Well, since I came up with the idea - but it was after looking at noodlebuttsmom's thread, well, shall I start it off?

#1 when camping on the beach, take along talcum powder and dust yourself right before bed. It gets rid of that sticky gritty sand.

#2 Save those little individual packets. It becomes a game to see what we can find. From soy sauce and mayo to grey poupon dijon mustard (cookie place in Corsicana of all places), honey, lemon ( lemon on fresh caught fish grilled over a campfire), peanut butter, tabasco, even butter that doesn't need refrigeration AND doesn't get all melty all over stuff! The choices are almost endless, and you can save yourself tons of room.

#3 Repurpose bottles.
Do you need to take along that ginormous bottle of cooking oil or would a little squirt bottle work just as well? Think about how much and what you're going to be making before you go and take only what you need. Smaller containers = less stuff you gotta carry.

#4 I don't always car camp. Sometimes we go way out into the back country. Well, when you do you still want to be comfortable. Imagine paddling down a river all day and getting to camp, you're hot, you're tired, and you're hungry.... and having fresh baked brownies and beef stroganoff.

Go to walmart and look at the "just add milk" or "just add water" pre packaged stuff. For milk, before you leave, measure out the equivalent amount of dry milk, and put that in a small baggie with the dry ingredients for the brownies or cinnamon streusel or whatever. Then, when you get there, all you need is water and maybe eggs - which will keep for about 3 or 4 days without refrigeration... longer if you dip them in wax before leaving.

Now, that leaves you looking at meals. How about hamburger helpers? It saves time - especially when cooking over a camp stove. But what about the meat. You need to keep ground meat cool.. right?

Brown it, drain, rinse, and stick it on your dehydrator til crispy. It rehydrates great while the noodles are cooking.

GREAT TOPIC KATTELYN!!!!

Not sure if this forum (TFF) has a specific stand alone "Camping" section but I think it's needed. Not sure how to get this started but its a little buried in the "On the Road in Texas" area.

Tent Camping
1. Bring an extra tarp with eyelits and LOTS of parachute cord. I've been in tents that you THINK are water proof but they are not. The tarp is really handy to protect the vulnerable areas of your tent (door opening).

2. Did I mention parachute cord - GENIUS!!!!

3. Definitely feeling the "packets" of mustard vs. the bottles. Do you know how many "little" bottles I have in my fridge from camping?

3. Think about extra lighting. If you have electricity at your camp site, bring a string of Christmas lights. You would NOT believe how dark it is out there and the campfire and flash light only puts out so much light.

4. When I go to the grocery store (before camping), I always think of the "elaborate" meals. We always end up eating the simpler things - Hot Dogs.

5. My hubby is a big fan of pancakes. Bisquick makes the premade mix in a bottle and you just add water. No measureing, no mess.

Love this topic....keep it going!

Another one I didn't even think of.

Yes, parachute cord is wonderful stuff. But for sheer quantity of it, cheap, and in bright - easy to see colors. Go to home depot and get Masonry Twine. I get mine in bright fluorescent yellow. You don't want to trip over guide lines in the middle of the night, and even brown or black twine can be missed in broad daylight.

I hate tents. Really, I do. But, to fix leaks from the bottom, wrap one of your poles with duct tape so you have some always with you that you can peel off and reapply to wherever you need it.

Oh, an oldie but goodie.

When you're out in the boondocks and need to know when sundown is going to be, hold out your hand. The width of your hand between the sun and the horizon is one hour. However many hand widths between the sun and the horizon it is, that's your hours til sunset.

VERY GOOD stuff!

Thanks!

Nobody else has any tips they use for more comfortable camping?

Good post...I just found it.

1.When camping keep food in a Rubermaid container with a snap on lid and handles....keeps the coons out.

2.You would be suprised how many precooked meats you can find in small foil packs. They actually taste good when heated up with noodles. Perfect for hiking. Little to no trash.

3.I am crazy about the small containers they sell at REI...they can be used for about anything. Food, cooking liquids, meds, extra parts, ect.

4.Sock liners are a must when hiking. It helps wick the wetness away from your feet. Amazing difference!

Let me try to think of some more. These are pretty simple ideas. I'll try to think of some good stuff that I take for granted.

The best way to assure you will wakeup dry as well as enjoy your camping trips to the fullest, And eat like a king.
Sorry but the direct link doesn't work you will have to copy and paste into your browser.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2041383&id=1272349200#!/album.php?aid=2041383&id=1272349200

Doesn't work, but I sent a friend request. I can host the pic on my flikr account if you like

*sighs* Pictures of a camping trailer. How original.

Nope, too much stuff, and try getting a few days up a river and way away from all traces of civilization with that thing.

Believe me i served my time in a tent but not very convienient when spending 150 + days a year camping and fishing. These modern fifth wheels are very comfy and i know who last used the toilet and the shower. Different strokes for different folks thats what makes the world go round One thing about it we all like camping and i have shared many great meals, drinks and stories with both tent and camper folks (we love people not much on getting away from civilization and to lazy as well if it's over a hundred foot or so i WILL be driving)) You are welcome to pitch a tent next to us any time but be prepared to share some of your great cooking and recipes with us lol.

How do you keep your tent clean from dirt and debris that's tracked in?

Used to lay down a towel to wipe my feet off before I walked in and out. Even then had to have a dust pan and broom.

Now I have a hammock and its a non-issue. Anybody else have any better ideas?

I take my shoes off when entering the tent. Usually the rain fly keeps them covered from dew and rain.

A dishpan of water to dip your feet in and a rug or towel layed down to dry them works well. If it is sandy we put a vinyl tarp in front of the door which helps alot.

We bought one of those indoor/outdoor green carpets to put outside our tent when we car camp. It folds up into a small (?) box but is great for wet days.

Do you know how many time I have been "clothes-lined" by cord???? I'm sure the people camping next to me have because, believe me, they hear about it!

Another great item are Glow sticks. Break, shake and they last a long time. We tie these to our parachute cord.

Nope.... no idea.



Between the 4 to 8 guide lines on each rain fly, plus 4 on each hammock... having bright, easy to see cording is a must.

It is nice to see other's that like to tent camp-- I also have a travel trailer but tent camp anytime my wife is not going.She is good for only 3 or 4 night's a year in the tent.

1. The 1 thing that sounds kinda crazy that i have been taking camping for many years if a roll of stretch film [ shrink wrap] like you see on loading dock's that they use to bind stuff to pallet's. I can wrap it between a few trees and have a wind block or wrap it on some tree limbs and have a canopy.I get mine 24'' wide and there is 1000 ft on a roll.Its tears down real quick when you are ready to leave.

Dryer lint makes awesome kindling.
VERY large ziploc bag (5+ gals) are worth their weight in gold, especially for kayak trips.
Learn how to start a fire w a modified bullet and pistol. It works wonders.
I'll post more as I think of them.

big fan of lint also

Another gadget are expandable shelves.

The are made out of canvas.

All good stuff. Here are a few more.

1. Get one of these or the one coleman makes. It has a place to grill fish, etc. Look at the grills closely. More versatile than a two burner grill. One less pot or pan to deal with. http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=co...0224-40622-4000

2. RE: Guy wires. If you are staying longer than a single night, pick up a roll of surveyor's tape. It's cheap and brightly colored. Tie short pieces to mark your guy wires.

3. There is a $5 outdoor shower bag available at Walmart ( or maybe Academy) Fill it with water, and set it on the roof of the car for the sun to warm, before washing up.

4. If you are in an area where you dont feel 110% safe 24/7...not really dangerous, but just have a "nervous" feeling, take some light monofilament fishing line and string it about 8-10 inches off the ground around your perimeter...in short independent lengths. Be creative and tie a noise maker on each leg of it. This does 2 things. 1. It scares unwanted varmints ( except snakes) 2. It wakes you up and gives you time to hit the lights. I normally tie two to the rear tent stake guy wires...but ONLY in the rear. I never use more than 8 lb test because I dont want the tent to come crashing down. I just want to hear the intruder...especially if it's human.

5. As for tent floor debris. Remember the battery powered hand held carpet vacs? They are perfect.

OF, where do you mount your 50's for a proper FOF ?

Woops, Effective, not proper.

This has been a big help. BTW, I'm taking my girls camping for the first time. They are 5 and 2, any ideas. Noodle, I love your sig!

Zargon, Brownwood State Park is right around the corner (relatively speaking) from you. I'd stick to state parks for the simple reason that you have armed patrols, and park rangers are helpful friendly folks. The bathrooms are well maintained, and the parks are very nice. The nearest off the top of my head that I'd go to would be Meridian. You really can't go wrong though.

Texas State Park locator

I would also remind you, please not only check the map for the current burn bans, but call the park and ask.

Current map of Texas county burn bans

Thank you Zargon. WKRP is priceless!!!!

So, you are taking your girls camping - GOOD FOR YOU.

1. Where are you going?
2. Is there a lake? If so, get them a fishing pole. My niece started out with a barbie pole. Buy a box of live worms (night crawlers, small line weights and some bobbers.
3. The beauty about worms are the that Perch love them. They will only need to cast about 3-4 feet from the shore. You are going to spend the majority of your time probably untangling the lines but the memories are priceless.

This is how I started fishing with my Dad.


