Can We Talk About Camping?

Fantastic and thanks for sharing. Camping is truly an amazing time and experience that has been passed down from generation to generation. Camping is one of the things that I really enjoy doing. It brings me so much peace and ideas.

We love taking our dutch oven and cooking most meals in it. You can bake, boil, saute, whatever you need to do in one pot! I measure out all of the ingredients before we go so that meals are easy. I've baked a birthday cake in it over the fire. Just a bit of magic!

Great comments! We camp a lot both with scouts and as a family. BEST idea we have found (that hasn't already been said) is to use chocolate chip cookies for smores. SO much easier than dealing with graham crackers and chocolate bars. We use Chips Ahoy usually.

Wow. Well, I will say that for me cooking is the MOST fun I have camping! There are some limitations to what you can do - but that makes it the most fun! My family thinks that pancakes, bacon and eggs for breakfast taste 4000 times better when camping. There are plastic egg containers to buy - so you do not have the soggy egg carton or breakage issues.
I take a camping stove and also try to do some cooking on the fire/coals.
A super fun thing to do - sorry if this repeats - is to wrap biscuit dough in a spiral around a hefty twig and "roast" it over coals - makes a fun breadstick.
Another camping classic is the "hobo dinner" - thinnish meat patties, sliced potatoes and carrots and onion, all wrapped up in a foil "packet." Cook over hot coals. It's sort of magic for the kids to unwrap them and see how they cooked.
I suggest you go and discover what kind of camping your family wants to do - then you'll know what kind of equipment to invest in. We have recently enjoed renting some of the cabins available in state parks so we do not have as much time involved in tent set-up. Wall tents can be rented at some state parks, too. We have such precious memories of camping, and I just may have to go make some reservations now! :) Have fun. We'll look for your photos!

Finally! A question I can participate in! LOL

I have been camping annually with my brother, his son, and a whole big group of friends, for the last 4-5 years or so (my brother's wife has MS and camping is not for her).

Our friends that coordinate the weekend make the reservations and tell us the dates. We usually go to the same campground every year, and we try and get the same spot. It has made for a lovely annual tradition. And I have actually gotten to take pics every year of my nephew and see him growing up. I don't have kids so I really like this.

http://wisdells.shutterfly.com/

Anyway there's lots to do in Wisconsin Dells and we the kids really are not picky. We camp near the neach where they have a floating play place. My nephew would be happy to just go there all day every day. A coupel days we go to the pool at the campground. They have a baby pool and a bigger pool. We go into town and do differnet things. We usually play mini golf, we go to the kiddie amusement park where my nephew drives about 5 different go carts over and over. there's also 2 go-carts that are really for older kids/adults, so my brother and his friends go on those with the kids. There are little things to do all thru the Dells -- visiting a deer park (like a petting zoo with tame deer and chickens), little amusement parks with rides, stuff like that.

Our friends' mom and dad love to cook. So every year they coordinate dinner for the 3 days. They plan a menu and split the cost. It's about $15 per family for 3 meals and we all eat together. We all usually contribute a dish or two at least one night (so for example I will make a dish just for Sat night dinner). We all frequently share breakfast. The mom and dad have a ton of camping gear and when we go they set up a main area with the picnic tables, the cooking area, a screened shelter or two to eat in when it rains, etc. We mainly all hang out there.

A couple years it has rained and those years we take the kids to local water parks.

In terms of equipment, since our friends and their parents are big campers they bring everything you could need. WE bring the same old tent we've had for years, and I bring an air mattress bc I can't sleep on the ground. We bring at least one folding chair per person, and a cooler and a plastic bin full of snacks and drinks and easy lunch stuff like hot dogs or lunchables.

Basically if you are going with a group the kids all have fun together and in our group, as long as they can go swimming, make s'mores, and play mini golf they are pretty happy.

Have a great time!

