Going camping need advice, haven't camped since I was a very little kid,was with my friends family?

Question

Ok here is the thing I'm a college student, and single mother, I have an 11 year old. and this summer when I don't have any classes I want to take him camping as a bonding time because I will graduate next May and then will get a job and work. The question is I need any advice concerning what to do to make things more smoothly in camp and any hints you may have, like food to take. I have some gear, tent, sleeping bags, cooking gear, ect. Thanks in advance for the advice.

We are tent/car camping I plan on making my own camp stove out of a few coffee cans (found directions on the internet, we will burn pinecones,dry down wood)

Answer 1

My family owns a carpet business. Since you have time still, go to a local carpet business and ask if they can keep scraps for you. Lie a piece under your tent...this helps "smooth" out the lumpy ground underneath, and serves a just a little bit of shelter from the cold earth. Also, place a piece directly in front of your tent. This will help keep dirt and debris from collecting inside. Buy a cheapie dollar store broom and keep that puppie swept off.
Smores are great! I hate that the chocolate doesn't melt, so I bring a bottle of choco syrup...so I can have mine all melty :P
Keep milk jugs and fill em up with water so you can wash hands and dishes (no point in buying gallons of water, it's basically free since you buy milk anyway) Just be sure to bring lots of water bottles.
I havn't tried this one yet...my dad told me to get some medium sized smooth rocks and put them very close to the camp fire. When you're ready for bed, take the rocks and wrap them in an old towel (using gloved hands obviously) and place them in your tent...this is supposed to help keep it warm. I was affraid it would maybe be too hot, and cause the towel to burn or to burn a hole in the tent we borrowed from a friend, so I didn't do it.
If you're going to have a little space heater, keep one of the windows vented, to allow the carbon monoxide to escape...people die camping this way.
The kids love playing with those glow sticks...they're pretty cheap. It's worth it.
get like a $20 radio and bring up some music (cd's or tapes, reception may be bad) obviously bunches of batteries. It's nice to have one form of "familiar" entertainment.
Cards, or another board game, a good book.
hairspray...for your sanity. Also, if you can't get the fire lit, you can spray hairspray on the wood, because it is flamable, it will help start your fire.
bug spray, or that off lantern thing works pretty good...bring both, so you'll be covered when you go hiking.
A good thing to remember...a bicycle tire tube will burn for 4 hours...this is a good thing to know in case of an emergency. Pack an emergency supply and keep it in your trunk...water, extra flashlight and batteries, blanket, food stuff, first aid kit with burn cream and lots of bandaids.
Wrap potatoes in foil and toss em in the fire, done in an hour.
don't forget towels and trash bags, toilet paper. Have a great time!
oh yea. Baby wipes are a beautiful concept! Make sure to use sunscreen, reapply often, especially face, ears and back of neck.

Answer 2

you will need hot dog weiners for sure. you should plan on grilling some hamburgers also. it just would not be camping without those two basic food items. at night you will want to roast marshmallows over the fire. most people do not like sleeping on the ground. wait a minute, are you camping in a tent or RV. If its a camper then you have it made. you know, the stove and oven . If it is a tent, then take a air mattress. A good quality one so it will not puncture the first time you use it.Take a crash course on preparing fresh fish. Has the kid ever been taught to fish. Check into that. I loved learning to fish when i was eleven. my grandfather taught me. you will be busy keeping the campsight organized and the meal prep work most of the time. but the kid will need some things to occupy their mind.Is it warm enough for swimming yet? i don't think so. think of some things you would find where you will be camping. you know like specific items that you can make a scavenger hunt out of. During a scavenger hunt kids find all kinds of interesting and even educational stuff. plus a scavenger hunt can be as long or short as you need it to be. As long as there is a prize at the end, they will keep hunting for hours. maybe some of this helps. i hope you have fun.

Answer 3

You need sleeping bags. Depending on the temperature of where you are going, getting a bag that is comfortable in the temperature conditions is important. There are different ratings for different bags.
Getting a tent of other sleeping arrangement is also necessary. A family dome tent is fine for two people.
Also, you need a cook stove. A propane canister cooking stove is very convenient and easy to use. You just attach the cylinder canister to the store and light with a match. Another necessity is an ice chest or cooler to store your perishables in.
Finally, a lantern for seeing around the camp site at night is needed. There are lanterns that use the same propane canister as the cook stove, so that helps with continuity.

Answer 4

Buy a simple canister stove and you'll be a lot happier. If you really want to cook over fire, most camp sites these days have large grills over the designated fire rings, or if not you could bring a small stand up grill.
http://www.rei.com/product/605718
http://www.rei.com/product/401122

Also be sure to check with the ranger station whether open fires and wood collecting are permitted at all and to obtain a campfire permit (required in national forests and wilderness areas). Many campgrounds have been stripped of fallen debris and even the low branches on the trees have been torn off due to overuse. And during high fire danger season only camp stoves will be permitted.

Don't forget to look up short day hikes nearby your campground. Part of the wilderness experience is walking through the woods to a secluded lake or climbing to a mountain peak with a spectacular view.

Answer 5

Just keep it simple. Hot dogs on sticks ARE required. Also, you MUST make smores. I also recommend cheap fishing rods. You can get two complete for under $40. Things like canned stew are good, and as long as you break the seal on the can, can be heated right by the fire. Also, hot chocolate is great in the morning, and just requires hot water and mix. A thermos keeps water hot all night, so a hot drink takes just moments. Above all, bring duct tape. I've used it to fix canoes, repair fishing gear, patch tents, and even make bandages. And, lots of bug spray, and raid for inside the tent before you sleep.

Answer 6

Don't forget some magazines, books, maybe a board game or two for something to do. Bring bicycles/roller blades if you're going to be in a campground. He will probably meet other kids that will be riding bikes. Take hamburger patties, hot dogs, stuff for smores, chips/pretzels, deli meat & cheese, soda or water bottles...It probably would be best to plan out the meals beforehand so you don't take too much. If you forget something there is usually a store at the campground, but it will be way overpriced. Those are the things that I would take, so I hope this helps.

Answer 7

The best thing to take is a good attitude. If you can laugh when it rains and the tent falls down then you will have a good time. The most important food to take is chocolate bars, marshmallows and graham crackers. I would take a few books to help identify trees, birds and animals. It is always good to have a band-aid and don't forget the camera. Have fun!

Answer 8

A fridge if your car camping and a light for inside the tent. Dried food that can be reconstituted with water if your backpacking.

Answer 9

if in the states , call a k.o.a campground near you
most of these have pools and restrooms take your tent or rent a cabin .this is a great way to camp and have fun
very safe and family friendly .you can join for a small fee and camp fee are small .......www.k.o.a.com

Answer 10

It depends on where you are going, but I would take games, and s'mores stuff. If you think your kid is responsible enough, get him a pocket knife and teach him how to whittle or something like that. If there is a stream/river/lake bring bathing suits.