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

[tonilea]

The older I get, the more numerous and expensive my "necessities" become. *sigh*

 

[SandrA9810]

You're forgetting the mini fridge and AC... well those are two important things we always bring when we're camping at Fort Wilderness... But I guess that's kind of spoiled camping.

Tarps are good. Our rain fly works pretty well, but the tarp helps keep the tent cooler in the morning, and a bit darker so you don't have to be up at the crack of dawn. I always hate packing up the tent in the morning. The morning dew always makes the sand stick to the bottom, so I would have to pack up there, then take it home to clean it. Not the easiest thing. Having a small hand broom makes it easier for cleaning it there.
Make sure you pay attention to how the tent is folded as you take it out. Just because it came out of there, doesn't always mean it goes back in. I still haven't managed to get the fly to fit back into the bag, but I can get the tent and poles in just fine.
When you get back home, toss a dryer sheet in there... helps keep it smelling good for the next time around. I accidently had a bottle of laundry softner leak in the back end of my truck, spilling all over the tent bag and even 4 years later, it still smells like it.

LOTS of bug stuff... you might want to get those new fan clip ons, hang it in the middle of the tent.

Do you mind telling us what size or kind of tent you got?? Just because it says 4 people, doesn't mean it fits four comfortably... we have a 5-6 person dome tent which suits us fine for the two of us. The more crowded it is, the hotter it becomes.

BTW, bring a mat or rug to place outside your tent. Don't need to drag in the dirt. Getting it out is harder than getting it in.

 

[GeorgeG]

Lots of good advice being offered. I hope your first trip doesn't discourage you. It's almost impossible to think of everything the first time out, but you will find other campers will be happy to share ideas with you. It's very much a learn-as-you-go affair.

Campgrounds vary a great deal from a basic site with a fireplace/ring, picnic table and trash can to some with running water, sewer and electricity. They also vary in cleanliness and amenities. Again, you learn as you go. Some campgrounds can be full-blown resorts (Fort Wilderness).

Keep an open mind and you just might find a good way to make family vacations more affordable.

 

[GeorgeG]

One other thing...

Your clothes and everything else WILL smell like a campfire. It's just something to get used to.

 

[TanyaLovesPooh]

Camping is awesome!

We are going a week from today, meeting up with my siblings and their families. Be sure you pack things for the kids to do, ours love to take travel games, cards and glow sticks...lots of glow sticks.

I hope your family has a wonderful time.

 

[ksjayhawks]

Have a separate cooler for your drinks. It will keep your other food supplies colder. Use block ice in the cooler with the food==it doesn't melt as fast.

Another tarp or piece of outdoor carpet to put by the door for shoes, etc. A hammer and extra stakes. Clips to hold the tablecloth on the table. Plastic egg holder(s). Firestarter/flint. Bucket to get water. Extra plastic tub for "just in case". Clothes drying rack for towels, swimsuits, etc. All sizes of ziplock bags.

Get rid of the trash--especially if there is food in it--every night, don't want to encourage guests!

Have fun!

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

I recomend headlamps. Kids are less likely to loose them in those dusky hours when they don't really need them. Also having two hands free can be invaluable.

Deck of cards

 

[momrek06]

My DS' are Eagle scouts...one important item would be a whistle to wear around your neck...at least two of you should have them. Easily purchased in any camping store...even DICK's in the "coaches" dept. It anyone gets separated from one another...you have your whistles.

A roll of toilet paper.

DS' just spent a long weekend in the SEQUOIA's...breathe-taking. Enjoy yourself, OP.
Report back on your trip!!!

 

[minkydog]

My mother says I've been camping since i was 6 weeks old. That was back when dinosaurs still roamed the earth.

DH & I started camping with our kids late. He had never camped before and was definitely in the "can't we get a hotel" camp. I'm glad he didn't judge camping by our first trip. Not that is was so bad, but you know there was a learning curve. I had skills, he had none. We had three kids, one of whom was a severely handicapped 3yo who couldn't walk, talk, or feed himself. And STILL we went camping!

You've gotten a lot of good advice. Or at least a LOT of advice. I always try to simplify things, bringing only those things I know I will need. I pack a few games, books, paper and crayons in the car for JUST IN CASE. On a rainy afternoon, it actually is a lot of fun to sit in the tent and play dominoes.

