(@)+dog ...car camping tips, hints, suggeestions

[mominatrix]

I know, I know... in the 'better in theory than in practice' thread I was all about camping.


and yet.

It's been forever since I've camped, and I've got the itch.
Plus, the kids (at 4 and 7) seem old enough to go along with it.


There are a TON of great places within easy driving distance from here.


...and I think that camping is a way to unplug, which we desperately need.




Now, we haven't been camping together ever.
I went through a phase of camping in my young adulthood, so I own a good sleeping bag and a decent 3 man tent, which IN NO WAY will work for the family. My camping was always with a big group, so I didn't have to have everything for myself. I have plates and flatware, a good Coleman lantern and a couple crappier battery powered ones, and some etc (egg case, one of those black bags to heat water in)... we have coolers and all that.

We're going to pick up a tent, a couple sleeping bags (for H and X, B already has hers), a queen sized air mattress (because, PRIORITIES) and a Coleman-ish stove.

The tents I'm considering:

Bristol 8-man

Montana 8-man

Somerset 8 man

Red Canyon 8 Man


I know that Coleman tents aren't the best evah. If budget wasn't an issue, I'd be at REI. But for car camping (so, weight not an issue), with a willingness to cancel if weather looks crappy, short trips, probably only a half dozen or so in the summer (eta: weekends only, so two nights, three max)... I think more would be overkill.  But, please, if I'm wrong tell me now!




Anybody been camping with kids?
or with a dog?  


Give me hints!

What should we do with the dog at night? She's crate trained, but I'm not in love with the thought of bringing a XL crate (Molly's about 90 pounds) on a camping trip.  I also don't love the thought of her being in-tent with us, because I think it'll be a nightmare. Can she sleep in my old 3-man tent?  I don't care if she trashes it...


suggestions... ideas...


pleeeeeeeese!

[aurora]

I don't have kids, but often camp in groups with several dogs. Everyone just brings the dog into the tent with them. I would think she might be nervous in a tent where she can't see you and whine more.

Can you borrow any of the supplies from friends? I would certainly loan out some things (stove, camp table and chairs, etc.) to friends who are just trying to see if camping is right for their families.

[Deleted]

We have an LL Bean tent we love. The Vector 4 man. Its good for H and I, our packs and an air mattress. The outer vestibules are good for boots and anything else you want to keep dry.

We haven't camped with Andy yet, but I've been picking the brain of a friend of mine, and he says the best trick they have found is getting a small tent for their kids to share. Something to consider. They put it right next to mom and dad's tent and love love love it. Might be a good thing for your kids especially, at their age, and you could use the tent you already have.

[Deleted]

You will want a stockpot and a skillet. You can get by with just those two things. Lots of foil--you can do veggie paks, baked potatoes, etc over an open fire. Our most valuable cooking thing has always been this: www.amazon.com/Texsport-Heavy-Duty-Camp-Grill/dp/B000P9IRKQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1400000786&sr=1-2&keywords=camping+grill

Sometimes parks have those installed over the fires, but not always. You can do brats, steaks, foil packs, your entire dinner on that thing.

[jeaniebueller]

I love camping. I would seriously consider getting a dog sitter and leaving the dog at home. Camping is great, but adding to it, smaller children, you have to be "on" constantly, making sure they aren't getting in the fire or anything else. Plus, depending on what activities you do during the day, you are really limited with a dog, since you can't typically leave the dog unattended at the camp site. Pre-kid, we brought our dog with us, post kid, nope. As far as a tent, I would get the biggest one possible. If you think that camping is going to be a regular activities, invest in some portable cots instead of air mattresses.

[Deleted]

Oh and a screen house. Its important to have someplace to go if it rains and you can only play cards in the tent for so long.

If you're really crafty you can get some expandable poles and a cheap tarp to rig up with stakes and rope. But, you can probably find a decent used screen house on CL too.

