Our first few years of family camping meant loading the van for a trip was like playing Jenga, and, while the process was kind of enjoyable on the front end of the trip, packing up the crumpled clothes, scattered toys, and half open cereal boxes at the end was near madness--sometimes taking 4-6 hours.  The trip home our van resembled the The Beverly Hillbillies:  and, yes, I had considered strapping the kids on the top like Granny.

So, I had this dream of getting a utility trailer to store all the camping equipment , so when we wanted to go camping, we could just hitch up, throw some underwear in a suitcase, stop by the store for weenies and ice, and be.on our way!

Well, I did find a utility trailer.  5X8 feet with 20 inch wood walls.  I built a wood topper that could be put on or taken off, and that would protect the cooler and such from critters at night.

So, after two summers with the trailer, I have to say my fairy tale of the instant getaway has not been realized.  We gave birth to our wonderful fourth child just last summer, and I don't think we could have even gone camping without the trailer.  So, what I found is that the trailer makes camping possible for a family of six, and, while packing the thing is work (still takes a couple of hours on either end),  it is no longer maddening.

For the gearheads:  A minivan really isn't designed to haul much.  In fact, we blew out an engine radiator since hauling the trailer, but we added a $200 transmission cooler and now our van handles the 300lb trailer with the 800 lbs or so of equipment like a charm.  Most vans are rated to pull 3,500 lbs, but you have to also take into account all the weight of the people inside the van as well.  So, 800 pounds of people IN the van reduces your towing capacity.

So, I went really light with the utility trailer, and I totally am glad I added a transcooler to help it cope with the added weight.

A minivan is NOT a suburban.  It has very limited hauling capabilities, especially when stuffed with people.

I also went with 13 inch wheels.  These wheels are slightly larger than the trailers made available at big stores:  Remember, the smaller the wheels, the more rotations they have to make to keep up with the van.  Go with larger, rather than smaller wheels, so that you don't overhead your bearings.



--  So, the trailer has not bippity-boppity-boo'ed all my packing woes away.  We still have to start packing about a week in advance, and the night before a trip still goes a bit late.  But, with a family of six camping is doable and the process is merely hard work rather than maddening.

NeoAir

So, we have a strict rule at our house:  We can only add one piece of major equipment to our camping horde per year. (My wife rolled her eyes when I said "strict"--but if she only knew ALL the stuff I DIDN'T buy because of this rule!)

So, this summer we decided to buy news beds for Sarah and me--the adults in the family.  We had been sleeping on a queen-sized blow up mattress, but the last mattress was stomped to death by my children and their cousins during  unauthorized bounce-house sleep over game.

I was fairly horrified at throwing all the vinyl from the mattress into a landfill, so I kept it to use as a paint throw, or something, and so for the sake of sustainable living and some reasons stated below, I decided NOT to buy another box-store big blow up air mattress. 

I really wanted to buy one of those self-inflating style of matresses that combine both air chambers and foam, thus adding BOTH warmth and buoyancy. I particularly liked the Thermarest line because it is made in the US and they have been around for a long time--lots of time to get out the kinks. I car camp with kids, so I could go larger and heavier equipment wize, so eventually I decided on the sizable XL Thermarest NeoAir Dream.

One issue I wanted to correct by switching from the boxy air mattress to the Neo Air, is creating warmth below me.  We camp in Wisconsin and Michigan, so nights can get down to the 50's and even 30's (early in the summer), and I found the typical box store air mattresses had such huge air masses below them that the air below would quickly match the air temperature, and eventually it felt like sleeping on a giant, flabby ice cube, inevitably keeping me from sleeping deeply.  One thing I like about the Neo Air (and other mattresses that combine both air and foam) is that it creates actual heat RETURN through combining cushioning and heat reflective material in the actual air chamber fabric. See below to get the idea:

The soft red top you see doesn't hurt either. The result is that the mattress actually cuddles you into a rather soothing warmth. I was able to sleep much more deeply, and I always awoke with my body and muscles feeling limber, and refreshed, rather than stiff and cold. The warmth isn't TOO extreme, I did have one particularly damp night in Michigan where despite having the Neo Air I was chilly, but the next night I actually zipped my sleeping bag up and was back to being comfy.  So, for temperatures and normal conditions down to 50 degrees or so, the neo and a good blanket perform nicely.