Kids. Have each of the kids pack two backpacks, or a backpack and a duffel bag. Their clothes go into one backpack/duffel bag. Check the duffels to make sure everyone is bringing clean undies, pajamas, and swim suits. their toys go in the other backpack. If the kid can't fit all his stuff into two carry-alls, then he's bringing too much stuff. Thin it out. Number 1 rule of camping: Each adult/child must be responsible for their own gear. Don't take NO for an answer. On a camping trip, every person has to take care of himself. No parent should be toting a kid's stuff unless that kid is physically unable.

Tarps. Can't say enough about Tarps. We put one under the tent and one in front of the doorway so it's easy to sweep off. We usually erect a large tarp over the whole set-up so we can stay dry.

Box fan. We carry one on all our summer trips. I'm assuming ya'll are not going off the map for this trip. Take your orange electrical cord and get the fan going. It will help keep the flies and mosquitos away.

Sleeping. No sleeping bags! In the summer, just take some sheets to cover your mattresses and a few light-weight blankets or flannel sheets. Bring your pillows. Put the fan inside the tent at night so you can keep the air moving. Do not take off the rainfly so you can sleep under the stars, no matter how much the kids beg you. You will be soaked with dew by morning and it will be the most uncomfortable night of your life.

Rubbermaid totes. Oh, please, just let me sing the praises of Rubbermaid! They make the best totes! I keep one blue tote packed with cooking tools, pans, matches, tablecloth, and another blue tote to carry all the dry or canned food. I use a green tote to haul all our towels and washclothes. Bring your bread in a laundry basket--empty the basket at camp, start collecting all those dirty clothes. Good times.

 

[minkydog]

My DS' are Eagle scouts...one important item would be a whistle to wear around your neck...at least two of you should have them. Easily purchased in any camping store...even DICK's in the "coaches" dept. It anyone gets separated from one another...you have your whistles.

Ah, yes. How the Boy Scouts do love their whistles. The last time we tent camped I thought I was going to have to throttle a half dozen little boys who strode up and down behind my tent blowing their whistles, until their Scoutmaster came running out BLOWING HIS WHISTLE to make them stop! We had to have a powwow with the Boy Scouts.

I think whistles are nifty, especially when they are used by lost persons who need to be found. I am not a fan of whistles used by people who just found a neat play-toy hanging around their neck and feel compelled to perform "Yellow Rose ofd Texas" at 7am.

 

[BoyLovesBuzz]

Lotta luv for tarps on here....

With regard to the tarp under your tent (called a foot print in tent lingo). You want to make sure that it is smaller then the floor of your tent, and the it doesn't stick out from under your tent. If it is sticking out, and it rains or you get a heavy dew, water will run off your tent, on the tarp, and funnel right under tent causing the very problem the foot print is trying to prevent.

I've personally never been a big fan of tarps over the tent (like sleeping in a ziploc bag) , but I have always had good tents with good flys. But rain in the tent is something to avoid, and if a tarp is the only way to get that, then have at it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Lotta luv for tarps on here....

With regard to the tarp under your tent (called a foot print in tent lingo). You want to make sure that it is smaller then the floor of your tent, and the it doesn't stick out from under your tent. If it is sticking out, and it rains or you get a heavy dew, water will run off your tent, on the tarp, and funnel right under tent causing the very problem the foot print is trying to prevent.

I've personally never been a big fan of tarps over the tent (like sleeping in a ziploc bag) , but I have always had good tents with good flys. But rain in the tent is something to avoid, and if a tarp is the only way to get that, then have at it.

Really? We have never had an issue with our big tarps. In fact we put several tents on a tarp and we live in dewland MO.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Sleeping. No sleeping bags! In the summer, just take some sheets to cover your mattresses and a few light-weight blankets or flannel sheets. Bring your pillows. Put the fan inside the tent at night so you can keep the air moving. Do not take off the rainfly so you can sleep under the stars, no matter how much the kids beg you. You will be soaked with dew by morning and it will be the most uncomfortable night of your life.

Agree there.

My sister brings a bedframe, her air mattress, mattress cover, sheets and blankets.

I did bring sheets and blankets and not our sleeping bags either. We did bring heavy comforters because it dipped down into almost the 40's at night.

