Camping for Dummies
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Anonymous
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I never went camping as a child with my family. First time camping was in college with the outdoor education club. All the gear was provided and the leaders had training. Once after college with a group.
I love the outdoors and would love to get my family into camping. There are 4 of us (me and DH, a 6 year and 4 year old). So…where do I start? I know I need a tent, any recommendations for a family of 4? We have sleeping bags (good ones for me and DH, kids sleeping bags for the two, not super warm). What kind of cooking tools are good basics? Where in the DC area or surrounding is good for newbie campers? |
Anonymous
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Whew, many ways to answer this, and I hope others chime in.
There is camping-next-to-your-car. That allows you to bring a ton of stuff. It is also a good beginning point. Yet I don't think this really exposes anyone to true camping. Then you have hiking, where the family carries everything they need on their backs. This I love, and allows everyone to experience nature much more closely. This requires good gear, some basic knowledge and planning for bad things, ie Dad breaking an ankle, bad weather, animals, etc. You will need to bring enough to provide shelter, food, medical basics, and do it all while not carrying 80 lbs packs. Why not stop at an LL Bean? |
Anonymous
| I'd start with a cabin at a campground and go from there. |
Anonymous
| REI actually offers classes in basic camping skills, and their staff are very helpful. |
Anonymous
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Since you have sleeping bags, I'd get a tent that's easy to put up and some outdoor chairs. That's pretty much all you need. The other stuff gets bought over time (or never if you decide you don't like it).
Sometimes we go camping and just build fires for smores, but eat out at local restaurants which is a lot easier. (we get rained out a lot and can't cook) For cooking tools, you don't need much. We prefer foil meals when camping. We put bbq sauce, chicken and veggies wrapped in foil and put it in the campfire. It's very easy and tastes yum. We also like hobo pies with a pie iron. |
Anonymous
I was going to suggest this as well. As for where you should go for the first time, I recommend a campground that has cabins plus open area to camp. And I'd rent a cabin. The first time I went camping was when I was 7 and as I was going to bed, I found spiders crawling around my sleeping bag near my face (DUH I was sleeping on the ground) and was so creeped out I couldn't sleep. This way, you can try sleeping outside in the sleeping bags/tents, but if either of your kids gets nervous or doesn't want to sleep outside, you have the option of the cabin. |
Anonymous
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I would start you with a trip to REI, on a weekday morning, when it's not super crowded. They have great staff who can walk you through the basics you need to purchase. REI also has an awesome return policy and gives you dividends on your purchases. They run a number of classes, which are informative. I like the one in Rockville - the guys there are hard core campers (snow! unmarked trails! hammock tents!) yet VERY encouraging and supportive of novices.
If you are looking to do park-and-pitch, I would buy: Tent - I say 6 person, not a 4 person Sleeping mats/pads Cook set (includes plates, bowls, cups, couple of pots) Camp stove (if you're not ready for over the fire cooking) Water jugs Cooler(s) Extra tarp There are some good books out there. Camping with Kids -- lots of lists of what to bring, activities, etc., Best Tent Camping in (Any State) are a couple of my favorites. We started off camping in a 2-3 hour drive from home, but our kids are younger than yours and we wanted to be close enough to bail if it was a disaster. State parks in Maryland are well suited for new campers. We looked for parks with lakes/rivers near by so the kids could splash around and pretend to fish. Some of the state parks have nature centers and/or family programs in the summer, which is nice for older kids. In terms of investment, you're talking close to $700-1,000 to start for equipment. We've easily spent more, as we have also bought sleeping bags, a rain fly for fire/picnic area, and other stuff. For cooking basics, you'll want to keep your meal plan very, very simple to start. PB&J, hot dogs, steaks. Stuff you know the kids will eat and that's simple to make. Have fun! |
Anonymous
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We like these "camping" cabins at Trapp Pond on the Eastern Shore. http://www.destateparks.com/camping/trap-pond/index.asp
Easy drive, heat (even in spring it can be cool), screened porch but you still need to cook over the fire, use the communal bathrooms etc. Nice paths to walk/bike and on a small lake. |
Anonymous
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Start by car camping
daypacks & water bottles for day hikes & toiletry bags for trips to the central bathroom, towels Large waterproof tarp to put under the tent Easy-to-pitch large tent mallet for the stakes, sand stakes if you are at the beach LED lantern (2) flashlights and roll of TP for each person Big easy to pour water jug inflatable mattresses & car lighter-attachment pump OR camping pads Sleeping bags or sheets & comforters, pillows 2 coolers one for drinks one for food that needs to stay cold Box or crate for dry good foods, easy to cook meals like hot dogs, mac n cheese camp stove + fuel + several old pots and pans skewers can come in handy. unbreakable cups and dishes for breakfast/lunch/dinner, paper if you want Spatula Dishpans (one for washing, one for rinsing), dishsoap, scrubby sponge deck of cards, books or compact portable games like Uno, cribbage, lots of snacks I'd say start at a state park campground somewhere fun, Big Meadows in SNP, Assateague in Maryland, Cunningham Falls (there is a lake) or maybe Pohick Bay (waterpark!) also Westmoreland State Park (pool, river beach) Avoid densely packed, RV park type campgrounds for the best effect. Once you get used to it, you can try backpacking |
Anonymous
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Op here. Ah, thanks for all the advice!! All good info. I live near the rockville rei, so I will definitely check out their camping skills class.
Now I wonder if there are camping equipment rental places in this area? I'll have to google around. Thanks again! |
Anonymous
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If you just want to try it out, checo out Little Bennett Campground in Clarksburg:
http://www.montgomeryparks.org/enterprise/park_facilities/little_bennett/little_bennett_campground.shtm#camper_ready They have camper ready camping, so they set up camp for you for an extra fee. |
Anonymous
Yes, I was going to recommend Little Bennett too, we used to camp there quite often and liked the hiking trails as well. |
Anonymous
Not the OP, but this looks great! |
Anonymous
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Other than the listed above, don't forget about the temperature. If you are newbie, don't try to camp when it's in the 40s at night-yes some people camp in the snow. Stick with temp in the 70s at night for comfort. 80s might be too hot. And avoid hot and swampy area since the mosquitos love that. And you never leave food out in the open.
Most kids love camping. They just want to run around with not rules. I love that part! |
Anonymous
I just wonder if these cabins are musty/dusty? After staying at cabins similar to this, I have decided that I would rather sleep in my clean tent, bring along a canopy and camping stove instead. My tent is clean and nice. The cabins are not always that way. I bought our most recent tent at Wal mart for $80, and it sleeps the 4 of us comfortably. My husband added water proofing, and we actually put our tarp over top of it at night if it is raining just to be sure we won't get wet. |