We went with our ward on a camp out this past weekend and it just so happened to be our very first camping trip as a family. After spending 14 hours in the great outdoors I've come to learn a few things. So for those of you who have not gone camping, I hope these little tips come in handy.
Gear - it's best to pack everything you need before you leave the house instead of realizing you forgot things like pillows & jackets 3/4's of the way there.
Bugs - there are many and they apparently prefer women.
Bug spray - not needed, see above.
Food - if the meal is being provided for you, don't sit your children next to the desserts.
Extra food - bring it along in hopes that if your children don't like the provided food they will eat that. Then kick yourself for packing extra because it wasn't needed, see above.
Tent setup - you have two options here. A: place it in the shade provided by bushes and trees, put it up in minutes, but keep awake all night listening to little critters that live in the bushes and trees. Or B: put it in the direct sunlight, take longer to set it up, and roast. We chose option B, all we were missing was the apple.
Tent itself - it's a playground, not a sleeping area and smaller is better.
Sleeping bags: for 2 adults and 2 children, you will need 2 sleeping bags and 1 blanket. One parent is bound to be standing up, rocking one child in a blanket all night to get them to sleep. See above.
Flashlight - bring an extra one for children or yours will die. See "gear" above and remember batteries.
Lantern - great for outside the tent, bad for inside. See "tent itself" above.
PJ's & Extra clothes - only 1 PJ bottom is required per child. Since you have two children, you will get dirty and you'll be too tired to change anyone including yourself.
Water - children love it. A lot. See above for remedy.
Stargazing - lasts from the time it takes you to get from the pavilion to your tent. See "sleeping bags" above.
Outhouse - the air chair is your friend and try to pee faster than the spiders crawling up the side of the toilet.
Breakfast - just know that one child will only eat a doughnut and the other will just throw up and not eat anything. See "food" above.
Moral: camp in the backyard until children are 21.
July 01, 2007
Camping 101
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
Oh dear . . . Sounds like a true "adventure" . . . hope the next time (when they're 21 of course) is better! :)
Oh, man! Well, sounds like you've made some good memories, even if it wasn't ideal at the time!
And I love how you set up this blog entry. So fun!!
LOL! Sorry it was a mess. You can practice camp in our yard anytime you want lol :D
oh michelle you kill me!!! that is so dang funny! Hope it wasn't as bad as it sounded, it defintly is a new experience camping with kids and 2 none the less!
hi michelle how did you get the music inthe back ground???
Lol! My kids are begging to go camping this fall. I think we might try to brave it, but your list makes me nervous!
Great list. I'm too scared to attempt that camping thing... but we will soon. Have to remember the list- especially the flashlights and batteries.
Post a Comment