Emilee
I would like to purchase a family camping tent for my husband and kids - only problem, I don't know ANYTHING about camping! I know I would like a 2 or 3 room tent, but I would like to be able to stand up in the side rooms. Some of the tents I have looked at it appears that you must "crawl" into the side tents. Is this a common thing? Also what do you suggest I purchase as necessities along with the tent? Sleeping bags, cots, stove? Any help is greatly appreciated, again I have never in my life camped so this is completely new to me.
What are some things that you find essential for camping? Things that you don't leave home without???
Answer
http://camping.about.com/od/campingforbeginners/Advice_for_Beginners.htm
http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/Checklists.htm
or
Camping Checklist (compliments of camping.about.com)
Shelter and Bedding (essentials)
__ tent
__ tarp
__ sleeping bag
__ sleeping pad
__ headrest
Cooking and Dining (essentials)
__ water
__ food
__ cooler
__ camp stove
__ mess kit
__ can opener
__ charcoal
Clothes
__ t-shirts
__ shorts
__ jeans/pants
__ socks
__ shoes/boots
__ camp shoes
__ hat/cap
__ sweater
__ rain poncho
__ underwear
__ swim suit
__ laundry bag
__ _____________
__ _____________
__ _____________
__ _____________
Personal Hygiene
__ tooth brush
__ tooth paste
__ wash rag(s)
__ towel(s)
__ soap
__ comb/brush
__ nail clippers
__ razor
__ toilet paper
__ _____________
__ _____________ Shelter and Bedding (optionals)
__ book
__ cot
__ comforter
__ throw rug
__ pillow
Cooking and Dining (optionals)
__ charcoal chimney
__ smoker
__ Dutch oven
__ hot dog sticks
__ pie irons
__ chairs
__ folding table
__ table cloth
__ butane lighter
__ screen room
Cleaning Items
__ broom
__ dust pan
__ whisk broom
__ lawn rake
__ dish pan
__ detergent
__ dish rags
__ ppt scrubber
First Aid Kit
__ personal medication
__ bandages
__ aspirin, Tylenol
__ medical tape
__ sterile gauze
__ elastic wrap
__ antiseptic wipes
__ antibiotic cream
__ burn ointment
__ sunburn lotion
__ hydrogen peroxide
__ scissors
__ tweezers
__ eye wash
__ sanitary napkins
__ snake bite kit Chuck Box
__ salt and pepper
__ herbs and spices
__ cooking oil
__ pot holders
__ paper towels
__ napkins
__ plastic trash bags
__ tongs and spatula
__ aluminum foil
__ measuring cups
__ plastic silverware
__ paper plates/bowls
__ plastic cups
__ zip lock bags
__ knives
__ cutting board
__ cork screw
Miscellaneous Items
__ binoculars
__ bird guide
__ bug spray
__ bungi cords
__ camera
__ candles
__ cards, games
__ cell phone
__ clothes pins
__ compass
__ duct tape
__ fishing gear
__ flashlight
__ frisbee
__ GPS
__ kites
__ knife
__ lantern
__ matches
__ pen and paper
__ rope
__ shower bag
__ sun block
__ tools
__ water filters
__ whistle
http://camping.about.com/od/campingforbeginners/Advice_for_Beginners.htm
http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/Checklists.htm
or
Camping Checklist (compliments of camping.about.com)
Shelter and Bedding (essentials)
__ tent
__ tarp
__ sleeping bag
__ sleeping pad
__ headrest
Cooking and Dining (essentials)
__ water
__ food
__ cooler
__ camp stove
__ mess kit
__ can opener
__ charcoal
Clothes
__ t-shirts
__ shorts
__ jeans/pants
__ socks
__ shoes/boots
__ camp shoes
__ hat/cap
__ sweater
__ rain poncho
__ underwear
__ swim suit
__ laundry bag
__ _____________
__ _____________
__ _____________
__ _____________
Personal Hygiene
__ tooth brush
__ tooth paste
__ wash rag(s)
__ towel(s)
__ soap
__ comb/brush
__ nail clippers
__ razor
__ toilet paper
__ _____________
__ _____________ Shelter and Bedding (optionals)
__ book
__ cot
__ comforter
__ throw rug
__ pillow
Cooking and Dining (optionals)
__ charcoal chimney
__ smoker
__ Dutch oven
__ hot dog sticks
__ pie irons
__ chairs
__ folding table
__ table cloth
__ butane lighter
__ screen room
Cleaning Items