We love camping. It was the only way we traveled as kids. :-) My tips:

1. Food-sandwiches are always quick and easy. we also eat a lot of pizzas made in pie makers. if you have a camp stove, pasta is another easy thing to take along and make. hot cocoa is a great way to warm up in the evening or morning. instant oatmeal is another easy meal. s'mores are always fun-especially if you "customize" them with peanut butter or other kinds of candy bars vs. just hershey bars.

2. sleeping-i definitely recommend getting a tent made for around double your family size. it's so nice to have room to move around when getting dressed, a place to keep your luggage and also roomy enough to not feel cramped if you're stuck inside it in the rain. a no-shoes in the tent rule is great for keeping out dust. we also keep baby wipes inside the door so we can wipe our feet off if we need to (we live in sandals so our feet get pretty dusty at the campsite). mummy sleeping bags have been awesome for us since we switched-so much warmer. be sure to bring an extra sweatshirt especially for sleeping-its so nice to be able to throw a non-smoky sweatshirt on in chilly nights (and socks and long/warm jammies). air mattresses or cots help make sleeping so much more comfortable (and warmer since you're off the heat-sucking ground) which in turn makes the trip that much more enjoyable.

3. gear-we use headlamps and lanterns (battery operated) for our main lights. the headlamps are great for reading before bed. the lanterns are nice for walking to the bathroom or playing games since they spread the light around more than flashlights. roasting forks and pie makers are a must for us. water bottles are great-bring extra so you don't have to be running to the water spot all the time. baby wipes are wonderful for cleaning up. we keep them everywhere. also, if you have a water spot on site-we keep a bar of eco-friendly/biodegradable soap near it for quick hand washing.

4. clothes-every day we pick out the clothes for the next day and put them (along with our toiletries) into one of those canvas grocery bags so that you can carry it to the shower easily. pajamas get put into our pillowcases each morning so that we don't have to hunt for them at night. if you are going for an extended period of time where you're going to do laundry-those purex all in one laundry sheets are amazing for saving space and being easy to use.

5. activities-we bring along card and board games to play together (also a great way to spend time when you're stuck in the tent if it rains). we also each bring a book to read. pick up maps for trails or other activites at the check in spot (also check for any programs-a lot of campgrounds will have programs like nature hikes and such for kids). scavenger hunts are fun and easy. get a bunch of paint chips in greens and other nature colors-have the kids try to "match" the color with something in nature. bubbles. get a book about stars/constellations from the library and look for them in the sky (binoculars really make looking at the stars/moon even more amazing). binoculars or a monocular are great for hikes. get a bird or wildflower book and look for some that are in your area. bring a box for things that are collected (rocks, sticks, leaves, shells, etc). order a travel guide for the area (or check out the website) before you go to find out what other activities are in the area.

5. misc- we put all the "necessities" in a backpack to carry with us on hikes or anywhere we go (it also keeps them in one place so we know exactly where they are at). things like sunscreen, bug spray, camera, extra snacks and water bottles, maps, small first aid kit, hats, binoculars, etc.

My number one piece of advice though is to JUST ROLL WITH IT. It might rain the entire time, or someone might get sick, you might forget something or something may not go according to plan...and it's okay. You can spend your trip obsessing over it and trying to change it or you can just roll with it and make the best of it. Camping is one of those things that seems to bring up many issues since it can be so far removed from normal life. Just enjoy it-it's something I've had to learn as I've grown up and it makes the trip so much more enjoyable when you accept the downs with the ups and make the best of it. :-) Have fun!!!

Please be sure you bring extra clothes, shoes for the little ones, in case they get wet. If it will be cold, a beanie for there heads to keep them warmer at night. Bug Repellant, and flashlights or a little battery operated lantern the kids can have to keep out the dark.
Have a super good time.

