Camping can be a lot of fun, however if you are not prepared it can be disastrous!! Here are some realistic ideas of what to expect:
You’re in the woods, it does get dark at night—no we do not have street lights… (flashlights are a must) · Yes, there are bears in the woods. Odds of seeing one is slim. In 17 years we have seen 6 or 7 bears. They are generally afraid of people and run away. · Unlike a hotel, you must bring your own blankets or sleeping bags, towels and soap. Yes, our bathhouses and outhouses have toilet paper. Respect the privacy of other campers around you. Please keep your children quiet early in the morning. Unless they are with a parent, they must stay on their site until 8AM. · Please no loud talking and no radios after 10:00PM. Please realize other folks may be trying to sleep. Parents with young children will appreciate you. · If you’re expecting to party or if you need absolute total privacy, perhaps you should consider buying your own land.
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU
Pack enough to be comfortable, but don’t go crazy.
·Tent (Please see my tenting guide below)
·Sleeping bagthat is rated to at least 35 degrees or blankets and quilt. Don’t forget a pillow. Slumber bags/indoor sleeping bags are just not warm enough.
·EXtra blanket or quilt, you might get chilly in the middle of the night.
·Foam padfor under your sleeping bag. This is for comfort and warmth. While air mattresses are comfy, cold from the ground radiates through them. If you are using an air mattress, put a quilt on top of it as extra insulation.
·Dining canopyor a couple of tarps. If it rains you will want to cover your picnic table. Then you’ll have a dry place to eat and play cards.
·Clothing — it can get chilly at night, pack long pants, sweatshirts, jacket (hat and gloves - you might be glad you packed them!) A raincoat or poncho is a must!
·Flashlight and matchesare a must, it does get dark here at night.
JUST FOR CHILDREN
·Don’t forget toys, pack a few new ones to occupy them when you’re busy.
·Water shoes or old sneakers for the river
·Extra shoes (they will get their first pair wet)
·Their own flashlight, plus glow sticks are great in the tent as a night light.
·Bring hat & gloves, remember, if they get cold & miserable, you’ll be miserable!
PETS
Honestly your best option is to leave them home! Some get really scared being out of their own environment. Plusa dog is a lot of extra work. If you go out, you must bring your dog with you. Please see our complete pet rules.
FOOD AND COOKING
·Cooler—pack your food cold! Freeze the meat you are not going to eat the first day. Take a 2ltr soda bottle, fill it with water and freeze. Makes a great ice pack and then becomes drinking water. ·Go easy on planning the meals. When you’re new to camping, make it easy on yourself. Honestly a hot dog tastes great cooked over a fire. ·If you don’t want a lot of cleanup, plan simple meals your first time out. Cereal and pastries for breakfast. Sandwiches for lunch. Hot dogs, burgers, steak, potatoes wrapped in foil, etc… for dinner. ·A camp stove makes it really easy to boil water and cook food in pots and pans. ·It is much easier to cook over charcoal than a campfire. Charcoal is an even heat. The only thing you might want to cook on the campfire flame is hot dogs and marshmallows. Otherwise once you get a fire going, cook over the coals.
KITCHEN SUPPLIES
·Bring paper plates, cups, napkins, paper towels, plastic ware, etc.
·Pots and pans (foil pans are great for cooking baked beans and such, no cleanup, just throw out) and cooking utensils you might need.
·Tinfoil, zip lock bags, sponge, liquid soap (Dawn rinses in cold water), Brillo pads
EXTRAS
·Deck of cards, board games
·Bug spray, Lantern, citronella candles
·Cooking Stove, charcoal grill, propane grill
·Fold able chairs
EXPENSIVE ITEMS
Keep it simple until you know you like camping. Borrow from friends, hit yard sales. Most expensive items: tent, lantern, stove, grill, dining canopy, screen house.
Consider it an investment in your leisure time. Try buying one or two pricier items a year. In a few years, you’ll be well equipped.
Coleman fuel stove and lantern: A fuel lantern is brighter and the stoves cook hotter. Coleman Fuel (not the type for your car) is sold in gallon cans. Most likely you will not use that much in a weekend. However, more economical than propane.
Propane stove and lantern: Not as bright and doesn't’t burn as hot. However, it’s much easier to use, the bottles are easy to screw on and off. Totally disposable, less waste and you don’t have to pour the fuel into the stove or lantern.
TENTS
If you don't really know much about tents please read this:
Tents are expensive, but they are necessary for camping. Your other option is sleeping in your vehicle, if it’s a minivan. You might want to borrow a tent, however set it up at home to make sure all the poles are there. We have had people find out they have no poles, wrong poles, tents with holes, broken zippers, etc.
Cheap Tents: Please remember the adage, "you get what you pay for". On rainy weekends we usually have at least one or two tents thrown out in our dumpster. Why? Because they leaked and ruined the camping trip! Buy a tent that has a rain fly, it’s a must! Also look for a tent that has a “bathtub” bottom, this is a heavy duty waterproof material floor, that goes about 6” up the sides of the tent.
Size Really Does Matter: When they say a tent states it sleeps 4 people, it really means 4 very small people who are really good friends, that only bring a sleeping bag with them. In reality you will most likely have 4 good size people with sleeping bags, pillows, duffel bags, extra shoes, electronic toys with all their attachments, extra blankets, etc..... Trust me, trying to fit 4 people and all this gear in a 4 man tent doesn't work.
Buy a bigger tent! R&R stands for rest and relaxation. You want a tent that is large enough for everyone to have some space to stretch out and sleep comfortably. Remember those queen size air mattresses take up alot of room. Also a tent you can stand up in makes it so much easier to get dressed. Two room tents will give lots of room for sleeping and storage. Just remember that these can be very heavy. They are great for car camping, but not walk in sites.
Look for lots of windows: While it doesn't’t get really hot up here in the mountains, it can other places. You want a tent that has 3 windows and a door. You will really appreciate the ventilation it will offer you.
Tent Design: They make all different styles, from Dome to Cabin. Check them all out, go to Campmor, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Cabelas, etc. It’s great to see them in person, this way you can see their features. But be sure to buy one with quick clips, a fast way to attach your tent to the poles. Quick Clips are fast and easy. Otherwise you have to thread the poles thru the tent sleeves. It’s time consuming and frustrating when the poles separate in the sleeves.
Rainy Weekends Do Happen: Enjoy listening to the sound of rain on a tent, it's a great excuse to sleep late and not feel guilty about relaxing. You'll appreciate that roomy tent, you'll be able to sit up and play board games or cards.
Most Important: Before camping the first time, set your tent up at home. This way you can make certain you are not missing parts. But mostly, so you know how to set it up when you get here. It’s very stressful setting up a new tent in the dark. It is also a recognized fact, that husbands are known to go ballistic when they’re tired and the tent is not going up right...
If you have more questions about camping, please call or email us. We’ll be glad to try to assist you. We want you to have an enjoyable camping trip!
Remember that camping is outdoor experience, be prepared for rain or shine. (We however, prefer the shine!)
