Camping Swanking - June 28 - July 3

[Morrigoon]

For the sake of ease (and avoiding popups), here's the text version of that checklist (edited down since I don't think any of us are bringing little ones who need toys):

(oh holy crap it's long when you cut and paste it! sorry!)

Originally Posted by Popup-laden article

Shelter and Sleeping

Ground Cloth
Tent(s)
Sleeping Pads for everyone
Portable chairs and stools
Sleeping bag, down or synthetic, rated to 450
Pillows
Screen house (optional)

The Camp Kitchen

Stove (be sure to test it each time before you go)
Stove fuel
Charcoal and lighter fuel, if grilling
Firewood and kindling, if allowed
Matches
Cooking pots and pans
Water bladder (for keeping water at your site)
Utensil set (including spoons, knives, forks, plus cooking utensils, such as serving spoons, knives, spatulas)
Can opener
Mess kits for everyone (plates, cups, bowls), or paper plates, etc.
Cooler or coolers
Ice for cooler
Dish detergent
Dish towels
Sponge
Plastic basin for washing dishes
Paper towels
Napkins
Tablecloth
Trash bags
Foil
Plastic wrap
Zipper-lock bags
Hot pads
Citronella candle

Food Items

Snacks
Fruit
Peanut Butter and bread (very quick and handy if your kids like it)
Butter
Cooking oil
Condiments
Beverages, such as juice boxes, milk
Breakfast food
Lunch food
Dinner
Coffee
Tea
Hot Chocolate
Milk and Sugar if needed
Desserts
Marshmallows
Graham crackers and Hershey bars (if you want to make s'mores)

Handy Campsite Tools

Rope or twine
Clothes pins
Duct tape
Lightweight hand saw
Hammer
Swiss Army Knife
Screwdriver or multi-tool
Small, hand-held broom (for sweeping out the tent).

Light Sources

Lantern (at least one per tent makes camping much more enjoyable)
Flashlights for all
Headlamps

Toiletries

Bath towels and washcloths
Soap in plastic container
Antibacterial hand soap (the kind that doesn't require water, very handy)
Shampoo
Quarters for pay showers
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Deodorant
Dental floss
Razor
Toilet paper and trowel (in case there's no bathroom)
Combs
Brush
Lip balm
Baby wipes (very handy for campsite cleanup)
Small hand mirror
Or get a pre-assembled traveler's toiletry kit

Family Medical Kit

pre-assembled medical kit, or pack the following:
Bandages
Hydrogen peroxide
Benadryl
Antibiotic ointment
Burn ointment
Thermometer
Bug repellent
Needed prescriptions
Fever reducer appropriate for various ages in your family
Tweezers (good for removing splinters and ticks)
Moleskin
Sunscreen

Clothing For All

Extra shoes
Extra socks
Sports sandals
Pants or sweat pants
Shorts
Underwear
Long underwear (synthetic)
Pajamas
Shirts and tee shirts
Sweatshirt
Jacket
Rain jacket
Sun hats
Sunglasses
Warm hats
Mittens or gloves

Play Equipment

Swim Towels
Bathing suits
Water shoes, if needed
Hiking boots or shoes
Daypacks
Water bottles
Camera and film
Video camera
Reading material for all
PFDs for boating
Guidebooks and maps
Camping reservation info

Make Camp Life Easier

* Camp for at least two nights, if possible. There's a lot of work involved in packing, and setting up and breaking down camp. The longer you camp, the more enjoyment you'll get out of your efforts.

* Organize, organize, organize. Store all of your gear together, if possible, so you can haul it all out at once.

* Store small items together in plastic, lidded, tubs. Store them in organized fashion, such as all your cooking gear in one tub, camp tools in another, etc. Put together a small container of eating and cooking utensils.

* Buy some things, such as dish towels, small dish detergent, spatula, cooking knife, etc., and reserve them only for camping. That way you don't have to pack them up each time you want to go; instead, they're waiting for you with your camp supplies.

* Camp with another family. If you forget something, maybe they'll have what you need!

[Disneyphile]

NA - our new gas stove/grill has interchangeable tops - there are burners, grills, and griddles, making for a very large cooking surface (about 12" x 24"). We're happy to share it for cooking the group meals - we can get all of the main course on it, leaving any sides to other cooking methods (if cooking simultaneously). The tops are non-stick, so clean-up is fairly easy.

Also - put us down for bringing an ample supply of bacon-wrapped asparagus skewers for dinner on one of the nights. I'll even prep them at home in advance, so they're ready to throw on the grill.

[Not Afraid]

I'm going to work on getting an interactive spreadsheet on line. This may take some time to organize and I have to do it with a PC since the program isn't compatable with a mac. :rollyeys: But, I'll get there. That should make it easier IF I organize it well.

[Not Afraid]

DP, can you find a picture of your fabu stove on line?

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

DP, can you find a picture of your fabu stove on line?

Re-read my post. I edited it to link to the info and photos.

Also, I discovered something awhile back that makes washing dishes a LOT easier - put liquid dish soap in a spray bottle, and top with water to dilute. Spray the dish, wipe and rinse. I love my spray bottle "dishwasher". (And Dawn is the best for greasy surfaces.) I highly recommend folks to bring one to make their lives much easier.

[Alex]

Find one of teh free Wiki sites and cretae a wiki page for this trip then anybody you give the password to can update or add.

[innerSpaceman]

And after we've done all the organizing for this trip, we can either go camping as planned ... or we can invade and occupy a small country.

[MouseWife]

Or create that highly anticipated commune....

[Alex]

I'm only participating in planning since I'm probably not going. If I were going my planning would be:

1) Say "Yeah, we'll be there."

2) Several months later: "when was that trip again? This Saturday? Oh."

3) Night before: I should go buy some groceries...I"ll just get them on the way out of town.

4) Pack in the morning I depart just picking random camping stuff out of storage.

5) Have a blast even though I find out I forgot the sleeping bags, eating utensils, and clean socks.

To get you started here is a Wiki for it with the above supply list (though if you're really going to take all that crap you might as well just stay home and have Safeway.com deliver some citronella candles).

Use it if you want. The password to make changes is 123456.

[CoasterMatt]

Please, take lot's of pictures, and have a swankin' good time