topic Re: Camping anyone? in Community Chat

Camping anyone?

Kalli — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 03:34:46 GMT

My friend and I are going camping this weekend. Haven't gone since I was young and we are having to rough it since all cabins were reserved.

Hoping to get some recommendations here. I know most folks probably prefer to camp with a trailer or reserve a cabin but we don't have that option. This is a trip I've wanted to take, it's on my bucket list.

My friend has done this before but I've never camped in this way. We do have a tent and she has a cot, I have an air mattress. So, other than telling me I'm crazy, which I already accept, please feel free to give any advice or a list of things I might forget, or anything. Thanks!

Re: Camping anyone?

SharkE — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 03:46:12 GMT

not my cup of tea. Perhaps others will offer some suggestions.

Re: Camping anyone?

Desertdi — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 03:49:34 GMT

Not me.........I prefer room service

Re: Camping anyone?

Anonymous032819 — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 04:01:43 GMT

I don't think that you are crazy for tent camping.

To me, that is real camping!

There is nothing like sitting around a campfire, making s'mores, enjoying the sounds of nature, staring in to the crackling fire.

Waking up in the morning, to the cool, crisp air, and seeing nature come to life.

I remember tent camping my parents when I was a kid, and I loved snuggling down in to my sleeping bag.

You are going to want to have a Coleman camp stove so that you can cook.

They take propane, and tanks come in various sizes.

You will want to take a percolator type coffee maker, a cooking pan, a cooler or two with all of your food in it, pillow, flashlight.

Have fun and enjoy your trip!

Re: Camping anyone?

Linmo — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 04:03:16 GMT

@Kalli Toilet paper, sunscreen, bug spray, flashlght, extra batteries, cap, clothes to layer, first aid kit, matches or lighter if you will be cooking outdoors, make sure cell phone is fully charged. Have fun!

Re: Camping anyone?

rms1954 — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 04:17:33 GMT

If there are other campers around you, be sure not to leave your camping spot unattended with anything of value or need locked in your car. We made that mistake last time I went. We were at a campground and we purchased firewood When we returned from a walk to the lake, all our firewood and food was stolen. I never went again.

Re: Camping anyone?

SurferWife — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 04:19:57 GMT

Camping isn't my cup of tea either, unless my campsite is the Hilton! 🤣🤙😂

Re: Camping anyone?

WRXtoo — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 04:22:19 GMT

You don't say anything about the weather but if it's going to be cool at night (or cold), you will need a layer between your air mattress and your warm sleeping bag. A doubled wool blanket, quilt or even another sleeping bag to insulate you from the cold air in the air mattress will make the difference between sleep and shivering all night. Trust me! (All my camping has been in a tent... Love it.). Have fun!

Re: Camping anyone?

Mersha — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 04:32:24 GMT

@Kalli It sounds like quite an adventure. You are a brave soul.

If you have access to a Foodsaver, put your essentials in there to keep them dry.

Please let us know how it went when you return.

Re: Camping anyone?

foggy! — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 07:09:39 GMT

All toiletries in a large ziplock bag +quarters in case the showers are quarter driven

firewood, lighter, lighter bars, grill or grate from home to put over fire to hold up your pans, long metal scewers for marshmellows or hot dogs, TP, wipes or pump soap

slice & butter, pepper, salt some baking potatoes wrapped in foil for the campfire

more gaterade, and water than you think you'll need

pots, skillet, spoons, pancake turner, hot pads, long fork, plastic cutlery, paper plates

towels, blankets, flashlights, whistle, first aid kit, backpack, rope or bungie cords

shoes, socks, clothes, jacket, beanie, gloves, cell phone,waterproof lanyard case for phone/keys/money/ID, camera, back-up glasses, meds, sunglasses, aloe vera

granola bars, burgers, hotdogs, buns,eggs, lunchmeats, cheese, bread,snacks, fruit, hard candy, gum, condiments

instant coffee, cocoa, tea,sugar, pancake mix, plastic bowl to mix batter, milk, sm cereals, paper bowls, canned soup, baked beans, chili, veggies, baggies, dish soap

cooler, ice, can openers, rope for tying between trees to dry towels/clothes, shovel

Re: Camping anyone?

Carmie — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:14:21 GMT

Don't forget that there is dew on the ground every morning. That said, anything left on the ground will be wet.

Make sure you don't leave anything on the ground...like clothing or shoes. Also make sure there is a water proof cover between the tent bottom and your mattress.

Have fun.

Re: Camping anyone?

Mombo1 — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 10:17:13 GMT

@SurferWife wrote:
Camping isn't my cup of tea either, unless my campsite is the Hilton! 🤣🤙😂

@SurferWife With room service of course! 🤗

Re: Camping anyone?

godi — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 11:11:01 GMT

Boy you couldn't pay me to do this. I hope it all works out for you and you have a blast.

Re: Camping anyone?

kaydee50 — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 12:03:13 GMT

No suggestions for you since my idea of "camping" is the nearest Hilton!

Have fun!

Re: Camping anyone?

SilleeMee — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 12:16:10 GMT

I love to camp but it's getting a little too late in the year around here for that. Colorado mountains have snow and it gets pretty cold at night. Not bad during the daytime though for hiking.

Re: Camping anyone?

Meowingkitty — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 12:26:58 GMT

Always hated camping. My idea of camping is a Hilton.

Re: Camping anyone?

riley1 — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 12:42:31 GMT

If you are going to any type of campground find out what the rules are if there are bear around. Maybe bring rope should you need to raise your food up.

I camped many years ago cross country - left in September and returned in October - east to west coast. One of the best trips I ever took!

Besides the food, a basin and dish detergent to wash utensils and pans?

Re: Camping anyone?

aroc3435 — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 13:13:18 GMT

@Kalli Kudos to you! Hope you and your friend have a wonderful time.

I would bring extra pairs of warm socks and an extra pair of comfortable shoes. A rain poncho might be good. My rule is when I remember to bring one with me it doesn't rain!

Wooden matches and some rreserved in a waterproof container.

Some ziplock bags are handy.

I'm pretty much an urban creature and haven't encountered nature like this overnight since the '70s or early '80s. Hotel reservations are much more my style, though not right now, of course.

aroc3435

Washington, DC

Re: Camping anyone?

LindaSal — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 13:20:04 GMT

Lots of great advice here, I cannot think of anything different to offer. We always did tent camping when our kids were young. It was so much fun back then. Of course now I could never get up after sleeping on the ground all night, LOL! We have gone in recent years with my best friend from high school and stayed in her camper. It is nice but we never went down that road ourselves......... I prefer to do more fancy vacations now

Re: Camping anyone?

noodleann — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 13:34:49 GMT

I'd want to know what the bathroom facilities are, whether it's just pit toilets or there's running water. That would affect what supplies I bring for that part of the adventure.

Also, test the mattress well before you go to make sure there are no air leaks. Inflating it and using it in your home isn't a bad idea. Regardless of its performance, I would bring something like a dense foam pad to put under the mattress in case it deflates during the night on the trip. If it does--and this happened to people I know--you'll be sleeping on the ground with just a couple thicknesses of vinyl for comfort if you don't have a pad. Bring a patching kit just in case.

I would invest in a good headlamp if you don't already have one, as well as hand-held and body-worn torches. I'm big on avoiding falls, and having a reliable light source is vital at night, IMO.

Enjoy your trip!