I want to go camping?

Question

I want to go camping in Cherokee North Carolina. I have never been before.I know I need a tent but besides that and sleeping bags what would I need to bring in order to enjoy myself. Im going to stay at a campsite by the way. Does anyone know any good ones? oh and im taking a three year old with me so im going to have to keep her entertained as well. I dont want to take electronics with me. I just want some suggestions from people ho have experience camping.

Answer 1

As a former Girl Scout camp staffer and leader, the youngest age group we ever took were the 6-year old Daisies. Your message almost sounds as though it'll just be the two of you, in which case you're going to want to make things as easy on yourself as possible.

* Cook meals in advance and if you're using a campfire, just use it to heat up your food. Cooking over a campfire can take a long time for the inexperienced, and a three yr old still needs plenty of minding with both eyes, so don't expect to have the full camping experience just yet (if you've got adult helpers, that'll make a difference).

* Take plenty of plastic bags for
- wet/dirty/muddy clothes, shoes, toys, etc.
- collecting pine cones, sticks and feathers and everything else that catches her eye
- food trash (and get rid of this in the campground's trash bins EVERY EVENING before you go to bed. There is NOTHING more terrifying that finding you've got company in the middle of the night because the critters smelled your food. Raccoons are very aggressive and can get into any container, so keep extra food in your car, NOT in your tent.

* take along some colored pencils and plain white paper. Let your little one make rubbings (paper on tree bark, then rub the pencil to get the texture on the paper)

* take a magnifying glass so she can watch the bugs

* an old plastic tablecloth or dropcloth for under your sleeping bags .. keeps out the dampness. Use it during the day for a "sit upon"

* a flashlight that is light enough for her to hold so she can look for things at night

* once you've had a chance to inspect the grounds, encourage her to observe her surroundings: Can you see a butterfly? Find a big rock. Can you count the tents?

* plan some simple crafts... take along some glue, glitter and yarn. Collect some pine cones, put a bit of glue on the ends, then dip in the glitter. Hang from your Christmas Tree

If you think camping is something you'll do regularly as she grows up, you might consider investing in a bottle of fabric paint, a fabric paint pen or permanent marker, a stamp in the shape of something "campy" like a maple leaf or a tent, and a pillow case.

Each campout we had, the girls brought their pillow case, and one of their crafts was to stamp the fabric with whichever shape we designated for that trip. Then they put the date of the trip on the pillow case and had a permanent remembrance of each campout. The girls loved it... as long as they could find their pillow case in advance of the trips.

You might consider checking out some camping or scouting websites to see if there are any activities that could be modified for a 3-year old.

If you've never camped before, have someone show you how to build your fire AND how to put it out (yes, there is a right way).

If it's raining while you're in your tent, don't touch the sides - that breaks the waterproofing seal

Learn what poison ivy looks like if you don't already know

Have a wonderful time!

Answer 2

Food
Drinks (water)
Cooking and eating utensils
Bug repellent
Lantern / flashlight
Weather appropriate clothing
Camp axe / hatchet / saw for firewood
Matches
Cook stove
Playing cards / children's games / toys

This is just a short list of some of the essentials. There are many more things you could bring / need depending on what you want to do there. Just use common sense and have a good time!

Answer 3

I never went camping with a 3-year-old, and I doubt I ever will.