Newbie Campers!

[RachelEllen]

Hi,

My husband I are visiting Disney this December. Between our slightly skewed priorities money-wise and a moderate sense of adventure, we decided to stay at Fort Wilderness and tent camp. (and use the savings for some wicked nice dinners, but that's another thread )

We actually love most outdoor activities and have been doing more and more dayhikes lately, so we thought Disney might be a nice way to ease into camping. We're borrowing friends equipment and if we like it, we might get our own later.

Does anyone have any advice for novice campers? Things to bring? Things to leave at home? Considerations for December?

Thanks!
Rachel

 

[MaryJ]

This is pretty much the way we got into camping, with friends, except the friends came with us to an area state park to show us the ropes! Anyway, some essentials are:

A camp stove
A small charcoal grill (nice, but not necessary)
A lantern
Flashlights
Mosquito spray and citronella candles (might not be necessary in Dec. though)
An air mattress (the ground can get hard)
Cooking utensils
A cooler
Paper plates
Silver ware
A dishpan (We use plastic bowls and real (but cheap) stainless for our eating utensils)
Dishwashing liquid
Bedroll or sleeping bags
Pillows

Remember to keep all your food locked inside your car even at night. Critters know where to find a free meal.

Some things that are easy to make while camping are:
Spaghetti
Mac and Cheese
Ramen Noodles (or canned soup)
Tacos
Pancakes
Hot Dogs

I'm sure others will join in and add to this list! Happy camping!

 

[bobcat]

Welcome! Be carefull or you will become hooked on camping!

I think it is smart of you to borrow equipment before you make an investment. This way you will know what works for you.

You should think about taking a trial run before you head to WDW. With or without the friends you are borrowing the equipment from. This can even be done in your back yard if you can't get away. Make sure you practice setting up and tearing down your equipment. There is no bigger frustration than spending a lot of time and energy fighting with a tent!

December nights can be cold. With a good sleeping bag you should be ok. You might even think about bringing a small ceramic heater to take the chill off. You may not need it but a campers motto is to be prepared. (I wouldn't sleep with it on in the tent but a few minutes of it being on could make dressing much more comfortable.)

And don't forget duct tape. If you can't duck it .....!

 

[Kermit]

There used to be a thread with a really good list, but that must have been on the old boards because I can't find it. . .

Mary J has really good suggestions. If you're trying to save on space, the grill isn't necessary at FW because the sites have one, but it is nice to have your own so that you know that it's clean and I don't think the ones at the sites have lids.

A few other things that I can think of:
S'more supplies and marshmellow sticks for the campfire (can also be purchased there)
Long underwear and socks to wear at night just in case it does get too cold (not likely)
Bikes are nice to have
Crock pot to cook food while you're away during the day
Coffee pot or coffee that comes in tea bags
Games to play during down times (or maybe a TV)

That's about all I can think of.

 

[mum4jenn]

Tarps to go over your tent in case of rain.
A small broom to keep the sand out of the tent.
Slip on shoes to put on quickly for those late night bathroom breaks
Rope to hang wet towels on

 

[presleyg]

Will food left in a rubermaid tote be ok ? We have amini-frig for the cold stuff but have stuff in the totes. Alos, is it safe to leave everything during the days at the park?

 

[bobsfamily]

These lists are great! I camped as a child but the wife didn't so now I am getting her ready to try it. We will go to a couple of places around us first, but I am hoping to go to DW thankgiving 2002.

We stayed in FW thankgiving 2000, but in a "home" and I was impressed with the niceness of everyone. I would not worry about leaving things at your campsite as it is pretty much taboo to go on someone's campsite when no one is there. I guess it would be the same as in a hotel room - you don't leave your money clip or purse to tempt the maids, but your not paranoid either.

Any things specific to FW camping would be great.

 

[mum4jenn]

Food in a rubbermade tote should be fine.The ONLY time we have ever had a problem with food was when we went for a quick weekend trip in May and a squirrel decided to help himself to our hot dog buns that we had left out on the table.


Bob you will love camping at FW. My Dh also had gone camping a lot with his family growing up and I never had.I had one terrible awful experience when I was a teen and vowed to never camp again.Well, after years of pleading by my husband to let him show me the right way to camp,I let him and it was great!!! He does most of the cooking and cleaning up of the "kitchen" whenever we camp. We have been taking our 3 1/2 year old dd since she turned 1 and she loves to camp also!!! She is always talking about it and is always ready to go again!!