I'm going camping. . .need all the advice I can get!!

[Equine_Woman]

Okay. So I'm a country girl that has never gone camping on her own. I've always had parents or a cabin. . . so my hubby and I are taking my son camping this weekend and I'm in charge of packing all the stuff we will need and since I don't know what we will need I need advice!!!

So far we have. . .

A tent (and a husband that knows how to put it up. . )(rubber mallet too)
A propane lantern
A propane cook stove
An air mattress with a pump (king sized!)
Sheets and blankets
folding chairs. . . (need to find something for Wyatt to sit on)
hand broom/whisk and dust pan
propane for the stove and the lantern
32 quart cooler for food and drinks
50 gallon water holder (in horse trailer)
Books, binoculars, digging toys, bug toys, truck toys. . . lol
4 foot folding table
plastic cups and plates, and forks
lighter

We are planning on getting one of those little sandwich cooker things. . .but haven't got one yet.


Boys are taking fishing gear and I'm thinking of taking a horse. . .not sure though. . .

We were thinking of taking sandwich stuff, hot dogs, that sort of thing, fruit, nuts, chips, Wyatt's favorite snacks, capri suns, cokes and water, if we get the little sandwich cooker dealy we will make grilled cheese and stuff. Anyone have any great camping recipies? Of course we'll take stuff to make smores. .

My biggest worry is I've never been able to start a camp fire. Like EVER! Tips? Lol.

We are thinking about taking one of our dogs but I'm worried that somehow she would get into a fight with a loose dog. She's not very dog friendly. . . and of course we'd have her on a leash and in the tent at all times. . but she's the only one we can take really because our Mastiff is too Massive to fit in the tent with us. . . and the cocker spaniel too weeny. Puppy too hyper. . Somehow I feel safer with my dog. Probably should leave her at home huh?

okay well I'm rambling!!! Thanks for any advice you've got!

[Ranger44]

If you are like me don't forget your favorite pillow. I have a list i use but it's not on this computer and it's for a little different type of camping but if I come up with some stuff I'll post. Right now I am being called to eat! Have fun no matter what. I don't know if rain is a possibility there but have cards or a game for in the tent if you get a downpour.

[Gypsy Rose]

Years ago, I used to go camping every spring and fall with my ex boyfriend and his family and friends. It was a big group, and we did a lot of off roading with all terrain vehicles. Started out with Jeeps, then moved to 3 wheelers. 4 wheelers were just getting popular when my ex bf and I broke up.

Do NOT forget flashlights and extra batteries! They're indispensible!

He,he! I see you forgot pillows. Ground sheet for under the air mattress- keep the damp frpom damaging it.

Extra shoes and socks- never know if your feet will get wet.

Towels, soap, and a big pan for water to wash in.

If I think of more, I'll be back.

[Gypsy Rose]

Toilet paper!!!

At least 2 bars of soap- incase you misplace one.

[Gypsy Rose]

Extra source of water- heaven forbid if your spout on your water holder leaks! This would be necessary only if you're going to be in a remote area with no access to safe drinking water.

If you have a natural water source nearby, take along water purification tablets.

How primitive is the place you are going? Is it a campsite?

[offgridgirl]

A big tarp to either put over u or under to keep the rain/wet off/out......Tp is a must and I like down sleep bags as the compress small and fluff-up to keep u toasty warm!!

[mtnmollie]

Amy- is this a quiz? * Just kidding* hehe

Everybodys got yah covered! Have fun! :cowboy:

[Gypsy Rose]

Make sure you have a good pocket knife, too- trust me, they come in handy!

[WashingtonBay]

Big pans or bowls for hand and dish washing. A bowl of soapy water you can slosh your hands and kid hands into and a washcloth to wipe off faces.

[Ranger44]

Bug repellent if you have the nasty little creatures around. First aid kit (basic stuff like bandaids, ibuprofen, bug bite treatment). Some sort of rug or mat for in front of the tent, keeps a lot of dirt outside.

[lovesfortune]

Well just from the kid perspective... bring stuff along in case the weather is rainy, too cold, or something like that. I see you have books, but if you are stuck in the tent or the car for a while... 3 yr olds (well at least mine) gets bored easily.

