The Official Camping Thread

[kccougar]

I looked around a bit and didn't see one so here it is - the Official Camping Thread. Post here with your camping trip reports, your favorite or least favorite spots, what activities you enjoy while camping, your gear, etc.

I had a crazy camping experience last night. An older guy in our ward has wanted to take our young men camping for a couple years now, he's talked to me about it each winter, and I finally just put him in charge and said, "Have fun". I should have done this a lot sooner.

We went out to Stansbury Island past Grantsville on the Great Salt Lake. It was cold (<20) but we never felt a thing, because this guy has redneck camping down to a science. Here's his homemade wood-buring stove he connects to his big tent and where we spent the evening sitting around in our tshirts playing dice:


And dinner - definitely a first for me while camping - roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, and bread:




For breaksfast he fried eggs, bacon, and potatoes, and we had killer breakfast sandwiches on homemade bread. I think he's got a permanent gig as winter camp host for our boys.

[SuperGabers]

THAT is NOT camping!

[wuapinmon]

My wife and I booked a campsite at Lee State Park near Bishopville, SC for the Friday night before GC. This will be our first time taking the kids camping. I was a Scoutmaster for 5 years, but I've never been camping with little kids (10, 6, and 4). Anyone have any advice?

[kccougar]

My wife and I booked a campsite at Lee State Park near Bishopville, SC for the Friday night before GC. This will be our first time taking the kids camping. I was a Scoutmaster for 5 years, but I've never been camping with little kids (10, 6, and 4). Anyone have any advice?

Don't try to keep them clean.

[mtnbiker]

My wife and I booked a campsite at Lee State Park near Bishopville, SC for the Friday night before GC. This will be our first time taking the kids camping. I was a Scoutmaster for 5 years, but I've never been camping with little kids (10, 6, and 4). Anyone have any advice?

Let them have fun. My recollection of camping as a kid was my dad putting out the chaise lounge for a week. And although it was a safe time and area, I was never allowed to go exploring. I was always bored and hated it.

So with my kids, I'd have them help set up their tents & sleeping bags, then told them to go explore and have fun while I got the rest of the camp set up, got a fire going, etc. Then we'd find some trails, go exploring some more, fish and/or swim a bit if near a lake, etc. They all enjoy camping.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

This is a great thread!

[kccougar]

1. Fire
2. Sticks to stick in the fire

I think that about covers it. If you want to go all out, include some marshmallows.

[Moliere]

Last Thanksgiving we tried to go camping but called it off at the last minute due to sub 40 temps and drenching Texas rain. The kids were upset that we didn't go so I gave them the option of sleeping in the tent in the backyard. They looked at me like I was crazy and said they didn't want to sleep in the cold rain

This year we are trying it again, although the weather is cooperating. Should be a beautiful day with temps in the high 60s and the low getting into the mid 40s. My kids are now old enough that we don't have to do everything for them, which should be nice. It's been about 3 years since we really went camping as a family.....and all the littler ones are crazy excited. Should be fun.

[clackamascoug]

Last Thanksgiving we tried to go camping but called it off at the last minute due to sub 40 temps and drenching Texas rain. The kids were upset that we didn't go so I gave them the option of sleeping in the tent in the backyard. They looked at me like I was crazy and said they didn't want to sleep in the cold rain

This year we are trying it again, although the weather is cooperating. Should be a beautiful day with temps in the high 60s and the low getting into the mid 40s. My kids are now old enough that we don't have to do everything for them, which should be nice. It's been about 3 years since we really went camping as a family.....and all the littler ones are crazy excited. Should be fun.

Are you taking your dog Lucky?

[CJF]

So I pretty much hate camping. I haven't been in over 20 years. However, my dad has a passion for it. He goes at least twice a year for a week at a time. He usually goes at least once a year with my brother in law and my nephews. Sunday we were talking and he commented that he's getting old and not able to do some of the things he's used to doing, at least not easily. He also mentioned that he is looking forward to my family returning so that my 6 year old son can begin joining the yearly trip. I've been thinking the last few days I need to start going with my dad and I need to find a way where I'm not miserable the entire time. Which brings me to the point of this post. I started looking at camper trailers and realized I have no idea what I want. I spoke to my dad for his opinion, and he's all for it, but no help in the advice department. He's not a wuss like me and has never really looked at trailers.

