I've never been camping. What do I need to know? About This Page:

[ProChristo]

I have never been on a camping trip in a tent before, and never a family camping trip, always w/ youth group at church, in cabins. DH really wants to go camping for our anniversary next month, but I'm nervous since I have no idea what to do. He grew up camping with his family, and has been to all 48 contiguous states. I don't want to ruin our anniversary, (okay, this is unlikely, since we are absolutely crazy about each other, but I like to over-plan everything) so what do I need to know? Any great tips? We are probably headed to the Ozark area national park in central MO, but are open to other options within a 3-5 hour drive from St. Louis. We will be going from Aug 14-16.

Besides S'mores, what can you cook over a fire that will also keep in a cooler? Hot dogs are out. Yuck!

I appreciate any and all advice you can give me!

[Dumbo]

Sounds to me like you have a camping expert right at home. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Don't forget the bug spray.

You can buy a sandwitch maker for over the fire. I'm not sure if that's what it's called. You take 2 pieces of bread and a filling and cook over the fire. My guys used to use pie filling between their bread for pies.

Go with an open mind. Camping really isn't so bad. Have fun and do a trip report when you return.

[Elliot'sDragon]

Where the nearest hotels are located! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Perky2sol]

Hi Amy! How exciting! What an adventure for your anniversary.

I would like to try and put you at ease. Having your husband with you, who is a seasoned veteran at camping, is all the preparation you need. I have camped for years, beginning with my parents. My husband had basically never camped. So when we set out to begin camping (some 15 years ago), he left it to me, and was not disappointed. He is a lover of camping now, and we have a travel trailer, which is cheating, I know.

As far as cooking on a fire, I think you can do just about anything that way. But I would opt for at least a charcoal grill if you are not into the hot dogs scene. You don't state whether you are going to be hiking and camping (e.i. having to carry everything on your backs), or if you are going to take an actual campsite that you drive to. I've never done the former, so would be no help with that.

It sounds like you are in good hands, though. Please let us know how it all turns out, and how you liked the experience!

Gail

[AKLRULZ]

Hey! My first camping trip where we roughed it was last year. Prior to going I was scared of being able to survive it but it turned out to be spectacular! We hiked, swam, explored nature, played camp games - it was great!

In terms of cooking - we brought meats to grill (chicken, steaks, hamburgers, etc), canned veggies and baked beans, fruits, and some pre-packaged items. Make sure you have a well insulated cooler to keep perishable items cold!

It does sound like your husband is a seasoned camper so do what we did - go along for the ride and enjoy it! I bet you'll have a super time!

[kadterp]

Make sure to bring lots of bugs spray and some citronella candles, those little buggers can bite! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

I think that you will have a great time, if your husband is the pro, he should know what to bring. Just make sure that you bring your Passporter to plan your trip to Disney! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[HiddenMickey]

Here is what I won't leave home without when camping--

Air Mattress....ground hurts hips otherwise (sleeping bag, sheet, pillow)

Folding Chairs--gotta have someplace to sit outside the tent and not all campground sites provide picnic tables

Bug repellent (citronella candles and bug spray for body)

Several towels...for showers, cleaning off dew from things in the morning

As far as food is concerned....I try to not to take too many things that need to be kept cold. Donuts and juice boxes for breakfast; sandwiches (meat and cheese or PBJ), chips, apples, and sodas for lunch; crackers, carrot sticks, and pudding cups for snacks; and canned things to heat up for dinner (stew, ravioli, etc) with salad fixings and sodas for dinner. Smores for dessert of course.

Hope this helps in some way.

