We have come to the conclusion, vacations with 2 hotel rooms each nite, is way to expensive, ridiculous for all of us to sleep, and be comfy. so camping is gonna be how we are gonna do this for the next few years. We have begun the investment into tents, and cots for hims and I, as I can't get off the ground(with air mattress) bhhhahah So campers out there, what are some things you lOVE, and would not be without. for the record, we are looking for a pop up trailer, but for now gonna TENT it!
Look for portable fans to help with the heat. And if it's cold, put the blanket underneath you and it keeps you warmer. For those on the air mattresses, that blanket underneath makes a world of difference. Because RV and tent camping people tend to know the BEST camping places for nice amenities, I would see if there was some kind of group to join to get others opinions. A lady that I used to work with RV camped with her husband all the time and she knew every campground within 5 states of us that had nice showers and pretty scenery AND she knew the places NOT to stay, too. To clarify, I am SO NOT a camper. To me, the best part of switching from cub scouts to boy scouts is the fact that mom NEVER had to camp again. But I did faithfully for five years.
We have been camp tenting for the last few summers. My best advice is that at some point while at a camp ground scope out possible sites for a next visit and write them down on the camp map. We also have extra fun because we go with several families so the kids have companions. Make sure you have room in the tent for clothing bags so its convenient to change. A dining tent is a plus, but most are quite bulky so they're difficult to pack Make sure you either bring disposable cutlery, etc or invest in a cheap yet compact camp set. Flash lights for night time potty visits and a small lantern for the tent. If u pm me your email Addy, I can email you our list Its such an adventure, can't wait to heat your stories and see your pictures!
We haven't camped in years (we have a permanent spot at a ranch now with our trailer)....but I remember a few things we loved. If we weren't camping at the lake/river in the wilderness, we loved the amenities of an RV lot that had overnight camping spots. These spots tended to not be so large, so lush with greenery....but they did have electrical hookup so it was nice to plug in a toaster, coffee maker and radio. They sometimes would have a clubhouse or something where the kids could go hang out and play cards or games and they would have dances and activities at night for them.
We LOVE camping - we go at least once a year, possibly twice when we are able. (we have a pop-up camper) my biggest struggle in the past has been the cooking part since I am used to lots of stuff when i cook (gadgets, seasonings, etc.) - last year i finally had a big eureka moment and found a rubbermaid tote to put all of the big stuff in (with a bungee cord to hold the lid down - we had crazy squirrels steal our spatula!) and then i set up one like this for the little stuff - it is just a door-hanging organizer from the $ store - it hangs under the edge of our canopy tent (i will be sunburnt by the time breakfast is done without it) - holds the flatware, spices, can opener, etc. Have FUN!
Stay at state parks vs. private campgrounds unless you have good referrals on the private campground. In my experience, at least here in the northeast, the state campground sites larger, wooded so a bit more private feel, and far fewer drunks at 2am than the private campgrounds.
oh having a toilet is a must! lol, I will hover over a toilet, but it should in my list of wants, flush! lol I love this list it is already helpful! we are going KOA I think this time, as there is a pool on the grounds also! woot to that!
OH my gosh...I LOVE camping!!! Just got back from a 3 day trip...let's see...what are essentials... If you are on a mattress, buying those puzzle foam floors works wonders. Keeps it warm and more cushy. Definitely need a lot of tarps - you will want one on the ground under your tent to keep the moisture from seeping in through the floor. That organizer for utensils is awesome!!! We just have everything we need in big bins. Headlamps are pretty useful for making it to and from the toilets and back to your tent at dark. You should also bring a little broom and dustpan to sweep out your tent when you are done and are ready to take it down. And s'mores...you definitely need those!! Or you can check out campfire cones (I have the recipe pinned on my pinterest board) - I just made those this weekend...and they were pretty darn awesome!!!
I loved camping growing up... we would go all the time... for doing the dishes, my father made this cool thing for me.. it was the metal pail and he drilled a hole on the side of the pail and connected one of those sink spray hoses... you heat your water, pour it in to the pail and hang the pail... then to rinse off the dishes you use the sprayer! ... we had a 10x12 tent which fits 6 adults so that is what we had along with the dining tent with mesh sides to keep the bugs out! A coleman lantern too and if someone plays an instrument like a guitar or something that is great for at night to sing around the campfire as you make smores... also lawn chairs! Public showers always wear flip flops in the showers... you will need those plastic things for soap etc to bring to the wash house to carry your toiletries!
We got a camper last year. I am not a super huge camping fan but we do go on a week long trip each summer with a bunch of friends and family (27 of us this year) and it is so crazy fun. For the kids - scavenger hunts. Keeps them busy and it is so fun. My MIL made 3 this year and even provided us with prizes to take with. For clothes in the camper (Eric and I have lots of storage for our clothes but the kids needed something) I use this and keep the kids clothes in sections. I hang it from the shower rod: For showering we have two mesh drawstring bags - one for girls and one for boys. Easy to hang outside and let drip dry. Although we have a shower in our camper we try not to use it as it fills the tank up too quickly. We have a large outdoor rug that we keep outside our camper to cut down on stuff tracked inside. Some people we camp with have pop up campers and have to pack much more lightly than we do. They set up a handwashing station with a big water jug, handsoap and towel, on a card table outside their camper. They use these for napkins, silverware, dry cooking goods, etc
We stayed in KOAs a ton when I was a kid, and they are awesome if it works out. Some are not in the most optimal area for every trip, but we loved staying there when we could. Lots of amenities, grassy areas, and they were so clean. We loved that they had little convenience stores, too. A good Coleman stove, camping chairs, bug spray, and one of those tents with the net walls (maybe they are called a pavillion? I don't remember) that you can set up next to the camper or tent and set up a table for playing games, eating, or just sitting outside without getting eaten by bugs is really nice, too.
