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almamater
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| Posted: March 12 2006 at 11:40am | IP Logged
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Well, dh has finally agreed that we can try a campout this spring. I have ALWAYS wanted to be a camping family, but I married a man who prefers civilization. Anyway, he is giving in to the pleas of his wife and children at long last. So, I have a camping book, but would appreciate suggestions/tips from any veterans out there. We are planning to try an overnighter maybe in a metropolitan park. (Maybe even in the backyard just to warm up to the whole thing;)
For those of you still in the midst of winter, we are in the best time of year for camping...actually, yesterday it was over 90* (which is 20* above average)...nights are coolish, most certainly not cold.
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~jennifer in tx
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: March 13 2006 at 6:22am | IP Logged
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Hi Jennifer,
We camp ALOT! It has become our 1st choice for vacations. I could probably fill pages with ideas I've picked up over the years. I'm just wondering though, will you be tent camping, or will you have a camper? There is quite a difference. Also, when you say "metropolitan park", would that be like a state park?
Becky
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almamater
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| Posted: March 13 2006 at 8:19am | IP Logged
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Well, we are still debating, but I think we will try camp tenting, still considering the option of renting a pull behind.
No, the park is actually a city park on the outskirts of town. It is a very large and mostly undeveloped park, but does have camping provisions.
Would love your feedback even on tent vs. other. Thank you!!
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~jennifer in tx
mommy of ds(11),dd(8),dd(6), dd(3),& ds (6/08)
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almamater
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| Posted: March 13 2006 at 8:26am | IP Logged
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Emma Long Metropolitan Park is the place we thought we would give a try, since it is very close.
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~jennifer in tx
mommy of ds(11),dd(8),dd(6), dd(3),& ds (6/08)
Soul of the Home
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MacBeth
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| Posted: March 13 2006 at 9:28am | IP Logged
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Jennifer, my advice for first timers is to stay within driving distance of home, or have an experienced camper with you. It looks like you have planned just right!
On my camping page I have a brief list of things you might want to bring (though for local camping, you probably won't need GPS!). I also list some books to bring or pre-read with the kids.
Overall, I find camping to be the most fun thing we do as a family. We divide up the chores so that I don't have to do everything (how many moms out there feel that "camping" does not equal "vacation"?  ).
Be prepared for all weather. Rain ponchos are small to pack, but can save an outing from disaster. Make sure you have flashlights for everyone. My kids love headlamps, since they make hands free reading, and walking to the bathroom, easier! I have one too. Make sure you have enough blankets or sleeping bags, no matter where you camp. It's easier to take them off than to put them on if you don't have them!
I always recommend spare old shoes, just in case of rain or wading in a creek.
Keep the cooking simple at first--hot dogs on a stick, cold cereal, or breakfast bars...spreadable sandwich stuff. Bring plenty of water if you do not know what is available. Cooking on a Stick is a fun book for kids who are just learning about outdoor cooking.
Don't forget songs and stories for around the campfire. We usually bring a fiddler or two  , but music is always an integral part of the camping experience.
Oh, and bring toilet paper and hand soap. Even the best campgrounds run out... 
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MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
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MacBeth
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| Posted: March 13 2006 at 9:31am | IP Logged
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Don't forget a plastic table cloth...And baby wipes! Surely, these are the most useful things for camping! 
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God Bless!
MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
Nature Study
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: March 13 2006 at 9:43am | IP Logged
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Hi again Jennifer,
We love tent camping.  Not everybody does though. My husband would rather put up a tent then pull a trailer. If you do tent camp, there are some things I can share that we have learned over the years. Many I have read in books or just learned by watching other campers.
The first and most important thing I had to learn the hard way is...if it rains, don't just sit in the tent waiting for it to stop. Nothing can ruin a camping trim like that!!  The best thing to do is pack your rain gear in a spot that is easy to get to in case it is raining when you arrive. Then, if it is raining, put it on the kids and let them go!!! I know that sounds ridiculous, but my kids have tons of fun in the rain. We have major rain gear though! My husband and I have ponchos, but for the kids I have rain boots, pants, and jackets with hoods.  I just put it on them and let them play. Now, if it is storming that's different. In that case we do wait it out inside with books to read, coloring pages and little toys which is my next point. (By the way, if it is storming so badly that you feel unsafe in your tent, it's probably a good idea to close things up and take a drive to the nearest McDonalds or something!)
Back to toys... We always bring a few things for the kids to play with. I actually buy them a new toy at the beginning of each camping season. This becomes their camping toy and is actually packed away with the camping gear when we get home. These are usually really cheap - like small race cars or something. That way, while my husband and I are setting up the tent, the kids have something they can play with. Your little ones might want to help set up. That's fun too, but it can be difficult at times. If my husband starts getting that frustrated look in his eye I just pull out the camping toys, get them all settled at the picnic table or a blanket on the ground and that gives us a few minutes to finish the set up. I will add that my older ds is a huge help with the set up of things. Sometimes I just play with the littles while he helps my husband.