So, the Neo air is warm, plenty supportive (you will NEVER feel the ground even if you are a big person).  The only two downsides are that it is not self-inflating, and it now takes about 15 - 20 minutes to set up the mattresses. Looking back, I might have looked more closely at self-inflating mattresses that are just are as warm and the Dream. Also, it takes a bit of time to empty the air to roll it up correctly. Also, we have to store them OUT of the bag in a dry place so that the cushioning doesn't compress.  And, the Neo is pricey (about $180).  Again for ease of use, I might have actually gone for another Thermarest model that was easier to allow to fill and store.

Addendum:  I just spend the US holiday called Thanksgiving sick and in bed--but not my bed.  We were visiting our relatives and I brought one of the Neo Airs to sleep on.  I spent about 24 hours off and on sleeping on it, and I have to say it performed amazingly.  Too soft or too hard and I would have gotten a lower back ache--but the smaller air chambers do a great job creating complete support.  I was even able to put some couch-sized pillows underneath the end with my head so I could sleep on it like a hospital bed.  Glad to say I am feeling better, but again, pretty amazing that a packable air mattress could do so well for a day-and-a-half lay in.

Adding Cots: Adding cots was the smartest thing we have ever done camping wise. With our pads elevated we can easily store TONS of baggage underneath and since we camp with six kids--coincidentally, we have a butt load of stuff, and yet with the cots we could still take more.  You will note the picture above where we have a pac-n-play pen for the 1 year old; a blow up mattress for the 4 and 6 year old in the back and we roll out a mat for the 8 year old between us at night.  COTS ARE GREAT!  They totally make storage easy, and as you get older it is SO much easier to get out of bed, and you feel drier being off the ground. It's great to be able to walk down the middle aisle, dress in the aisle. We bought slumberjack tough cots, because of the lack of PCV's used in making them (so no vapors).  I did want to go with Roll a cot, because it is made in the US, but Roll-a-cot (at least at the time) actually uses PCV in its material.

The Most Important Piece of Equipment

GK Chesterton:  “An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered; an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered.”

We no longer have a hammock!  The hammock we've had for 10 years technically still sort of worked, but it's one of the old school kind that are like spider webs--the strength of the entire piece rests in the collective power of all those strands:  One strand breaking could lead to 100 failing quickly in an epic rage of twanging strands, landing you flat on your back.

So, we had to retire the hammock.  Of course, I was jonesing to buy a new one, but we have a rule that we only buy ONE new type of equipment every summer, and we already spent our wad on new cots and air mattresses (Thermarest NeoAirs--and they work great--see product review in the blog).

So, no hammock--just chairs to sit in.  I was tempted to feel bad about it, and do the usual rubbernecking as I walked past site after site with their hammocks.  But, instead I decided to just be content with what we have....and it suddenly occurred to me, the most important piece of equipment I have is.....my attitude. So much of camping requires flexibility and positive thinking: If it rains, think about finding a museum or nature center; if you forgot chocolate, make peanut butter smores--all the important stuff of camping is still there: The kids, the silly fun, the fresh air, and so forth. I mean, that inconvenient rain or closed beach or lost shoe might be the start of a great family adventure.

One of my favorite spiritual writers once wrote to his spiritual son, "But godliness with contentment is great gain."

I really like that we have an enforce our one-thing a year only addition to our gear horde, because it teaches us to enjoy what we have--to be content, and to enjoy what really makes a camping trip successful: the outdoors, each other, making memories.  I even took a great nap in the chair my son is in below--even without a hammock!

Easy "Gourmet" Camping Dinner

THIS IS NOT THE ACTUAL IMAGE. 

