Car Camping

For family camping I think the real goal is not spending the weekend at 'Party Central.' I've found nothing is more annoying then loud neighbors after quiet hours. Luckily, choosing a friendly family oriented campground isn't a chore.

Do an internet search for: campgrounds, Your State. That search will help you find many private campgrounds. In my opinion you will have the best luck and time choosing from that list. Spend a summer looking for a campground that speaks to you and your family.

Campgrounds that offer a guarantee or bill themselves as family oriented are good places to start. KOA or Yogi Bear/Jellystone campgrounds are both good places to camp. Mind you, I sometimes call these madgrounds because they can be incredibly busy! If you prefer Federal/State campgrounds be sure to use Reserve America to save a spot.

You will find that when you camp can make a big difference in the number of people you'll be sharing the campground with. Weekends will naturally be the busiest regardless of the time of year. Some of my favorite haunts will be full on the weekends and then almost entirely empty out by late Sunday. Camping at small governmental or private campgrounds during the week almost always means additional quiet time, smaller to non-existent crowds and generally a more laid back experience. Even Yogi's calms down noticeably during the week.

Camping during the Spring and Fall when temperatures are cooler will earn you more of a mid-week camping experience on the weekends. While staying at this time we've often had the primitive camping area to ourselves during the week and only a few neighbors on the weekends. It is also an exciting time to camp as Nature is preparing for a new way of life.

Call and talk to the campground's owner/manager. Be upfront and ask them if they run a family or party campground. They'll tell ya. You'll do better than hit-or-miss just by asking. I have found holiday weekends are busiest! Don't judge a campground too harshly if your first visit is on one of these weekends.

You will have many neighbors. Campgrounds are special spheres of reality populated with characters from a cross section of society that have something in common - we enjoy the Outdoors. Take this excellent opportunity to make new friends. Go for a walk with your family. Wave, smile and greet your fellow campers. Watch out for golf carts!

No electricity + No running water + Outhouses (or a hike to flush) = Tent or Primitive camping. Sites with electricity and water are meant for RV's. That isn't to say you can't use them, but they are set up with this in mind, not you. On some of the campgrounds we've visited, the primitive areas have a bit more space between you and your neighbors. They are usually farther away from everything as well. Potable water should be available at designated locations - ask where at check-in.

Check-in: I'm afraid you can't escape it even out here. The office might be open as late as 9-10pm on weekends. If you're running late, just buzz and tell them. If you're stuck with a dog of a site try asking sweetly for another and cross your fingers.

If you are traveling locally, ask if you can bring your own firewood. If not, leave it at home and ask if they offer wood for sale. The reason being is to avoid spreading insect infestations or pathogens from imported wood.

One nice thing about private campgrounds is you can usually reserve your favorite site. Do that at least a week before your trip to avoid a headache. If you are visiting a new campground ask for the nicest primitive site they have. When you're told that they're all nice spend a little more time on the phone picking one out. Make sure it's not next to the latrine, please, or you might never hear the end of it.

You may no longer find a cost difference between most government and private campgrounds. Fortunately for me a local county campground costs $6 a night where I get a picnic table, fire ring and a hike to the vault toilet. To find county campgrounds do a search for your county and surrounding ones like this: the county + the state + campgrounds. For instance I did a Yahoo search for this: Ogle County + Illinois + campgrounds. Try it! County campgrounds near me are half again the price of state parks.

At a favorite private campground it runs me $28 a night (that's about average I think) and I get these amenities. Check or ask to see if your campground choice offers a weekend deal. You might save a few dollars over the daily charge and possibly get a free crate of wood or pass to some activity. You never know unless you ask.

I've found that campgrounds grouped in the same general area usually are within a few dollars of one another. This is where doing your homework and inquiring about amenities and nearby activities pays off. Be sure to ask how much it will cost in total, listing the number of tents and people. A few campgrounds have taken to charging per person (per night) and you don't want to be shocked with that kind of bill!

A general store is a wonderful resource if you find you've forgotten a necessity. During the dog days of summer an ice cream treat from there can work wonders with your troops. Other mainstays of private grounds include: a swimming pool, playground, showers(you may have to pay - usually denoted with a $ sign in the word - $hower), fishing hole, hiking trails, horseshoe pits, volleyball court. The more activities to entertain everyone the better. Some campgrounds organize several events over the camping season; Christmas in July is my favorite. The hayrides in Fall are not to be missed, along with fresh apple cider and taffy apples.

It's been my experience that many campgrounds have a snack bar/restaurant on the grounds or within reasonable hiking distance. You can pack a light food cooler and eat a meal or two there if you choose. Expect a fast food menu. On rare occasion you just get plain lucky and there's a tap to frequent for $1 Leine's at the campground's Office.

I often visit government campgrounds that are first come/first serve for tent campers. I suggest you call first to verify and make sure. If your plans include visiting a large National or State park, call many weeks in advance - reservations may be the only way you get a site. Most government campgrounds prohibit or regulate alcohol, at least around here in Illinois. You will find enforcement varies widely. Check-in at these grounds generally entail filling out a bit of paperwork, forking some loot over and picking your campsite. You'll be helped by either a Forest Service employee or a bulletin board and a deposit box.