We are planning to go camping this summer once with our almost 3 year old and our 6 year old. We haven't been since our daughter was almost 2. It was not that fun for her because she ran out of things to do and really seemed to wander around and not have a good spot of her own. Even away from home they need some toys and a little spot for their own I think. And practice first. After you get your tent set it up in your backyard and camp out overnight. We are going to do this to make sure both kids are ok before we go. They each need a flashlight and remember the tarp or two. I also like the idea of the clothesline. We washed some clothes in environmentally safe soap and then hung them up with a towel or two on the clothesline to dry between two trees. And have extra dry goods in case you don't feel like cooking one meal (or two or three) :) We always bring donuts for the first day. And cameras and sketchbooks are good to bring with pens or pencils. Another idea is if they have any sand type of equipment to bring some of that so they can play at the lake or at the campground in the dirt with it. Our tent is a Coleman 7 person I think which means it sleeps 4 adults comfortably.

I second (third? fourth?) the idea of glowsticks and flashlights for the kids. The first time we went camping as a family my kids were very scared of the dark (though they never are at home). Also I always bring extra plastic bags, small walmart-types and rubber bands, ever since I was a teen and got my shoes soaked on a camping trip. Then I just put the walmart bag over my socks and my feet stay dry, even if my shoes get wet somehow.

Have fun!

make sure u bring bug spray or else you could get eaten alive! Also bring warm pjs and blankets. thick blankets are great to put between the mattress/pad and the sleeping bag, its adds a sort of cushion and keeps you warm! :) also dont go overboard with meals keep everything really simple

I agree 100% with all of the suggestions! The only one I have is to pack one cooler with food items (meats, cheese, dairy, etc.) and another one with drinks (juice boxes, bottled water, etc.). The kids go in and out looking for drinks (especially on hot days) and this way your food stays cold. After a few years of "packing up the house to go camping", we purchased Rubbermaid bins and went to the dollar store. We stocked up on cooking utensils, can openers, dish towels, ziploc bags, plastic cups, sponges, etc. Now all of the camping stuff is always clean and in the camping bins and we can be ready to go camping in about 30 minutes. And, I don't have to unpack for two days when we get home!

Our kids love the miners lamp torches for their heads. They are easy to carry and can be bulldog clipped onto the inside of the tent. They are great to use when cooking too because you don't have to hold a torch. Solar powered lights are also handy for marking the ropes so you don't have late night accidents over ropes on the way to the toilet. Food wise -hamburgers, burritos and wraps is pretty staple. We have a rule. If it can't be cooked in one pot then it doesn't get cooked.

My husband just bought the Kingdom tent from REI. Two rooms, nice size. Don't forget the flashlight, batteries, and spare eyeglasses. It bad if you forget them! I did a page about what I need to remember about camping--it's called camping lessons. My list is on the page: http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gallery/member/333597-jennifer-l/1525431-camping-lessons/?c=t

Don't forget extra batteries for the flash lights. Little boys will have that thing on and off 24 hours a day - we always bring one for each child and let them have at it.

After an invasion of ants one year, we instituted a NO FOOD -- NO EATING IN THE TENT rule. When not eating, we keep our food in coolers or plastic tubs in the car. Raccoons are amazingly adept with their little hands and will get into things after dark if they're not locked up.

Not sure if this has been mentioned (SO many fun ideas I want to go camping next weekend!)... A favorite activity for us was looking for animal tracks very early in the morning. You should of course follow any rules for not disturbing nature in your area - that being said, we would look for tracks then make a plaster cast of some of them to take home. If you premeasure the plaster of paris(or other quick set material)in a zip top bag you can add water from a canteen/water bottle, mix in the bag, and pour into the track - an awesome souvenier! Since it does take a wee bit to set up, parents may have to take turns waiting for a minute while the others go on ahead.

Hope the kids and of course the adults have a marvelous time!

I havent read all the comments on here, so these may have already been mentioned....but here goes.

We have been camping for the last couple of years or so, and I have made myself a camping list which is saved on the computer. On there I have a list of everything we need to take with us ... it's amazing what you forget from one year to the next! After the holiday is over, I update my list with things I wished we had taken and ideas for the next trip, then delete anything we no longer need to take with us, or didnt use.