[mominatrix]

May 13, 2014 12:07:16 GMT -5 @missusbee said:

You will want a stockpot and a skillet. You can get by with just those two things. Lots of foil--you can do veggie paks, baked potatoes, etc over an open fire. Our most valuable cooking thing has always been this: www.amazon.com/Texsport-Heavy-Duty-Camp-Grill/dp/B000P9IRKQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1400000786&sr=1-2&keywords=camping+grill

Sometimes parks have those installed over the fires, but not always. You can do brats, steaks, foil packs, your entire dinner on that thing.

THAT looks cool!

thanks!

[mouse]

I'd get whatever big tent they have at Costco. You might appreciate the return policy.

If you're going somewhere with a town nearby I'd plan some civilization time in. Maybe a movie one afternoon and a dinner out the night before you leave to minimize packing up.

I wouldn't hesitate to go with the kids. We've been taking our youngest camping since he was 11 months and its always been hectic but worth it. Outdoor toys and games help a lot too. Bubbles especially.

[zelda25]

We don't have kids, but we're taking our dog camping for the first time this year. I'm skeered. We'll keep him in our tent with us at night; I think trying to keep him somewhere else (in another tent or in the truck) will just make him freak out.

I would probably go with the Montana for you guys--it looks roomier and like you might have some standing room.

We'll be camping in WA in late July. Just sayin'...  

[dirtyred]

The dog should go to doggie camp while you human camp.  You want to ease back into it.

[InBetweenDays]

We camp with the kids (5 and 7) and took them on their first "backpack" trip two summers ago. Given it was only a 2 mile hike in but still We also always bring our two 75lb dogs. I used to work at REI so we have a good amount of gear, but our largest tent is a 4-pesron.

The 4 of us and our two dogs all sleep in the tent together with no issues. There is no way our dogs would want to sleep in a separate tent but I know each dog is different. Oh, and I'd recommend bringing a blanket for your pup. Ours still get chilly at night - especially around the PNW where it cools down quickly after the sun goes down.

We like to minimize packing - even when car camping - so we just use thermarest pads with the sleeping bags. I would recommend some camp chairs (Costco used to sell small cute ones for kids that had an awning) and a few fleece type blankets that you could use to sit around the fire. You may want a long rope so you can tie the dog up, a fishing pole for the kids, and good headlamps for everyone. I have our standard camping list at home that I'll look through to see what I'm missing.

[picaflora]

We camp all the time with my parents, their dog, our dog, and my oldest sister and her family.

Skip the Bristol tent. That screened area isn't big enough to be useful, and just means another zipper that has to be closed. I haven't used the hinged doors on a tent yet, but I've heard they are great. Especially with kids, as they are rougher on zippers and aren't so great at closing things back. If you use seam sealer on the tent before you go, the tent should be fine in the rain. We've had Coleman tents last for years (granted they were purchased awhile ago).

Stoves - the basic 2 burner camping stove should be just fine. You can also pick up a tabletop charcoal grill for some flexibilty. My dad has the Coleman Roadtrip grill wtih the plates you can change out, and we use that sucker for everything. It's a little pricey, but is on my list for our next purchase.

We've always put our dogs in the tent with us. The ONLY issue I've had is when our previous pup (20lb jack russell mix) thought he could squeeze through the zippered electrical plug flap. (Camping in July for us means fans are required). He got his head stuck and I had to cut the zipper to get him out. My sister would leave their dog on a tie-out overnight and he would whine and bark the ENTIRE time. Finally they put him in his crate in their tent (they had a massive 3 room tent so lots of extra space).

A screened shelter for over the picnic table is a must. Gives you a place to eat and some shade that's a little less buggy. Some are better for rain than others. And don't forget tarps. Always bring an extra.

