How to camp? I am clueless, please help

[momxx5]

Okay, we've been to WDW Ft W cabins 3-4 times in the last few years. Since this will be a non-Disney vacation, my kids are trying to talk me into camping trip.
DH is not into the campgrounds that have tons of activites, arcade, etc. He wants more rural, calm steam, etc.

So, how do we camp? We can rent a pop-up and camper. Then what do I pack....everything we own?

How do we spend the days.
All I can see is myself making breakfast, cleaning up, then its lunch, cleaning up, and now its supper time, more cleaning up and finally dessert/treats.
By then I'd be pooped and before I knew it the day was over and I'd do it all over again the next day

Meanwhile what do the kids do...ages DS14, DS13, DS12, DD8 and DD6. Hike, play games, fish, maybe rent a pontoon boat for a day.

But exactly what else do we do?
How do I plan meals?

Man, I am clueless.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[AuburnJen92]

first, i would stop stressing, because you will only make yourself batty...

if you want to rent a pop-up, by all means, go for it...

you are going to need the essentials to get you by..however, i would consider renting from someone that already has the camper stocked...several people do that here for the fort and it really works out well...

if you don't go that route, find a website (several listed below) and look and see what is suggested to bring and then make your own list based on what you like and dislike...make it a fun trip, not one that you will dwell on cleaning the whole time, you can do that at home!

http://www.a1familycamping.com/camping-list.htm

http://www.thecampingsource.com/item/The_Big_Camping_List/id/552/category.aspx

http://www.koa.com/familyzone/camping101/articles/rvtraveltips_516.htm

http://www.vacation-lists.com/rv-packing-list.html

there are many more out there...have fun!

 

[MadFF]

The "resort" type campgrounds, those with activities, arcade, pool(s), etc are definitely something to consider for first time camping. You will probably have electric hookup and water, the campground may well have a restaurant / diner so at least some meals don't have to be prepared at the campsite. The kids will have fun with the activities, find out which are free and which require an extra fee.
At many campgrounds, if you bring along your own gear (tennis racquets and balls, basketball, etc) there is no fee to use the facilities.

SHARE the work at the campsite. EVERYONE helps out, even if it is just small things. Tell your family you do not want to be stuck at the campsite cooking and cleaning. Some ideas: Breakfast, fast and simple. Cereal, bagels, juice. Lunch; similar - sandwiches, filling snacks. Dinner: you may want to take time here. Have the kids get the fire going, they can straighten up the campsite, clear off the picnic table. Try to have only one part of the meal require cooking, like burgers or chicken. Everything else be quick -- pasta salad, potato salad, watermelon, fruit. Paper plates and plastic utensils make cleanup quick and easy (get the thick, strong paper plates -- trust me!).

Try making at least one meal " Mom-free ". You (Mom) do nothing for the meal - everyone else has to make it and cleanup . Yea, they may burn the food and make a mess of the campsite, but have fun with it!

After a couple camping trips, you will get the "feel" of it. You may want to get really fancy with meals, or make it even simpler. People will sort of gravitate to the jobs they are best at for camping (ex. I do the outside setup of the camper, DW does the inside, kids help out both). Our first couple summers we tent camped with a couple other families who had been camping for a long time, so they helped us figure things out.

As our kids get older, we have started looking for campgrounds near things we would like to see. Two years ago, we went to Lake George NY (Lake George Evergreen Escape campground) and checked out Fort Ticonderoga (Very Cool! I recommend that to everyone). Last year, we stayed in Plymouth MA (Pinewood Lodge Campground) and did the "pilgrim" thing. This year, we are going to Gettysburg battlefield, staying at Artillery Ridge Campground.

You DO NOT have to go far to go camping. I was amazed at the campgrounds that were within a 1 hour drive of my house. Our favorite campground is about 2 miles down the road (literally!).

Open Roads forum (http://rv.net/forum/) is a huge RV/camping forum. I was actually directed to the Disboards from members on that site!

http://rvparkreviews.com/ -- I have found this site to be very good for initial checking out of campgrounds. Fort Wilderness gets top marks (lol).

Have fun, camping is great. If you are getting stressed out either getting ready for, or at, the campground, ASK for help. There may very well be so much going on that family members simply may not be aware that you need help. Also, simply DON'T spend all your time cleaning and straightening up the campsite. Drop everything, and go run around with the kids.

Choose to enjoy yourself!

 

[MontanaZoo]

We camp in a pop up all of the time. We've done tenting, a hardsided trailer, cabins and a camper as well.

We don't like the KOA type campgrounds with arcades etc either.

My mom is the type of camper who does exactly what you said about making a meal then cleaning up, getting ready for the next etc. I refuse to do that, I try to be environmentally responsible at home and as much as I can when out camping but my rule is hey if you want ME to cook, we're using a campfire and aluminum foil. And we also use paper plates and disposable utensils.