Ok, I love the idea of having steamy, hot, creamy linguine Alfredo after a day of fun family camping, so I came up with a camping "recipe" that is as easy as boiling water, but has a BIG payoff:

Start with good linguine.

Buy two jars of Alfredo sauce.

Buy one can of chicken breast meat.

Buy one jar of roasted red peppers.

Buy one jar of marinated artichoke hearts.

If you feel like being fancy, roast some pine-nuts.

Basically, cook the linguine, add the ingredients, let simmer for about five minutes so everything gets to know each other, and voila. 

Of course, this is a heavy-to-carry meal, so it's really for car camping.  And, please, recycle the jars and can. 

Our anniversary overnite camping trip is coming up, and I offered to cook steaks on the open fire for my wife and me, and she actually said she wanted this instead.

If only I could pretend it was actually hard to make!!!!

Tent Update

Update on the Titan Tent:

So, last year (2013) we purchased a Eureka Titan tent because we were moving up to a family of six and needed something bigger.  You can read my posts from last summer if you want the full review of the tent.  If you DID read those posts (which you haven't because no one reads my posts--if a blog posts in the forest by itself, does it really make a sound??? :>), you will note we love the size, layout, ease of putting it up, quality of materials, BUT, it did let in water during a big rainstorm.

My fault.

The tent came with seam sealant but I didn't seam seal it.  THIS summer I sealed the tent along the non-tapped seams that leaked before.  The result:

In Door Country we weathered about a two-inch rain night without any significant leakage.  The tent walls did get a bit clammy (maybe that happens with ALL tents in such circumstances.), but the rain fly and sealed areas were great. We shipped a little water where an air mattress was stuffed against the side of the tent.  My guess is that if the mattress had been off of the wall, we wouldn't have had the little trickle we got.

So, with seams sealed properly the text did great.  The Titan is a nice little cabin in the woods for a big family.

We also updated to two cots (one for me and my wife), and that freed up TONS of space because we now could put luggage below the cots. 

So, for a big, sturdy, easy to use, cabin like tent for car camping, I am pleased with this tent.

Good Eats

I was challenged by a fellow blogger who opined that after eating so many hot-dog and freeze dried meals, it was time to do better, so I have been searching the internet for some more challenging but doable meals for family camping.

My usual approach is to say, "OK, I will try ONE new meal per camping trip"--thus avoiding going OCD on the idea. 

First big hit:  We now have a new FIRST MORNING breakfast:

 CAMPFIRE BEER PANCAKES with a side of bacon.

Here's the link to the recipe from the fine folks at CHOW.COM (I think CHOW is what we in North America call Bisquick).  At any rate, it substitutes BEER for MILK basically, and the result is an incredibly tasty, fluffy pancake. I made them for mother's day. 

http://www.chow.com/recipes/10940-campfire-beer-pancakes#


I substituted bisquick for CHOW and used Budwieser.  I THINK you could use an N/A Busch beer if you are concerned about camps that don't allow alcohol. 

Don't skimp: The pinenuts and the currants I think are a MUST--they add a nice contrast in flavor and texture.

ONE TIP:  Cook the bacon first and then cook the pancakes in the pan after pouring out the fat but NOT deglazing the pan. 

I can't wait to find the next great meal improvement out there!

What It's All About

I was doing the dishes at our family campsite in beautiful Spring Mills campground in Southern Indiana  amongst mature pine trees, breathing fragrant air, every pore of my body glad to be able to exchange air with the outdoors.  Really, just giving the body a chance to be outdoors exchanging a fresh air almost like a leaf itself--reveling in the simple of fact of being outside--that really is what camping it all about:  The chance to be a leaf for three or four days, doing everything from cooking to sleeping outside!

Sometimes I get home from camping and I can't believe how much I put up with dank and dirty smells dwelling in the city:  the car exhaust, drippy smells from behind the washing machine, you name it.  To just stand in the treed cathedral of a forrest doing dishes is a real treat.