Some little things we find useful: tie-out and stake for the dog during the day. That way he can "be" with us but no one has to hold the leash the entire time. Either a rechargable dust buster or a hand broom and pan. Great for cleaning out the tent before packing up. Telescoping roastng sticks. Good for marshmellows and hotdogs. They're more durable than a coat hanger. Also, we would have multiple coolers - one that would hold meat, eggs, and such that NEEDED to stay cold. The other held drinks and cold snacks. That way we weren't in and out of the meat cooler all day looking for something to drink. Helped the ice to last longer as well.

[FloFTW]

One of my favorite topics! We go camping every summer (my kids are 4 and 2 now).

Of the tents you posted, I like Bristol the best. It has two windows that you can open without having to remove the fly (big plus), and it has a vestibule which is good to keep shoes, etc. inside.

Tent tips:

- BUY AND APPLY SEAM SEALER. That should make the biggest difference with leakage.
- Get a tarp to put under the tent. Do not rely on the tarp that is on the tent. When you set the tent up, make sure the tarp is folded to exactly the size of the tent base. It shouldn't be poking out around the tent.
- Bring a mat (like a welcome mat) to put on the outside of your tent. Take your shoes off before you go in.

Get some pie irons to make deliciousness. I pre-make shredded chicken mixed with cream cheese/cheddar and cook that in the iron with crescent roll dough as the outside of the pie. Also do the same thing with pre-made taco meat. Fill the pie with meat, cheese, sour cream, salsa. We go through like 4 tubes of crescent roll dough while camping. We do sweet pie fillings too: apple, cherry, banana, etc. Just spray the iron with olive oil first.

www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3982074&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.4414978.33276736

I prefer one of these grills over the ones that stand over the fire, because the firepit is usually bigger than the grill stand. We cook burgers, hot dogs, chicken breasts, etc. in these. Just toss some charcoal on the fire to make it hot enough:

www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12635372&cp=4406646.4413993.4414966.4414978.33276736

Kid tips in my next post.

[InBetweenDays]

Oh, and be sure and invest in a nice tarp for under your tent. If they make one that fits the footprint of your tent I'd go for it. If not, get one large enough to sit under the area where you'll be sleeping. But you don't want it hanging too far out from under the edge of the tent. You don't want water to get under the tent and seep into the floor to get you wet.

Also, maybe all tents have shock-corded poles now, but I'd double check. They make it so much easier to set the tent up. I'd also prefer to actually see the inside of the tent to see what sort of little pockets and storage it has. That can be key to keeping things organized.

[wawa]

Ditto the suggestion to let the kids sleep in your existing tent. They're a good age for that. We actually do bring our crate for the dog. its a big wire one so it folds flat. He's happiest in there at night and he's pretty cold sensitive and the crate gives us the ability to really snuggle him up. (We wrap the crate in a reflective blanket and a tarp. He stays cozy.)

[mominatrix]

so... should we buy a big tent for H and me, and for hanging out in if the weather turns crappy... and have the kids sleep in the little one for adventure's sake...

or should we be looking for a smaller tent for me and H?

[Dumbledork]

We've been taking DD camping since just before she turned 2 and she loves it. Your kids will be fine.

I love Bugables mosquito repellent stickers and bracelets for her. I tend to double her up, a sticker on her hat, a bracelet either on her wrist or ankle. They work pretty well.

Check out the area beforehand to figure out what all you'll need to bring for stuff to do. Our regular site has a little hiking path with access to a lake, so we'll go for a short hike, fish catch and release, have a small lunch, and then hike back. We have a collapsible pole, DD's pole, and a small tackle box for it. I usually just watch or take turns with DD's pole.

You could bring a small kite if the space allows. Chalk is awesome for just simple doodles at the site, and we also talk about how trails are marked with ribbons or spray paint, and let her "mark" her trail with chalk along the way. We do scavenger hunts and "find the critters" check lists (did you see a rabbit? check. did you see a cardinal? check. can you find 5 butterflies? check.) so she gets good use out of her binoculars and magnifying glass.

