So who all has been camping before? When was the last time you were able to get out and enjoy nature?
Last year we began our what we hope to be annual family Summer camping trip. We wanted something that was inexpensive, but fun. And we spend most of the year indoors, so why shouldn't it be out in nature? Our first adventure was the beach last year, and although we have plans to go there again, my husband and kids are making plans to head out to one of the popular Jelly Stone branded parks while I go to a fun, pink-filled and inspiring pampered trainings (to include new product releases, exclusive swag, training with Alison from The Alison Show, Lori Greiner, Inventor/Entrepreneur/Author/Speaker/Humanitarian, and Shark on Shark Tank, time well spent with my Posh Sisters, and a closing show with Sara Evans!!) with my Perfectly Posh Family in Nashville, TN.
Our camping trips are at least 3 days long, so the first thing I look for when looking for a campsite is, is there a nearby bath/shower facility? LOL. The one we've chosen this trip at the Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort is a little more convenient as they offer an on-site laundry area and little shop where you can buy essentials and knick-knacks, ice, and offers several fun activities for the kids (like a pool, inflatables, potato launch, laser tag, archery, and miniature golf to name a few. So, I think he can hold the fort down for a few days and get some quality time in with them.
Here's our shopping/packing list. My biggest tip: KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) (Thank you Judge Judy Sheindlin!)
My #1 item would be an Ice Cooler and Ice. It helps keep things cool on long trips, day trips, and camping adventures. Be sure to add ice when available for items that need to stay refrigerated.
Meal Plan:
Snacks: This usually includes chips (my husband has a problem LOL), pretzels, trail mix, graham crackers, unsalted nuts (the baking aisle is a great place to get from as they don't have added salts and are usually cheaper) fruit snacks, beef jerky, etc.
Fruit: Try to go with ones that travel well like bananas (try to buy greens ones-they'll ripen faster than you think), oranges, apples (or dried/flash frozen fruit--preferably ones with minimal preservatives or homemade)
Drinks: water bottles or refillable ones (if a clean water source is nearby/provided), Juice (cheaper than single drinks and take up less space), Crystal Light type drink packets, shelf sustainable milk.
--because I like to use what we have without having to spend more than I need, I have taken juice boxes (that I bought super cheap btw!). My recommendation on any container that is not plastic and is porous, is to place in a plastic baggy, seal, and then put in cooler so that doesn't become soggy and make a huge mess on you 2 days into your trip (been there, done that!). Camping is also a time I feel like we eat a lot of easy prep type of foods because you don't need to do a lot of prepping or ingredients.
Breakfast:
Do you have any must haves for camping with the family?
Last year we began our what we hope to be annual family Summer camping trip. We wanted something that was inexpensive, but fun. And we spend most of the year indoors, so why shouldn't it be out in nature? Our first adventure was the beach last year, and although we have plans to go there again, my husband and kids are making plans to head out to one of the popular Jelly Stone branded parks while I go to a fun, pink-filled and inspiring pampered trainings (to include new product releases, exclusive swag, training with Alison from The Alison Show, Lori Greiner, Inventor/Entrepreneur/Author/Speaker/Humanitarian, and Shark on Shark Tank, time well spent with my Posh Sisters, and a closing show with Sara Evans!!) with my Perfectly Posh Family in Nashville, TN.
Our camping trips are at least 3 days long, so the first thing I look for when looking for a campsite is, is there a nearby bath/shower facility? LOL. The one we've chosen this trip at the Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort is a little more convenient as they offer an on-site laundry area and little shop where you can buy essentials and knick-knacks, ice, and offers several fun activities for the kids (like a pool, inflatables, potato launch, laser tag, archery, and miniature golf to name a few. So, I think he can hold the fort down for a few days and get some quality time in with them.
Here's our shopping/packing list. My biggest tip: KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) (Thank you Judge Judy Sheindlin!)
My #1 item would be an Ice Cooler and Ice. It helps keep things cool on long trips, day trips, and camping adventures. Be sure to add ice when available for items that need to stay refrigerated.
Meal Plan:
Snacks: This usually includes chips (my husband has a problem LOL), pretzels, trail mix, graham crackers, unsalted nuts (the baking aisle is a great place to get from as they don't have added salts and are usually cheaper) fruit snacks, beef jerky, etc.
Fruit: Try to go with ones that travel well like bananas (try to buy greens ones-they'll ripen faster than you think), oranges, apples (or dried/flash frozen fruit--preferably ones with minimal preservatives or homemade)
Drinks: water bottles or refillable ones (if a clean water source is nearby/provided), Juice (cheaper than single drinks and take up less space), Crystal Light type drink packets, shelf sustainable milk.
--because I like to use what we have without having to spend more than I need, I have taken juice boxes (that I bought super cheap btw!). My recommendation on any container that is not plastic and is porous, is to place in a plastic baggy, seal, and then put in cooler so that doesn't become soggy and make a huge mess on you 2 days into your trip (been there, done that!). Camping is also a time I feel like we eat a lot of easy prep type of foods because you don't need to do a lot of prepping or ingredients.
Breakfast:
- cereal/granola bars, honey buns, etc. are really easy, but to keep the family from feeling like they're starving, I like to make:
- breakfast burritos. I like to premake these before we head on the road. Simply cook up a log of breakfast sausage, crack about a dozen eggs, and spread between flour tortillas. Sprinkle some cheese, roll em up, and put each one in individual foil sheets and then place in a ziploc baggy until ready to eat). Keep cool on ice.