For many years family camping I have had the mindset, "If I can just get THIS done or THAT done, then I can get to what camping is all about--"  But, I now realize that this attitude will make me miserable since about 80% of camping is spent doing routine chores.  Tent family camping isn't really the chance to get away from it all; it's the chance to do it all (or most of it), outside in nature. I suppose that's what some folks hate about camping in the first place, but it's something I am learning to love and has me yearning for more. In some ways, camping makes chores harder:  I mean, you have to haul your water three or four times a day like Laura Ingels Wilder, but on the other hand, every day life is simpler.  there are no floors to sweep or counters to polish, and if an ant wants to take away the crumbs on the ground, more power to it--this is there home, too.  Standards are more relaxed and cleaning dishes just means cleaning them enough with simple elements: cold water, a little biodegradable soap, and a dishtowel--all in the company of a small yellow flower and a whistling catbird.

No, I am not waiting to get done with the dishes so I can get back to camping: Doing the dishes must become a part of camping if the whole experience is to be enjoyed.   After all,  how many people have a kitchen like this? Take time to enjoy the routines of life outdoors, and don't worry about getting it done so you can get back to camping.  Doing the routine outdoors is the joy of camping. 

Steve and Sarah's BIG Camping List

Steve and Sarah’s Big (but simple) Family Camping List

This list looks really long (and it is), but I wanted to make this a comprehensive list that would cause me to at least make a thoughtful decision about what not to bring on a family camping trip. If I decide not to bring, say, the car battery charger, I want to have done so because I thoughtfully eliminated it from my list—not because I forgot. So, this list contains some of the obvious things (like the all-important can opener), but also more debatable items like a hammock or walkie-talkies—so that whoever uses it can pare the list down thoughtfully and hopefully never have to say, “Stink!  I should have thought of bringing sidewalk chalk” and so forth.  Sidewalk chalk, after all, is on the list.  So, expect a big list and expect to be able to pare it down as you wish--but hopefully this will help you relax a little knowing you have a pretty comprehensive list. 

Also, don’t rush out to Target and buy, say, a dish rack:  Most of these things can be bought at resale or thrift shops. In fact, one tip for making camping less onerous is to visit the ReStore or Salvation Army or Goodwill and pick up cheap seconds of things like dishes and silverware and then story those in a big bin just for camping. 

Note also:  This list does not include food or the good old ice cooler. That's a topic for a different blog.

General Equipment: 

 (** denotes things that may or may not be necessary)

____  Tent (set up and inspect all parts and seam seal a few days in advance of the trip—make sure you have the rain fly! I may also have my kids practice sleep in the tent when I set it up for inspection).

____ Tent tarp (Two inches shorter than tent on all sides)

____ Ax (sharpened)

____ Waterproof Matches

____Match strike pad

____ Tinder (Dryer lint is great!)

____ ** Fire grill (tripod or otherwise)

____  ** Roasting sticks (for marshmallows, tofu hot dogs, and so forth)

____  Old long oven mitt (for shifting the fire—get one that covers forearm as well as hand if possible).

____ First Aid Kit (See medicine for complete list)

____ Screw driver (flat and Phillips head)

_____  Hammer (Unless Ax will double as one)

_____  Adjustable Wrench

General Equipment, Continued

____  ** Special tools for equipment (Allen wrenches, etc., Socket wrench for my topper—what about various patch kits and repair kits for things like bikes or kayaks—think if anything you have requires a special tool)

____ All purpose knife

____ Duct tape

____  Rope (Long enough for good clothes line)

____ ** Tire patch kit if bikes

_____  ** Air pump

____  ** Car battery charger, multipurpose (sometimes these serve as pumps, car chargers, cellphone chargers, etc).

____  Headlamps and/or personal flashlights (Headlamps absolutely ROCK for camping because of the handsfree nature)

____ 360 visibility lamp (for walking to places at night—so the ubiquitous kids riding bikes at night don’t hit you on the way to the bathroom)

