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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Mar 17, 2019 23:41:59 GMT
DH and I bit the bullet this weekend and bought a tent to take our boys camping this summer. We have a few things already, sleeping bags, chairs lanterns/flashlights, cooler and a cookstove. We still want to get an air mattress. I haven't been camping in years and I think DH has only been a few times when he was young. Are there any other necessities that you can think we might want? We are going camping in April, but we rented a little rustic cabin at a KOA camp ground this time around.
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Post by dudleypippen on Mar 17, 2019 23:53:02 GMT
We store all our camping stuff together in totes so it’s easy to pull out and go. I bought cheap frying pans/pots, utensils, plates, bowls and silverware that are designated for camping only. The small tote for them doubles as a sink to wash dishes in. We have hammocks that we like to bring and set up around camp to relax in, assuming there’s a place to hang them. It’s nice to bring a pair of flip flops too for the showers. I’m sure I will think of more stuff later-hope you have a blast! We love camping as a family.
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LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939 
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
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Post by LeaP on Mar 17, 2019 23:55:53 GMT
Weenie sticks for cooking over the campfire
Headlamps
A larger knife
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Post by malibou on Mar 17, 2019 23:56:30 GMT
We have a cheapy outdoor carpet to keep from tracking crap inside the tent. Headlamps so hands are free. Tablecloth with weights or clips to keep it in place as those picnic tables can be nasty.
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zookeeper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,909
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Post by zookeeper on Mar 18, 2019 0:07:15 GMT
I buy cheap twin size fitted sheets for table clothes. I take one for every two days of camping and turn it over for the second day. The fitted sheet stays put on the picnic table! Also...get a clean knee high hose and put a bar of soap in it and then tie it to your water spigot at your camp site. Keeps the soap clean and makes is easily accessible for hand washing. Don't forget cheap flip flops for shower shoes. Take extra toilet paper. Don't forget a tarp to put under your tent. It will help preserve the floor of your tent longer. However, if it is supposed to rain be sure that you fold it up and tuck it just underneath the edge of the tent or you will essentially create a bathtub of water under your tent. We also pack a couple of strings of white Christmas lights to light the area around our tent. Get a pair of thick leather gloves to use for handling fire wood when it is hot. Also a portable shovel for moving ashes around and an ax for chopping wood into smaller pieces if necessary. Can you tell that I have camped a lot?  |
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Mar 18, 2019 0:13:27 GMT
We store all our camping stuff together in totes so it’s easy to pull out and go. I bought cheap frying pans/pots, utensils, plates, bowls and silverware that are designated for camping only. The small tote for them doubles as a sink to wash dishes in. We have hammocks that we like to bring and set up around camp to relax in, assuming there’s a place to hang them. It’s nice to bring a pair of flip flops too for the showers. I’m sure I will think of more stuff later-hope you have a blast! We love camping as a family. We did get a collapsable sink/bucket thingy for dishes and we bought a little "mess" kit with a setting for 4. I do need to get totes yet to keep everything together. Right now I'm storing everything that fits in the cooler. DH wants to drag out cast iron with us, not real sure about that, but he's the one who will be carrying the stuff, so it's not a huge deal. |
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Mar 18, 2019 0:17:13 GMT
We have a cheapy outdoor carpet to keep from tracking crap inside the tent. Headlamps so hands are free. Tablecloth with weights or clips to keep it in place as those picnic tables can be nasty. Table cloths are a good idea, I was thinking about those today. The tent we got has a little vestibule area that will be perfect for taking off shoes before we enter the main part of the tent. We will need something for on the floor of that though, just to help keep it somewhat cleaner. |
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Mar 18, 2019 0:18:03 GMT
I buy cheap twin size fitted sheets for table clothes. I take one for every two days of camping and turn it over for the second day. The fitted sheet stays put on the picnic table! Also...get a clean knee high hose and put a bar of soap in it and then tie it to your water spigot at your camp site. Keeps the soap clean and makes is easily accessible for hand washing. Don't forget cheap flip flops for shower shoes. Take extra toilet paper. Don't forget a tarp to put under your tent. It will help preserve the floor of your tent longer. However, if it is supposed to rain be sure that you fold it up and tuck it just underneath the edge of the tent or you will essentially create a bathtub of water under your tent. We also pack a couple of strings of white Christmas lights to light the area around our tent. Get a pair of thick leather gloves to use for handling fire wood when it is hot. Also a portable shovel for moving ashes around and an ax for chopping wood into smaller pieces if necessary. Can you tell that I have camped a lot? Great ideas!! Thank you!! |
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Mar 18, 2019 1:37:11 GMT
We used Thermorest Mattresses. You open the valve and they inflate.