I think a well run private campground will beat a government one hands down for cleanliness and amenities most every time. A few bad apples treat government run grounds poorly. That is a sad assessment, but one I believe you'll see personally. Last summer we stayed at a couple of state grounds. The price in central Indiana where we camped averaged around $30. Locally in Illinois it was just a hair cheaper. Since the price difference is so narrow, I'm opting to stay at private campgrounds. Fees have gone up dramatically in our National and State Park systems.

How early should you plan to leave on your adventure? In the real world I'd say to try for a half-day or even leaving just a couple of hours early so you can be at the grounds by 3-4 pm. Have everything packed and ready to go. Unless you reserved a spot you are facing a rush with everyone else for a limited number of sites. If you have a reservation there is no hurry. Just arrive before dark. It's oh-so much easier to find and set up your campsite.

Awarded Lens of the Day on 8/30/06.

Thanks to Angela and the Citizen Squids!

About tents: Keep it simple. The number of people a tent can hold is figured like sardines - pack 'em in! For example: 3 person really = 2 adults plus maybe one youngster, 4 person = 2 adults plus 2 or 3 kids depending on how much extra stuff you bring into the tent.

If you will only be car camping, let your budget define the tent you choose. For most folks a typical Coleman, Wenzel, Kelty or like priced tent will do just fine. You are looking for a three season dome tent(spring, summer, fall) or a family camping style tent to suit your bill. Tents range in size (and price) from small to gigantic - with separate rooms even. For a family of four a 10X10 or possibly a slightly smaller tent will do nicely. Unless you desire tons of elbow room or want to stand up in the tent I think you will likely be happier with a smaller and lighter one.

If you can find a tent with taped (pre-treated) seams, buy it. If the seams are not taped I strongly urge you to buy and apply a seam sealer. Seam sealing is a straight forward process, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Do this to keep water outside your tent where it belongs.

Acquiring a tent can be a relatively inexpensive investment provided you are willing to do more work. I suggest haunting garage sales and auctions. Both places are excellent opportunities to find gear on the cheap. Believe it or not, resale and pawn shops will often have camping gear available. Wherever you decide to purchase used equipment be absolutely sure to set it up before you hand over any cash. Smell that tent! If it has any kind of funkiness about it, take a pass. Look for wear on the tent floor. If it is immediately noticeable don't buy it. Water might pass through that floor like it wasn't there. Look at all the seams to see if there is any stretching or gapping. Pay close attention around the door and look for any stress in the window mesh. Don't buy it if you find runs in the fabric or the zipper catches frequently. A previously owned tent that was well cared for will look like it was hardly used.

For fair weather campers there is another way. I'm sure this will appeal to the minimalists out there as well. If you set a tarp up during the day it will make for a great place to sleep under come night. No tent. Just sleeping bags, quilts or blankies thrown on another tarp. You're only limited by your imagination and comfort level.

Tents generally come in 3 parts:

Footprint





The tent itself




The rain fly


The footprint or foot goes under the tent for wear/rain protection. This is sold separate from most tents. This isn't a must, just a way to extend the life of the tent floor and stay drier in very wet conditions. A tarp slightly smaller than the tent's base will work fine if you don't have a footprint for your model. If your tarp is larger than the tent base just fold and tuck it under so the tent overhangs it by a few inches. Some people go one step further and put a piece of Tyvek inside the tent on the floor. If you use Tyvek, be sure to run it through the wash once before using. The point being again is to protect the tent floor and extend your tent's life.

The fly goes over the tent to protect it from the sun and rain. Car camping and light backpacking tents have a fly that usually covers most of the tent, leaving exposed some portion of the tent wall. You should know that if something inside is touching the tent wall in that space and it rains for a while it might get wet. That's the wicking effect. A vestibule is simply a protected area outside the tent where you can put gear. Handy if you'll be doing some backpacking but not really necessary in my opinion for car camping.

Find a place to set up your tent that isn't in a depression. Remember, water runs downhill and collects in low places. You don't want to be sleeping there when it rains or worse, wake up soaked. A nice fairly level spot will do. If your site has a slight incline, sleep with your head at the top of the slope and your feet at the bottom to avoid headaches. When the smiling sun shines down upon you the next morning its warm, gentle rays may land upon your tent. Which will then heat up...fast. Keep this in mind when deciding where to place your tent. In most campgrounds you will have no difficulty discerning where previous campers pitched their tents.

During the day we will leave the tent door secured open. This helps keep the temperature comfortable for anyone who might want to crash for a quick nap. Once the bugs start coming out we close it. I think you should teach the kids to correctly and carefully zip the tent up. Don't expect any kind of instant success! Until it happens, don't get uptight about the door. Let it go - don't be a door Ogre.

You will find bugs like to hang out between the tent and fly. Don't be surprised when you see spiders too. You can observe them real close up - cool! If you are positive it will not rain and have a mesh ceiling, remove the fly at night to try to do some star viewing. It might be a little damp inside come the morning from dew, but hey, you fell asleep under the stars Right?

If your site has a garbage can try to pitch the tent on the opposite side of the site or move the can to that point relative to your tent. Depending upon the prevailing winds you might find the odor wafting your way pretty ripe. Especially if there is no lid. You can mask this by bringing a 30 gallon or larger trash bag. If it will open and stretch across over the top, do so. Otherwise you could consider covering the top with the bag and tying or bungeeing it off. If raccoons live in the locale they might come in the middle of the night and destroy your handiwork. If a dumpster is available away from your site I suggest using it; the ringtailed banditos will take a look at your site, find nothing and move on to a messier neighbor.