My thought is that it would be fun to use for camping a few times a year tailgating for home games. But again, not really sure what is good. I've googled for suggestions, but it feels like sales pitches rather than solid advice. Anyone own a trailer tent or hybrid? Those seem to be the most reasonable options. Any advice? Do they hold their value? I'm guessing winter or early spring is the best time to buy, but that is only an assumption. Any thoughts that could be helpful would be appreciated.

[kccougar]

So I pretty much hate camping. I haven't been in over 20 years. However, my dad has a passion for it. He goes at least twice a year for a week at a time. He usually goes at least once a year with my brother in law and my nephews. Sunday we were talking and he commented that he's getting old and not able to do some of the things he's used to doing, at least not easily. He also mentioned that he is looking forward to my family returning so that my 6 year old son can begin joining the yearly trip. I've been thinking the last few days I need to start going with my dad and I need to find a way where I'm not miserable the entire time. Which brings me to the point of this post. I started looking at camper trailers and realized I have no idea what I want. I spoke to my dad for his opinion, and he's all for it, but no help in the advice department. He's not a wuss like me and has never really looked at trailers.

My thought is that it would be fun to use for camping a few times a year tailgating for home games. But again, not really sure what is good. I've googled for suggestions, but it feels like sales pitches rather than solid advice. Anyone own a trailer tent or hybrid? Those seem to be the most reasonable options. Any advice? Do they hold their value? I'm guessing winter or early spring is the best time to buy, but that is only an assumption. Any thoughts that could be helpful would be appreciated.

I've got a 30-ft Georgie Boy Excalibur I'll sell you for cheap!

[Commando]

I've been thinking the last few days I need to start going with my dad and I need to find a way where I'm not miserable the entire time. Any advice?

Uh - yeah!



Abracadabra- a week of fun and laughter!

Also:

[Eddie]

So I pretty much hate camping. I haven't been in over 20 years. However, my dad has a passion for it. He goes at least twice a year for a week at a time. He usually goes at least once a year with my brother in law and my nephews. Sunday we were talking and he commented that he's getting old and not able to do some of the things he's used to doing, at least not easily. He also mentioned that he is looking forward to my family returning so that my 6 year old son can begin joining the yearly trip. I've been thinking the last few days I need to start going with my dad and I need to find a way where I'm not miserable the entire time. Which brings me to the point of this post. I started looking at camper trailers and realized I have no idea what I want. I spoke to my dad for his opinion, and he's all for it, but no help in the advice department. He's not a wuss like me and has never really looked at trailers.

My thought is that it would be fun to use for camping a few times a year tailgating for home games. But again, not really sure what is good. I've googled for suggestions, but it feels like sales pitches rather than solid advice. Anyone own a trailer tent or hybrid? Those seem to be the most reasonable options. Any advice? Do they hold their value? I'm guessing winter or early spring is the best time to buy, but that is only an assumption. Any thoughts that could be helpful would be appreciated.

Here's my advice - there are places that rent trailers. Try one. See what you like or don't like about it when you go camping. If you like it, buy one. If you don't, try another style until you find one you do like. There are all kinds of pro's and con's to the various styles - so try a few, consider how you would use it, and go from there.

[Pelado]

I may be taking my wife to Idaho Falls tomorrow, and I'm thinking of taking my daughters on a quick overnight camping trip near there. It would just be Friday to Saturday. Any great suggestions for locations? Places to avoid?

I prefer hammock camping, so places with available trees are preferred - even if there's only room for one hammock (the girls can sleep in the tent). I also prefer being near a water feature - lake, river, creek, etc.

Looking at recreation.gov shows a few different campgrounds nearby (Falls, Calamity, Alpine North Loop, Mike Harris, Trail Creek, etc.), but it looks like all but the "first come, first served" spots are already reserved. And we may not get there early enough for FCFS.

[old_gregg]

I may be taking my wife to Idaho Falls tomorrow, and I'm thinking of taking my daughters on a quick overnight camping trip near there.

you planning to do the ol "middle of a snowstorm" trick on the wife?