The other thing is - take a diary for the children to fill in at the end of each day. I have done this for my boys (aged 5 and 6). I get them to write a one line sentence about the day and draw a picture of that day's activities. This makes a great memory of the holiday and they can also take it into school to show their friends and teacher (who love it!) Then I make a copy of my favourite page from their diary, pair it with a photo and make a scrapbook page for each of their albums!

Have a fun time!

My sons love a headlamp to run around at night. Also a buf house and bucket for toads and bugs plus I picked up a couple of aquarium nets as they are cheaper and sturdier than most bug nets.
Have fun

We go boating and camping with Triplets and it is awesome to get outside and play with them! Thank you

We love to camp also. If anyone plays a musical instrument, be sure to bring it and some music to share, with words for sing alongs. A family favorite is having s'mores and playing card games. We love to hike/swim in the day time and play music at night. Most of all, give yourself time to relax. When we camp with other families, we try to organize the meals so everyone picks one and cooks for all. Makes it easier not to have to cook every meal. We usually do breakfasts on our own (cereal is easy when camping) and then share doing lunches and dinners. Get a bigger tent than you might think you need--we got a 6 man tent and it wasn't big enough for two of us once we got our queen air mattress in there, musical instruments and suitcases. Just think it through what you are bringing and what needs to go inside the tent. Have a great time!
Aloha, Kate

Ditto for the maps, my children love having their own maps and bringing the extra tent for the kiddos to play with. Other good things are:

Color scavenger hunt (we put different colors in sections of the egg carton and reviewed rules about not killing live things)

Coleman Two Burner Stove or equivalent--we did the back country stove and the campfire the first four or five years we camped with kids and then inherited the camp stove. I would never go back as it makes many things so much easier.

We have the LL Bean Woodlands tent for six people and love it. We looked at many two/three room cabin tents but didn't like the weatherization (and we usually camp in mountains or on the coast, both of which can be windy and wet). We have survived several torrential downpours with both the tent still standing and us being dry.

We have a tradition of a chapter book to read. We read Pippi Longstockings once, Charlotte's web another time, Mercy Watson yet another time.

Our last morning we also have a tradition of a mini boxed cereal/juice box hunt.

One cooler for cold beverages (water, juice, crystal light, etc.) and snacks and another for meals.

Outdoor toys (soccer ball, bug catching gear, jump ropes, bubbles, etc.).

Hi Ali-
My kids are 3 and 4 and we love camping. My tips are random but useful. First, start collecting your dryer lint in a baggie or container. It is the best fire starter you'll ever use! Also, I don't want to be the mom who is trapped at the the camp "kitchen" the whole trip so we make meals really simple. I marinate (in Italian dressing), grill, and shred a bunch of chicken breast and use it for easy meals like chicken pita sandwiches or chicken salads. Dinner is usually something kids can help with like hot dogs on a roasting stick. I bring plastic plates that we rinse and reuse. What family doesn't have a ton of that kind of dinnerware? Also, don't forget the duct tape and a good utility knife. I have used them both for things I'd never expect. Last time we camped, we took the kids on a flashlight scavenger hunt. They just looked for basic things like pine cones, picnic tables, stars, etc. They had so much fun. Finally, we always let the kids pack their favorite bedtime books so it's easier to get them snuggled into their tents. We read, listen for frogs, crickets, etc. and then they giggle like maniacs for about 10 minutes. Hearing them is the best part of the trip for me. If you Geocache, most campgrounds have caches to find or great hikes to caches. My kids get so excited finding "treasure". Most smartphones have geocaching apps that make it so easy.
http://www.geocaching.com/
Disney's latest Family Fun magazine had some great campfire recipes and camping activities too:
http://familyfun.go.com/summer/
I hope you have a wonderful time! Try to relax and enjoy. I find that the less I bring for the kids, the better time they have exploring the world around them. Good luck!

Thanks for the chance to win.