I agree that you do have to be constantly on when camping with little kids, but they learn fast. DD's been helping with the fire since she started going and we've never had an issue. She knows she's allowed to help gather sticks and leaves for it, watch and "help" light it, but then she has to stay on her log and not get any closer to it. She'll occasionally throw a small stick or something in from her seat, but she's always good about it.

There's three of us, DD is almost 5, and we do fine in a 3 man tent. If your car is right there, you really don't need to drag everything into the tent with you. We keep one bag in the tent with our change of clothes, our headlights and everything else is sleeping stuff. You don't need anything huge. The bigger you go, the more you have to worry about holes and leaks over time.

The only other thing you might want to consider is using the bathroom. Depending on where you go there may be an outhouse nearby, but I wouldn't count on it. I wouldn't worry much about a son, obviously, but we took a few days explaining and "practicing" with DD before we went on our first camping trip post-potty training. I wanted to pick up one of those little kid potty seats that clip on to a toilet seat, with the idea that we could balance it on something and she'd at least have a place to sit while she went and that might make her a little more comfortable. DH said no way though, so we looked up tips online and practiced. One guy advocated holding his kid by the ankles and wrists and swinging her like a pendulum as she'd pee. We do not do that. Girl squats like a normal person.

Other random things to grab if you can: hats, extra socks, extra hair ties, tick keys, headlamps for all. It's so much easier to do a headlamp for each person than a flashlight or giant lantern, and is good for middle of the night pees.

[FloFTW]

Kids:

- Buy the shit out of glowsticks.
- Have kid-size camping chairs. Falling while trying to get into an adult-size chair around a campfire suuuuucks.
- We always do a lot of stuff away from our campsite while camping. Hiking, swimming, renting a boat, canoeing, putt putt, etc etc. Trying to keep the kids wrangled on our little site can get stressful.
- Camping is not the time that we care about what they eat. If they are eating they are happy and occupied. BRING ON THE SUGAR CEREALS.

And here is my ultimate camping list. I have never brought every single thing on this list, but I like having it all in my list to be able to go through it and be like "Do I want to bring this? Yes? OK. This? No."

Attachment Deleted

[FloFTW]

May 13, 2014 12:41:48 GMT -5 mominatrix said:

so... should we buy a big tent for H and me, and for hanging out in if the weather turns crappy... and have the kids sleep in the little one for adventure's sake...

or should we be looking for a smaller tent for me and H?

I don't like sleeping in a different tent than the kids yet. (I don't know how old yours are for sure.) Honestly they wouldn't be cool with that anyway. They'd be terrified.

My mom usually camps with us and brings something like this. We call it the mansion tent:

www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000008055-Prairie-Breeze-9-Person/product-reviews/B004RDQK0K/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

It's suuuuuuuper convenient because there's no ducking. And then we also have an 8 person tent. The kids switch up which tent they sleep in.

[mominatrix]

May 13, 2014 12:56:54 GMT -5 FloFTW said:

May 13, 2014 12:41:48 GMT -5 mominatrix said:

so... should we buy a big tent for H and me, and for hanging out in if the weather turns crappy... and have the kids sleep in the little one for adventure's sake...

or should we be looking for a smaller tent for me and H?

I don't like sleeping in a different tent than the kids yet. (I don't know how old yours are for sure.) Honestly they wouldn't be cool with that anyway. They'd be terrified.

My mom usually camps with us and brings something like this. We call it the mansion tent:

www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000008055-Prairie-Breeze-9-Person/product-reviews/B004RDQK0K/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

It's suuuuuuuper convenient because there's no ducking. And then we also have an 8 person tent. The kids switch up which tent they sleep in.

they're 4 and 7


I think they might want to try... but honestly I think we need a tent big enough for all of us because I don't know that they'd last all night by themselves.