Another thing we love are those "glow sticks". For us they are not toys though. I make sure we have one for each night that we are camping. When it gets dark we hang it in the tent as a nightlight. That way, if someone wakes up in the middle of the night cold, scared or whatever, I have some light to see them with. One year, we let the kids have the glow sticks to play with. I thought it would be okay if each child had his own nightlight to hold in bed. WRONG! The 3yo ended up chewing on hers in the middle of the night and woke up crying because the stuff tasted so bad. She was easy to find - her mouth and hands were actually glowing!!! It was awful.  I was so worried. Luckily she came through it unharmed but it could have been worse I'm sure. Now, the kids don't even ask to play with it.
Another thing that comes in handy for us are throw rugs. I bought four really cheap rugs from Walmart one year. They are washable (that is important!). Anyway, I line two up outside the tent and two just inside the door. The kids know they are for sitting on so they can take their shoes off. (We don't allow shoes in the tent because it can make everything really dirty in there.) At night, everyone takes off their shoes and puts them on the rugs inside the tent. That way, if there is a heavy dew or it rains at night we have dry shoes in the morning. You mentioned your husband prefers civilization. I did too, at first. I have found that keeping the mud controlled helps me to relax while we're camping.  Now, as I said, I love camping and prefer it to a hotel anyday. (Although a condo on the beach is certainly "up there" too!! )
Well, I have more but my kiddos need me. I'll add some more later.
Becky
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: March 13 2006 at 11:22am | IP Logged
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I'm back. You might be able to tell I really love this topic. We are going on our first camping trip of the season in a couple of weeks. We live in Michigan but we are traveling south to do the camping! (We have camped in the cold weather up here though - but that's like a whole different topic!). We are all very excited that camping season will soon be here. For us, "camping season" is spring, summer and fall. We would go every weekend if we could.
Anyway, another thing I thought of that might be helpful is actually a "state of mind". I don't want to sound pessimistic, but don't expect your first night of camping to be wonderful. Now, it might be!!!! The first time we took our 1st child camping he was 8 mos. old and it was wonderful. HOWEVER, my middle two children were quite different. The first one cried all night (it was windy and the rustling of the tent scared her) and the next one wanted to play all night. Everyone in one room in sleeping bags was just too much fun! Now, we're all more used to things and can expect a restful nights sleep, but prepare for the worst and you might be pleasantly surprised.
I agree with Macbeth about keeping the cooking simple. We actually love having a really big breakfast when we camp, but the other meals are very simple. PB&J for lunch and sometimes just canned soup and sandwiches for dinner. It's also nice when those who are old enough pitch in. As Macbeth said, you don't want to spend your whole vacation doing chores.
I just asked my kids what they thought was the most important thing to bring when we go camping. DS (12yo) said wood for the fire (some areas don't allow you to bring wood in. Some will let you bring it in but you have to burn it all - you can't take it back out. That would be a good thing to check before you leave.)
My dd (6yo) said toys incase it rains. DS (4yo) said SMORES! My husband is at work but I know he would say a good book! I would say drinking water, and of course the right "state of mind"!
Hope you have a great time on your trip. If I think of anything else that was helpful I'll post again. Macbeth's list is great!
Becky
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Sarah
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| Posted: March 13 2006 at 2:57pm | IP Logged
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My quick list of camping must-haves besides the basic checklist:
playpen- ordinarily I don't use it, but its great for containing baby. You just can't believe how dangerous a fire pit can be and you'll be busy.
plastic table cloth with some way to fasten it to table
laundry basket to contain food items
baby wipes--as someone mentioned
little broom & dustpan for sweeping out tent
warm coats or jackets--the kids are always cold when they wake
Camping with young children is great, but you will be very tired. Very very tired
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: March 13 2006 at 3:11pm | IP Logged
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I suggest some charcoal briquettes or a fire starter log in case wet wood is difficult to get started. According to my dc, even if you don't do anything else but roast marshmallows over the fire, as long as you do that one thing, it will be a success.
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teachingmom
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| Posted: March 13 2006 at 3:32pm | IP Logged
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Becky Parker wrote:
| Now, as I said, I love camping and prefer it to a hotel anyday. |
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Wow, Becky! I am just shaking my head at this! I am one of those camping moms who does it for the memories for the kids. I'll admit that it ends up being fun . . . but a lot of work.
One thing we learned from experience is to put a tarp down under the tent to help keep things dry in case of rain. If the tarp is larger than the footprint of the tent, then fold it under until it is just hidden under the edges of the tent. (Otherwise rain will catch on the edges of the tarp that stick out farther than the tent and run under the tent, making things much worse.)
Also the small rug inside the entryway of the tent to catch dirt and keep shoes is a necessity. I've never thought of putting another one outside the tent. I'll have to keep my eyes out for an inexpensive one to buy for that purpose. Thanks for the idea, Becky.
I also have to recommend air mattresses--particularly for the adults, but we all use them in my family.
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almamater
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| Posted: March 14 2006 at 12:58am | IP Logged
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WOW, Ladies! I cannot tell you all how much I appreciate your sage advice on this matter. I can hardly wait to get started collecting items for our first campout!
BTW, I do have one excellent book on camping, but I just wanted some nitty gritty advice from hs mommies.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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~jennifer in tx
mommy of ds(11),dd(8),dd(6), dd(3),& ds (6/08)
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: Camping 101
