michaeln_2
Four friends and I are planning a last minute camping trip this weekend but none of us have ever been camping. We plant to stay at a public campsite in a tent for just 1 or 2 nights.
Even though there are only 5 of us we figure we better get a six person tent for space, but what kind/brand of tent is the best, for around $100.00? It's been a little rainy lately so we should probably get something that is waterproof. I've heard that even if they say they are waterproof, you should still waterproof them yourself. How is this done?
What should we bring? There's five of us and we will only have one tent. So, air mattresses are probably out of the question and we will probably only camp one night. I've looked at a few sleeping bags, but it's the middle of the summer and I want something lightweight. I don't really understand the temperature ratings and the highest temp I have seen is 50 degrees, is this lightweight enough for summer sleeping?
We plan to bring a cooler with drinks, but what foods are best to cook over a fire or on a campsite grill? We will for sure do smores but we are not fans of hotdogs. What about breakfast foods?
What types of lanterns are the best, there are many different types of bulbs, sizes, lumens, and power sources and we have no clue which are the best.
Do you recommend staying at a campground with lake access or one with pool access?
What other things should we pack?
What are good activities for us to do? We'll probably bring cards but what else?
Do you have any idea which campgrounds are best in middle Tennessee?
Thanks for your help!
Answer
Oh you POOR SOULS.
. Tent.
Six to eight man tents are usually easy to find. I'm not sure what price ranges are exactly, it's been a while since I've bought a tent. Look hard enough I'm sure you'll be able to come by something.
I'm doing you a favor right here - GO HOME AND ASSEMBLE THE TENT TOGETHER. Before you go camping. Sit down with all your buddies, carefully follow the instructions and get it set up correctly and then take it down together. When you pack the tent up you need to roll everything as tight as possible. It will be fairly easy once you get it figured out, but it may take you a few minutes to get it figured out. Trust me. *remember to stake it down*
Tents should come with a rain cover that will protect the inside from rain. The tent itself will still get wet. The best thing to do for this is to use 2 tarps, one to lay on the ground underneath the tent, and one to put above it like a roof somehow. You may need to get creative. If you wind up getting rained on while you're camping you'll be fine. Worst case scenario some of your shit gets wet and you have to dry it by the fire.
Air mattresses could be bulky. You can buy relatively inexpensive foam pads to go under your sleeping bags if you're not hardcore enough to sleep straight on the ground. Assuming you don't pitch your tent over a bunch of rocks it is possible to get a comfortable night's sleep without.
Be sure that there's a sleeping bag for everyone, even if its warm. If it's too hot at night to sleep inside it you can always sleep on top of it. You shouldn't need anything rated below zero for camping in the summer, but they're sweet to have.
Everyone should have a couple changes of clothes. Be sure to bring warm clothes even if you don't plan on wearing it. You'll want that sweatshirt if you need it. Bring a couple extra pairs of socks. Bring long underwear if you have them.
For food, bring a second cooler and a bunch of ice to serve as a fridge. You may even need to go buy more ice at some point. It's worth it. Sandwiches are really easy to do since you can put condiments, cheese, and meat in your cooler.. You will also want a box or a paper bag of dry foods.
If you don't like hot dogs you can always get a grill to go over the pit (or at a public camp site there may be some there) and you can grill burgers, steaks, whatever. Just remember to bring appropriate dishes/utensils for all your food. I would also recommend bringing some pots for things like boiling water for coffee/cocoa, soup, baked beans, etc. Bring fruit, trail mix, bread. If you bring a skillet you can make pancakes (bringing a bag of krusteaz mix is super easy - just add water) cereal, oatmeal, granola bars. Bring LOTS of drinking water. A couple gallons at least. You should be able to get clean water there but you'll want some for the road or in case you go hiking or out on the lake or something. You also won't want to hike for water to brush your teeth at 7 am.
There are gas lanterns to use outside. They can be kind of tricky. There's several battery powered options these days. Bring a few flashlights. Any camping gear made by coleman is high quality stuff.
If your campground has pool access you are not camping. I don't care if you're sleeping in a tent.
