FAMILY CAMPING!!

So you want to go camping, eh?  Well let's breakdown some essentials that will help make this a great experience for you and your kids!  If you already have a tent, open it up a few days before your trip, especially if it's been stored for the winter.  Make sure there are no tears, that you have all your stakes and setup tools.  We bring a small dustpan and duster broom to keep the inside dirt free.  New stakes can be purchased at Walmart, Dick's, pretty much anywhere that sells tents I believe!  If this is a brand new tent, you're still gonna want to open it up, be sure you have all the pieces and there's nothing missing from the box, and if you haven't waterproofed your tent yet, you will want to spray it with the manufacturer recommended sealer (even if it says it's waterproof, trust me, you'll want to seal the seams anyway!!)
Depending on where you are camping and whether you have kids or not will be a big factor in your packing.  Let's break it down into bins: this is how I pack everything (in rubbermaid bins!)

LIVING:
•tent
•sleeping bag

•sleeping pad
•small folding table (we have a big tent and have a table inside for rainy weather games
•camping chairs
•wood for your fire!!
•mat for outside your tent entry (for shoes, flashlights)

KITCHEN:
plates, utensils, cups (you can go with the plastic reusable or paper)
camping stove OR grate for over the campfire if that's your prefered method of cooking
iron skillet. A must have for breakfasts! We have fun with our camp cooking, so breakfasts are usually fruit, bacon, egg and cheese on english muffins and cereal.
you are gonna want your condiments!
•salt and pepper

•herbs and spices
•cooking oil
•pot holders***
•paper towels***
•napkins
•plastic trash bags***
•tongs and spatula
•aluminum foil***
•measuring cups
•zip lock bags***
•knives
•cutting board***
•cork screw
•table cloth

•butane lighter
•water

•can opener
•charcoal
•detergent

•dish rags
•pot scrubber
obviously you'll need a cooler for your cold stuff, don't forget the milk if you have little ones!
 
GEAR BIN
First Aid and Toiletries
•bug spray!!!!
•sunscreen!!!!
•personal medication

•bandaids or bandages
•aspirin, Tylenol
•medical tape
•sterile gauze
•elastic wrap
•antibiotic wipes
•antiseptic cream
•burn ointment
•sunburn lotion
•hydrogen peroxide
•scissors
•tweezers
•tooth brush

•tooth paste
•wash rag(s)
•towel(s)
•soap
•comb/brush
•razor
•toilet paper!!!
•rain poncho
•tarp or gazebo covering
•bungi cords
•camera
•cards, games
•cell phone
•clothes pins
•compass
•duct tape (for everything!)
•fishing gear~ if that's your thing
•flashlights **** SEVERAL!!
•frisbee
•GPS
•kites - although most camping we do is in the woods, these are fun for beach camping!
•knife- pocket or utility
•lantern**
•matches***
•pen and paper
•rope (for laundry line, to tie up a tarp if raining)
•shower bag
•tools
•whistle

Essential clothing
•sweater (can't tell you how many times I've forgotten sweatshirts and we've all frozen in rain!)
•hiking shoes or sturdy shoes
•flip flops (we wear ours in the showers)
•sunglasses and hats
•diapers and wipes for little ones
•swim trunks or bathing suits
We like to have everything but clothing in our bins and bungi them shut as the raccoons can be little devils! 
Hang your trash bags up in a tree during the day and dispose of trash bags in the designated areas before bed!

Be sure to keep at least your screen of the tent zipped shut at all times!  This will help to keep any critters, bugs and spiders on the OUTSIDE of your tent rather than inside! 

As far as camp cooking, we love to have fun with our meals.  No boring hot dogs for us!  We have done campfire pizzas (you can purchase prepared fresh dough right at the grocery store now!) with yummy toppings (do your prep chopping before you leave to make meals easier) and fajitas are a favorite!  slap your grill grate right over the hot coals and warm your tortillas (wrapped in foil) and grill your peppers and onion (over foil, drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper) and cook your chicken or fajita steak right on the hot coals or over foil!
lunchmeat, pb&j's and some fresh fruit make great lunches!  Don't forget plenty of water and your sunglasses!

Have fun! If you have any other tips, please share!! Happy camping everyone!