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Anyone here go camping?
  • Charlotte_SometimesCharlotte_Sometimes
    Posts: 1,756Member
    Here's how our last camping trip went:

    Borrowed a tent and air mattresses from my mother.  First mistake.  She's a bit of a hoarder and a garage sale junkie, who knows where this stuff came from or when it was last used...

    So, we get to the beach, and spend an insane amount of time trying to set up the tent in the wind, only to discover it is missing SEVERAL important parts.  We finally rig it with rope and tie parts of it to the minivan to get some sort of "shelter" set up.

    Try and make a fire, we all suck at that apparently.  So we eat PB&J.

    Air up the mattresses.  Wake up halfway through the night, they are ALL deflated and we're sleeping, basically, on hard packed sand.

    Wake up at sunrise because the tent has collapsed on us all.  Joy.

    So, in the morning,  I really want coffee.  I am a big baby about MY coffee and convenience store coffee is not going to cut it.  So, we break out my little coleman camp stove, it wasn't new, not sure where I got it, but we try to use our stovetop Euro style espresso pot with it and it NEVER gets hot enough to make coffee.

    Ever.

    We endure the rest of the day  on the beach, then wuss out and head to the cheapest motel we can find.

    Now, the reason we don't get to take many trips is because we can't afford hotel stays, and if we do, then it's a short trip.  I really want to get out of town for a few days and I really want to give this camping thing a second try but we're obviously inept.  In my experience, air mattresses ALWAYS leak (that wasn't my first try with those things), and camp stoves suck. 

    I just want shade and a decent sleeping surface, and yeah, a way to make coffee and maybe some other hot food in the morning.   Is there a way I can buy enough gear to make it pleasurable without spending as much as a cheap hotel would cost for a few nights?



    "But a lesson must be lived in order to be learned" Ani DiFranco, Manhole
    "Screw you guys! I'm going home." Eric Cartman
  • BirdieBirdie
    Posts: 1,823Member
    We have a tent and small air mattresses. They look like sleeping bags almost. Sleeping bag help to cushion if you sleep on top of them! We go to the local state park. Lots of trees. Coffee is something that I have had to compromise in. We build a fire put our metal canteens on it and add instant coffee. We also bring foil to cook potatoes, corn, onions and what not in packets. DH had all of this stuff before we were married. But he's a very frugal shopper so I don't think any of it cost much. Look for sales, try online. I hope I helped but I think I seemed to ramble.

    SMSM_s_5

  • Charlotte_SometimesCharlotte_Sometimes
    Posts: 1,756Member
    Oops, I didn't mean to put this in "debate/hot topics" !

    @Birdie thanks.   We need to become better fire builders.  All I need is flame to make my espresso, dangit! ;)

    Onions are good cooked that way, do you cook them on a bbq grill?
    "But a lesson must be lived in order to be learned" Ani DiFranco, Manhole
    "Screw you guys! I'm going home." Eric Cartman
  • BirdieBirdie
    Posts: 1,823Member
    We have a fire put at our campsite it has a grill on it. Last time we made a packet with sausage, potatoes, carrots and onions and it was so good! We bring ramen and weenies too! The key to our fire is dryer lent. Put that in the center make a tee pee of small sticks then build from there.

    SMSM_s_5

  • Voldemorta
    Posts: 19Member
    if all else fails with a fire, buy a starter log, try lighter fluid, use newspaper and sticks and pack it in between and around the logs. tents can be pretty cheap, but if you're serious about this, get a good one, you won't regret it. As far as sleeping gear goes, extra blankets or sleeping bags can work as a better and more reliable cushion than air mattresses.
  • AnonUser33
    Posts: 743Guest
    Our friends just bought a really nice, older travel trailer for $400. I think thats the key. it has beds, a stove, a shower and tub and a fridge. LOL. That will be my next big purchase. Then again thats less than 2-3 nights in a motel.
  • TorturedbyTWINSTorturedbyTWINS
    Posts: 1,194Member

    We have a tent we just bought and our air mattress.  Me and my DH are serious off roaders and campers but we have yet to try it with two 14 month old maniacs.  I'm a little worried.  I'm not sure what to do with the kiddos.  I want to know if anyone has tried camping with young children? 

