Going camping for first time - how do I do this?

[Aceman]

As a kid, I camped out in the back yard - Tent/sleeping bag ov ernight kind of deal. Buy I've never been camping for a couple of days at a camp site. what do I need to do this? Obviously tent, sleeping bag, foam thingy for under the bag....but what else? And it's me & the wife and kids - 5 people. So I'm wondering:

Two small tents or one big one? How do I cook? What food do you recommend? Beverages for a couple of days? Help!

[idsnowdog]

Insert Deliverance joke <here>.

[Carl762]

Cooking:

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Two-Bu...986852&sr=1-14

I use one of these, using the small bottles if I want to travel light, or the large BBQ propane container with proper adapter. Like having a home stove out in the woods.
I put this on a small table, with a seven gallon water container next to it, cutting board in front. Most times I use cast iron as cookware, but own dedicated lighweight camping cook gear. Serve food on paper plates, so as to cut down on dish washing.

I'll add more later.

[Wattage]

Get a cabin

[PFDarkside]

There are only two things required for camping:

-Beer
-Acoustic Guitar

Everything else is optional and will only enhance the experience.

Seriously though, good coolers are awesome, you don't realize how fast ice melts in cheap coolers until you go camping on a long weekend. For food, the standbys are bacon/sausage/eggs/pancakes for breakfast, dogs/brats/burgers for lunch and dinner is anything else that you can cook easily with minimal equipment.

What are the level of services at the campground you are going to? Call me a weakling or whatever, but if they have electricity, a small space heater isn't a bad option. 50 at night is chilly, especially depending on your bag. A nice bag and you can do colder, but the cheapies that most people buy aren't very warm.

Other than that, bring a fishing pole, maybe a book, the aforementioned guitar and some firewood and have fun!

EDIT - Oh yeah, chairs. Don't want to be somewhere with nowhere to sit but rocks and logs.

[Tor]

Size of tents.. Depends on what you have been looking at.. Personally, I think that tents accommodating five persons or so can get a bit messy... You want to keep a certain level of organization of the stuff you bring with, but it doesn't take much before it is near chaos.
How's the water supply at the site? Distance between car and camping site? I would bring as much water as I could, leave some of the water in the car, and rather take the long walk back to the car if need be.. I would say I would need at least 5 liters a day. Remember that you'll use the water for making warm meals as well.. I like a primus.. The burner and one or two butane containers, and you're set. Well, don't forget the matches.. You can actually cook a lot of stuff out there, but it depends on how much work you want to do with it. Although it must be said that if you put some effort in it, it tastes amazingly good with some proper meal (JohnJohn might chime in here). Oh, and beware of cooking too close to your tent.
Bring headlights.. A good knife or two.. A reasonable amount of spare clothes.. Pack everything in plastic bags, just in case... I would not go without a tobacco pipe. But that's just me. There's a lot more to add here, but memory's stuck, and I need to sleep!

[LesStrat]

What do you need?

Reservations at a good hotel.


I did enough "forced" camping to last me a lifetime.

[texasguitarslinger]

[jerryjg]

Start out by buying one of these, then call me and we'll discuss the particulars.;

[lex666]

Been there. Done that. Don't need to do it again.

I never really understood the allure of camping. For the price of all that camping gear you could have gotten a nice hotel room with a private toilet and bath.

Anyways, my BS aside, I highly recommend you and your guests make a list of everythign you need and assign each guest the responsibility to bring items from that list. You'll need everyone's help to cover all the bases.

[lpmarshall]

I've been on a fair amount of camping trips, so I'll give you a list off the top of my head:

- Tent
choice is up to you, it is probably easier to get 1 large tent

- Sleeping Bag
You already mentioned sleeping bag and pad. I would suggest air mattresses if you can get them, you can hook them up to your car and fill them up. There are also ones that fill themselves, but they are a little more expensive.

- Grill
I would suggest getting a small propane grill for cooking. You should be able to find one at Target or any camping store. You will also need a small propane tank, I always bring at least 2.

- Cooking
Don't forget a spatula, tongs, pans, anything you need to cook. I would suggest paper plates, plastic cups, and plastic utensils.

- Food
We usually grill burgers, chicken, steak, some sort of meat for dinner. For lunch we usually by pre-made plastic wrapped sandwiches from the grocery store. I don't like cleaning pans early in the morning when I camp, so it's usually breakfast bars or boxed donuts. You will also need bottled water, and plenty of it.

- Do *NOT* Forget

Toilet Paper
Bug Spray
Flashlight and extra batteries
Acoustic guitar
Matches
Hammer or mallot for tent stakes
Duraflame log or newspaper
Rain ponchos

What I always do is make a list of everything beforehand, as I think about it. For example, I might be at work and realize I need to bring a beer koozie. So I write it down at that very moment, and I double check everything before I leave for the weekend.

Camping isn't for everyone, but I love it. Head out to the country where my cell doesn't work, drink a ton of Jack Daniels, and play guitar next to the fire.

[Aceman]

Guitar was #1 on the list!

Thanks LPMarshall - I was beginning to think the first thing I needed was to be a member of a forum where I would get some sensible advice!

[LesStrat]

That's what I gave.

[brit84]

id get two durable smaller tents over shared. hepl cut doen the feuds.
Dont forget a pocket knife and/or hunting knife, canopener, forks and knives, plates/bowls. and an axe/hatchet. Bring some lighter fluid to help with the fire if necessary

for flashlights, i love those led lights you can get cheap at hardware stores.
also drinking water if your not sure about the supply at the site

[LesStrat]

id get two durable smaller tents over shared. hepl cut doen the feuds.

That's a great id....wait, what?

[PhantomStranger]

My only advice is if you pack it in, pack it out!

[DesertRat]

Didn't see these yet:

Trash bags.

Ground cloths for the tents if you're in a wet climate - plastic sheet that you put under the tent to keep water from seeping up. Keep it within the footprint of the tent.

Keep your matches in a ziplock bag or other waterproof container.

Where are you headed?

[lpmarshall]

Didn't see these yet:

Trash bags.

Ground cloths for the tents if you're in a wet climate - plastic sheet that you put under the tent to keep water from seeping up. Keep it within the footprint of the tent.

Keep your matches in a ziplock bag or other waterproof container.

Where are you headed?

Good call, especially on the tarp to keep under the tent. I always forget trash bags because the women folk on our camping trips always bring them heh.

[Gearjoneser]

The one thing people always forget is a couple bundles of firewood. If you have a bunch of scrap wood lying around bring it....it'll save you some money, because firewood within the vicinity is never on sale.

If you have a lantern, bring extra propane canisters and cloth bulbs. Somehow the wind always blows and disintegrates those used cloth bulbs.....then your lantern is worthless.

If you buy an inflateable mattress, they often come with electric pumps....somehow the motors die in those easily, so also get a manual pump. Don't forget pillows and a blanket. Or a can opener!

Good call on the trashbags! Also...bug spray. I always forget that.

[MikeS]

The one thing people always forget is a couple bundles of firewood. If you have a bunch of scrap wood lying around bring it....it'll save you some money, because firewood within the vicinity is never on sale.

Transporting firewood is typically frowned upon. In some areas it's even illegal. For instance, if you are caught transporting ash, or any hardwood firewood for that matter, out of certain quarantined counties in Ohio, you can face up to a $4,000 fine. It's always best to buy firewood locally.