_____ ** In tent plug-in lamp if an electric site.

____  **  Plug in small fan for electric sites.

_____  **Extra table (good for the cooking area—frees up picnic table space).

___ _ Hiking Backpack (to hold snacks and water bottles when hiking).

_____ **Child carrying backpack (great if you have a toddler—necessary if you have a baby)

___ Water Bottles for everyone.

____ ** Kiddie corral for toddler play area 

___  ** Pac-N-Play (can also work as above)

___ ** Extra ground cloth for child play area.

_____  ** Kiddie corral

____ ** Camera

____ ** Cell phone

____  ** Cell phone charger

____  ** Air compressor if filling air beds.

____ All chargers for all equipment.

General Equipment, Continued

____ ** Wagon—(great for pulling water back to camp site—Seriously consider this. A lot of camping is spent hauling water back to camp).

____  5 – gallon water buckets (I suggest two).

____ ** Bikes for everyone.

____  ** Scooters for kids (great to help them keep up with older ones on walks)

____  Camping Stove

____ Fuel for stove or other items

_____  ** Adobe wrap

_____  ** Extra ground cloth for kids’ play area.

_____ Campfire chairs for everyone. 

_____  **  Walkie Talkies (I no longer bring these – they just gobble batteries!)

_____ ** Hammock (I LOVE having one of these—if only my kids would share!)

_____  Small whisk broom 

_____  Dust pan

_____  ** Gas Lamp for all camp (these are by far brighter and better than electric)

_____  ** Spare mantels for gas lamp.

_____  ** Gas for lamp.

_____  ** Large umbrella or other beach sun shelter (I love the sport umbrellas)

_____  ** Beach Towels 

_____ Keys—extras in case you lose them

____ All ID’s and Credit Cards

_____ Credit card information in case these are lost or stolen.

____ Insurance cards.

Sleeping Equipment

_____  Sleeping pads for everyone.  (I prefer these over the big blow-up air mattresses for a number of reasons).

_____  ** If preferred, blow up mattresses.

______ ** Compressor for blow up mattresses (check batteries if needed).

_____  Blankets, sleeping bags for all.

_____  Pillows for all.

____  ** Pac N’ Play for baby/toddler

_____  Warm Pajamas.

_____ ** Warm socks

_____  ** Warm caps and socks if cold weather camping.

_____  *** Sheets and bedding if desired. 

_____  ***  If electric site, sturdy plug in lamp

_____  ** Extension Chord (if electric site).

_____  ** Electric fan if hot weather and electric site camping.

Equipment for a Baby, Toddler or Young Child:

_____  ** Floaties or water vests (Vests are GREAT for kids, but are not full proof!  Watch your kids in the water if they don’t swim well yet!).

_____  Child friendly toys.

_____ Extra  Tarp for play area.

_____ ** Kiddie Corral for play area.

_____  Pac N’ Play

_____  ** Sit up Seat (Bubby)

_____ **  Little toilet. (Camp toilets can be scary for little guy—well, shucks, for everyone).

_____  Eating seat with tray that can be attached to picnic table. (Don’t even THINK about not bringing this if you have a toddler in the wandering stage or a baby)

_____  Diapers

____ Wipes

____ Diaper covers (If you use reusable diapers--you saints)

_____ Diaper Rash Cream.

_____ Baby back pack 

_____ Adobe wrap

_____ Special Sun lotion

____  Special Repellent

____  Winter body sleeper if cold camping (better than a sleeping bag!)

_____  Rain gear

General Clothes for Kids:

_____  Long, sturdy pants (Unless it’s hot, pants are best to keep bites down—long pants and a little spray around ankles are a good deterrent against ticks—Ticks are especially a problem in long grass—but generally I find they don’t reside on paths or very short grass or playground or campsites with well-worn ground—I rarely spray myself or kids and only once did we have them)

