new to camping

[momz]

not sure if this is appropriate for this board anyway, my family has become interested in camping at FW after lurking on these boards. It sounds like this is something we would enjoy very much. However, we have never camped before. We are: myself, my husband and 2 kids DD-5, and DS 3 (Son is potty trained, so this is no longer an issue). Can anyone direct me to some sites for information about camping in general. We are planning to start with a tent, and if we like it, perhaps consider a pop-up to start. We would like to try short trips closer to our home before embarking on a FW stay. Any suggestions for mid-west camping destinations?

 

[tazdeb]

A good place to start getting info on buying an RV would be RV.Net. Go to thier open roads forum and you will find boards like the ones here that cover everything camping with an RV will entail. They even have a page that discusses places where people want to camp. Another place to read about campgrouns and get reviews is RVparkreviews.com. On that site campgrounds across the country have been reviewed and rated. Just pick your state and WALA!!! Even if you just tent camp aload of info can be gleemed from theses sites......Happy Camping....Its the best family vacation....TAZ

 

[momz]

thanks taz, i'll be checking it out

 

[irishbosoxfan]

I am in the midwest and it is a pretty big area so you might want to start with places in your homestate nearest to your hometown that way if anyone has a meltdown you are close to home!!

Try camping out in your backyard a couple of nights(if you don't have a big enough yard ask relatives)this will get the little ones used to the night sounds and sleeping in the tent.

KOA.COM---Kampgrounds of America is a wonderful sight and lists all the campgrounds affiliated with them--Most campgrounds want to have the KOA symbol!!! They will list all the ones for any area you may be interested in camping at.

We tent camped at Ft Wilderness for the first time this summer for 6 days/7 nights and we loved it so much we have decided to skip the hotel in January and do it again----Meaning I got to add stuff to my packing list and had to drag a tent outside to air out in the middle of December---But the kids kept asking about going back to collect more shells and see the lizards and bunnies and the weather for January is what I was used to camping in during the summers in Maine so it's wasn't a big deal.

If you have any more questions please feel free to ask!!

 

[nana2tots]

We have only been Camping 3 times, sure wish i had known it was this much Fun, we would have started 20 yrs. ago. So far we have only been camping at Emerald Isle, NC, hoping we will be able to Camp at the Magic in the year 2008, I know seems like a long ways off, but 2007, is already booked with no open week-ends, oh well maybe time will fly by.
Anyways got to trade the Travel Trailor in for one w/ Bunk Beds and slide -outs, before making a long trip.
Never camped out at Disney, is it Fun and reasonable., anyways hope every1 has A very Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!

 

[ynottony99]

.......... hoping we will be able to Camp at the Magic in the year 2008, I know seems like a long ways off, but 2007, is already booked with no open week-ends, oh well maybe time will fly by.

Not sure if I am understanding you correctly, but check on line reservations for FW, and you will find lots of available weekends through out 2007!!!

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortLanding?id=FortWildernessCampgroundResortPage

 

[leprechaun]

It is always best to start at the begining. Have you ever visited anyone camping, or even visited a campground? If you have not been camping it's nice to go with someone who's gone a couple of times so they can help you out if you forget something and get you started. If there is no one to help you then for one night tie a rope between two trees in your yard and throw a tarp over the rope, stake it down, and have a popcorn party! Once you get the hang of it I'm sure you will like it.
We tenting (ground dwelling)over 20 years
ENJOY

 

[2006 Disney Mom]

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[Erie Islands]

Some of our favorite places to camp are the Ohio State Parks...they are beautiful. They have a good website if you want to check it out.

 

[momz]

i'm so excited. We are talking about heading to the Smokey Mountains for our first excursion. We have been there before, but always have stayed in a hotel or cabin. We are looking around at the campgrounds there. Taking a good look at the KOA. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[thesmittys7]

MOMZ~ If yuio are looking to go to the smokey mountians we stayed in an awesome Campground this past october. It even has an indoor and outdoor pool with planned activities and 360 view of mountians~ Check Out the Cherokee KOA in North Carolina we had a great time with dc 14,7,6,4,and 22 months

 

[Napria]

We got bitten by the camping bug pretty hard after buying a MEGA HUGE tent at Sears three years ago. One trip to FL in the hot weather with pop-ups all around us running their ACs had us quickly selling out Disney Vacation Club and purchasing a pop-up. Suddenly we were taking a lot more time out for our family. Weekend trips to local state parks were a twice a month occurrance. We liked it so much we bought a fifth wheel (a kind of travel trailer that hitches over the bed of a pick-up truck).

The best source of information for getting into camping is www.rv.net/forum as far as I'm concerned.

One thing you might want to consider is that you can now rent pop-up campers at many RV dealers. It's a great way to decide if this is right for you.

Happy Camping! Personally, I never want to sleep in another hotel bed again. As Maureen O'Hara said in the Quiet Man, "I need me things around me!"

 

[perdidochas]

We have been tent camping for 20 + years and loved it soooo much that we recently purchased our very first travel trailer so we can go year round. We too, live in the mid-west (Michigan) so camping only happened during the months of June, July and August. I agree with the leprechaun when they state it would probably be beneficial to camp with someone who has camped before. If you are considering buying a tent, my suggestion is to GO BIG. When the box says sleeps 4 ~ as far as I am concerned it is lying. If you can find a 12' x 12' tent or at least and 8' x 12' go with that. You need room, for your duffel bags along with your sleeping bags. I would also suggest getting a couple of nice full or queen size air matressess, they will make all of the difference when it comes to comfort. Last suggestion, a door mat for the outside of the tent as well as something to catch the dirt inside of the tent ~ helps keep sand and dirt out of the sleeping bag. Good Luck and I hope you enjoy your special times with the little ones, they sure do grow up quickly.

A family of 4 needs a tent that is advertised as sleeping 7 or 8. Anything smaller is cramped. Along with the doormat, another good idea is a whisk broom to sweep up any (especially in Florida) sand.

For camping in FL, I'd also advise a fan.

 

[momz]

all of your advise is very much appreciated. i will look into the idea of renting a pop-up to try it out. i have a question about pulling it though. we have a Hyundai Santa Fe. i don't think it has a very big engine for pulling. anyone know how i can get information about it's ability to pull a pop-up?

 

[Napria]

all of your advise is very much appreciated. i will look into the idea of renting a pop-up to try it out. i have a question about pulling it though. we have a Hyundai Santa Fe. i don't think it has a very big engine for pulling. anyone know how i can get information about it's ability to pull a pop-up?

Post your question about your Santa Fe's ability to tow a pop-up on RV.net's "Folding Trailer" forum: www.rv.net/forums (you'll have to scroll down to the fifth board or so to get to the "Folding Trailers" forum)

I guarantee you'll get an answer, as well a bunch of helpful info from the friendly folks over there!

If you decide to rent one, you can also ask at the RV dealer that you're renting from, but I trust the people on the Open Roads forum more.

 

[momz]

we made our reservations for our first camping trip!!!! We are staying at the KOA in Cherokee, NC. Not really camping, because we are staying in a Kabin. but it is close. we are going in april, so I didn't want to try our first trip in a tent in april....a little too cold i think. but it's not a hotel either. anyway, we will at least be immersed in the campground experience. I would think that there are many RVs that are nicer than the kabin we will be staying in, so I'm counting this as camping.

 

[KimKamMom]

We took up camping three years ago...wish we'd done it sooner.
I agree with the others..rv.net is great.
Have fun!