Second Idea:
"Pre-bury" treasure near the camping sight or on a nature trail. While you are hiking, perform a scavenger hunt.

Um... actually sweetie, red wigglers - found in the same refrigerator as the nightcrawlers at petco or walmart, and they're a bit smaller, but easier to use and they don't need refrigeration. And the little sunfish can get their mouths around them easier.

I usually buy the nightcrawler and cut them... I'm such a .... I know it's a little in-humane and it really grosses out my mom.

I didn't know about red wigglers.

We helped with a presentation done by TPWD and I was reminded of a bunch of things I didn't mention in here.

Omlette in a bag -

Before you leave, get together your favorite omlette fixings, like cheese, bacon, onions, whatever you like. Precook the bacon, dice your onions, and have it all ready to go into the omlette. roll up the baggie and set it in your cooler.

When you're ready for breakfast when you're out camping, crack your two or three eggs into the baggie, squish them around inside until they're scrambled, and then set the whole kit in a pot of boiling water. The egg cooks inside the bag and the bag doesn't melt. No cleanup. Also, you can reuse that water for instant grits and single brew coffee.

REAL huge fan of folgers singles. In the fall and early spring and winter, I usually have a pot of water on the edge of the fire for hot water. Its nothing to brew a cup of coffee or some tea or hot chocolate.

Didn't think of one of my favorite pieces of clothing...

Polar buff



Just a fleece or wool tube. Stretchy in one direction, but not the other. I love my fleece one.



Yeah, I know its $30... In some ways I'll splurge. This thing is really, really warm... and cute little list doesn't cover two of my favorite ways to wear mine... ninja style and as a snood.

Of course, it also comes in a lot more colors, patterns, and styles:

House of Buff -- US distributors

When I think of "camping in the buff" thats not the first thing that comes to mind...lol...jk. That is really cool and could really come in handy.

Me and my son was watching Man,Women Wild and they made a fire by shorting out a battery with some steel wool. The battery was a 9v and he just touched it and the steel wool started to burn sort of them he put a papertowel on it then blew till it caught fire. Pretty cool, I didn't know if anybody was aware so I put that out there

First off thank you Kattelyn for a great post. Lots of good ideas I will be adding to mine.

The main thing I did to make sure I didn't forget anything, create a large rubber maid box for camping supplies. All my cooking supplies and anything else needed for meals or camping in general (lantern w/extra mantels, string, cord, rope, camping pots/pans, utensils, soap/dish soap, towels/paper towels, aluminum foil, matches, steel wool, coat hangers, grill, S$P, spices, flashlight, leather gloves, hatchet, saw, etc.) goes in the box. You get the picture.

My large duffle holds all my sleeping gear. Tent, mat, carpet (for exterior of tent entrance), sleeping bags, and pillow.

I also make out a menu before leaving. I use tortillas instead of bread (they don't get smashed like a loaf of bread). I also create meals where leftovers can be used in the following meal.

Example: Tortillas for fajitas, then fajitas become breakfast burritos in the morning, just add eggs. Hot dogs in tortillas make a nice alternative to buns. Extra hot dogs with pork/beans make for a nice supper. The next morning I will make ham/cheese omelets with tortillas where you use all your fixins for the fajitas as ingredients for the omelet. Lunch being lunchmeat on a tortilla with chips. I will do one nice meal, usually supper, where I fix grilled steaks, pork chops,or chicken with a baked potatoe and can of veggies. This increases the size of the cooler needed.

When I'm ready to go camping, I just grab the rubber maid tote, my duffel bag, coolers and hit the grocery store with my menu. Can be on the road in less than an hour.

The best thing I bought for camping was a cooler that plugs into the cigarette lighter. Then the other cooler can be used strictly for ice.

If you like potato chips when you camp, take pringles. They don't get crushed like bag chips, stay fresh longer, and take up less room.

Another use I found for glow sticks is you can take a small piece of fishing line and tie them to the tip of your fishing pole. It works well if you have an ugly stick.

Couple more thoughts.

Instead of taking along a great big bottle of dish soap, or spending getting that special "biodegradeable" soap, I get a bottle of Dr Bronners. Just a couple drops does the job quite nicely... and you can use it in the shower and anywhere else.

Bug spray works only as good as your coverage, so why not layer your defense? Get that 100% deet stuff on your hat or shirt, then less potent stuff on your actual skin.

Also, for your clothes, they do have a permethrin stuff you toss in your washer for your camping / fishing specific clothes. So you could have your favorite camping outfit, some socks, your ballcap, t-shirts, shorts, whatever, washed in stuff that makes it repel bugs all by itself. Then add some skin so soft and you're impervious. As with dealing with the cold, its layering that makes it work the best.

