Welcome to Family Corner! I hope you will post on other threads too and let us get to know you better! Come on over to the "Introduce Yourself" thread and tell us a little about yourself!
Boy, everyone has given some terrific ideas. We've camped out so many times since I got married. I don't have my file with me with my list of things to camp. When I first started camping, I made a folder of things to pack. I had a list to pack in the car, because we traveled 4 or 5 hours to where we were going to camp for a week or so. I had toys for the car, snacks, drinks, and so on. I also had a menu list. I made up a list of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks for the week. I packed the nonperishable items. I also had a list of things I needed to pack and checked them off as they were packed. I had can opener, foil, charcoal, lighter, wire hangers for roasting marshmallows, and so on. I also had a list of personal items that we needed to pack. Since we always went to the mountains, we all had to have coats. I included such items as tooth brushes, medications, underware, and so on. Don't forget pillows, blankets, flashlight, and so on. Some other items that are easily forgotton are egg turner, frying pan, rope, tarp, lawn chairs, table, bug spray, sun block, and so on. If you dislike public portapotties, like I do, I bring my own potty. Take your lists with you on your first vacation. That way, you can write down all the things you didn't think about packing and what you wish you could have packed. You will forget what all you had to run to the store for once you get home. But the next time you go camping, you will have a master list of what you need to pack, including things that you had to rush to the store to get.
We also had 2 coolers, one for soft drinks and one for food items, like bacon, eggs, meat, and so on.
One other thing, I made a master pancake mix. It had everything except for the milk and eggs. It was cheaper than buying the store brand pancake mix.
HI all GREAT things here!! havnet been camping in many years but dont know if anyone did what we did we would try to get a tent site near the bathrooms or playgrounds!!! flip flops {they have water shoes now} we brought what we called "the weapon" one time we had terrible bees at camp and brought a small broom!! we would bring a rope to hang up clothes so they would dry,if you do go swimming!! we had a tarp to go over a picnic table just in case of rain and you had to stay in area! and when we went tent camping I HATED some people with trailers {sorry} they had micro waves and refrigs HEY thats not camping!!! our cooler was out frig!!! oh well have FUN!!! we did!!!!
I need to go through my camping boxes in the garage and restock. I probably should try to do this before Relay in a couple weeks because we will need some things out of them. (Relay For Life....we camp out tow nights)
Anyone bought any new cool camping gadgets? I need a really comfy air mattress....gonna go buy some really thick foam from Floyds and make a comfy bed for us.
Right now I am sleeping on an air mattress. The problem that I have had with the air mattresses, even the big thick ones, is that the plastic tops make it miserable to sleep on. My DS is so wonderful! He made a thick pad to put on the top of the mattress. Then, covered it with sheets and blankets. That thick pad makes those air mattresses feel like I am sleeping on a regular mattress. So, if you are awakening with a backache, like I have, use super thick padding and then, make sure you keep it aired up.
I bought a thick memory foam pad for under $40.00. I didn't want to spend that much, but it was on sale, down from $70., so I got it. And it has made all the difference in the world.
We don't tent camp anymore. Sleeping on the ground with just a piece of plastic and a sleeping bag. So I have enjoyed both roughing it with the kids and doing the wimpy camper thing we do now.
I actually love my camper. The best thing is it's set up(as of last July) and all I have to do is drive to it. Everything I need is already there. It's not real campimg at its finest. But more like a second home that is in the woods, with almost all the comforts of home.
And yup, I bring the dogs with me. I have an enclosed fence for them, but most of the time they stay in the camper with us. I think they're spoiled a little.
__________________
Maryann
We learn lessons in the school of suffering
that we can learn in no other way.
We have a 30 ft camping trailer. Love camping. We don't have a seasonal site anylonger. We go to different campgrounds every tiime we go out. We live an area where their are tons of campgrounds with in 1 hr of our house. Love camping. We take our dog also. I think he would run away if we didn't take him. He enjoys it more then the teenage and young adult kids that we have now.
This summer we will be taking the granddaughters with us for a few days. Can't wait.
I've added one of those $10 LED tent lights to my kit, it has multiple LEDs and battery run so it hangs in my closet when not camping with it.
Also saw a propane oven and stovetop in Cabela's catalog, more expensive than the LED but it goes to at least 400F or was it 500F? Anyways, looks like a good plan but will wait till it goes on sale
The camp kitchen with three tables, hanging room for utensils, and a wash basin and two fabric 'cupboards' looks good and wonder if anyone has tried it out yet? It's been listed in Cabela's and has gone down in price also. Think it's somewhere about $100 now, definitely a luxury item but we are doing more tailgating with dd2s lax team and other things camping so it would be fun to have, I think....
__________________
Ellen in PA
"God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of love, power, and a sound mind."
[QUOTE=MomsZoo;66883]Hi all.... my hubby and I bought a tent late last summer and we're dying to use it this year, but neither of us have been camping since we were kids. So I'm wondering if you all could give us some tips about what we need.... can you prepare meals in a tent? Do we need lanterns? Coolers? And does anyone know a fun place to camp with kids in Indiana? We're in NW Indiana but willing to drive some distance if it's worth it :p
Thanks in advance for your pearls of wisdom
Here is my copy of my master camping list:
Big Stuff o Toolbox oChairs oFishing Gear oCooking Box-Dishes, cutting board, pots & pans, silverware and kitchen utensils (don't forget the can opener) oDishwashing Tote-everything to wash dishes oGrill Tote-portable (propane) oLights & Lanterns w/fuel oRadio, CD’s & DC cord oPropane oTarps oSleeping Bags oTents oWood oShovel oSheets & Blankets oWinter Coats, Hats & Gloves oRain Gear oCushions-to sleep on oPocket Knives oWater Jugs oAx & Wedges
2 tables
Big Basket o2-way Radios oCamera oFlashlights oBatteries oKoosies
Entertainment Stuff oActivity Books oBook to read oGame boy & acc oCroquet oBocce oHorseshoes oVolleyball/ ladder ball oTelescope oFrisbees ocards or dice games oIndoor Game Tote (in case it rains)
First Aid oAce Bandages oAdvil oCotton Balls & Q-tips oExcedrin oInsect Spray oPeroxide & Alcohol oTweezers oPrescription oSunscreen oBand-aids
Shower Bags oTowels oWash clothes oUmbrella with curved handle ( turn umbrella upside down and hang hand on tree branch) hanging shower curtain on tips of umbrella purchase a 4ft x 4ft piece of plastic flooring (solar showers available in the camping section (K-mart, Walmart) oShower curtain oTowel oBody Soap oShampoo & Conditioner
Ellen in PA 