Once upon a time tents came in a stuff sack like this --->

Nowadays, family style tents come in a zippered bag. I suggest you bring an old pillow case to throw the tent in. Keep the duffel bag, it makes a good place for stakes and poles. I think only machines can fold tents so perfectly that they'll fit back into the original packaging after opening.

Empty its contents next to where you plan to pitch the tent. First, spread out your footprint or tarp if you are using one. Next (or first!) spread your tent out. Assemble the tent poles. Notice they are held together by elastic cord and once assembled are flexible. A sad fact is stepping on tent poles may break them. Don't bum yourself out.

Many dome tents (like my Kelty Yellowstone) have 3 tent poles, one of which is shorter. Two are for the tent and the shorty goes in the fly. Set shorty aside. Thread one tent pole into a sleeve, out the top and back into the sleeve on the opposite side. Repeat for second tent pole. You might have clips instead of sleeves. Your tent is still flat on the ground. Looking down at the tent you should see a X. Some tents also have smallish tent poles that form hoops to increase the tent size. Regardless of the tent type, pitching your tent isn't rocket science. Once you know how, you'll be able to throw it up in just a few minutes.

If you have kids assemble your tent with their help. Eventually they can assume this duty so you can be a duffer. Pick a tent pole and seat its base into the tent. My old Yellowstone is a grommet, but you might have: a clip, metal dowel (which goes into the end of the tent pole), pouch or even a combination of the above. One child holds that tent pole steady while you pitch the tent and seat the opposite side. Repeat with the remaining pole. You likely will have to adjust the fabric around the sleeves or clips - pay attention. Secure the tent center onto the tent poles - expect 2 clips or 2 pieces of string. A shoelace bow works fine for the string. Try stepping into the open door of the tent to accomplish this step with the most ease.

The fly pole ends might be rounded. Check the fly's underside for pouches that will hold the pole and seat it. Place your fly over your tent. Clip, snap or hook it in at the corners and center.

Those strings on the side of the fly are 'guy outs' and help keep water away from the tent. Stretch out and secure them with stakes. Watch this very short video to see how to adjust them. I recently acquired a couple of Field & Stream tents. Be absolutely sure to guy out all points. You will need extra stakes and rope. Pay attention to guy out directly over the window. On all tents I think you should have the actual zipper or zippers at the highest point of the window. I believe you should always stake down your tent. Or rock it down. Or whatever to secure it.

It's OK to carefully step on the tent while it's unpitched - no twisting or pulling motions while on it. Can you remember Kung Fu, when the monk initiate walks on the rice paper leaving it unripped? That's too careful.

If you purchased a large tent assembling it will be as simple as above, you'll just have a few more pieces. These tents are more robust in their frames so expect some tubing will have to be fitted together. The ceiling supports are often permanently attached to the tent exterior. It will likely remind you of a tinkertoy style connector. Place the poles where they belong with the help of a partner. You'll be moving in your queen size inflatable mattress in practically no time.

Keep in mind that pitching your tent the first few trips will take some time. After you've become familiar with your tent, you'll be scratching your head on how it took so long to set it up the first few times. Enjoy your night outdoors!

Striking your tent is pretty much the reverse of pitching it. When putting it away avoid folding the tent in the same manner after each use. Over time permanent creases will give water places to enter the tent. You will only discover this fact in the early morning hours during a severe thunderstorm. Take the same tack with the fly. You've broken down the fly and taken the tentpoles out. Don't forget to pull your stakes up. It looks just like this:

The trick is to roll these beasties up trapping as little air as possible. So leave the windows and doors open. For a tent like mine start on a side without a door and fold it partway in once. The same thing again on the other side. You can either roll it up now or fold it partway again. All that's left to do is slowly roll up the tent towards the door. Don't rush, the air will come out.

Last summer I decided to simply stuff my five year old Kelty Yellowstone into it's sack. At the end of the camping season I'll take it out and place it in an old pillowcase for the winter. Consider that Coleman and other manufacturers are now opting to place their tents in small, zippered, duffel style bags. It seems to me they come packed by elves, faeries or other magical creatures. Few are the human mind's that could refold the tent to fit back into the original packaging. They don't leave a single extra square inch of space in them. If you have any difficulty putting your tent back into the duffel style bag I'd opt immediately for an old pillowcase. I promise you this will make life easier. Don't forget the instructions.

Place your tent and fly into its stuff sack. I try to remember to put the stakes in first at the bottom of the bag. Take care when you are sliding in the tent poles not to catch any fabric. Another option is to roll the tent poles up in the tent. No chance to catch and tear anything.

If you have to abandon camp for whatever reason you have two choices that I see: You can pack it all up and go - sometimes that's all there is to it. Otherwise consider taking the problem and yourself home then returning for your spouse and everyone else the next day. If you leave early explain your predicament and nicely ask for a refund for any remaining days. You never know unless you ask!