We go for foods packaged in individual servings too, carrots, chips, granola bars, etc. We usually are down to just two meals out camping, breakfast and supper and have sandwich supplies if anyone ends up starving in between (which usually doesn't happen). For breakfast, we do things like hot oatmeal, or eggs in foil. Eggs in foil works great, use Pam on the foil, put in hashbrowns, scambled eggs, we usually use precooked meats like ham, canadian bacon or frozen turkey sausage, and maybe some cheese. Wrap it up, seal the seams, squish it around and double wrap it. Works great on a bbq too if you don't want to make a fire.

Other types of meals we do:

Foil -
precooked rice and meatballs (non-italian type) that are frozen and we just wrap and toss on fire
hobo dinners - hamburger (raw), potatos or tater tots, carrots and then what ever the individual person likes, green and red peppers, onions, garlic, etc

Things we used to do as kids when on camping trips:

Rock collections, throw rocks in water, go on hikes, fishing, play board and card games a LOT, just maintaining camp takes time, keeping it clean, getting water, getting wood, starting a fire, finding marshmallow sticks, etc

Also, we took our bikes with us as well.

We each packed a bag of fun items to entertain ourselves, when I was a kid it usually had barbies, books to read, etc.

 

[djblu883]

when not on the dining plan I planned ahead...cooked and froze some of our meals , grilled others...paper plates, plastic utensils and cups...foil!!! dry ice can keep frozen foods frozen!!! as far as other packing...my hubby would have said...don't ask her...she packs the kitchen sink!! I always over pack!!!!

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

MontanaZoo described me to the T well except I don't have a pop-up, but everything else...

When we're not at WDW, our camping meals consist of hobo packets and I make beef jerky ahead of time, stock up on granola, nuts and dried fruit which will cut down on the cooking. When we do cook, everyone pitches in. It's really fun when the whole family is cooking and cleaning, it adds to the experience.

We just returned from Memorial Day weekend at Stone Mountain Park and since restaurants are scarce, we did most of our cooking. We also used disposable cups, plates, and flatware. Breakfast consisted of coffee, milk, bagels and eggs. I cooked breakfast, DH and DS cleaned (only a coffee pot, frying pan and spatula so not much to that). For lunch, we all made our own sandwiches. For dinner, DS collected wood and made a campfire, DS and DH fired up the grill and we all made our own hobo packets (kids love to make these). After dinner, we made s'mores over the campfire...I'm still working those off in the gym

The kids will find plenty of things to do. DS plays with the woodland critters (mostly frogs, lizards, roly polys, and anything he can find under a rock), rides his bike, and since he's a pitcher he always brings his glove and ball and pitches with DH (but not me, I pitch like a girl ). I think the only thing not to bring is a basketball .

 

[RvUsa]

We just returned from Memorial Day weekend at Stone Mountain Park and since restaurants are scarce, we did most of our cooking. .

OMG, I used to love to go down to a place near stone mountain, it was called the three dollar cafe. They had the best wings and cheesesteaks this side of philly. Oh man am I hungry, still haven't had dinner.

 

[MontanaZoo]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliez_pics/2528078263/

This was the closest restaurant to where we camped this weekend. Never been but I've heard it's good. Cooking with foil seems to be the better option.

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliez_pics/2528078263/

This was the closest restaurant to where we camped this weekend. Never been but I've heard it's good. Cooking with foil seems to be the better option.

I can see DH twisting my arm to eat there but I'm sure MY meal would be strictly vegetarian.

 

[JLTraveling]

How Not to Go Camping:

1. Accept the most steeply sloped campsite at Stone Mountain.
2. Pitch tent on said slope.
3. Go to bed in sleeping bag with feet pointed downhill.
4. Wake up in tightly rolled ball of self, pillow and sleeping bag at bottom corner of tent.
5.Repeat nightly for a week straight.

Man, I never did get the hang of sleeping on that particular slope. Fun trip though!

In response to the OP, you just...camp! You'll need to consult a list of recommended equipment and figure out how primitive you want to go. I've done everything from hike-in primitive camping to RV parks. Like the others have said, there are lots of ways to make cooking easy and not too time-consuming. A camp stove is a godsend, as is a sterno stove. As much fun as cooking over the fire is, it's not so fun when your campsite and all your gear is soaked. It's also very slow.

Most people adapt really quickly to camp life. Treat it like a game, and your kids will quickly become fascinated and be a great help to you. It's so unique that it becomes really absorbing for everyone. Gathering wood, getting water, hiking, swimming, even cooking is just surprisingly fun.

*Tip* NEVER put off after meal cleanup. We once went on a night hike and left a heavy cast iron Dutch oven, lid on tight, with a half inch of rice at the bottom. Came back and the pot was gone Found it the next day in the possession of a dog-sized raccoon, 40 feet away in the bushes, open and completely licked clean! We've also had raccoons break into our cooler and break apart a dozen eggs -- literally, they split the carton down the middle, took 6 and left us 6

You'll have a great time if you just relax and let it happen!

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

That is so funny! I know the feeling about the Stone Mountain slopes. We were on a slight slant this time. We have air mattresses now and by morning, I had slid halfway down the mattress.

Making mental note...next time leave dishes for the woodland critters to clean.