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Post by mikklynn on Mar 18, 2019 1:47:19 GMT
Sell the tent. Go to a hotel.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jul 5, 2024 4:50:45 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2019 2:19:55 GMT
Buy a small shovel not a retractable camping one.
Extras
A solar shower
A tent heater
Blankets and real sheets are so much better than a sleeping bag.
Plan for a roast dinner on your last night. I season and freeze a a good size roast. I use that to keep everything in my cooler cold. I triple wrap it in foil.
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Post by freecharlie on Mar 18, 2019 2:25:14 GMT
Where do you camp? We never leave without a battery operated weather radio as during certain times of the year, tornados can pop up on us.
How long will you camp for? You might want two coolers.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,039
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Mar 18, 2019 2:31:46 GMT
Portable coffee maker.
S'more sticks.
deck of cards/small games
bug candle
ziploc bag so the dish soap doesn't leak all over the car...
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Post by kels99 on Mar 18, 2019 2:36:21 GMT
I much prefer cots over air mattresses. SO much more comfortable and we can put our bags underneath them so we have more room to move around in the tent.
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kelly8875
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,391
Location: Lost in my supplies...
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Post by kelly8875 on Mar 18, 2019 2:42:04 GMT
All of our supplies are in totes, so we can grab them and go. When we get home from a trip, I make sure and replenish anything that needs it, so I don’t have to prep before going. We use paper plates, things we can burn, to make dishes simpler. We have 2 coolers, one for food, one for drinks. Pack your meat frozen, it acts as ice packs. If you take a dog, make sure you have a tie out leash for him, and toys. Of course also clean up bags for his duty  We don’t like to walk to the bathroom, so we have a portable potty, and a small pop up tent to go in. We drop in those blue tabs to keep the smell down, and when it needs empty it gets driven to the dump station, quick rinsed and started over. So much nicer at night when it’s dark than walking to the bathroom. We don’t camp where there are showers, so I take baby wipes to freshen up. We also don’t have electricity where we go. Meals are usually a hot breakfast, lunch is cold (sammiches, fruit, chips)and dinner is hot again. Percolated coffee over the fire. We use sheets on our air mattress (bad backs for both of us). Not sure what brand mattress it is, we’ve had it for years, but it’s a quick set up and tear down. Have a little broom for the tent. Brush it out daily, and definitely before tear down. Don’t pack it wet! I don’t worry about a table cloth, we’re camping and already dirty lol. We’re pretty minimal. |
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Post by Zee on Mar 18, 2019 2:43:14 GMT
Buy firewood when you get there, don't try to find it or bring it in. We've never needed an axe or gloves, just use a stick or another piece of wood to move things around.
Get a couple of braided throw rugs for the entrance, for shoes
Coleman propane lantern for reliable light source
A smaller electric lantern for in the tent and going to the bathroom
Baby wipes will be most welcome
An air mattress will increase your enjoyment of the experience x1000
Towels and a clothesline to dry them
There are USB fans if you're camping when it's hot. Bring a couple folding tables with you for drinks, or books, or to set a fan on, etc.
Lots of food that doesn't need to be cooked helps a lot if it's raining
A jar for sun tea, if you like tea like I do it's as necessary as the tent!
I have some solar lights that I put at the end of the tent stakes so we don't trip over the lines in the night, also makes it easy to find if you get back after dark
You will inevitably forget things so note where the closest store or Walmart is! I store most of our stuff in a black plastic trunk in the garage and just pop it in the car when it's time to go. You will find out what stuff you really need and what you don't want to mess with.
Have fun, I love camping
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Post by crazy4scraps on Mar 18, 2019 2:49:04 GMT
Sell the tent. Go to a hotel. Ha ha ha! You’re speaking my language!  We now have DH’s family lake cabin so I would have a really hard time actually enjoying sleeping in a tent somewhere. But having said that, DH has gone on a few trips with friends and he would completely agree with this: I much prefer cots over air mattresses. SO much more comfortable and we can put our bags underneath them so we have more room to move around in the tent. |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,592
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Mar 18, 2019 4:30:46 GMT
Sell the tent. Go to a hotel. Ahh...a woman after my own heart! Lol |
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Post by nlwilkins on Mar 18, 2019 4:57:23 GMT
I always got those boiling bags and cooked meals ahead of time and put them in the boiling bags. Cooled them down in the refrigerator the night before leaving and then popped into the cooler. Some were even frozen. All I had to do was boil water to cook supper and then also had dishwater and hot water for clean up.
About firewood, remember you will not be able to use park wood in most places. It is against the law. So make plans accordingly. When it is really hot, you will not want to be cooking over a fire so it was a good idea to get a cookstove.
Baby powder is your friend. Rub it over yourself and your kids and you will be surprised at how much better and cleaner you feel. Pack a clean set of clothes for each person to change into (after using baby powder) before leaving so you all can ride home in clean clothes and be comfortable.