If you strike camp before the dew has evaporated your tent is going be wet. The point being you must re-pitch the tent again at home to dry completely. The sooner the better! If you fail, it will mold and be garbage. Be sure to sweep (or shake) out your tent after each outing. That grit slowly wears away the waterproofing of your tent on the floor when you are inside and everywhere inside the tent when it is rolled up.

For long term storage you can choose from several popular methods. You can hang it up by two corners, again, stuff it loosely into an old pillowcase or just leave it in the stuff sack. What ever you choose you should store it in a cool, dry place.

Years ago when I was much younger I simply slept in my bag on the ground. Later I bought a cheap pad and used that till the family cat decided he liked it too. The family has also used comforters and other sleeping bags for a pad. As the years have worn on I find the idea of not having a pad unthinkable. Comfort is high on my priority list when it comes to sleep on the campgrounds.

Sleeping bags and pads are an important component of your adventure. As long as you aren't camping too far North or in the mountains, summer campers can generally get away with a bag rated between 40° to 50°. As a bonus these bags are cheaper then those with lower temperature ratings. Here in Illinois during the summer we often sleep on one bag and share a bed sheet. I believe that except for your top-end sleeping bags, the rated temperature should be taken with a grain of salt.

I've had a decent square top Coleman bag for the last ten plus years and recently purchased a Marmot Minimalist 40° mummy bag. The Marmot is double purpose as I also use it when canoe camping where I'm trying to save weight. If weight will never be an issue, you should easily be able to put a family of four in bags for less than a hundred bucks. Bags whose life's have come to an end for sleeping always enjoy a second life spread out on the grass for catching a nap outside. Most sleeping bags come with double zippers. If you know your feet will get hot, unzip the bottom of your bag before you crash to avoid late night tent thrashing.

Pads are for comfort, plain and simple. You will get what you pay for with these. We have a 3.5" REI Camp pad that is to die for that we also got on clearance. Another pad that I would recommend strongly is the Therm-a-rest Luxury Camp. It is on the pricey side but it should last years if cared for and might just let you forget you're inches from the ground. Our other pad is a Exped Downmat 9 DLX. It's like sleeping on a cloud after a long day on the trail or in camp. If you have a cabin or family style tent there is no reason not to consider having a queen sized inflatable mattress under you. Coleman makes one for under sixty bucks and comes with a rechargeable battery operated air pump.

Kids are apt to fall asleep anywhere at anytime. It's up to you to decide if a pad is really needed.

When you wake up in the morning it is not unusual for there to be a some condensation between the tent floor and the sleeping bags/pads. If you are leaving that day, empty the tent & leave open; set the bags/pads (wet side up) out in the open air or over the picnic table. Hopefully they will dry shortly and can then be packed. Don't worry too much about packing stuff up wet though. You just have to be absolutely sure to unpack everything pretty much immediately at home and let it dry out completely. Should you forget your reward will be moldy (or worse) equipment and a hit to the pocketbook.

Private and larger government campgrounds:
You should be able to purchase your firewood right on the campgrounds. Expect to get a recycling bin/milk crate full of wood for $4-7. Since you'll hopefully be there for the weekend, buy a couple of bins the first night. That way you can judge how fast you'll use it(and you hopefully wont run out). Some campgrounds even deliver wood right to your site! Inquire at the office. For a weekend I'll generally drop around $25 to $30 bucks for firewood if I can't bring my own.

Keep your eyes open around town on the way to the campground. Church groups and individuals often offer firewood roadside (on your honor) at a good price. Take any leftovers home for next time if you are camping locally or donate to your fellow campers if not. Any campground owner or firewood provider worth their salt will do a sweep for firewood after campers leave - then sell the wood again. If you see a site that is unoccupied with firewood at a private campground, it may be that it was dropped off for campers yet to arrive. That's why I'll only snag wood from sites where I've seen the previous campers pack up and leave.

Everywhere else:
You will need to collect your own firewood. Groups offering firewood on the way are now a great find so keep those eyes peeled! Be brazen and cannibalize wood from unoccupied sites. If you do bogart wood, consider leaving a nice stack for the next camper at your site - it's good show. Since you'll need to cut wood, a small wood saw will get the job done.

First and foremost - cut no live(green) wood. Use only downed, dead wood. Please don't cut down standing dead trees. They are a valuable habitat and resource for a variety of creatures. Branches from wrist to arm thickness cut or broken to around 15" long will do fine. To break wood find two trees growing right next to each other with a minimal gap. Place your branch between the trunks and pull or push until it snaps - be careful. A few armloads of carefully stacked wood at your site should provide a couple hours worth of time around the campfire.

I usually start the campfire around dusk, unless I'm cooking on it. You will need kindling. Twigs work great! Start small and build your stick pile up - lots of kindling at base, more sticks from smaller to larger size built up tee-pee style works for me. Place 3-4 of your logs around the same way. The stick pile should touch, but not support your logs. Light the firestick and place in the center of kindling. Do this activity with the kids - they love it.

You'll need 2 pokeys which are just long sticks thick enough to move around what's in the fire. These are the two most important sticks in camp, so choose them wisely! They may be sitting right there by the firepit so don't use them for kindling. You need pokey's to rotate the logs in the fire when they start to burn down or to rearrange when adding new ones. They should be at least two fingers thick and long enough so you don't get burned. Remember, a cheery fire needs to breathe. If they are the best pokey's ever keep them. Otherwise leave them for the next camper.