- Pancakes: This was actually such a great idea! I recommend using a package that is labeled "Just Add Water."
- PB & J Yep, you read it right. I bring about 2 loaves of bread, a big ole container of Peanut Butter (or nut free butter), and a jar of jelly ( I love this brand from H-E-B!). The kids can easily make their own, and it can also double as a snack if needed.
- Hotdogs and Sausage: buns or regular bread, ketchup, mustard, relish. Anyone keep those packets they get from fast food restaurants? Flour tortillas also go great with sausages (Hey, I'm Texan! LOL)
- Meat: Fajita meat, steaks, etc. I would highly recommend marinating, pre-seasoning and/or pre-chopping meats, and placing in a ziploc bag to help save on time and space.
- Canned Beans and vegetables: Seriously a simple way to add veggies without a lot of work. Heat in a pot on the grill and just add seasoning if needed. (We love Cavender's--it's the perfect mix of seasoning and so versatile!) Don't forget the can opener! My favorite is this one from Pampered Chef.
- Potatoes: I seriously saved us a step and washed and air dried a bag of potatoes at home to take with us. They cook easily on the grill and are filling. Just poke a few holes to help cook evenly, wrap in foil, throw on grill, and enjoy! You could also pre-cube, put in a ziploc bag, and cook on grill with a pan with some cooking oil. We have one similar to this pre-seasoned skillet that we also use for making pancakes
- prepackaged Mac N Cheese or foods Although I'm not huge on prepackaged foods, these make life easy and because it's only once in a blue moon, it workds. I like these sides because they can just be heated up by boiling and mixing. I also seriously have a love for all things H-E-B, including their brand of food items, but I realize not everyone has access to such a grand store, so here's a similar product that would work just as easily. :)
Fun treats:
- Popcorn: We like Jiffy Pop because they're fun and easy.
- Smores: Marshamallows, graham crackers, and Hershey's candy. Another option is making S'more Cones. You can check out this easy, less messy how to from Tip Buzz
Camping Necessities:
- Tent ( We have a 6 person tent similar to this. The kids loved that we could take the top panel off and just gaze at the stars, enjoy the oonlight, and get a breeze from the cooler night air. BUT if you happen to have a truck, this Truck Tent is sooooo neat!
- Tarps (2): We had one for under our tent and should have brought an extra as a shade to block out the sun over our picnic area. Needless to say, we won't forget an extra this time! LOL.
- Bedding: Pillows, Sleeping Bag and/or Large Blankets, Air Mattress (optional). One for each person, plus one to lay on if not bringing a blow up mattress.
- Drying rack: something that can easily fold up and taken out to air dry the towels and bathing suits. We have this small PRESSA Hanging Rack ($4.99) we bought from IKEA, that can easily hold a lot, or this larger JÄLL Rack ($8.99). In place of a rack, you can always bring a rope to tie up and clothes pins. The ones from the Dollar Tree work fine too!
- Pot, Skillet
- Eating Utensils: Plates, bowls, forks, knives, serving spoons, spatula, cups, etc. You can go plastic, but please be responsible and throw away your trash in dedicated areas. Otherwise, be sure to also pack dish soap and a dish towel, and dish pan to wash eating utensils.
- Coffee Pot, coffee press, or Instant Coffee: I found Instant and powder creamer to be easier and less things to bring, but do whatever works best for you :)
- Cooking/Grilling Spray
- Lanterns and Flashlights- We brought flashlights on our last trip, and totally forgot about a lantern. This one is definitely on our list this year because I just ordered 2 sets! You can also yours, here.
- Travel Radio, extra batteries
- Aluminum Foil
- Matches, Lighter, Lighter Fluid, Charcoal, and Wood (Be sure to check with regulations on wood as some campsites do not allow you to bring in your own)
- Roasting Sticks
- Gallon Zip Bags for food storage
- Trashbags
- Paper towels, disinfectant and/or baby wipes
Clothes:
- Daywear
- Sleepwear
- Swimwear
- Jacket (if needed)
- Shoes: tennis shoes if doing a lot of walking, flip flops, water shoes, etc. Also flip flops for the shower if there's one available.
Personal Items:
- Sunscreen: and plenty of it! Protect your largest organ from harmful sun rays. Be sure to reapply every few hours. I highly recommend Block It Like It's Hot Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Face Creme. It goes on smoothly, is unscented, and feels like it's not even there!You can wear alone, or apply prior to applying makeup.
- Insect Repellent (remember that awesome $0.97 deal on Cutter at H-E-B? Yay for shopping sales!). Essential oils are also a great way to go. The Purifier from Perfectly Posh is the perfect blend of Shea Butter, Tea Tree Oil, and Eucalyptus. It's both pampering, easy to apply, and can go anywhere.
- Toiletries: I usually go full-size because there are so many of us and we can just share. For Soap I recommend Spawesome Bath Chunk is great for because the eucalyptus and mint work as a natural deodorant, antiseptic, and antibacterial; perfect for camping. And Gender Bender Bath Chunk is full of detoxing activated charcoal, and is great for removing toxins from skin while camping! I keep them half sealed in a quart size ziploc bag to help keep from getting dirty.
- First Aid Kit
- Medications
Others Items:
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