Help with camping

[mickeylove2]

I am a planner, and a list follower, just needed to state that first lol. Anywho, I want to go camping and have really only been once as an adult, a few years ago. So, I know you guys here on the Dis can help me out. I need to know what I'm going to need in order to have a good time camping. If someone has a master list of camping supplies, little hints about packing, or really anything that I would need to know before I head out for a weekend and say darn I forgot... let me have it! Please It will be 2 adults and 3 kids, and I have nothing, so even the basics I need to get. Thanks

 

[DrCavin]

www.hilton.com

 

[My2Cinderellas]

www.hilton.com

you camp like me!!

 

[Pakey]

It depends. Are you tent camping, backpack camping, camping in an RV? Are you camping in the woods, the ocean, etc? Will there be "facilities"?

We camped for years. My husband and sons thought it was wonderful; I always thought it was a pain (of course I was the one trying to cook and clean and bathe the kids). I was exhausted by the end of every "vacation".

No list of supplies without knowing how and where you are going. My 2 pieces of advice are: 1. Prepare as much of your meals at home before you go as it's so much harder to cook/clean while camping and 2. Take 2 pairs of shoes for everyone. It's a miserable trip if someone falls into a stream or sets their shoes on fire while sitting around the campire and they don't have a spare pair. Both of these I know from experience.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am a planner, and a list follower, just needed to state that first lol. Anywho, I want to go camping and have really only been once as an adult, a few years ago. So, I know you guys here on the Dis can help me out. I need to know what I'm going to need in order to have a good time camping. If someone has a master list of camping supplies, little hints about packing, or really anything that I would need to know before I head out for a weekend and say darn I forgot... let me have it! Please It will be 2 adults and 3 kids, and I have nothing, so even the basics I need to get. Thanks

Basics are....

Tent

tarp for under tent (necessary otherwise your tent will be "wet" inside from ground moisture)

hammer to pound stakes in the ground

sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, etc...

Air mattresses if you want to be comfortable. Make sure you have a way to blow them up. They sell air mattress blow up things. Best ones are the ones you plug into car and use.

Broom to sweep out tent. Remember the dirt?

Plastic totes to put your stuff in to keep out animals, bugs and moisture. Don't bring good suitcases or bags, they will get filthy.

Big hard core coolers that are for camping. Need at least 2. One for drinks, one for food.

Heavy Duty Aluminum foil for grilling. You will need to put this on the camping grate before you put your food down on it.

Use foil packets to cook veggies. If you want eggs you will need to bring a couple of your older fry pans that you don't care if they get ruined.

BIG stock pot to boil water to wash dishes. Dishwashing liquid, dish cleaner, etc.

2 dish tubs to wash dishes. One for soapy water and one for rinsing.

Utensils to cook with, like BBQ stuff and skewers if you want to roast marshmallows or hot dogs.

Hand wipes and lots of them. Jug of water and soap for hand washing as well.

Rope to hang dry anything like towels, swimsuits, clothes, clothespins.

Charcoal, lighter fluid, oven mitts, and with the firewood Cash MONEY. Some places have restrictions on bringing in your own wood because of a serious insect issue that are killing off trees.

Check with your campgrounds prior to camping. Very important for you to know this ahead of time. Some campgrounds sell their own wood that you have to use. You just need to inform yourself and see what is available and do they take cards or cash. You never know.

Bath tote for shower supplies, flipflops to wear in the shower, because eww.

Tips are NEVER arrive in the dark or late in the evening. Go as early in the morning as you can. It is soooo horrible to get there late and then you find out that your grounds are flooded or it is raining and you are having trouble there. (That was my last camping experience.)

With all this rain, you need to give yourself time to get things squared away.

Don't forget the camping chairs!

 

[3boymthr]

If you are tent camping:
Food and drinks - decide what you are going to eat before you get there. Plan all meals.

As long as we know there is a grocery store nearby (w/in 30 minute drive) to help minimize what we pack and the chance of it going bad, We don't pack perishables except stuff that will last for a while (ketchup, mustard, etc.) or needs advanced cooking but rather make a list get it when we are there. Most grocery stores are not that much more expensive and the amount we've had go bad in the cooler more than justifies the extra cost.​

Paper plates if you don't want to wash them, plastic if you are eco-friendly
same for silverware, cups, etc.
pots and pans, cooking utensils
cook stove or grill if you don't plan on cooking over an open fire
- make sure you are allowed to have a fire if you plan to cook over an open fire. If there is a drought or you are in a fire prone area these are sometimes banned. For example, When we go to the outer part of Cape Cod they are never allowed - in either private or public campgrounds.
If having a fire/cooking over a fire:

Smore's sticks and other gear for cooking over the open fire, including a grate as you can't count on them having one
Fire-starter - news papers, etc. though DH just brings a blow torch ​

a dish pan for washing dishes
a second dish pan for rinsing
dish soap
sponge or other dish scrubber
somthing to wipe off the table before and after meals
paper towels (can also double as napkins)
dish towels
pot holder
Unless ever site has water - a large container for water - something that will hold several gallons.
dust brush or small broom and dust pan
small rake if going to an area with trees and or rocks
hammer or mallet
bungie cords and/or rope and a knife to cut the rope down or to size - for a clothes line or to hang a tarp, etc.
Clothes pins
tarp - just in case your tent turns out not be as water proof as you expected
awning
plastic tablecloth
clips to hold the tablecloth in place
lantern
flashlights
folding chairs - one for each person
air mattress or cots
sleeping bags or lots of blankets
pillows
tent
extra tent pegs - dang rocks!