    Air mattresses can easily go through a test run at home to make sure they hold air.  Either use a hose or any water on the seams to see if air bubbles appear and if you can inflate them and stick something heavy on them overnight.  Camping can be awesome!  Hope your experience is better next time!  I miss my old life sometimes, especially camping...

  • AnonUser26
    Posts: 1,144Guest
    If by "camping" you mean a four star hotel with complimentary robes, a mini bar, room service and 900 thread count sheets... Then yes, I camp regularly. I don't do that "outdoors" thing well.
  • FoulMouthedSailorFoulMouthedSailor
    Posts: 1,934Member
    We try to go camping every 3-4 months for a four day weekend. Either we go to the Outer Banks and camp on the beach, or head up towards Ashville or Gatalinburg in the Smokey Mountains. I have a five person tent and some cast iron cooking gear, I'm used to sleeping on rocks and sand but Dw needs a thick camping mat or an air mattress(that's not camping to me!).

    For cooking I try to find a large flat rock to put on the edge of the coals from the fire. It's what I cook potatoes, onions, and stuff that uses low heat, just wrap it in tin foil and throw it on, rotate it every 5-6 minutes. For high heat stuff I make a Nordic log stove(some might call it a Swedish torch or a Finnish log stove), they are easy to make and produce enough heat to cook a large cast iron skillet full of food, boil coffee on.

    @TorturedbyTWINS I don't have the twins problem yet, but we would take Sunshine camping when we lived in Hawaii, she was about 14-26 months. We used a baby sling and one of those frontside baby backpacks to haul her around. Just never let them leave your sight, and keep them away from the fire or camp stoves. And be prepared to run after them once they start running around. I'm not overly looking forward to trying to camp with twins that young.
    You show the lights that stop me turn to stone, You shine it when I'm alone. And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
    And dreaming when they're gone.
  • DaBOMB
    Posts: 279Member
    Camping is awesome. We go often enough that we finally broke down and got a pop up. Basicly just beds and a small place to get out of the weather. Try craigslist for gear. We got a great canoe for about 1/2 price. We use the heck out of it. First few times we went were trial and error... mostly error. And there was one night the storm was so bad the campground was evacuated. But we soldier on. And we still laugh about abandoning all of our shit to huddle with 60 or so other people in the camp office. It was the one time the camp employees did scream and throw us out for drinking... our scotch was passed around and no one said a word. Lol!
  • PurpleFlowersPurpleFlowers
    Posts: 5,784Member
    Im with @FinallyFree2BMe. I have camped when I was a teenager, but I was so drunk by the time we went to sleep (ie: passed out) that I didnt care that I was sleeping on the ground. Give me a motel with a bed, toilet and running water anyday!
    Stay away from my chocolate and nobody gets hurt!

    I think I like who I am becoming...
  • mamaofboysmamaofboys
    Posts: 418Member
    DH and I used to camp in a tent before kids. Then we upgraded to a tow behind camper and I honestly say I could never go back. Not looking forward to the day my DS tells me he wants to sleep in a tent...
    When we did tent it, we had a frame for our air mattress to keep us off the ground. It was great. We would also take a small propane grill with us for cooking.

    I just read an article that June is the best month to buy camping gear as there tends to be lots of sales. You can usually find a pretty decent tent fairly cheap.