Bring a deck of cards. Bring a book of card games. Bring some other books too. If you have plant/animal identification books those are really cool to bring with you if you're getting out in the wild. Maybe bring some board games. You might not even need that kind of stuff, you'll probably wind up hanging out around the fire all night.
Have fun guys!!
What kinds of food should I bring camping with me?
SuFi ChIcK
going camping for the first time alone with my bf and this is our first time going with out our parents or family.
Answer
Assuming TENT CAMPING! If you are taking a Trailer/RV you can take just about anything you desire!
Short trip car> Bread, Peanut butter and jelly, canned stew and vegetables, tea/instant coffee, at least 2 gallons of drinking water, grate/grill for cooking over fire, Kitchen matches with the striker from the box in a plastic bag to protect from moisture, Instant potatoes, box Macaroni & Cheese, Canned Baked Beans. Instant Oatmeal in whatever flavors you desire. Salt and pepper in sealed plastic containers, Sugar and /or any other seasonings likewise in sealed containers. A coffee pot, for heating water for coffee or tea. Anything else you like, which does not absolutely require refrigeration. Ice chest and camp stove are optional but highly recommended! Cold Soda or beer is definitely a plus!
Longer trip car> Ice chest and camp stove become mandatory! But that also allows more flexibility in meal plans, with ice chest and stove you can take eggs, butter and milk to prepare a more traditional breakfast including if you desire Bacon! You can also take steak and other meats to grill ( do not forget to take suitable seasonings!) and if space permits a large cast griddle or fry pan you can take pancake mix (requires egg and milk, and do not forget the spatula!) Take along 2, 10 quart metal buckets to be your wash basins and I recommend Dawn brand dish soap and Scotch Bright Pads to clean up those greasy pots and pans. At least 2 flat hot pads and an oven glove. Durable plastic plates and glasses, and plastic insulated mugs and a set of flatware including a sharp (steak) knife for each person and serving spoons and forks.
Other important items: You will need a multi-purpose pocket knife ( Swiss Army style - not necessarily brand - and make sure it is SHARP and well lubricated ) Trash Bags. A 6 way screwdriver, a small hatchet with sheath, Take lots of 5/32" nylon line and a couple of pocket lighters when you cut a length of the line seal the end with the lighter so it will not fray. A pack of thumb size candles for fire starting. Pocket Flashlights.
A table lantern - Colman White Gas AKA "Camp Fuel" lantern or battery - Coleman Lanterns last forever and produce vast amounts of bright white light, but they require a steady supply of fuel, Mantels and the occasional replacement Generator and Globe, if you choose the Coleman Lantern be sure to practice lighting it several times during daylight in an outdoor location well away from anything flammable and NEVER EVER EVEN THINK ABOUT LIGHTING IT INSIDE OF YOUR TENT OR ANY OTHER STRUCTURE!!!!!)
Take about twice as many towels as you might want at first thought, 1 wash cloth per person plus 1 dish cloth are sufficient. Pack large zip-lock bags to carry wet clothing / swimwear in.
Collapsible Chairs and camp stools are great but don't break the bank to buy them for your first trip.
Take Clothing suitable for Winter and Rainy Conditions in the area where you will be camping! (Ponchos! And heavy coats! ) Nothing worse than getting frozen stiff because the weatherman blew it! This includes a Knit Cap which covers your ears if the temperature could possibly fall below 50 Degrees F!
Take good warm sleeping bags (rated ZERO Degrees F ) which can be joined together and AIR MATTRESSES! One for each person and a SPARE! Do not even think about camping without air mattresses!
Please plan on purchasing your firewood where you camp to avoid moving around BAD Insects! Take newspaper in a plastic bag for fire starting too.
If Space and Funds permit a set of poles and a camp Fly (10'X10' Tarp) are very desirable to keep the table area dry in the event of rain ( minimum 6 poles and a dozen 14' long lines, stakes, S-Hooks and O-rings - the O-ring prevents sharp edges on the Stake from damaging the line and the S-Hook makes it real easy to attach to the tarp eyes.
Proper equipment and preparation make all the difference between comfortably riding out the storm when camping and being cold wet and miserable when the unexpected .
Have Fun!
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