Also wet wipes are great for MANY things while camping... wiping hands/feet/faces etc. when everyone comes in the tent. and if you don't have access to a shower.

I'm always a firm believer that you can't pack TOO much. especially with kids!
Have fun!

[lovesfortune]

Ah, bug spray and a first aid kit.

[Equine_Woman]

Man you guys are good!~!!!!! Thanks a ton!!!!! See I hadn't thought of a lot of that stuff!!!!

We are going camping at the LBJ National Grasslands which is where I ride all the time and about 20 minutes from our house. . .lol. (and 10 minutes from Taco Bell. . . not so primative) We wanted to stay close at home on our first trip so we know we can do it!!!! Next trip will be further out!! Not to mention I didn't arrange for anyone to feed my critters so one of us will have to make a run home to feed! Saturday night and Sunday morning, and maybe Sunday night if we stay that long. We are planning on going early Saturday (lunch time) then staying until Monday morning. . . I'm excited!

I may just bring a horse for Sunday. . .(pick her up Sunday morning, take her back Sunday night. .. still haven't decided!)

[Ranger44]

Don't forget pen and paper to write down all the things you forgot! :)

[Gypsy Rose]

And don't forget the camera!

[Equine_Woman]

And don't forget the camera!

That's an impossibility!!!

[lovesfortune]

We are going camping at the LBJ National Grasslands which is where I ride all the time and about 20 minutes from our house. . .lol. We wanted to stay close at home on our first trip so we know we can do it!!!!

Lol. I know what you mean. Our first "camping" trip this year with both kids in our camper was at my parents house at the lake. We were literally 15 feet from a cabin and about 200 feet from my parents house. :rolleyes: But it came in handy.

At least you know you can go home if things get rough or whatever. Our 2nd camping trip was 4 hours from home and went MUCH SMOOTHER since we figured out what we should bring, etc.

[SedonaThunder]

I love camping and I love your photos - so I'm very excited for you to get back and post!:) You're going to have so much fun!

[rums_mom]

definitely make a master list that you can add to and pull out each time you go camping. And I laminated a copy of the instructions for the tent and attached it to the tent bag.

It always helps if you go with other families, that way if you forget someting, someone else is sure to have it!

We used to use a cardboard box in front of the tent as a rug. A tarp underneath the tent to keep the moisture out. A tarp to string up over the tent is very helpful if it rains or to use to cover a separate eating area. Even if the tent has a rain flap, a tarp is a must if it rains, every tent I have ever owned still leaked in the rain with a rain flap. Flashlights for everyone! Old towels........for so many reasons.:huh:

If it is going to get cold at night, you can take hot water and put it in gallon plastic bottles, the vinegar ones are great because they have twist caps, then put the hot water bottles in the bottom of the sleeping bags to keep your tootsies warm. You do have sleeping bag? They are best for camping so you don't have any creepy crawlies sleeping with ya.

I have 2 battery operated Coleman Lanterns. I am a real ditz when it comes to working the kerosene ones. And these you can keep in the tent. Definitely a really good investment. I use them whenever our power goes out. Got mine at Walmart but I have seen them at Home Depot as well.

Here are several recipes from my Girl Scout leader days:

Take an apple and core it out, stuff it with peanut butter and raisins. Great for hiking trips.

Hamburger, Tater, Carrot Bags.....

Roll the hamburger into bite size balls, peel taters and carrots. Put everything into tin foil that is large enough to hold everything. Season with salt and pepper and add a little bit of water. Fold up into a envelop and put on grill or camp fire for at least an hour. You may want to double up the tin foil. Everything will steam and cook and it has the best flavor.

I'd leave the dog and horse at home for this trip. You are going to have enough to do with Wyatt let alone animals. You can always take them along once you have a few camp outs under your belt.

Have done any backyard camp outs yet? Definitely wouldn't hurt to have a few trial runs in the backyard.

[rums_mom]

Is this near the Perdenales River? My hubby used to own land that backed up to the LBJ ranch, he sold it when he divorced his first wife, she claimed it in the settlement, even though he had it before he married her.:(

[quest]

stuff for s'mores!

[TheBadLands]

All I see missing is bug repelant, some gallons of water extra (just in case), and a first aid kit.

We are camping this weekend, too!

[JackieB]

You've got it covered. Have fun!