What is in your camping gear?

Camp keys
Food
Beer


frick sleeping in a tent

Coleman stove

Some way to wipe-down / clean before bedtime, especially if sunscreen/bug spray is to be used. Like Baby wipes or a wash rag and watered-down alcohol.

Some kind of a large plastic bowl / small basin for washing dishes, hands, kids, etc.. For car camping, I always have 2 that nestle within each other...one for washing and the other for rinsing.

Toilet paper, baby wipes and a small shovel for cat hole toilet.

First-time women and kid campers feel strange about poppin' a squat in the woods to shite, so some kind of a shitter seat may be worth it. I used one of these LINK (minus the bag) for years until the wife and kids got used to squatting over a cat hole.

A whistle for the girl to always keep around her neck. I put a whistle on every kid so they can blow it if they get lost or need help when out of sight or playing in the woods.

I also ensure kids are wearing a bright colored shirt (preferably bright red or orange) for a multitude of reasons.

Flashlights...big fun at night (and practical).

Some kind of treat that they're not normally allowed to have at home, but will make an exception for camping. One of the reasons my kids would want to go camping was so they could have the little boxes of crappy breakfast cereal that I'd otherwise never let them have at home. LINK

We have camped with our family for years. Kids 15 and 6. Flashlight, air mattress, I don't know if they still make it, but Jiffy Pop popcorn on a campfire is magic to a 6yr old.
We picked use gas stove which is easier to cook on than a fire.
Great memories. Have fun!

I always keep a small shovel around the campfire for moving coals, logs, and dirt to put it out.

As a matter of fact, I keep one of these in the truck at all times:



ETA: To the guy that said cooking over a fire is a pain, I use the shovel to move coals out of the fire and under the folding grill set up over to the side of the fire. Works like a charm, and you don't have to get too close to a big fire to cook.

quote:

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Accomodations: 
4 or 6 person tent 
Sleeping bags 
Camping chairs 

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get a raised queen air mattress for you and the woman. Don't forget the pump.

Bring adult beverages.. It makes everything more fun..
Also
Bug spray
Tent or hammock
Sleeping bad
Matches
Camera
Food (s'mores are a good idea)
Rod reels bait

If ur doing just an over nighter hot dogs are always fun too
Also a tarp for underneath ur tent even if it is not gonna rain sorry if this has all been mentioned I love camping and backpacking

quote:

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I'm thinking:

Accomodations:
4 or 6 person tent
Sleeping bags
Camping chairs

Cooking:
Cast iron skillet to cook over a fire with
Large cooler, with ice, water, soft drinks, beer, and maybe some lunch meat for sandwiches or meat to cook.
Fishing gear
Knives/Forks
Lighter

Other essentials:
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
First Aid Kit
Handgun

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Rope and/or paracord. I usually tie a rope between two trees. Gives you a place to hang things off the ground. Great for clothes, lanterns, etc.

Liquor takes up less room than beer

Aluminum foil for cooking

Soap (hotel soap or body wash both work out well)

Lights Lights Lights

Flushable or biodegradable wet wipes depending on if facilites are available. A clean crack is a happy crack.

French Press (I bought a cheap glass one for like $7. If I break it, no biggie, but it has lasted multiple trips and makes better coffee than you drink at home)

I always bring my katadyn water filter, too.

Picked up some Coleman sleeping bags this weekend. Tent has been delivered and is waiting on me at home. Also picked oh an led lantern and it is pretty bright. Perfect for hanging in the tent.

Which leads to my next question. The girl wants to go fishing too. She's 6. Just start her out on a cane pole or get her a bait cast rod and reel?

We just went camping 2 weekends ago: myself, wife, 3 year old daughter, 1 year old son.

- 20 x 9 tent with screened in front porch
- tarp for tent
- queen size blow up mattress
- 2 sleeping bags
- pack n play for son
- hello kitty tent (inside our tent), pillow blanket for daughter
- chairs
- ice chest
- food
- propane camping stove
- propane
- skillet and kitchen utensils
- potty for daughter
- clothes

Can't really think of everything else. I'd recommend easy stuff for food: leftover fried chicken to eat cold, muffeletta, yogurt and fruit for breakfast. Don't try to cook on the first trip unless you're sure you can't fail.

I'd also recommend going for at least 3 nights, no turning back. It is going to be a lot of effort and gear, especially with a 1 year old. Make it worth your while.