_____  Socks

_____ Shorts (probably fine—unless you are going into grass)

_____  Bathing Suit

_____  Swim Shirt (So much easier than lotion)

_____  Keens or other sturdy waterproof sandals.

_____ ** Aqua Socks (unless keens will do)

_____  Tennis shoes or hiking boots.

_____  Underwear.

_____  T-Shirts

_____  Warm Pajamas

_____  ** Warm hat (if cold camping)

_____  Sun hat

_____  ** Wool sweater

_____  Hooded sweatshirt.

_____  Sun glasses.

_____  Rain gear

_____  Wind breaker

_____  Floaties or life vests.

_____  Bike Helmet

_____ ** backpack (Let them carry their gear when hiking--also you could use at a limiter to their toys, etc.  "Bring what you can fit in your backpack")

_____ Glasses, etc.

General Clothes for Adult:

Ok, Steve talking here:  I generally find I can get by with very few changes of clothing—as long as I have clean and dry and warm clothes to sleep in at night, long NON-COTTON underwear, and a wool sweater.  So, on my next four day trip, I will probably only pack one change of clothes—and just keep my sleeping clothes dry and clean. I really like a wool sweater for camping for warmth, because it stays warm even in the misty cold).

_____  ** Bike Helmet

_____ Sun hat

_____ Warm Hat (if sleeping below 50 at night)

_____ Sunglasses

_____ Glasses

_____ Contacts

_____ Contact cases

_____ Contact Solution

______ T-shirts

_____ Sweatshirt (I try not to make this cotton--which is useless when wet or even damp)

______  Wool Sweater

______ Wind breaker

_____ Rain gear (parka and pants – can be used as wind breaker)

_____ Belt

_____  Jeans

____ Shorts

_____ Socks (including wool and cotton)

_____  Underwear

 

_____  Keens or Chacos or other waterproof sports sandals.

______ ** Aqua Socks

_____ Hiking boots

_____ Swim Suit

_____ Swim Shirt

______ Swim goggles

_____ Warm pajamas

_____  Bras

______  Shower Sandals (cheapies for those delightful camp showers!)

Toiletries

_____  Large bag (like a gardening bag) or bucket with tool skirt—something with lots of pockets so that kit is easily portable.

_____  ** Extra bag or bucket if you have boys and girls.

_____  Tooth paste

_____  Tooth brushes for all.

_____  Kid’s Tooth Paste

_____ Dental Floss

_____  Bar Soap 

_____ Bar Soap holder

_____  Shampoo

_____  ** Conditioner

_____  ** Comb

_____  Brush

_____ ** Special soaps (acne, face cleanser)

_____ Face/Skin Creams

_____ ** Lotions

_____  Metal Tweezers

_____ Face towel

_____  Towels for showers.

_____ Shower footwear (really cheap flip flops are nice in the—shall we say—lived in feeling you get at State Park shower facilities)