-HiddenMickey

[imported_Carole]

I also would defer the majority of the packing to your hubby, but will still add to the tips you've gotten here. The mention of those "sandwich makers" (we call them Mountain Pie Irons) almost made my mouth water [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] . If you can get a set before you go, by all means, do it. I've seen them at WalMart in the camping section. They look like a hinged metal square with lond handles attached and run about 10 bucks. You butter the side of the bread that touches the irons, then put about ANYTHING in them (we even have a double set [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] ). Some of our favorites are breakfast mountain pies (before we leave, I brown sausage, scramble eggs , add mushrooms and shredded cheese and put in a container to keep in the cooler), pizza (sauce, pepperoni, mushrooms cheese etc. Since my hubby and I like the same things I mix that all together ahead,too), apple pie filling (also good with peanut butter added), peanut butter and chocolate, reubens(rye or regular bread, chipped corn beef, swiss cheese, saurkraut, and a touch of thousand island dressing)...or anything else you can think of!! We also "grill" over the fire: steaks and chicken(marinated ahead of time), mushrooms, hamburgers. Also, you can get lots of pasta or potato mixes (in boxes or bags) at the grocery store that only take boiling water and maybe a little butter and milk. Really adds a nice side to your meat! I also get little single serving mashed potato cups that you just add hot water. They make oatmeal in those, too. No bowls needed! Corn on the cob also only requires boiling water, or you can wrap in tin foil and cook in the coals...careful not to burn them! Same for baked potatoes. I splurge an the "good" heavier weight or waxed paper plates, or Chinettes, too. Make sure you bring plenty of clean water. You can freeze water in milk jugs to help keep other stuff cold. I prefer the half gallon size as they are easier to pack in the cooler. We aslo designate one cooler as food and one as drinks. That way you're not opening the food cooler as often and it stays colder longer. Well, I could go on (and on, oh, I think I did), but I think you'll have a great time, and half the fun is in the experimenting. Make a list of things you would've liked to have had with you but didn't when you get back to help with your next adventure!! ENJOY!! Carole

[denwol]

Wow! You already got some great replies, so I'll not repeat any of that stuff. I'll just add some websites that I found with some good campfire recipies. [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

Campfire Recipies
New England Scouting Recipes (actually, any scouting website, boys or girls, will have good, easy to make recipies.)
Camp-a-roo Recipies (also, a good all-around camping tip site)

...Just do a search on campground or campfire recipies, and you will get a ton of links to try! [img]graemlins/puter.gif[/img]

Also, I would suggest a tabletop camp stove (ours is just 2 burners). They come in handy if it rains and the wood gets wet.

Have fun! [img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]

[denwol]

Oops! I forgot my number one, don't leave home without it, item....FIRESTARTERS!

I make ours from a "recipie" that I got from a girl scout web page a few years ago.

Stuff an egg carton (the cardboard kind) with dryer lint (we have plenty of that... [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] ), and melt paraffin wax (you can get it at the grocery store, in the baking section) over the whole thing. You should probably put it on a cookie sheet covered in waxed paper first, so you don't stick it to the counter top or anything...not that it ever happened to me... [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img]

When you get to the campsite, just break off one "egg-section" to start the fire. They work great - much better than the store bought type, and are so easy to make!

Good luck!

[simbarel]

We bring the Coleman stove because I like to make spaghetti. A table tent comes in handy, too!

Have fun!

[ProChristo]

Hey all, thank you soooooo much for your helpful replies. I'm going to print them off when I go shopping for the trip. We have decided to camp in Branson, at Silver Dollar City. The tent camping there is 16.00 per day and they have a shuttle to the two theme parks on property. They also have a new park hopper pass that is a tremendous savings. I'm really looking forward to our trip, any further tips are appreciated, but I think you guys may have covered just about everything. Again, a big thank-you from me to you! [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img]

[ProChristo]

Well, our plans have changed a little. DH thought it might be a bit of a hassle to camp and do the whole theme park thing, so we decided on an inexpensive hotel in Branson. We have no camping equipment, and by the time we had the bare necessities in our cart at Target tonight, we were almost at the price of the cabins on the property. We decided to ask for camping supplies for christmas and birthdays and save the cash now by going with a hotel. I'm a little dissappointed, as I was looking forward to camping, but not too much. Really, this will be a lot less stressful. When we camp, we are going to "only" camp, not fill the time with other activities out the wazoo. Right now, I guess we are more in the mood for activities out the wazoo. I'll try to do a trip report when we get back.