If a campground demands you purchase their firewood at what is an unarguably exorbitant rate, I'll tell you what I do in those circumstances. If you can find wood locally outside the campground, purchase just shy of what you think you'll need. Leave it in your trunk, preferably with a tarp over it. Then purchase one order of their wood. A piece at a time, slyly feed from your trunk to the diminishing pile of their wood - which you just happened to park in front of. Leave nothing out when you go to bed. Each day of your stay purchase a single order of their wood.

Sneaky? You betcha! If a campground is going to play "Gotcha!" with the firewood, my scruples concerning that get left at the gate. When you get home, find a community camping board and leave a post about their firewood chicanery and your disappointment. Negative publicity and a lack of repeat business will help them have a change of heart. On the flipside, leave a note about what a great time you had in a campgrounds' guest book. If you are a blogger, write about your experience with the campground's name as your title.

You can usually recognize a camper by a lack of hair on their hands and lower arms. Treat this as a badge of honor and wear it proudly. Back in the real world your co-workers will hold you in awe for your prowess in the wilderness. That is unless they camp as well, in which case they'll josh you for getting too close.

Finally - before you go to bed put the fire out by dumping water on it. I'll haul the super cooler over and drain it into the pit if I'm using ice. Dump the kids drink cooler in too. If I still need more water I'll walk over to a potable water spigot or bathroom and fill up a water bladder. You don't want any coals whipped out of the firepit onto your tent.

When it comes to food preparation at the campground I want it to be as hassle free as possible. You should prep your meals beforehand in the comfort of your kitchen. Try to take advantage of the campground if they have a Friday Night Fish Fry or some other meal they offer to prepare. One less thing to make and pack.

It's a snap to prepare a menu in advance for your trip. For a weekend that's only five or six meals. Go over it with your crew and ask for suggestions, incorporating their ideas if you can. If time is pinched on launch day, start pre-preparing meals the night before departure. If Saturday night's meal has meat, I'll usually freeze it. Don't forget to pull a meal out early so it can thaw if need be.

Here is a sample menu planner to help you along:

Breakfast: If you are a cold cereal family this is the easiest of all. If you'll eat the whole box just bring it along. Otherwise measure out the bowls and put the cereal in a tupperware container. A gallon ziploc will work if the cereal doesn't turn into powder when crushed.

Bacon or sausage and eggs is a really satisfying camping breakfast. You'll also have the option of hard-boiled eggs. Good anytime! Since they're to be eaten in such a short time span, I've never been concerned about cracked or broken shells. As it happens I've had all my eggs smashed. That meant the crew got 'em scrambled! Top with ketchup or add salsa for some zing. Unless you'll use the whole package, count out the bacon strips/sausages you'll need and ziploc them. Save a used egg package for camping so you don't have to bring extra eggs. Bring a lidded jar for the bacon drippings or carefully burn them in the campfire.

A quick and easy breakfast is your favorite oatmeal. Try tossing in some fresh or frozen fruit to liven it up. Bagels are great toasted over a fire. Top it off with some jam or honey and add a yogurt to round out the meal.

Pancakes aren't difficult; pre-measure the quantity of mix you'll need and ziploc it. Add the water or milk directly to the baggie and whisk it in there. I'll cut off a bottom corner and squeeze out portions onto the griddle. Want the best campground pancakes ever? Use this recipe. Cook them in a bit of the bacon drippings for an especially tasty (and artery clogging) treat.

Lunch: On our outings lunch is invariably sandwiches, fresh fruit and the occasional soup. I've handled sandwiches two ways - made on site or at home. Consider bringing your bread in a tupperware container so it doesn't smash into a blob. If you make sandwiches at home also put them in tupperware for the same reason. Depending on your sandwiches, after 3 or 4 are stacked they tend to smoosh the guy at the bottom. If that happens on our trips that's my sandwich, thank you very much. PB&J's never go out of style or bring a lunch meat the kids will wolf down.

For soup we bring the ready to eat variety, purchased in a can with the pull-tab lid. If the can is lined heat it up in a pan. If not, remove the label, crack the lid open and heat this directly on your camp stove over a low flame - don't boil! Just warm it up. Stir occasionally and make sure you scrape the bottom. Bend the lid back down after stirring so it heats faster. We bring scissor style tongs with rubber handles to make handling the hot can a breeze. You can also heat soup in coals from the fire. I'll surround the sides of the can as high as halfway up with coals. Stir often. Can contents heat up surprisingly quickly this way so be careful not to burn your supper. Use the tongs or your multi-tool to remove safely from the coals.

Don't forget the fruit, gorp and granola bars.

Supper: Supper is usually cooked on the grill. That means hamburgers, Italian sausages or brats. Hotdogs are another favorite and should always be cooked over the fire on a stick in my opinion. I'll often splurge and get steaks or stuffed pork chops for the adults. For some reason they taste better when camping. Portion what you'll need at home and store them in an appropriate container. Put you buns in tupperware so they don't get squished flat.

Spaghetti on the stove is another easily made meal. Lid the water so it boils faster. Once it reaches a rolling boil add the pasta, give it a stir, re-lid it and remove from the heat after returning to a boil. Check it when the package says to. I'll drain the noodle water into the side of the firepit using the pot lid. Put the noodles in a bowl and foil them. Then heat the sauce in the same pot. Once warmed, portion out the noodles and top with sauce. If you have the fire going, you can cook store bought garlic bread over the coals. Follow the directions for grilling.