    Good luck - I hope your next trip is better than the last!!
    Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift; that's why they call it the present.
  • sunnymommasunnymomma
    Posts: 2,258Member
    I always test out my camping gear before we leave for the trip. Helps to ensure all parts are there, if there are holes in the air mattress gives time to patch em. I also put padding under the air mattress in the tent, seems to help it not deflate as much over night. As for starting a fire they sell quick fire starters that basically are wax and wood shavings light that bad boy and put it in your pile of wood and you can cook away!! Propane grills are great too. coffee is a must, Ive been known to call a campground ahead to scope out a place to get coffee before I book a reservation!
    I am me, and I am loved
  • bombkittybombkitty
    Posts: 306Member
    I can't do the air mattresses, I'm too old to sleep on the ground.  But a small army cot with a sleeping bag on it works wonders.  We're going to have to upgrade to a bigger tent, we haven't camped all together since my DD5 was born.  
    I drink the Starbucks VIA italian roast coffee in a pinch.  I'm really picky about coffee, but it is quite good.
    It would be nice to have a little camper some day, but on the other hand, I slept in my parents' RV with my 3 kids for 2 weeks and was ready to kill them all, LOL.  Every time someone moved the whole thing kind of shook.  
    Also my dad would jump on the bumper or knock on my window when he went to work at 5am.  Because he's hilarious.  ;)
  • onetimeonetime
    Posts: 2,117Member
    If you are looking for gear that is cheap, try eBay. We got a good deal on a tent, mattress and sleeping bag. Also, start a list long before the trip, as for coffee, if you can do cold coffee, brew a pot before and put it in an old juice bottle!
    Suck it up buttercup!
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,716Member
    Yep, my idea of camping is a hotel with no room service!  I was just telling someone about my first camping experience yesterday.  I was about dd's age 3-3 1/2, and my parents took me camping.  I refused to eat ANYTHING for about 3 days, when we got back home, we went to our favorite little Italian restaurant, and apparently I ate an entire adult portion of spaghetti.

    Yes, I am a princess...at least when it comes to camping...
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,716Member
    But more to the point, keep an eye out for the sales, Walmart often has camping gear on sale, and there's a place here, can't remember the name of it, that's a chain that apparently has really good sales on camping gear.
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • AnonUser35
    Posts: 543Guest
    Aerobed air matress. I think they run about $100 or so, but they are worth every penny!
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,788Member
    I really want to go camping, but seriously. The lack of a toilet and sink? Eugh!! Do you just dig a hole?? 

    We used to 'camp' every year with eurocamp. Its not real camping! Except when theres a storm, then it feels like camping!! 
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • Charlotte_SometimesCharlotte_Sometimes
    Posts: 1,756Member
    Hey y'all, thanks for all the replies!

    As for a pull behind... one of these days I will save up and buy one of these:

    http://www.trailmanor.com/

    I am in love with this concept, it's a pop up trailer but hard walled and easy to tow and best thing is you can pull it with a six cylinder, so our minivan would work!

    They can be found on Craigslist between $4000 and $6000 second hand.  So one of these days we'll get one but right now, living in an apartment, we would have no place to keep it.

    I am not into camping/roughing it at alll, I am too addicted to hot showers, but I also realize that if we don't camp, we all get stir crazy and NEED to go somewhere.  Even the most frugal trips with a hotel stay are just too much $$ for us to do most of the time.   If it's all of us going anyway.

    So if it comes down to camp or stay home, we'll camp just to get away. :)  I grew up camping, my mother was (still is) really into all that but I never paid attention to how she did things cuz I just wanted to be left alone to read my damn book. ;)

    Anyway thanks for the advice on gear.  I am thinking maybe folding cots with sleeping bags... are they bulky to carry?
    "But a lesson must be lived in order to be learned" Ani DiFranco, Manhole
    "Screw you guys! I'm going home." Eric Cartman
  • BellaBefanaBellaBefana
    Posts: 8,716Member
    check out staycations...here in AZ you can get SCREAMING deals on hotels in the summer, like 80/night for a 4-5 star resort.  Even the "cheap" hotels have summer deals, so long as there's a pool, what more do you need?
    Bite me, cupcake!
  • MistressHeidiMistressHeidi
    Posts: 977Member
    Not a big camper, my idea of camping would be a log cabin with all the amenities by a lake!!! My bf is so into camping and is talking me into going camping sometime this summer. He promises that we will find a campsite with showers. So, I would suggest one of those if you have one nearby. I see camping gear on sale all the time at Kmart and Walmart, usually when fall hits, but you could stock up for next year. My bf has all the camping gear a person would need, air mattress and all that, so I am going to give it a shot.

