Ashlee Stücki

The 2009 camping season is about to begin for the bug and me. This week looks like a perfect one- rain free, warm days, nights above freezing, but still cool enough for campfires. Layla is on Spring Break and Ben is trying to meet a deadline so would appreciate the peace and quiet. I can taste the s’mores already.

While I’m on the subject here is a copy of our packing list. It’s not light, but for us it’s just right.

First things first:

Children’s Items
___ Child-size backpack filled with:
___ Flashlight (Crank powered are great if they can maneuver them!)
___ Camping picture books
___ Crayons and paper for nature rubbings
___ Kid Tough or Disposable Camera (Take only pictures. Leave only footprints.)
___ Whistle (with strict instructions to use it if lost or scared)
___ Bird, bug, plant identifying books
___ Binoculars
___ Magnifying glass
**Do not put food in your child’s backpack. They will want to take it into the tent at night & it could attract animals.**

Now onto the basics:

Camping Gear
___ Map and Trip Itinerary (Leave a copy with someone back home)
___ Tent, poles and stakes
___ Ground cloth or tarp to place under tent (same size or slightly smaller than your tent’s footprint)
___ Tent Repair Kit
___ Tent stake mallet, tent stake puller and extra tent stakes
___ Whisk broom and dustpan
___ Sleeping bags
___ Pillows
___ Camp Pad or Air Mattress (No, yoga mats don’t suffice.)
___ Folding Chairs
___ Picnic Blanket
___ Lantern
___ Flashlights
___ Extra batteries
___ Fire starter sticks and firewood
___ Long-nosed butane lighter
___ Matches
___ Compass/GPS
___ Multipurpose knife or camper’s tool
___ Rope, cord or wire
___ Flag to Identify Campsite (helpful for little ones and fun to pick out one that fits your family)
___ Work Gloves
___ Folding shovel (for fire ashes)
___ Axe and Saw (if cutting your own firewood which I avoid at all costs)

Personal Care
___ First-aid kit
___ Bath towels
___ Biodegradable soap (use and dispose of it far from water sources)
___ Toothbrush and Toothpaste
___ Brush
___ Lip Balm
___ Sunblock
___ Insect repellent
___ Personal Medicine
___ Portable Potty (it can be a hike in the middle of the night, so just in case)
___ Toilet paper (again, just in case)
___ Baby Wipes (you know you still can’t leave the house without those)

Clothing & Gear
___ Rain Gear
___ Sunglasses
___ Shower Shoes (flip flops, sandals, trust me)
___ Extra Socks
___ Hiking Boots (in addition to your tennis/walking shoes)
___ Swimsuit
___ Shade Hat
___ Bandana (all sorts of random uses)
___ Backpack
___ Camera
___ Clothesline & pins (for wet swimsuits, towels, etc)
___ Cards and games
___ Pad, pencil or pen
___ Radio with weather band

Eating / Food Prep
___ Storage Tote
___ Frying Pan
___ Dutch Oven
___ Camp Grill (some campgrounds have these over the fire ring already)
___ Cooking Spoon, Spatula (just bring old ones from home)
___ Marshmallow/Hotdog Sticks
___ Plates and cups, flatware
___ Biodegradable dish soap
___ Can opener
___ Cooler
___ Ice or ice substitutes
___ Paper towels
___ Trash bags
___ Dishpan (we use a stock pot)
___ Plastic zipper bags
___ Pot scrubbers and rags
___ Salt and pepper
___ Aluminum foil
___ Water Bottles
___ Water Container
___ Drinking Water
___ Food and snacks - Don’t forget the S’Mores!

Filed under: Notes from the Road, Mommy Musings on March 13th, 2009