Veggies: You can do this several ways. I try to bring fresh raw veggies like carrots, celery and corn on the cob. Canned stuff is OK. Again, if the can has a lining, don't prepare it in the can. I prefer frozen veggies in the bag to supplement the fresh stuff. Of course it thaws so you will have to cook the whole portion. Keep that in mind when you are purchasing the bag. Follow the bags directions for cooking. In order to save fuel, I return the water and veggies to a boil and then remove the pot from the heat. Let it sit lidded for the prescribed time then check to see if it's cooked to your satisfaction.

Potatoes are easy to make in coals if you have a fire going. Simply wrap in foil, surround with coals and cook for forty-five minutes to an hour. Check if cooked with a fork just like at home. Top with shredded cheese and sour cream - delicious!

If available bring fresh corn-on-the-cob. This is great with lunch or dinner. Don't husk it. Throw on the coals (ashed over - not cherries) for around 20 minutes turning 3 or 4 times. The leaves will all be blackened when you pull 'em out. Let cool a tad, husk and enjoy. Hint-'peel' it and use the husk as a handle.

Snacks: Our snacks on the campground are the same as those at home.

I'll prepare our meals three ways: on a grill, over a propane stove and occasionally in the campfire. Keeping a clean kitchen area means the raccoons should give you a pass.

Speaking of which, those masked bandits sounding large as mastiffs and clumsy as clowns may visit you in the night. Leave nothing out for nature's clean-up crew to bicker loudly and perhaps scarily about. Put your coolers and all foods away in the car. If it's a hike to the vehicle you can secure a large cooler by stashing it under the picnic table's bench seat. If there is a gap, find a stick or rock and put it there. Make sure the lid won't open and the rock or stick can't be pulled out. If there are bears where you camp follow the guidelines laid out by the campground for food storage. Bear lockers should be available for your use in most cases.

No food in the tent is a golden rule.

Most campgrounds will offer some sort of facility for you to wash dishes, just ask where at check-in. Be sure to wipe any leftovers off that won't dissolve easily in water before you wash. If you ever walk in and find the sink clogged you'll know one of your fellow campers lacks that common sense gene. Would you really pour a quart of grease down the drain at home? Honestly?

I am not a big fan of washing dishes while camping. That's why the kids were taught how to do 'em and to clean up the sink afterward. Bring a mesh bag large and strong enough to hold all the dishes. After washing immediately put the dishes in the mesh bag. Hang it from your laundry line air dry.

The way we've always organized our kitchen stuff is to place it all in one laundry basket. Pots, plates, bowls, cans, boxes of food, etc will all go in one for easy transport and access. If you find a basket isn't organized enough or simply too small for your camp kitchen, consider a chuck box. Here are several that the scouts use and you can build yourself. A chuck box will organize everything nicely and give you a surface specifically for food preparation.

The Cooler(s): 1 or 2? The way I usually do it is 2. The larger cooler is super insulated and is only opened around mealtimes. Put the prepared meals, milk, yogurt, condiments, etc in this one. Cover with ice. A plastic cutting board = great divider. I like to place all my ziplocs on a tray. At least for me, ziplocs seem to take on water if left to swim in the cooler. Another option for cooling is to use the blue-ice reusable blocks. A private campground should let you toss it in their freezer to re-freeze should it thaw. Just ask!

A second, smaller cooler is for drinks. Fill it with whatever you're giving the kids to drink and top with ice. The kids will open it a gazillion times for every reason so expect the ice to last a day at most. I'll take ice from the super insulated cooler and fill the smaller one as needed.

Don't leave your coolers in the sun. Place them in the shade. Throw a tarp or sleeping bag over both if shade is limited. Unless the cooler is super insulated your ice could be gone much sooner than you expect.

The most important part of going camping is convincing your spouse! Doing that right is paramount. I can not stress that enough. If you are convincing your man, try calling him a girly-man-sissy in your best Ahhnold voice. If that doesn't bring you success, go without him.

I like to think I've successfully employed a 'mental health issue that can only be righted by getting back to nature' dodge for years. Variations on this theme are encouraged and other ideas should be shared in the guestbook above. Face it, you are probably only half as clever as you think you are. Just go ask your spouse.

To wit, babies are not well known for their mobility. But be wary, even from their carrier many will land decent jabs, hooks and haymakers that you'll never see coming as you hover over them. Never take your eye off them if you are in range. They can also be craftier than a pro wrestler when it comes to latching onto your hair.

Set up a nice shaded place over the picnic table using a tarp and place your baby coddling contraption and a camp chair there. If you have a non-fussy baby (a legend), I think this is the easiest time to camp with children who can't get away from you. Prep that baby bag man! Oh, if your youngin' wakes up every two hours in the night screaming to be fed take special care. In the morning look for traps and pitfalls that your neighbors may have set for you.

Rugrats are ambitious and thus more challenging. If someone is squeamish with the fact everything goes in their mouth, well, be sure not to bring them. You'll never go camping again! Once again tarp a place to keep the sun at bay. Place your rugrat containment center there.