One thing not to bring - FIREWOOD!!! It may be cheaper to bring your own, but federal and state governments are requesting that people not transport firewood as there are too many invasive species that are killing off trees and they flourish in firewood.

 

[luvmy3]

Mystery Machine has a great list, but I would add a few more things.

A second tarp for over your tent, if it pours you will be very thankful for it. Also don't forget extra rope and some bungees to use to hang it up.

tongs, scissors, can/bottle opener

tablecloth, paper plates, napkins

Cards, board games, buckets, nets, fishing gear. My kids spend much of their time exploring the woods and steams for critters.

Bug spray

lanterns, flashlights, candles, extra batteries

I'm not sure where you are, but if you are going into mountains bring warm clothes, it gets cold at night.

radio

bath towels along with all toiletries

camp stove (burner)

Most importantly, don't forget the beer!!!!

 

[NaLisa]

Do any state parks in your area have camper cabins? I think that would be a great way to camp for the first time and you wouldn't have to buy so much expensive equipment. The camper cabins usually have tables, chair, cots and possibly a bed, often A/C and heat and running water. They usually do not have a bathroom or showers but instead rely on the bathhouses. They're much less expensive than full-fledged cabins.

Many state parks also have campsites already set up with a tent and other equipment. Again, it would save you from having to buy a bunch of equipment before you're sure you even enjoy camping.

My family loves camping, and we've slowly built up our camping supplies over time. It does get very expensive but we use ours often so it's worth it.

That was also a great tip about preparing food ahead of time. Check the prepared food section at your local grocery store. We often take twice-baked potatoes that can be warmed up on the grill, bagged salads that include dressing, pre-made soups that only need warming, etc. I also wash and scrub all produce at home before we leave, and I make marinades ahead of time and store in a plastic baggie so we don't have to carry bottle of sauces and containers of herbs and spices.

An whatever you do, don't forget the marshmallows, graham crackers and Hershey bars for S'Mores!

 

[3boymthr]

Oh, a few more tips. If planning on using blankets for sleeping make sure to include extra - really thick blankets for UNDER you. Even if using a cot or air mattress (I really really recommend using one or the other). The ground and night air can be cold even in summer and will seep thru the tent floor and make for a miserable night. It will also help keep you dry. At night condensation/dew can rise thru the bottom of the tent even if you have a tarp under it.

And...make sure your tent is large enough that your stuff and your family when sleeping don't touch the sides. If stuff or you are touching the sides dew/condensation/rain will go thru the tent - no matter how new or how waterproof. We had this problem when it rained (torrentially - 4 inches in 2 days) and despite a tarp the rainwater still came thru the floor of our brand new $500 REI tent - where-ever our stuff was resting.

Bring a Roll of Quarters!!! Some campgrounds have pay showers, some have arcades and if it rains or your blankets/sleeping bags get damp from condensation (common in spring - especially in the woods) you'll be able to run to a laundromat and dry your stuff out

ETA - I was just looking at my list and everyone else's list and realized that we all forgot something really really vital - Lots of Matches or a new long lighter.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I think everyone has already listed what I was going to say. Unless you're going backpacking, but it sounds like you're probably not.

Have a great time! I love camping!

 

[mrodgers]

Last time I went camping, in order of importance....

1. Truck, to get to the spot as well as a place to sleep. I will allow ease of getting to the camp site to you, but you are on your own with sleeping quarters if male.

2. Keg of beer.

3. Package of hotdogs and buns.

That pretty much kept us going for a good week.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Noticed a few people said lanterns. If using a propane lantern, make sure and buy extra bottles of propane and extra Mantles. Also I see people mentioned a table cloth, but no table. Some places offer tables and some don't. I usually take along a small folding table just in case. I also have a fold up canopy to help provide shade and shelter. Another item I didn't see listed, shovel. Will need it to dig a fire pit if one isn't available. And of course to start the fire, matches or a lighter.

 

[SandrA9810]

You can ask over at the Camping board too (it's up in the first section of boards). They're also really good at telling you which parks are good and which ones are not so great.

I love camping. But I only did it at Disney, which is like luxury camping and included things like a mini fridge and A/C. Which is actually a great place for first time campers. Everything you need is right there and available, like comfort stations with bathrooms and showers and a laundry room. Over priced Disney food at the Trading Post, and even propane tank refills available too.

I like soft and squishy when it comes to a bed. So I always took two or three pillows and stuffed them into a closed up sleeping bag. It worked wonders, since I'm a side sleeper and my hips would hurt in the morning if they weren't cushioned at night.