 

[minkydog]

My sister brings a bedframe, her air mattress, mattress cover, sheets and blankets.

Now I have officially heard it all.

 

[KATHINOWA]

All the advice and support has been great!

We are only going to be camping 2 nights--arriving Friday afternoon and leaving Sunday morning. I think we'll bring dinner in the first night and bbq the second. Probably just cereal or bagels for breakfast.

There is no electricity at this campground and unfortunately no alcohol is permitted. We are not allowed to bring our own wood in either. It must be purchased there (it is a state park).

I know someone asked about the tent size. I think it's an 8 man tent. We are a family of 5. We're going to set it up at home the week before so we know what we are doing. We'll find out then if it's too small or not.

The air mattresses have battery pumps so that works out. I wasn't planning on doing the sleeping bags for this trip. Just sheets. It will probably be a humid night.

I am really looking forward to this little getaway. My kids aren't so enthusiastic but I'm hoping they enjoy it once we're there. We'll be at the beach and fishing during the day. I think they show movies in the evenings. They won't have TV but ipods and nintendo ds will still work.

We're going in 2 weeks so I will update when we return (hopefully happy and dry).

 

[KATHINOWA]

We love camping! Here is a great website that has a list. I dont bring everything they have listed but there are some great items on there I would normally forget.

Have a fun time!

http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/Checklists.htm

I printed this list out--very helpful!

I will not forget the toilet paper!

 

[GeorgeG]

You mentioned you didn't want to buy a lot of equipment in case you didn't like camping. For what it's worth, a lot of the stuff you buy for camping can be put to use at other times such as storms. You can never have too many tarps, too much rope, too many flashlights (and batteries) and a lot of the stuff that works well for campling and at home alike.

I used to do a lot of camping in the Adirondacks in upstate New York and recommend sleeping bags anywhere up North since I've seen it get pretty cold at night, even during the summer. If it does turn out to be warm, you can use the sleeping bags as extra padding to sleep on top of.

Matches are all but obsolete. Take along a Bic lighter, or two. They are more reliable and will light more fires than a case of matches, even in the rain.

Speaking of rain, lightweight raingear and some hats can be used anytime and anywhere it rains, and rain does happen. A dry camper is a happy camper. Also, make sure you set your tent up with drainage away from the tent.

Never, under any circumstances, bring or keep food in your tent. It attracts anything from ants to bear. Keep it sealed containers away from the tent.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Now I have officially heard it all.

I know. They camp alot and have it down to a science.

I looked up our parks here and it looks like the firewood restrictions are for a 1 county here due to the Ash Borer. Thanks for the heads up there. That is awful that it is taking down ash trees. I didn't know that.

To the OP....

Set up your tent & blow up your air matresses. See how they fit.

Seal your tent, let it air out. When you come home, set up the tent again to wipe it down and fully dry it before packing it away for the season. Any moisture will mold your tent.

No shoes or food in the tents ever.

Bring wipes to wash your hands.

And I cannot believe "NO Alcohol" at your state parks? That would not fly here in MO.

 

[SandrA9810]

Ours is a 5-6 person tent and fits my queen size bed in it.

I've got our camping down to a T, of course the only place we do camp is ft wilderness, so I know what to expect.
Many of our "camping" supplies are things I had on hand already. Of course living in Florida... you've got to be prepared for hurricanes. But most of what we use at the Fort runs off electricity. So I bring extra things like lamps, and rope lighting for around our tent, and lots of extension cords.

But even our first trip was a disaster, it was before we bought our current large tent and Kari thought it would be a great idea to go camping in her little kiddo tent (6x6). The florida heat was nasty, plus we had the dog in the tent... turned out awful. But once we set up camp now, we never want to leave.

 

[JR6ooo4]

We use mosquito coils in a clay pot bottom. about 6 circling the campsite.

but most importantly, where are you camping? and what are you hoping for?

there are sites that are pretty much a grass field, with a playground, asphalt roads and two trees. they are great if you like hanging with the neighbors. probably less bugs... more social.

then you can get into more wooded sites. tall weeds and trees between each site. Like this

so where are you going? do they have a website?

this is our tent days.

we only recently got off the ground with a used popup. one trip only.


Mikeeee