_____ Make Up

_____ Tampons

_____ Extra roll toilet paper

_____ Feminine Hygiene Pads

_____ Contacts

_____ Contacts Case

_____  Contacts Cleaner

_____  Glasses

_____ Pony tail holders

_____  ** Tangle Spray (If your daughter is named Lucy! ;>)

Medicine

_____  Bug repellent

_____ Special Kid’s repellent.

_____  Sunscreen

_____ Special Sunscreen for kids or babies

_____ Antacid 

_____  Athlete’s foot cream

_____ Ibuprofen

_____  Tylenol 

_____  Kid’s Tylenol/Ibuprofen

_____  Metal Tweezers and Pin (for splinters)

_____  Magnifying glass (for splinters)

_____  Antiseptic (Hydrogen Peroxide) 

_____  Alcohol pads

_____ Small, medium, large Band-Aids

_____  Anti-diarrhea  

_____  Finger splint

_____ Sunburn Aloe Vera

_____  Eye dowser

_____  Anti itch cream

_____  Cotton balls

_____ First aid tape

_____  ** First-aid book (Or invite your friend who is a PA! :>)

_____  Tissues

_____  Baby wipes

_____ Diaper rash cream

_____ Thermometer

_____  Baby thermometer

_____  Bee sting stuff

_____  Vitamins

_____ ** Birth control (for you married-without-kids-yet, otherwise forget it!)

_____ Feminine Hygiene 

_____ Prescription medications

Toys N’ Stuff

_____ Sand toys (even if not going to the beach, the campsite playground may have sand).

_____  5 toys for each child (let them pick these out—thinks like one Barbie, one batman, and so forth)

_____  Books! FOR GROWN UPS AND KIDS!

_____  Activity books

_____ A new puzzle (new for YOU—just go to goodwill)

_____  Coloring books

_____  Crayons

_____ Identification books (flowers, trees, bugs, birds, and so forth)

_____  Riddle/Joke Books

_____  Board games for each aged person—including grown ups!

_____  Crafts like sewing or beads or rainbow loom (limit the amount of these!) that can be done when rainy or on car trip over.

_____  Sidewalk Chalk

_____ Nature exploration things like butterfly net, etc. 

_____  Squirt guns

_____ Bubbles

_____  An all purpose ball

_____  Chess set

_____  ** Scooters

_____  ** Bikes

_____ Helmets

_____ ** Bean bag toss types of games.

_____  ** Ice cream maker (shaker)

_____ ** Sled for sand dunes.

Cooking Equipment

A great idea is to visit Goodwill and buy inexpensive seconds to store just for camping. 

_____  Frying Pan

_____  Big pot with lid

_____ Smaller Pot with Lid

_____  ** Tea kettle

_____ Big pot holder (oven mitt would work great!)

_____ Grill top (or grate) for campfire cooking (unless you are SURE they have one!)

_____ ** Dutch oven (great for easy cobblers)

_____  ** Round Casserole dish for Dutch oven 

_____ ** Spacers for Dutch oven

_____ Gas stove

_____ Gas FOR Stove

_____ Matches

_____  Big Serving/Cooking Spoon

_____ Big knife

_____ ** Little paring knife

_____  LONG metal Tongs

____ Long metal spatula

____ Can opener

_____ Silverware for everyone (easy to get secondhand!)

_____ Plates for everyone (Hey, do Mother Nature a favor and buy some reusable second-hand ones at the Restore, etc)

_____ Cold cups for everyone

_____ Warm Cups for everyone

_____ Bowls for everyone.

_____  Hot cups for everyone

_____ Table Cloth (A must!)

_____ Clips for table cloth

_____  Vinegar/Water 50/50 mix in spray bottle for cleaning)

_____ Dish rack (a must!)

_____ Two plastic bins for washing

_____ Dish soap (Ivory is biodegradable)

_____ One or two dishrags

_____ A dishtowel

_____ ** Grater

_____ Aluminum foil

_____  Plastic ziplock bags. (Or, better yet, reusable pouches for things like bringing sandwiches and snacks on picnics)

_____ Garbage bags

_____ ** pop-up garbage can

_____ Marshmallow/Hot dog sticks

_____ ** Drainer if cooking pasta

_____ 5 – Gallon water jugs (I like two)

_____  Paper towels ( a must)

_____  Baby seat for meals 

_____  Special sippy cups, silverwear, and other special utensils for babys/toddlers.

_____ ** Small cooler for lunch picnics.

_____ ** Small water jug for picnics

_____ water bottles for everyone

_____ Water purifier stuff if camping out there!

_____ Small Cutting Board

Tips for Cooking:  Have something hot for breakfast even if just tea and oatmeal.

Prep ahead of time:  Cut veggies and store in Tupperware

Cut meats and marinade in double-bagged ziplocs

Mix ingredients for meals as much as possible

Try to make meals as easy as possible for the camping trip by prepping at home.

Plan one night of eating out and/or one easy night of hot dogs or freeze-dried food so you get a break!

Other Items I didn’t think of :

_____  

_____

_____

_____

_____