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!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Car camping? Sounds miserable.

Sigh....

exactly people shouldn't be posting on this thread if they don't know what car camping means. obviously you won't be able to answer OPs question. I have not yet attempting any camping with my kid - maybe next year.

or post that you have nothing to share...

Bring several large, gallon plus-sized ziplock bags. Great to put damp, muddy or wet clothes and blankets in without making your car smell.

I also like to have kids outfits separated in bags or pouches...at least have pajamas for first night and a full extra change of clothes separated and easily found in the event of the inevitable potty accident, food spill, muddy stomp, etc.

We do this a lot with our kid--he is almost 4. FYI, next weekend is the last weekend that the Maryland state parks are open for camping. (Virginia has some year-round ones.)

Gear: tent (obvs), sleeping bags, something to sleep ON (we use foam puzzle mats from the playroom floor). A tarp is nice--you can sit on it on the ground or string it up over the picnic table if it rains. A hammer to bang the tent pegs into hard ground.

Flashlights; we also have a little lantern to hang from a loop inside the tent. And glowsticks for the kids are very nice. I also bring candles in jars.

For food, we always have a backup plan in case we can't cook over a fire (rain or other disasters). Often our plan is just having the location of a nearby diner on hand. I bring a cast-iron skillet & a water boiling pot and cook directly on the flame. Burgers are easy (and you can do all the prep in advance); we generally do something like grilled cheese or bacon sandwiches + coffee for breakfast. I bring a little cooler for milk, meat, juice, etc. Most local campgrounds have a store where you can restock ice.

First aid kit is essential--bandaids, neosporin, burn cream, bigger dressings and bandages (never had to use them, but like to have them available).

and boots and raincoats

lots of changes of clothes. mud + water + accidents mean cold and muddy.

lots of towels to put in front of the tent to wipe your feet so that you don't track mud inside your tent and get everything dirty.

as much pre-made food as you can bring. PB&Js that are already made, pre-cut carrots, grapes, apples, that sort of thing. Granola bars. Instant hot cereal.

Definitely something soft to sleep on - blow up bed.

If you have the room in your tent, a small crib for the 2 year old so they can't escape into the wilderness at nap/sleep time without you noticing.

Good grief, I have taken survival training, done minimalist backpacking, and car camped.

And yes I have always called it "car camping", nothing elitist about it.

OP, I have found that for camping in cold weather, these are indispensable:

http://www.amazon.com/HeatMax-Hot-Hands-Handwarmer-Pairs/dp/B0007ZF4OA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382533966&sr=8-1&keywords=hot+hands

You can get them in ones and twos at home depot. Shake them before bedtime, toss them in your sleeping bag, toasty warm all night.

Anonymous wrote:I think the term "car camping" is used a lot by the backpacker camping types to distinguish the kind of camping the masses do from the kind they do. It's not always an elitist term, but I think it's sometimes used that way.

We definitely use the term to distinguish between those two types of camping, but not in a nasty way. Back country camping, car camping, and staying in a cabin are three different things.

SUggestions what to take when car camping ... weight is not so much of an issue --

http://www.lowergear.com/advice.php/content/what%20is%20car%20camping

For kids -- I'd definitely think about staying WARM if you are in this area -- should be cold this weekend.

A lot of people don't consider those KOA or state park "campsites" where you just drive up to you site and pitch a tent, to be "camping".

Camping is when you park your car elsewhere and hike everything in.

Hence the need for the disclaimer "Car camping".

Backpacking is when you hike for an extended period of time, and sleep overnight at each location, keeping everything on your back.

We have a rechargeable Coleman lantern. Perfect for this setup. When the battery starts to die, you can just plug it into your car lighter for a few hours.

I think the term "car camping" is used a lot by the backpacker camping types to distinguish the kind of camping the masses do from the kind they do. It's not always an elitist term, but I think it's sometimes used that way.