Reply to Car camping for the first time (with kids)

Forum Index » Off-Topic

Reply to "Car camping for the first time (with kids)"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]1) A headlamp for every adult.  Older kids may want their own.  Camping with smalls usually requires both hands, and trying to hold a flashlight and wipe a butt at the same time is a scenario best avoided.

2) If you like coffee, those Starbucks "Via" packets aren't half bad.  Get a military/esbit/pocket stove (http://www.rei.com/product/653343/esbit-pocket-stove) and a small kettle.  Add a piece of heavy-duty foil for a windbreak and a fire source, and you'll at least be able to make coffee.  Consider packing some other easy "hot water only" foods that can save your trip if it gets rainy: cup noodles, easy mac, instant oatmeal... We don't usually eat many just-add-water foods, but I buy them as camping insurance and I'm often glad for it.  Also, kids will do a lot for hot cocoa (and s'mores!).  If you don't end up needing them, donate them to the food bank.

3) On the subject of food, your children will likely be twice as hungry as they typically are.  Pack accordingly.  Foods-on-a-skewer are pretty easy if there's a grill.  Even if you call ahead to confirm, there may not be a grill at your site's fire ring.  If you plan to camp more than once, you might want something like this: http://www.rei.com/product/401122/open-country-campers-23-x-12-grid  Sandwiches are awesome when you are clean.  Finger food can get a bit icky once you've been there for a few days and the dirt tries to reclaim its territory. IMO, the more you can do at home, the cleaner/easier meals will be.  Keep your personal ick tolerance level in mind.  Bring wipes.

4) There's always room for a battery-powered fan and extra blankets.
4a) You really don't need that gadget.  Really.

5) Try to relax.  The first time I took my kids camping, I freaked myself out.  It took me 2 days to settle in and ease up; I was so worried about doing it "right" that I missed the actual doing of it!  You will get dirty, the kids will probably complain a bit, and there will be at least 3 things you never would've considered.  You'll probably survive, and will be the wiser for it.  Try to roll with it and take it easy.  The lack of scheduled activities, the time to just "be", and the quiet that comes from unplugging are some of the nicest things about camping.

Have fun!

[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics