How to Make our First-Time Camping Experience a Success in NY?
 

Hi All,

We are absolute newbies when it comes to the art of camping :D . Since we are uncertain of our survival skills, this will be a short trip but we are very excited nonetheless!

We're heading out this weekend - Not too far away, just up the Taconic to a site with a lake, beach, and boating. We've made our reservation and have made numerous trips for camping gear.

We've run into a dilema, we've purchased a tent that is bigger than the platform. In fact, now I have 2 tents sitting in my family room waiting on a decision. Do we go with the larger one (for the 4 of us who like a little "space") but it must sit on the ground, or do we go with the slightly smaller one and put it on the platform?

Also, when it comes to food, other than canned beans (my sons' suggestion) what are some foods that travel well in an ice chest for 2 days? We bought one of these propane stoves - yikes!

Lastly, I am still the hold out on the best way to get some sleep. Cot, air mattress or sleeping bag (I don't have the best of backs). The guys are going with sleeping bags and I'm leaning towards the air mattress. Any experience using either?

Alright, other than bringing along toilet paper (I understand it is a camping necessity), is there anything else I should pack or buy?

Basically, we don't know what the heck we are doing but think we will have a great time :D

Any suggestions? Thanks so much!!

Oh, one more things...There's a fire pit - my husband wants to bring his ax but I'm pretty sure cutting down trees is prohibited ;) What do you use to make a fire? Twigs? I told you we don't know what the heck we are doing :D

(please be kind) :)

I have absolutely no useful advice for you. But I'm glad you reminded me of about 500 reasons why I would never go camping.

Thanks for making me laugh, nytraveler!

Airmattress, let them sleep on the ground.

Must haves:

Clothes line
clothes pins
firewood (search "GoTravel's Most Excellent Camping Advanture)
beach chairs
pillows
matches
ziplock bags
bugspray
towels
hairdryer
batteries
flashlights
At least two coolers
airtight container for non perishable food
plastic tablecloth for picnic table
Chocolate, marshmellows, and graham crackers

*Keep your tolietries in a separate backpack or duffel than your clothes. It is easier to lug to the bathouse.

*Marinate your meat overnight and then freeze in the marinade. It will thaw in your cooler into the marinade.

*Coozies and beer

*Airmattress. Why on earth would you want to sleep on the hard ground?

*Lock your car doors. Racoons have opposable thumbs and will enter your car.

place the tent on tarps, don't put it directly on the ground.

A welcome matt to keep the dirt out of the tent

a small broom

dish soap.

garbage bags

lots of beer:-D

My family and I are big-time camping fanatics! You will have a blast!!

First of all, I cannot give any advice on the tent size and platform...we always put our tent directly on the ground on a tarp. I can say that space is a good thing.

Food -
Do not limit yourself to baked beans! Hamburgers, hotdogs, sloppy joes, tacos, spagetti, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, you name it!

What to pack -
I have a packing check list we use every time...I can e-mail it to you if you would like.

Air mattress -
My DH and I use an air matress with our sleeping bags, our sons sleep on the ground in their sleeping bags. I can sleep without the mattress, but it is much more comfortable!

Fire pit -
We use ours all the time. Cutting down trees is a big no no in Virginia, probably the same where you are. Is there a camp store where you are going? I am pretty certain they will sell fire wood.

Let me know if you want my list.
Have fun!!
Renee

My DH and I were are Target last night picking up the bug spray, and I remembered that your husband went out to buy a welcome mat. I asked mine if we needed one - he looked at me the same way I looked at him when he said he was taking his ax :D

Beer? The campground rules state "no alcohol" - are you telling me beer is the only way I'm going to live through the experience?!? Now I'm scared... =-o

BTW, a clothes line? I don't plan on doing any wash - at least I don't think so #-o

oh where do I start!! As an "experienced" camper going back many years I suggest the following: Take the bigger tent, you will not regret it. Who cares if it sits on the ground - take air mattresses and sleeping bags and you will be comfy and cozy. If you get too hot in the sleeping bag, just lay it on top of the air mattress for extra comfort and use a light blanket. I've packed for 5 or more days and bought everything but the kitchen sink for food - eggs, bacon, potatoes for breakfast, chicken, steaks burgers, hot dogs - for lunch and dinner - you can boil water for macaroni or potatoe salad and make it right at the campsite. Don't forget all your condiments and snacks. Bring a Coleman lantern, dishpan or wash basin for doing your dishes, bottled water for drinking, clothespins for hanging wet stuff (and a closeline) plastic zip bags for storage. A small perk coffee pot if you drink coffee. You can always run to the store if you forget something. Also, forget the ax, you won't be allowed to cut anything down, they usually sell firewood at the camp. Mosquito coils/insect repellant/sunscreen and a first aid kit. I'm sure I'm forgetting lots, but that's just the basic.
Have fun!

We love to camp, although we usually backpack in. Car camping is so easy though, so I bet you have fun!

Are you purchasing gear or renting? Renting would be a great way to test gear out as well as being cheaper.