I've heard of familes doing a test run in their back yard for a weekend to make sure they have it all figured out before going somewhere and camping. Just a thought.
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Post by dewryce on Mar 18, 2019 5:00:54 GMT
We store all our camping stuff together in totes so it’s easy to pull out and go. I bought cheap frying pans/pots, utensils, plates, bowls and silverware that are designated for camping only. The small tote for them doubles as a sink to wash dishes in. We have hammocks that we like to bring and set up around camp to relax in, assuming there’s a place to hang them. It’s nice to bring a pair of flip flops too for the showers. I’m sure I will think of more stuff later-hope you have a blast! We love camping as a family. We do the same, but it is mostly full of things we no longer wanted/needed in our home. Kitchen supplies through linens. The exception being a decent knife, we purchased one in a sheath so it was safer to travel with. I’m a grab and go kinda girl and this works perfectly for us. Of course, our kind of camping involves electricity and a working bathroom.  |
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Post by zuke on Mar 18, 2019 11:38:51 GMT
A few thoughts:
-bug spray
-matches in a mason jar or plastic container to keep moisture out
-mat for the inside of the the tent by the door and maybe a rubber one for outside the tent door
-small whisk broom
-we like blankets instead of sleeping bags but that's just our preference
-plastic table cloths from the dollar store. They also sell those plastic things to hold the table cloth from blowing. The table cloth can last for your whole trip
by just wiping it down after eating on it.
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Post by kkooch on Mar 18, 2019 11:56:52 GMT
I totally agree on the plastic table cloths from the dollar store. Get an extra one and cut down the middle the long way and cover the seats. If it had rained at all it keeps the damp off your butt and super easy to wipe if it does.
If camping in warmer weather sheets and blankets are definitely better than a sleeping bag. Most nights you want something on you but way too hot in a bag.
If you didn't purchase your air mattress yet go with the taller/higher ones. So much more comfortable. No matter your size, you won't have your butt touching the ground like with the standard style.
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Post by cathyb on Mar 18, 2019 15:18:42 GMT
We bring 100 mile an hour tape in our chuck box. That will fix anything. Make sure to bring trash bags
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Post by cathyb on Mar 18, 2019 15:21:48 GMT
Sams club has these great cots right now. They fold in thirds. We use them instread of our air mattress. They are amazing!
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Post by Susie_Homemaker on Mar 18, 2019 15:40:52 GMT
My only contribution is to say - it will be a lot more work than you think it will be. It can be fun, we did it when the kids were small and have some good memories from it. But it IS a lot of work.  |
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Post by fredfreddy44 on Mar 18, 2019 15:46:11 GMT
A really good mallet for those tent stakes. If the ground is hard, they are very hard to put in. And then some covers or glow sticks for the stakes so you don't trip or cut your foot open in the middle of the night (both which I have done).
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Post by ntsf on Mar 18, 2019 15:48:16 GMT
You have to have something between you and the cold ground.. cot, air mattress or foam pad. cheap foam pads for kids work well. yoga mats are not warm enough. forget baby powder.. possiblely causes cancer.
I say spend money on a good sharp knife with cover (like those ceramic knives), some good paracord.. 50 ft for $5 at rei. and an extra tarp. always useful take three washpans to do dishes.. wash, rinse, cold rinse with sanitizer (bleach or such). hang up dishes to dry in mesh bag or air dry on table. use liquid soap for hands.. more sanitary than bar soap. give yourself lots of time to do stuff like cook a meal and clean. instead a propane lantern.. use luci solar lights. easy and small and safe..can go into a tent.
everything else.. goodwill quality pots, etc. rei has some good reliable articles on basic camping.. or look at GS/BS material online. a lot on line is sort of overthe top. and not needed. don't over pack.. everything used has to get dried and cleaned once you get home. our family camping set up--for 5 was one cooler, one box of food, one plastic bin with all cook gear and dishes.
I teach basic camping to gs leaders. and if you want to do something for fun, make a box oven, take your charcoal and bake a cake for dessert...super easy.
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zookeeper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,909
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Post by zookeeper on Mar 18, 2019 16:10:29 GMT
I forgot one more thing...
It helps to pack your outfits one at a time in a gallon size bag. If you are carrying your clothes to the shower house you can set them down without worrying about them getting wet.
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zookeeper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,909
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Post by zookeeper on Mar 18, 2019 16:11:27 GMT
We bring 100 mile an hour tape in our chuck box Yes...duct tape fixes everything! |
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Post by ntsf on Mar 18, 2019 19:17:04 GMT
also, leave no trace website has some great practical skills videos.. dishwashing, cooking, etc.. to do it in safe and environmentally responsible manner.
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