    I guess camping is a great cheap vacation, my kids and I haven't been on a vacation for years since we don't have the money, so we are going to give this a shot this year, who knows we may love it.
  • FoulMouthedSailorFoulMouthedSailor
    Posts: 1,934Member
    @Charlotte_Sometimes Depends on the maker of the cot, you can get some decent ones at walmart that are like 8-12 lbs, military surplus ones are maybe 12-18 lbs. Best thing I was ever sent when I was in the sandbox was a Thermal Shower, it held about 5 gallons of water and would be super hot in about 5 minutes when it was 112+f degrees(44+c for our canuks and euro folk). And about a hour or two when it was below 75f(24c), to bad I had to share the damn thing and we had water rations, but it upped our showers from once a week to two or three.


    Also found a short video of a Nordic wood Stove
    You show the lights that stop me turn to stone, You shine it when I'm alone. And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
    And dreaming when they're gone.
  • MistyStacy_2010MistyStacy_2010
    Posts: 487Member
    We are camping for vacation this year. Let me just say I HATE CAMPING!!!!!!!! Hate it with a passion, while growing up my parents got evicted from our house and instead of spending money on a new place to live we camped for close to 4 months. I dread this trip but because my kids really want to go I will paste a sun freaking shiney smile on and go "camping". But does this mean I get nominated for the mommy of the year award???
    You are not my thong, so get out of my ass!!
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,788Member
    @foulmouthedsailor how could you POSSIBLY have a hot shower when its 44degrees!?! I would be acting like I had been taking bath salts at that heat!!
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • DaBOMB
    Posts: 279Member
    @irishlass you put the reservior in the sun. Heats up quite nicely. That being said... I don't go anywhere without a bath house.
  • irishlassirishlass
    Posts: 6,788Member
    @dabomb but what are humans supposed to do in that heat!!!
    "Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter." - Dr. Seuss
  • FoulMouthedSailorFoulMouthedSailor
    Posts: 1,934Member
    @irishlass when you don't get to shower for two or three weeks straight, in 44 degree heat, you do what ever it takes to get that stench off. Luckily my second deployment the wife sent the shower, and I was happy as hell, so was every one else who used it.
    You show the lights that stop me turn to stone, You shine it when I'm alone. And so I tell myself that I'll be strong
    And dreaming when they're gone.
  • LA_PygmyHerderLA_PygmyHerder
    Posts: 1,239Member
     I saw a propane powered coffee maker and a propane mini oven. Ya know those are coming home with mama. The more comforts I can get the happier I am. Now all I need is a fridge in the truck and I'm all set. But to tell the truth dh is a hiker/camper/general outdoorsman. He makes it more fun for me. With my ex it was a bloody nightmare.
  • meandmy243meandmy243
    Posts: 6,633Member
    Ok i can build a fire in a flood in the middle of a hurricane... But we tent camp with sleeping bags and old comforters for padding.. I cook in foil or in castiron dutch ovens and we drink freeze dried coffee... And beer.... Lots of beer...
    mom of wild children
    going to the chapel 7/5/2014
  • Charlotte_SometimesCharlotte_Sometimes
    Posts: 1,756Member
    Ok sorry, I tend to get distracted and then come back to things, lose interest then get interested again...

    So I think we've decided on cots instead of air mattresses and we'll get sleeping bags, and maybe (IDK if it is necessary) some foam mattress toppers to cut to fit and go on the cots.  DW and I are both riddled with back problems so it seems worth the extra and Overstock always has them cheap, thinking we can buy king size ones to cut up.

    And I found an amazing tent online at Walmart.com that actually has almost all good reviews and is huge and $150.  Still researching of course.

    Next I need to know about cooking.  Think we should buy a camp stove.   Wonder if we should take our little bitty BBQ grill as well if we do buy a camp stove...? 