Do you want to enjoy a fire, or do you want to futz with making a fire. If you just want a campfire, cheat and bring a firestarter packet.

I like these...

they're crush proof, moisture proof, and burn really well.

Anybody else got more?

Oh, and get it somewhere like Walgreens or CVS...the fancy markets you normally see it in will charge you 4 times as much...

This is what i use to start the campfire And harder for people to pocket when used as a cigarette lighter, Quick, easy, clean and very handy for many chores around the camper.

Those plug in coolers will drain your battery and leave you stuck if you dont crank up the engine once in a while. I rigged up an extra battery in a truck that was wired through a gadget that allowed the motor to charge up the main battery first then switched to the auxilary battery. (Wish I could remember the name but memory doesn't work like it used to)

I like to freeze all my water bottles. Keeps stuff cold for days, nothing gets wet (who likes soggy food?) and it sure tastes refreshing as it thaws in the hot sun.

Man this is a helpful thread!

here ya go:
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-XPS-12V-Phase-Charger/product/27369/-704071

I used to camp about 20 times a year.One of my favorite things for cooking is aluminum foil.You can put a whole meal in one foil pouch,cover with coals and and come back whenever you want.I used to do this before I went out for the evening sunset fishing so when I got back dinner was ready.My favorite was lean hamburger,potatoes,green beans,onions, and plenty of spices all in one pouch.

For breakfast I had put some eggs already cracked and all the stuff I needed for scrambled eggs in a jar at home before I went. Stores in the ice chest and is ready to pour and cook .

Now that I do not have the pick up anymore, but replaced it with a Toyota 4runner SUV, the truck bed tent I bought and never used is still never used. But I do have a 4x8 trailer that would make a dandy place to pitch that tent. At least it would keep my fat but off the ground. My delimma is that I can't pull both the boat and the trailer.
I'm thinking a camping trip for bank fishing with the trailer might be fun. I'm looking for a heavy duty folding rocker chair befitting my new status as a senior citizen to fish from. (rockers easier to get out of than camp chairs).
I keep promising myself to do it this summer. Always something coming up.

we call these hobos we eat them off the grill all the time except we put a couple slices of baco in for juice and flaver

Fill an old tube sock about a quarter of the way full with powdered sulpher. (available at all garden cneters) then just bang it against your ankles, shins, and feet every so often when you are out in the boonies. Keeps chiggers away big time.

I keep my stuff in 4 tubs
tub 1 all camp things, lanterns, hammers, tarps, stakes, ropes(tent don't fit in tubs)
tub 2 all cooking stuff and some food
tub 3 Food
tub 4 miscelaneous things(doubles as a night stand)
I use a cot with a old blanket on top with an air mattress on top, this is the best height for me.
I have a box of big ziplocks on hand.
We have a 30 trailer, but when me and my son go we tent it.
I precook what ever I can, freeze 2 liter coke bottles, and have bags of ice that i have put in ziplock bags throughout the year.I started collecting condiments packages 33 years ago for camping and survived on them when I was broke.

Just getting into to tent camping and will be aquiring supplies over the next few months. Any suggestions on Tents? Right now looking for a four person tent since it will just be me and my 6 yr old daughter.

Keep the tips coming.

I would think about getting two smaller tents instead of one big one. The second tent is useful for storage while campimg or for a changing tent and can be just a tent so you each can sleep alone.

Jerry, the second tent for storage is an excellent idea!

A rule of thumb that my dad taught me was add 2 to the number of people you think will be in the tent at most because you will want that extra room.

Don't over-think the situation for starters! Get a roomy tent that you can stand up in and..........go camping!

Tents are relatively cheap to buy and lots of places have them on sale at reduced prices.

If the tent/camping is just going to be for occasional weekends, almost any roomy tent will be good.

If you are looking at EXTENDED stays of several weeks of camping, then you might put more money and effort into finding a tent that is more permanent. examples.....stove, stove vent, storage rooms, etc.


Little known bit of info.........99 percent of camper's tents spend 99 percent of their lives rolled up, packed up, in storage.

Don't fry bacon naked!

lol - good tip!

Speaking of Para Cord. We all have "survival bracelets" that our kids made in scouts.

They are made of para cord, and if you need it you can unwind it. The cord is about 15 feet long. Also, the plastic buckle clasp is usually made with a whistle

I like that Coach!

where do you buy those plastic buckles?

carry a chamois cloth instead of a towel, it works better and its lighter and smaller

also Dont forget the toilet paper LOL.

for good sized knives, i carry them stuffed in the tube of the aluminum foil, this prevents damaging the blade, or damaging yourself.. the knife i bring is really really sharp.

thats all i can think of right now.