Toddlers to four year olds will drive you crazy while camping. They require constant vigilance. Be sure to spell your spouse often on supervision duties. If you don't that might not be heartburn causing a suffocating feeling in the middle of the night. It's a bright, colorful world out there and young pips are curious. Such is our Nature.

Five to seven year olds are puppy dogs. They follow you tirelessly. All your activities will be copied with nothing but love in their eyes. Kids this age will soak up your wisdom like an unquenchable shop rag. You can do no wrong. Remember this and place it in your heart. In seven more years you will be unable to do anything right and will be a scourge to their very existence.

Embarrassing a teen is effortless and oddly satisfying. Simply talk about them in front of other adults or if at all possible their friends. If the opportunity presents itself, gather with other parents and have an overall embarrassment strategy. Develop it within earshot of all teens involved. This will lend credence to their belief that every parent is there to make life miserable. For extra effect remove their cell phone.

If your spouse isn't hot on your plans but willing to try you should put extra effort into accommodating them. If I wasn't a scarecrow I'd have brought something extra to make a night 'special' for her - every trip. Use your brain and you might get to go camping more often. I will tell you if your spouse won't bite on the idea at all, my counsel is not to go. All too quickly the kids will be old enough to take by yourself.

If you ever get accused of losing a child while they are napping in the tent, milk that for everything you can. Have fun with your family!

For the most part I would judge most everyone's kids run wild. Observe your kids running gloriously free in their kid-dom. Gloriously I say. I am a firm believer in that is how it should be. Our family will make plans for an activity together each day. The activity duration and whether or not it actually occurs is a family debate/decision. We play it fast and loose. If something is being planned by the campground we'll try to incorporate it.

When it comes to kids being set free, I operate under two different principles. On government campgrounds I'd keep a steady eye out or make sure they are being supervised by another parent with whom arrangements have been made. On private campgrounds I'd opt to be much more lenient, allowing them unsupervised time so long as they aren't going swimming. Make sure your campground rules are well understood and will be enforced. A couple of common sense, easily remembered rules can make life easier.

This year I'm seeing and hearing kids, children really, with cell phones. For parents who let their kids pack them this should make a good way to stay in contact. We always did it the old fashioned way: who are you playing with? Where are you going? Be back by such and such a time. Then we went and checked up on them. My searches for errant youths met with the best successes at the playground, baseball diamond, creek, fishing pond or lake and arcade/tv room at the campground office. Listening and heading for the loudest racket was also very productive.

Here is an outline for just about any weekender:

Friday: Go for a hike after dinner around the campgrounds and meet fellow campers. The kids are then allowed to bike and make friends till near sundown.
Saturday: Be ready to rise at the crack of dawn with the troops. At some point we'll set out on a nature hike (mornings are best to spot wildlife). We often find animal tracks and look for wild flowers. If a stream or creek is available climb in and turn over a few rocks. FYI we walk right into the stream and get wet - lotsa fun. Muddy banks are also a great place to find animal tracks. We'll pick berries when available; ask the campground owner for permission and where to find them. A bike ride is enjoyable as is a walk at sunset watching for bats.
Sunday: Another nature hike or back down at the creek to chase minnows and crawdads.

On any clear night you can look for the constellations and watch for shooting stars! All you need is a blanket or tarp to lie on, a nice field or wide open space and a little bit of patience. That and a little bug spray.

Kids are left to their own devices for the most part to invent their own games. They will spend hours at the pool - if you have the stamina to supervise. Remember to leave a little time for good-byes at trips end.

Purchase a book or two about the local flora and fauna to take along. Crack it open with everyone before you go to get an idea of what you may find. Go for a hike and try to identify plants, critters and bugs. I think a little knowledge might go a long way to sparking an interest in a youngster. Either in you or them.

Speaking of plants, poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac are great plants to avoid. Learn to identify and steer clear of these itchy distractions. Near dusk look for bats near tree lines, water & the edges of open fields. BTW, most North American bats eat bugs while others are pollinators. Standing still should guarantee that you will never be touched by a bat.

When it comes to stream or river walking be careful and always wear shoes. I'll visit a second hand store to locate cheap shoes ($2-$5 a pair) in the right sizes. Be sure to dry them out throughly. Talk about stanky!

If you camp often enough you will eventually cross paths with that rare creature, the Camp Screamer. The CS is a troll who should never be fed. If you are a brave soul and they seem amendable, try befriending the partner of the CS. I have liberated spouse with children from the CS for an hour or two of 'unsupervised' fun. It can be rewarding, but these are dangerous waters to paddle if you get my drift.

Tarps with grommets are your general, all purpose type. Specialty tarps with loop tie downs allow more ways to configure the tarp. If you are going to use one, best you know a few knots. Grab a length of rope and practice. Then grab the kids and everyone practice some more - good knot tying skills are definitely a plus!

Like I said, I use tarps to stay out of the sun, wind & rain. I think a nice thing about car camping is that many campgrounds have a gazebo or other structure where you can escape from the elements. If this isn't the case, consider setting up a tarp or sitting in your tent.

Pitch the tarp with a slope to allow the rain to run off if you're expecting bad weather. The closer the tarp is to the ground, the better the protection from blowing rain. Click on the links for some great examples of different ways to pitch tarps.