__ broom
__ dust pan
__ whisk broom
__ lawn rake
__ dish pan
__ detergent
__ dish rags
__ ppt scrubber
First Aid Kit
__ personal medication
__ bandages
__ aspirin, Tylenol
__ medical tape
__ sterile gauze
__ elastic wrap
__ antiseptic wipes
__ antibiotic cream
__ burn ointment
__ sunburn lotion
__ hydrogen peroxide
__ scissors
__ tweezers
__ eye wash
__ sanitary napkins
__ snake bite kit Chuck Box
__ salt and pepper
__ herbs and spices
__ cooking oil
__ pot holders
__ paper towels
__ napkins
__ plastic trash bags
__ tongs and spatula
__ aluminum foil
__ measuring cups
__ plastic silverware
__ paper plates/bowls
__ plastic cups
__ zip lock bags
__ knives
__ cutting board
__ cork screw
Miscellaneous Items
__ binoculars
__ bird guide
__ bug spray
__ bungi cords
__ camera
__ candles
__ cards, games
__ cell phone
__ clothes pins
__ compass
__ duct tape
__ fishing gear
__ flashlight
__ frisbee
__ GPS
__ kites
__ knife
__ lantern
__ matches
__ pen and paper
__ rope
__ shower bag
__ sun block
__ tools
__ water filters
__ whistle
Is camping fun?
doublewide
Answer
It can be. It can also be a nightmare. If you have small children, it is far more challenging and taxing than if they're older. It also depends on how much help and cooperation you get from those camping with you. And if you're young and single, it often turns out to be exciting, rewarding, and inexpensive...pretty good combination, wouldn't ya say?
I have gone camping with four young children. All activities and all meals, and all sleeping, bathing and toileting needs had to accomodate them, not their mother and I. We justified it to ourselves with the thought that we were broadening their worlds by getting away from the ordinary and showing them neat stuff that other kids would never experience. Well, now that years have passed since those camping trips, we see a mixed result. Our kids at times resented being hauled off in a tent and made to shuffle dutifully along with us through museums, parks, outdoor theatre and the like. At other times, the were fascinated. Trouble was, they never reacted alike. What thrilled the heart of the youngest was apt to bore the older one to tears and tantrums. What thrilled her, in turn, sometimes practically turned the boys' stomachs - and guess who recieved the brunt of their discontent? Yup - momma and poppa. We'd have done much better taking them on, say, a five-day campout, by spending ONE day of the five in an attempt to educate 'em at a museum and the rest just mucking around fishing, hiking, swimming or just freakin' goofing off. Ah, live and learn. After a few years, we quit camping. She and I split, though not due to camping experiences.
As my second marriage matured, and the two stepchildren reached high school age, I began visiting Civil War reenactments. I grew interested, and began portraying a Pinkerton agent. Then my wife became interested, and when our youngest started college at SUNY Fredonia, we joined a reenactment group, the 157th New York Volunteers, bought a big wall tent, bought period camping gear, and began reenacting the American Civil War.
We have subsequently left the 157th. We joined the 12th US Infantry and at the same time formed our own unit, the 117ty New York Volunteers. Each of these is a recreation of actual combat units that served in the Civil War...anyway, we've been at it now for some six years. We go camping several weekends a year, at different events around New York state. We've been to a big national encampment/reenactment at Cedar Creek Battlefield in Virginia, near Middletown, just off Route 81. We absolutely love what we do - she portrays a Sanitary Commission worker, and because of my 21st-Century occupation, I portray a regimental surgeon, rarely doing a Pinkerton agent anymore.
