Any last minute camping advice?

[Queasy]

My wife has been obsessing over this all week so I've quietly stepped aside and let her do all the packing.

I picked up this Coleman tent from Amazon for the whole family to sleep in. Pretty damn easy to setup after the first attempt. We've also got a king-sized air mattress, lots of blankets and sleeping bags (it's supposed to dip into the high 30s at the campsite this weekend), those chemical heating pads, a cooler, chairs, another tent, flashlights, etc. The only thing we don't have to worry about really is food since the troop leader is providing that. I still need to pick up a couple of travel board games and a pack of cards in case we stuck in the tent due to rain.

Oy, this is the first time I've been camping in a while and the first time with kids. Not looking forward to North Georgia weather in October.

 

[Baked]

Shotgun w/ extra shells.

 

[Howard]

Diarrhea treatment

 

[Tea Bag]

30's is definately cold - I was in it last weekend camping with no air mattress (last time I have my friend pack up my supplies while I load the truck). After being in it I can give you this advice - sleep with a nice FRESH pair of thick socks and a stocking cap. It helps to hold that heat your body generates in and hoodie just doesn't work as good.

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: Baked
Shotgun w/ extra shells.

Gotta stop those beers with something.

 

[Away]

Kids = First aid kit

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Don't let the top of your boots flop shut if there is any chance of it freezing. My Scout troop went on a camping trip when I was a kid, and it dipped down to sub-zero temperatures. A bunch of the guys' boots froze solid during the night and they couldn't put them back on. Several had to put on multiple pairs of socks and hike back like that.

 

[zzuupp]

To cheat on the morning campfire, one of those brick-sized fire starter logs.

 

[dougp]

You're gonna regret that air mattress - it conducts cold air wonderfully below you and won't effectively allow your sleeping bag to warm you.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Away
Kids = First aid kit

Already got it. I'm thinking I should have gotten this though. :laugh:

 

[IronWing]

Hats
Boots
Gloves
food (yes, I read what you wrote but are you really going to trust someone else to make sure you have enough good food?)
Tarps
hats
Toilet paper
shovel
jumper cables

 

[Tea Bag]

Originally posted by: Queasy I still need to pick up a couple of travel board games and a pack of cards in case we stuck in the tent due to rain.

If the forecast calls for rain, sitting in your tent all day when it's that cold (40s-50s) will get real old REAL fast. My suggestion there is check with the scoutmaster and see if he's got some sort of a canopy or buy one like this. It may be a worthwhile investment if your son likes to camp after this and it's good for picnics and what not.

 

[IronWing]

Hike in the rain.

 

[vshah]

watch out for polar bears, those guys can be vicious

 

[Away]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Away
Kids = First aid kit

Already got it. I'm thinking I should have gotten this though. :laugh:

:thumbsup::laugh:

 

[Mo0o]

If you guys had mummy sleeping bags, 1 each is all you need. You can avoid air mattresses if you just get the foam rollup pads.

Nice thick socks is always useful.

How much are you guys hiking before camping? You might want to look into water filtration systems for nalgenes etc if the distance warrants it. And I second the cheating firelog if you're not hiking very far. Trying to start a fire after a damp morning is annoying as hell.

 

[xanis]

Man, there were some good times camping with the BSA.

Make sure you have extra clothes. If you think you're overpacking, you're probably packing enough. Nothing is worse than being cold or wet and not having anything else to put on or change in to.

Bring a good rain suit. The classic rubber ones are good if you're not going to be doing a lot of physical activity, as you'll probably be warm (which can be good).

Extra shoes. Having wet feet is probably one of the most unpleasant experiences in the world.

 

[IronWing]

It wouldn't be a camping trip without one of these!

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: ironwing
Hats
Boots
Gloves
food (yes, I read what you wrote but are you really going to trust someone else to make sure you have enough good food?)
Tarps
hats
Toilet paper
shovel
jumper cables

Toilet paper is only meh. More important is wet wipes. Those are a lifesaver. I don't take dumps when camping so toilet paper is a meh. Hand sanitizer is nice although wipes are more useful. What do you want to do? Get the dirt off or have anti-bacterial dirt?

Flashlight is a MUST. Get a solid one and some backup batteries.

 

[LtPage1]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
I don't take dumps when camping so toilet paper is a meh.

Whaaaat? Pooping in the woods is half the reason I like camping/backpacking so much.

Marshmallows and a pocket knife to sharpen roasting sticks.

 

[Wheezer]

Only YOU can prevent forest fires........

 

[BoomerD]

Snipe Hunt!!

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Snipe Hunt!!

Used to fucking love that. 2X4 and a burlap sack.



Also don't forget the playboys.

 

[Jesusthewererabbit]

Find a nice, concealed place where you can line up headshots on a spawn point.

 

[pstylesss]

Be sure to pack a tarp to put under and over the tent.