    And I think the worst part will be planning food for the entire time, with my vegetarian son along.  We are most likely not going to camp somewhere with electrical outlets.  It's an option for $20 a night but I am thinking we don't need it.  I don't know.  It's less directly "on the beach" and more cooped up with other people and I go to the beach to get away from "other people".
    "But a lesson must be lived in order to be learned" Ani DiFranco, Manhole
    "Screw you guys! I'm going home." Eric Cartman
  • Charlotte_SometimesCharlotte_Sometimes
    Posts: 1,756Member
    Oh and @irishlass, about the toilet, well for us we'll be on the beach near the "official" camping area and there is a beach shower house with toilets and pay showers.  Also there are porta potties (eww).  I am trying to find out if there is an option for us to pay for the shower/toilet access only without paying to "camp" in their tent spots because I would really be all about that hot shower business, and the toilets are clean unlike the porta potties!
    "But a lesson must be lived in order to be learned" Ani DiFranco, Manhole
    "Screw you guys! I'm going home." Eric Cartman
  • AnonUser27
    Posts: 1,742Guest
    I would totally need a toilet to shit on. I remember this one chick telling me you need to spread your cheeks open against something and just go. I say fuck all that. Fuck all that. I can't do it. It sounds like a good time, the camping, not cheek spreading though.
  • GypsyMamaGypsyMama
    Posts: 625Member
    Don't skimp on the tent. If it rains or gets really windy and you have a skimpy tent your trip will most likely be over. It needs a good rain fly and quality zippers. When we tent camp we take both our tabletop gas grill and our Coleman stove. We keep our dinners simple: hotdogs, chili, hamburgers, etc. we make breakfast our big deal meal with bacon, eggs, pancakes or toast. They make pancake mix that comes in a plastic bottle you just add water to and shake and pour so no mixing bowl is needed. I know this sounds dumb but I always bring a dish drainer without the drop tray. Once you wash the dishes the first time they can just stay in the drainer and get reused as you need them. We got a percolator for camp coffee and it tastes wonderful. Get one with the glass knob so you can see what color the coffee is. We always use the Coleman air mattresses that need a pump to blow up. We get the king size and fold them in half and like someone said above put something sift under them. And.... Get a bucket potty. They are a five gallon bucket with a little toilet seat on it. You put a trash bag in as liner. Use that at night and definitely invest in the sun shower.
  • shate98shate98
    Posts: 3,146Member
    OK we camp. We camp with baby. @TorturedbyTWINS It works out. We use a GoCrib, which is awesome (expensive but awesome). But DS1.5 loves to be outside. Birds, bees and trees keep him occupied. It also helps to have extra adults to keep him from running off into the wilderness. We're taking him camping in 2 weeks. I'll let cha know how it works out thiss time. ;)

    DH believes all camping gear should fold down into a 1inx1inx1in cube. If it doesn't it's not camping gear... we tease him a lot.

    We've been through several air mattresses. Honestly? The cheap ones leak. And some of the expensive ones too. We got ours from REI because you can return it used, no questions asked. We tried all different kinds until we found one that we both liked that was comfortable and stayed inflated.


    "As you wander through your life, whatever be your goal,
    keep your eye upon the doughnut, not upon the hole."
  • TurthipoTurthipo
    Posts: 340Member
    We are hardcore in my house. DH used to be a wilderness backpacker guide, so (much like @shate98 DH) he believes less is more when it comes to camping. We have 1 tent (6 man) for our family of 5. We don't take anything that requires a cooler, most of our food is dehyrated or a dry food, a few canned items but not much. We have 3 daughters, we all (but the youngest two) have military packs and everything we take must be packed as if we are heading to the back country. No air matresses or mats for us, and no pillows. Last yr Bean was 1 and we didn't take a playpen or anything just her extra sleep sack.
    ... It works for us & our girls love it :-)
    My bff is a pampered princess and unless there's running water, hot showers and electricity, she doesn't "camp" LoL
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