[mominatrix]

May 13, 2014 12:52:25 GMT -5 FloFTW said:

Kids:

- Buy the shit out of glowsticks.
- Have kid-size camping chairs. Falling while trying to get into an adult-size chair around a campfire suuuuucks.
- We always do a lot of stuff away from our campsite while camping. Hiking, swimming, renting a boat, canoeing, putt putt, etc etc. Trying to keep the kids wrangled on our little site can get stressful.
- Camping is not the time that we care about what they eat. If they are eating they are happy and occupied. BRING ON THE SUGAR CEREALS.

And here is my ultimate camping list. I have never brought every single thing on this list, but I like having it all in my list to be able to go through it and be like "Do I want to bring this? Yes? OK. This? No."

thank you!


I love your list!

[FloFTW]

May 13, 2014 13:01:38 GMT -5 mominatrix said:

May 13, 2014 12:56:54 GMT -5 FloFTW said:

I don't like sleeping in a different tent than the kids yet. (I don't know how old yours are for sure.) Honestly they wouldn't be cool with that anyway. They'd be terrified.

My mom usually camps with us and brings something like this. We call it the mansion tent:

www.amazon.com/Coleman-2000008055-Prairie-Breeze-9-Person/product-reviews/B004RDQK0K/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

It's suuuuuuuper convenient because there's no ducking. And then we also have an 8 person tent. The kids switch up which tent they sleep in.

they're 4 and 7


I think they might want to try... but honestly I think we need a tent big enough for all of us because I don't know that they'd last all night by themselves.

Oh man then they're too old for my favorite kid-camping thing. We took our pack n play and filled it with balls (like, ball pit balls), stuck the kids in there, and covered it with netting. They'd play in there long enough for us to cook dinner.

NOW THAT I'M THINKING OF THAT THOUGH...you could fill the 3 person tent with balls...

[PinkSquirrel]

My H and I love camping. We usually go with friends and leave the dog home, but last summer we went with just the two of us so we brought the dog. We learned that my dog does not like camping.

She loved the hiking and daytime outdoors part of the vacation, but not so much the camping part. The mosquitoes waged a constant attack on her. It rained both nights and the sound of the rain on the tent freaked her out, so she paced the tent all night. Then the next morning she woke up and 30 minutes later her whole face was swelling because she decided to play with a spider. And that was only our first 12 hours

What did we learn from my cautionary tale? You may or may not want to bring the dog. If you do, figure out something for bugs. I don't know what this is, but I can say with certainty that it is not rubbing lemons all over your dog. Also, make sure you know where the nearest vet is. There is all kind of trouble dogs can get into in the woods, so making sure you can get them cared for can make things significantly easier.

[InBetweenDays]

I'd probably leave your 3-person tent at home. Especially if it's a decent tent. You could bring it as sort of a "fort" for them to play in, but I'd be worried it would get damaged or ripped with kids jumping in and out of it. And I know our kids wouldn't want to sleep in there alone.

Here are the camp chairs we have for the kids. My parents got them at Costco and they're great because they can be carried like a backpack. We use them for soccer games, etc.
www.amazon.com/Kelsyus-80316-Kids-Canopy-Chair/dp/B006DEH0KA

[FloFTW]

Oh, and we also have one of these. For the camping bacon. Which is (scientifically speaking) the best bacon ever:

www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Tabletop-Grill/10957845

[zelda25]

May 13, 2014 13:08:39 GMT -5 PinkSquirrel said:

My H and I love camping. We usually go with friends and leave the dog home, but last summer we went with just the two of us so we brought the dog. We learned that my dog does not like camping.

She loved the hiking and daytime outdoors part of the vacation, but not so much the camping part. The mosquitoes waged a constant attack on her. It rained both nights and the sound of the rain on the tent freaked her out, so she paced the tent all night. Then the next morning she woke up and 30 minutes later her whole face was swelling because she decided to play with a spider. And that was only our first 12 hours

What did we learn from my cautionary tale? You may or may not want to bring the dog. If you do, figure out something for bugs. I don't know what this is, but I can say with certainty that it is not rubbing lemons all over your dog. Also, make sure you know where the nearest vet is. There is all kind of trouble dogs can get into in the woods, so making sure you can get them cared for can make things significantly easier.