We spend a weekend in that big tent. We carry precooked meals or we cook on site, and when we do that, it's all "primitive camping" - Civil War reenactors are big on authenticity and frown severely on "farby" modern-day conveniences showing up in camp. That means I have to hide in the tent when I test my blood sugar and take my Insulin - but it also means I get to cook full meals in a Dutch oven/camp oven over hot coals. And y'know - I can even cook ya up a beautiful and delicious peach cobbler in that Dutch oven!
So, it depends on circumstance. I know this is a long answer and maybe more than you wanted - but it can be a delightful thing, camping, and I wanted to show you both sides of my personal experience to help you make your own decision about it. I will admit it's getting more demanding physically as I'm now a senior citizen - but I'll never give it up entirely. There's ways to adapt, and I'll find 'em...you'll have to find your own bliss regarding this topic. Good luck.
It can be. It can also be a nightmare. If you have small children, it is far more challenging and taxing than if they're older. It also depends on how much help and cooperation you get from those camping with you. And if you're young and single, it often turns out to be exciting, rewarding, and inexpensive...pretty good combination, wouldn't ya say?
I have gone camping with four young children. All activities and all meals, and all sleeping, bathing and toileting needs had to accomodate them, not their mother and I. We justified it to ourselves with the thought that we were broadening their worlds by getting away from the ordinary and showing them neat stuff that other kids would never experience. Well, now that years have passed since those camping trips, we see a mixed result. Our kids at times resented being hauled off in a tent and made to shuffle dutifully along with us through museums, parks, outdoor theatre and the like. At other times, the were fascinated. Trouble was, they never reacted alike. What thrilled the heart of the youngest was apt to bore the older one to tears and tantrums. What thrilled her, in turn, sometimes practically turned the boys' stomachs - and guess who recieved the brunt of their discontent? Yup - momma and poppa. We'd have done much better taking them on, say, a five-day campout, by spending ONE day of the five in an attempt to educate 'em at a museum and the rest just mucking around fishing, hiking, swimming or just freakin' goofing off. Ah, live and learn. After a few years, we quit camping. She and I split, though not due to camping experiences.
As my second marriage matured, and the two stepchildren reached high school age, I began visiting Civil War reenactments. I grew interested, and began portraying a Pinkerton agent. Then my wife became interested, and when our youngest started college at SUNY Fredonia, we joined a reenactment group, the 157th New York Volunteers, bought a big wall tent, bought period camping gear, and began reenacting the American Civil War.
We have subsequently left the 157th. We joined the 12th US Infantry and at the same time formed our own unit, the 117ty New York Volunteers. Each of these is a recreation of actual combat units that served in the Civil War...anyway, we've been at it now for some six years. We go camping several weekends a year, at different events around New York state. We've been to a big national encampment/reenactment at Cedar Creek Battlefield in Virginia, near Middletown, just off Route 81. We absolutely love what we do - she portrays a Sanitary Commission worker, and because of my 21st-Century occupation, I portray a regimental surgeon, rarely doing a Pinkerton agent anymore.
We spend a weekend in that big tent. We carry precooked meals or we cook on site, and when we do that, it's all "primitive camping" - Civil War reenactors are big on authenticity and frown severely on "farby" modern-day conveniences showing up in camp. That means I have to hide in the tent when I test my blood sugar and take my Insulin - but it also means I get to cook full meals in a Dutch oven/camp oven over hot coals. And y'know - I can even cook ya up a beautiful and delicious peach cobbler in that Dutch oven!
So, it depends on circumstance. I know this is a long answer and maybe more than you wanted - but it can be a delightful thing, camping, and I wanted to show you both sides of my personal experience to help you make your own decision about it. I will admit it's getting more demanding physically as I'm now a senior citizen - but I'll never give it up entirely. There's ways to adapt, and I'll find 'em...you'll have to find your own bliss regarding this topic. Good luck.
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