General rule: don't set the tarp up over your campfire. Eventually you will be seasoned enough to see how this is done. Feel free to use a campstove under tarps to warm up food. I'm not talking about a grill though - same warning as above for campfires.

When confronted with a decent hike from your vehicle to the campsite, an inexpensive plastic style tarp makes a really handy way for two people to haul a lot of stuff. Just watch for pointy objects. Don't use a fancy/expensive tarp to do this! Tarp your firewood to keep it dry if you think it will rain.

About fishing: So you've never fished, couldn't care less but still want to try for the kids? You are Awesome! At most big box stores and even at smaller stores you can find beginners fishing kits like the Zebco or Shakespeare Spincast combo. A plain old cane pole works great too if you've got the room. Most come with everything you need except worms.

Dig them up with the kids yourself or buy them. If purchasing, wax or red worms will do fine. If by any chance it just rained go ahead and pick those nightcrawlers off the driveway and sidewalk. Put them in a breathable container with some moist dirt and yer done.

Panfish will be the main catch. Carefully smooth back their spines so they stay down - kids learn this fast. YOU will have to bait the hooks (at first) and take the fish off the hook too (longer). If the fish swallows it all, cut the line at the mouth (nail clippers=super!) and tie a new hook on.

The mucus on a fish protects it from infection. Wet your hands in the water before touching a fish. Make friends down at the fishin' hole with other parents if this is utterly foreign to you. You should find a cat like me willing to lend a helpful hand - don't be bashful!

The family dog or feline - if your pet likes to travel and won't keep the neighbors up, consider bringing that last family member. Check first with the campground to ensure pets are allowed and any restrictions (like shots and tags). Don't forget the flea/tick protection.

Last but not least:
When you return from camping ( or even nightly!) its a good idea to give the kids a good lookin' over - sometimes an unwelcome guest might come back with you.

Embedded bug removal.

*Depending on where you live check the kids for Lymes Disease.

A reader asked me to address the possibility of criminal behavior occurring at the campgrounds. Say thankya to Rufus for bringing the topic up.

My experience with crime has been nil all my years of camping. I know stuff must get stolen from time to time as less than honest people or just light fingered kids looking for a thrill are found most everywhere. I've just been lucky I think.

First off, I like to make friends with the neighbors if they are amendable. The more eyes on your campsite, the better. When camping at State and Federal grounds if we get in the car and go, the only thing we leave behind is the tent with the sleeping bags tucked inside. Well, the grill too. A bare campsite in my opinion will make any would be thieves move on in search of better pickins.

At private campgrounds I've left the coolers, hammock, plus the previously mentioned out. It's not uncommon for us to be gone most of the day fishing or sightseeing. I'm more comfortable at private grounds, but I still don't leave anything small out that would be found tempting. One of the reasons we like laundry baskets for all the loose gear is that it makes transport to and from the car a breeze. I don't doubt that stuff goes missing on private grounds, but being cautious with your gear will mean you're less likely to have something ganked.

I've stayed at several private campgrounds where a gate is locked in the late evening, denying vehicular traffic. You can ask the campground manager if they take this precaution for camper's safety. On just about every private campground I've visited, there are seasonal guests who park their campers and stay put. The campgrounds become their home and they are very protective about it. We'll smile and give a friendly wave to these folks so they get to know our faces and associate the kids in the backseat as ours. Seasonal guests don't want any trouble in their backyards and are great people to cultivate friendships with if you will be frequenting a campground. I believe if they recognize a troublemaker they have no qualms about telling management. They can also be a fountain of knowledge about the area, providing interesting diversions for you and the family.

The darn raccoons have taken a number of cups and dirty plasticware left out on the table overnight. Kids toys will go missing too, but I think they are forgotten or lost instead of actually being purloined. I reckon taking a common sense approach and not tempting the fates is the best path to walk. If you ever do return home and find something missing, give the campgrounds a call and tell them what you think was left behind. I like to think most folks will bring something to the campground's Office that the previous occupants inadvertently left.

I think camping is some of the best time you can spend with your family. It's an excellent opportunity to say "What do you think" to them. The longer you camp at one site with the kids the more enjoyable it will be for all. Lets face it, pulling up stakes - yes, stake down the tent! - and moving is a hassle. At least two nights out (this Friday and Saturday?) make for a trip in my opinion. If you have longer off, do your homework and make a 'loop' of campgrounds to visit. You can easily check out 3 different places over the course of a week.

Don't be afraid to change plans mid way - remember be flexible and involve the kids in the decision making. If you want to stay, why leave a place where everyone is really enjoying themselves? No concrete plans - can you live with that? Don't forget to call and cancel any reservations. I've rarely encountered a problem doing this a day or so in advance.

Bring a pad of paper and several pens. Write down your hits and misses. Remember to write down things you wish you had. After a few trips start leaving behind the things you find aren't needed. Unless it reminds you of Frasier too much, consider encouraging the kids to diary their days events before bed - we call them trip reports. A simple spiral notebook works like a charm.

Telling stories or reading around the campfire makes for a rewarding experience. Choose a book to read together beforehand and maybe take turns reading. Sigurd Olson is a favorite around my campfire with the 'older' kids - "The Singing Wilderness." Having said that, Dr. Seuss is really great read too - The Lorax.