This is our worst fear. And it's why we're taking our dog on a "test camp" before our long (4-day) camping trip in July.

[mominatrix]

May 13, 2014 13:28:28 GMT -5 FloFTW said:

Oh, and we also have one of these. For the camping bacon. Which is (scientifically speaking) the best bacon ever:

www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Tabletop-Grill/10957845

omg! camping bacon!



back when I used to go camping with the big group, I was an actual-for-real vegetarian. 
...but I'd wake up in the morning, and somebody would be making bacon and it nearly killed me it smelled so good.

But I knew, I KNEW that I couldn't eat it or it would make me sick in ways you don't want to be while camping.

so... I'd do up my bagels in bacon grease on the skillet. Evil. Wrong. Delicious. And not sick-making.

[mominatrix]

May 13, 2014 13:19:23 GMT -5 InBetweenDays said:

I'd probably leave your 3-person tent at home. Especially if it's a decent tent. You could bring it as sort of a "fort" for them to play in, but I'd be worried it would get damaged or ripped with kids jumping in and out of it. And I know our kids wouldn't want to sleep in there alone.

Here are the camp chairs we have for the kids. My parents got them at Costco and they're great because they can be carried like a backpack. We use them for soccer games, etc.
www.amazon.com/Kelsyus-80316-Kids-Canopy-Chair/dp/B006DEH0KA

yeah, my three man tent is craptacular. 

It's a coleman; it's treated me well - - kept the bugs and rain out. But the fact that I'd consider it for the dog means it's not some superduperfancypants tent I wouldn't want the kids in.

[mominatrix]

May 13, 2014 13:29:08 GMT -5 zelda25 said:

May 13, 2014 13:08:39 GMT -5 PinkSquirrel said:

My H and I love camping. We usually go with friends and leave the dog home, but last summer we went with just the two of us so we brought the dog. We learned that my dog does not like camping.

She loved the hiking and daytime outdoors part of the vacation, but not so much the camping part. The mosquitoes waged a constant attack on her. It rained both nights and the sound of the rain on the tent freaked her out, so she paced the tent all night. Then the next morning she woke up and 30 minutes later her whole face was swelling because she decided to play with a spider. And that was only our first 12 hours

What did we learn from my cautionary tale? You may or may not want to bring the dog. If you do, figure out something for bugs. I don't know what this is, but I can say with certainty that it is not rubbing lemons all over your dog. Also, make sure you know where the nearest vet is. There is all kind of trouble dogs can get into in the woods, so making sure you can get them cared for can make things significantly easier.

This is our worst fear. And it's why we're taking our dog on a "test camp" before our long (4-day) camping trip in July.

are you going to be nearby, or in the far-flung hinterlands?

[Dumbledork]

May 13, 2014 13:08:39 GMT -5 PinkSquirrel said:

My H and I love camping. We usually go with friends and leave the dog home, but last summer we went with just the two of us so we brought the dog. We learned that my dog does not like camping.

She loved the hiking and daytime outdoors part of the vacation, but not so much the camping part. The mosquitoes waged a constant attack on her. It rained both nights and the sound of the rain on the tent freaked her out, so she paced the tent all night. Then the next morning she woke up and 30 minutes later her whole face was swelling because she decided to play with a spider. And that was only our first 12 hours

What did we learn from my cautionary tale? You may or may not want to bring the dog. If you do, figure out something for bugs. I don't know what this is, but I can say with certainty that it is not rubbing lemons all over your dog. Also, make sure you know where the nearest vet is. There is all kind of trouble dogs can get into in the woods, so making sure you can get them cared for can make things significantly easier.

I was going to add earlier, but then forgot- Benedryl. Both of the liquid and ointment variety. Bring both, just in case.