At any rate, here are my suggestions.

I do not care for platforms at all. I prefer the ground. We use sleeping bags with thermarests. They are lightweight, pretty thin inflatable pads that really work wonders. Much less bulk to pack than bedding or cots, too.

Car camping with food is really easy. Frozen hamburgers, marinated chicken breasts, wraps, and freshly caught trout are what we usually eat. Breakfast is bacon, eggs, and potatos. Lunches are sandwiches. Fruit/veggies that travel well include grapes, apples, carrots, corn and beans. Be sure to take stuff to make s'mores!

An axe is a good idea to bring. You will probably be able to buy bundles of firewood at a nearby market, but the axe is good to make kindling out of some of the wood. You can use pinecones as fire starters. As I write all of this, I guess I am assuming you are camping somewhere that allows fires. Most campgrounds do, but we are used to more of the backcountry where fires are not allowed, so just check where you are going first to be sure.

I know this just touches on all the gear, but just ask any more questions you have. Camping is a lot of fun and you do learn real quickly what things you want/need, lol!

Go with the bigger tent and find a flat space on the ground. The platform is not going to be any softer. However if it rains, you would be better off with the platform unless you bring a nice big piece of plastic to put under your tent. Combine a sleeping bag with a cot or air mattress. Virtually all campgrounds sell firewood for the firepit. Use newspaper to help get a fire started or have your husband chop some of the wood into kindling. All food will keep for two days in a cooler as long as you keep it iced. I usually make spaghetti and freeze it. The frozen food helps everything else keep cold. You could also buy one of those packs of frozen burgers. Don't leave your food out (even in a container with a lid) because the animals will drag it off. Throw it in you car. If you have a lantern DO NOT bring it into the tent unless it is battery operated. The 3 most important things to take camping are - bug spray, matches, and a multipurpose tool. Duct tape is a good idea too. Have a great time and you will learn as you go along.

This is so great! From being on Fodor's for awhile, I thought most everyone only stayed at the Four Seasons!

Spending a week in the mountains with my family has been the only vacation I did not want to come home from.

I have to wait until the last week of August...sigh...

O H M Y G O S H ! ! !

You guys are great - but now my head is spinning O-)

I think we are under-prepared but all of your suggestions will set me in the right direction.

It never occured to us to buy and bring along some firewood.

My husband keeps reminding me that we don't have a SUV to schleep all of this stuff. We did get a great deal on collaspable (sp) chairs that will work nicely.

I really need to plan the food better. I guess that means bringing some pots, huh?!?

GoTravel provides a pretty good list. In the list are matches and ziplock bags. I would also add matches IN a ziplock bag.

I don't like cheap airmattresses. I'll go for the thinner, denser "Thermorest" type pad over a cheap airmattress any day.

Smaller tent on platform or larger one on the ground? If the weather forecast is REAL likely to have no rain, then larger tent. If rain, can still go with larger, but will need to shovel (add to list!) a drainage ditch around tent to divert water. Got room for both??

Cutting wood? Other than gathering some kindling not likely in most parks. At most parks, local entrepreneurs will drive thru selling firewood (at inflated prices) - you may want to drive out of the CG to get some at lower prices.

Canned stew / Spam / dried fruit. Dishsoap. Lantern. (have your tried using your propane "appliances"?). Extra mantles if using propane/white gas lanterns. CARDS (Playing cards). Beano! (optional)

SENSE OF HUMOR!

it's berry season for domestic berries, so you might find some wild ones too in nearby fields .. or go out for some "u-pick" farms nearby.

ENJOY!

A shovel for a ditch?!?! Forget the beer, something stronger may be necessary!

Yes, rb, the thought of bringing Beano along did cross my mind when the sons talked about canned beans, lol :D If they insist on eating the beans, they will need to sleep in their own tent ;)

The clothes line is to hang bath and beach towels over as well as to serve anchor for the tarp if it rains.

If it looks like rain, rig the tarp over your whole campsite. Then, after it rains you can hang all your belongings on the clothesline while they dry out:-D

Also, you'll need to hang your trash bag at night so the racoons and bears dont' get into it.

The welcome matt keeps sand and dirt out of the tent. If it gets in your tent, it will be in your bed.

We ignore the 'No Alcohol' signs as it seems do most others.

mms: We are purchasing our equipment because everyone is so convinced we will have a good time. I have no doubt we will laugh our butts off :D

Reneeinva - You mean there is no room service or daily housekeeping?!?

:-o GoT, you done gone and said those two dreaded words, racoon and bears. Do you put the cooler back in your car at night or leave it in the tent?

That's a stupid question, it goes in the car, right?

For a first camping trip, consider bringing some fireplace logs to get your fires jump-started. You can then get some real wood at the campground.

An air matress will be your best friend - get one.

Make sure you arrive with a few hours daylight left you won't have to set up in the dark. Setting up camp in the dark is a challenge even for experienced campers. Practice putting your tent together before you leave home.

Bring a BRIGHT lantern or two(equivalent brightness to a 60 watt bulb).