Camping for the outdoorsy-challanged

[sibee]

Due to some last minute change of plans, I have randomly decided to go camping with all my friends this weekend. Many of them are very into the outdoors - hiking and backpacking and whatnot. I am ... not. But I'm going! Because I'm trying new things!

Anyway, I think I've got most of the basics covered: I have a sleeping bag/pillow, sharing a tent, borrowing an ice cooler, going to buy a flashlight and maybe some sort of sleeping mat, picking up water/ice/food/toilet paper/sunscreen on the way out of town. But is there anything major that I'm forgetting? Anything more experienced Glitter campers have found to be invaluable?

Also, if anyone has any "don't trip and break your ankle/get eaten by a bear or other wildlife/get lost in the woods" vibes this weekend, maybe shoot 'em this way?
_________________
Wenn's dir nicht gefällt, mach neu.

[sibee]

Oh, and if anyone knows of good camping food/recipes, those would also be appreciated!
_________________
Wenn's dir nicht gefällt, mach neu.

[PurpleDoor]

I would definitely try to buy/borrow a sleeping mat, if possible. They make sleeping on the ground SO much nicer.

If this is just a weekend of car camping, it sounds like you are set. Are you going to have to dig your own catholes? In that case, make sure someone is bringing a small trowel (or bring your own). Also, you might want to bring a plate, knive/fork/spoon, and a mug (assuming you aren't already...)

Also, I REALLY like my headlamp (as opposed to a flashlight). Mine is a small Petzl that I got for about $20.

For a big group car camping trip, campfire food is the best! Stuff like baked potatoes, hobo packets, fruit cobblers baked in dutch ovens, s'mores...mmmmm. Or if people will be bringing along plentiful camp stoves, you can really go nuts and make pretty much anything you can make at home.

ETA: continuing in the food vein, don't put any food in your tent!!! Unless you like sharing your space with the wildlife...

[Nemesis]

[whywhy]

Bug repellent? Matches?

(Ah! Nemesis just beat me to the matches suggestion!)
_________________
Many that live deserve death. And some die that deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement.

[CaliMel]

Snacks! a sleep mat and a headlamp like Purpledoor said. Both of those will help a ton.

Don't forget a camping chair to sit in. Any kind of folding chair is nice.
a big beach towel or two.

Sunblock! A hat makes a huge difference too, as do sunglasses.
_________________
old user, new name & profile.

[PrickleyPete]

Hand sanitizer, babywipes, and you can wash your face without water by using Ceta*phil and wiping it off with cotton balls.
I would not wear makeup so you don't have to worry about taking it off at night.
Rubber bands and/or a headband.
Only wear jewelry that you sleep in/bathe in/never take off.
Comfy shoes for daytime, and something to slip on if you're barefoot and need to get up for a minute but don't want to walk in the dirt.
Do you own a pocket knife? I have no idea what you would use it for but it is small and might be good to have.
_________________
If you don't talk to your cat about catnip, someone else will.

[bookselves]

Your post put me in mind of the Lemonheads' "I lied about being the outdoor type."

My fav lyric is "What if something's on tv and it's never shown again?"

I have a hard time having fun if I'm physically uncomfortable. So yeah, sunscreen, bug spray/after-bite, extra socks, bandaids (or other blistery feet solutions), extra socks, sleeping mat, lots of water, rescue remedy...

okay, I don't know why I am trying to respond to this thread. I'm stressed out and you're the one going camping, haha.
_________________
"My power doesn't come from other people's lust for my awesome vagina, thanks." - Enzyme

So, I have a blog now.

[PurpleDoor]

Oh, I also like to bring a hat or at least a couple of bandannas to keep the sun off of the part in my hair (having gotten sunburn on my scalp once as a kid...OUCH. So not in the mood to repeat that experience again).

What kind of stuff are you guys going to do? Sit around camp all day? Hike? Swim or canoe? If you're going to be near water, definitely pack a bathing suit or some shorts/t-shirt/sports bra combo that can get wet.

I think someone said it upthread but I ALWAYS bring 2 pairs of shoes, even when I go hardcore backpacking and have to worry about weight. I have 1 pair of more heavy duty shoes (either my hiking boots or a pair of sneakers) and then a pair of sandals for around camp. If you do a hike during the day it's really nice to change into sandals at camp.

[pony j]

It sounds like you are going car camping, not backpacking?

If so, with what gear you mentioned and people's above advice, you should be in pretty good shape. I think a lot of people (read: my mom) really overthink car camping. I mean, if you have enough food/water/booze/sunscreen/bugspray/clothing for whatever activities you'll be fine on a basic level. Beyond that if you just embrace getting dirty and being slightly uncomfortable, it helps those aspects not impede your fun. Sleeping out isn't the most comfortable thing ever and for some of my friends, that's the thing that they stress out about. I think acknowledging that it won't be your most comfortable/restful night of sleep ever helps, as does having so much fun that you are super tired when you fall asleep.

I personally am not a fan of elaborate eating while camping because I don't like to worry about the cooler keeping stuff cold enough or having to clean up the dishes (we have bears here so you have to be careful about not leaving food/food residue/food smells around, plus cleaning up anything greasy is just a pain and introduces more environmental concerns like grey water). So I go for self-contained foods that don't require a lot of cooking pans and plates, such as brats/veggie dogs (cook on a stick!), sammiches, granola bars. Your mileage may vary, some people think camp cookery is the best part! The one car camping must-have, in my opinion, is Nutella Smores (marshmallows, nutella, graham crackers).

Last time I camped in your area (well, south I guess, Russian Gulch State Park) it did rain and was misty a lot in the morning when we woke up. There were wild blackberries everywhere and they were so yummy and it was so much fun, tho! Have a great time!
_________________
<3 free range glitter pony <3

dirtywestgeekwveveggierap

[Aliceinwonderland]

I bring ear plugs for car camping - sometimes people in neighboring campsites can be a bit rowdy!

On second thought, I wear them backpacking, too. If a bear is going to eat me I don't want to hear it coming. Actually, I'm a really light sleeper and the sounds of the outdoors often keeps me awake since it's so noisy at night. :)
_________________
Well, duh, but that's no reason to abandon ship. Work and fix it

Blog: http://elizalives.blogspot.com

[CaliMel]

Oh ya. Headphones and an ipod are really nice too for at night when you're trying to sleep.

I took mine on geology trips and it helped a lot!
Some campers are talkers and it's good to have something to drown it out.

Don't forget a deck of cards! Card games are the best when you're camping.
I also love the game Cosmic Banditos...another geology trip experience.
_________________
old user, new name & profile.

[IrmaVep]

[sibee]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I think between borrowing supplies from friends, a few last-minute purchases, and sharing with other campers, I should be good.

(Though, it looks like it may rain, and one friend said I should bring my "rain gear". My rain gear is staying indoors when it rains. Whoops!)
_________________
Wenn's dir nicht gefällt, mach neu.

[checkersumthing]

Sibee, how did your camping weekend go? I went camping the same weekend, and we had a great time. We only had a bit of rain early the morning we left. Did the weather hold up for you?
_________________
i live at the foot of a mountain: some of my adventures