You'll get alot more response at the camping board!!!!
 
The nearest hotel with all the comforts of home...I couldn't resist either.

Never been camping except for one time with aunt/uncle/cousins in the Cascade Mountain Range near Seattle. It was a good time as I remember, but the weather was so damp nothing that got damp dried when hung up to dry. Miserable chilly weather. In August yet!!!

Have a good time; lots of folks have the time of their lives when camping during the summer vacation.
 
Tarp, tarp and a tarp. Did I say tarp? We went camping a couple weeks ago and were caught in a huge downpoor. Luckily our tent was covered with our tarp and we stayed dry. Our friends and their stuff were not so lucky, they didn't have a tarp. Don't forget the rope too :thumbsup2

You can google camping packing list and you will find some geat checklists. there is alot to list and no matter how many times I've camped I always use one so I know I'm prepared.

Have fun!!
 
Wow! So many replies already. I knew I could count on the DIS.:worship:

Tarps--didn't think of that but will definitely do.
S'mores--of course
Bug Spray--definitely will need!
small broom--didn't think of that either

Keep the responses coming!!
 
If it's not been done- seal the seams on your tent! (You can get a tube of seam sealer at Walmart, etc in the camping dept.) Set up the tent, put it on the seams, let dry and pack.
 
In addition to some of the other things mentioned...camp pie maker, electric griddle, citronella candles, whisk and dust pan to clean out tent, drying rack for towelss, swim suits, etc.
 
One of the 5gal solar shower bags (cheap at Target or Wal-Mart) having warm water to wash hands, faces and owies is invaluable IMO.
A vinyl table cloth if the site comes with a table.
 
Does your air mattresses have a pump that works without electricity? If they need electricity or a hairdryer to fill them, you need to look for for an alternate way to fill them or find some type of car adapter that will work. Test at home ahead of time.

Check all the batteries in all the flashlights before you go to make sure they are properly working & fully charged.
 
I would also add.A rubbermaid type tote with a lid. For dry food. We had the food one year in a tent and something ate through the tent to get to the food.
Also a screen tent, radio(w Batteries), and a deck of cards.
 
We just did this. We brought:

Tent & tarp for under it & over it
Airmattresses & foot pump
sleeping bags & pillows
Small gas grill
Clothesline
Small & Large fry pan
Small & Large pot
Cooking utensils
matches
fold up table & chairs
Flashlights & lanterns
Coolers
trash bags
paper plates (not foam), paper cups, plastic utensils
dish detergent
hand sanitzier
towels

The place we stayed at had a bath house so we could take showers. We brought lots of quarters (.25 per minute), soap, shampoo & conditioner, along with our other toiletries.


We kept meals simple. I made a big pasta salad and tossed salad. We then just grilled meat. Lunch was sandwiches, chips & fruit and breakfast was bacon/sausage, eggs and bagels (cooked on the grill).
 
I was camping last weekend.:thumbsup2

Wood. Bring your own. Campgrounds do not allow you to use the forest wood to camp and then you have to buy their expensive wood. We did not have room and ended up spending close to 75 on wood.:headache:

Charcoal, lighter fluid, chimney starter if you have one.

I brought my cast iron skillet and made smokies for breakfast. Oh sooo good.

Big pot to heat up water for washing dishes. One that you don't care goes on the fire grate. (Use the cooler drink water to put in the pot if you don't have water handy)

2 containers to wash/rinse dishes in. We use small totes, that way it is storage for the utensils as well.

Oven mitts! (I had to buy those)

Fire Poker if you have one

Foil to cover the grate to grill on

Long rope to hang up wet stuff, like clothes/towels.

Lots of Ziplocks

Coolers for drinks, food, and meat.
 
http://camping.about.com/od/campinggearchecklists/l/blchklist.htm

Here, this link might help!

Also, always put a tarp under and inside your tent before putting up your airbeds, etc. Use plastic totes to store your food and clothing in to protect from weather and critters. They also make great tables and night stands to put your lanterns, etc. on. A bag of charcoal, lighter fluid, and a lighter will light a fire even if the wood or fire bowl are damp. Duct tape and bungy cords have many uses! Bring sandals to wear in the public showers. Never walk barefoot in your camp site, you never know what sharp object is lurking! Zip up your tent at all times or you might be sleeping with a creepy crawly or wake up with 50 million skeeter bites. Dont forget a good, well stocked first aid kit. Most park rangers aren't first aid certified or required to be, so you are your only first aider until an ambulance arrives. Use atleast two coolers, if not three. One for drinks and edible ice, one for meat only and one for all other perishables. Bring extra ziplocks. They are great for food storage, ice packs for bumps and storing odd items. Our youngest two carry ziplocks with them and collect rocks, sticks, leaves, etc. as their treasures!

Check with your local DNR. Some states restrict bringing in your own firewood to public/state campgrounds. Same thing with alcohol. Most state parks prohibit alcohol.

We have been camping since our oldest two were toddlers and now we have 3, 5, 11 and 13 year old children. The only thing we havent dealt with camping to date is the stomach flu...knock on wood! But we have had injuries, potty training accidents, firewood and coolers stolen from camp site while we slept at night, rude/drunk/fighting camp neighbors, torrential rain, tornados and so forth. If you have any questions, just ask!
 
Around here you are not supposed to transport your own wood due to bugs which may be brought along to infest new locations. They are working to keep the Emerald Ash borer out of our area.
 
Tarps
Matches/lighter/fire starter bricks if you are not use to starting a fire
Rope (clothes line)
hatchet to split kindling for fire
extra batteries for flashlight
extra bottles of fuel for lantern and stove
ice chest and ice
plates/bowls, silverware/cooking utensils
wash tub and dish soap
cooking spray
shake and pour for pankcakes :)
chairs to sit in
air pump for mattress
camping reservation
reading material
dish towels to dry dishes on
wire brush if planning to use fire pit grill
aluminum foil
ziploc bags
can opener
 
If you have young kids, take some baby wipes so they can easily clean their hands. Also, a small first aid kit containing: neosporin, bandaids, needle, tweezers for all those splinters that kids seem to be able to find!!!
 















Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top