We've always loved camping. Not only is it cheaper to rent a camp site (or even a cabin) than it is to rent a hotel room, etc. It's also so nice to be out in nature. To wake to hearing the birds chirping, to hike in the woods and explore. It's just wonderful. As with my gardening, I'm having to adjust how we camp due my health so tent camping is out for me now. We've gotten a camper but a lot of things will cross over between the two. More on that later.
I've also been planning a camp out for my son's Cub Scout troop at the end of May. It's a crazy time to be volunteering to do this but it's for the kids. I was a Girl Scout leader for a number of years so you'd think it would be just as easy to plan but the two different scouting organizations have very different rules. It's still do-able.
Regardless of rules, some things are universal for camping.
I always have a handwash station at camp. It sure does save time running back and forth to the bathroom. It involves a milk jug, pantyhose, golf tee and rope. This guy has an awesome demonstration on building one like I use. The only thing different is that I add a golf towel to the rope that hangs it from the tree. A golf towel because it has the grommet in the corner to allow me to string a rope through it. Here is the video of making one.
Another thing I do is make my own fire starters. One way is to use cardboard egg cartons and fill them with dryer lint. I generally just put the egg carton on my dryer and each time I empty the lint, I put it in one of the egg cups. Once all of the cups are full, I melt some old candles (or any wax) and pour over the top. This is just strictly to keep the lint from falling out of the egg carton. Once the wax is cooled, you can simply cut the cups apart (discard the top) and one or two of the egg cups is all you need to start a fire. You can light the cardboard cup itself to start the fire.
Another fire started for times when space is limited (like backpacking) is to take a cotton ball and really stretch it out some, put Vaseline (or any petroleum jelly) on it. Really work it into the cotton, coat it well. Drop the cotton balls into a small Ziploc type baggie and you're good to go.
Shoot, in a pinch, my son learned at camp last year that you can start a fire with Doritos. Who knew?
A couple of things that I insist on with little kids is swim shoes for around camp...they're hard soled and easy for kids to put on/take off. And they don't feel as restrictive as tennis shoes. Kids don't fight as much on leaving swim shoes on. And they're easy to wash. The other thing is flip flops. These are for the shower. I don't even wanna think about what might be on those shower floors! Kids wear flip flops in the shower. No exceptions! They are NEVER to be worn other than in the shower though. There are too many things that can stab their feet if they wear them anywhere else.
If you're camping with little kids, I skip the showers entirely. I used a tub that I brought things to camp with to fill with water and gave the little ones a bath right there at the campsite. It's pretty easy. Another side use is that this tub is the tub I used for washing dishes too. Everything that goes to camp has to serve more than one purpose for me to pack it, load it, haul it, etc.
I'll have more on camping later. And my journey into switching from tent camping to rv'ing. I love taking my kids camping, they learn something new every time. And like a friend just said to me today about taking her kids camping "I'm gonna make outdoors kids out of them!" It's a good thing too, I've always said "Kids need dirt and sunshine to grow!"
I hope you're having a great weekend!
