The Top Ten Cooking Pans for Camping

When my family goes camping there are a few necessities for preparing food that I never leave behind.  I love cooking over an open fire and on a portable camping stove, but there are a few things I always bring to make life easier.  This is my list:

1.  Electric Fry Pan or Griddle - This is my most-used camping pan if I have electricity at our campsite.  I bring one or the other, depending on what I've planned for meals.  The electric fry pan is great for two people, because not only can you make an entire one-dish meal, you can make pancakes or French toast, as well.  If I know I’ll have a large group I take the griddle to cook pancakes and it's also handy for grilled sandwiches.
2. Aluminum Coffeepot (percolator that goes on the stove) - I never use an electric coffeepot while camping.  Just preference, but I have been without power a lot of times and I don’t want to sacrifice coffee!
3. Gas-powered crock-pot - I love this for putting a meal together even when there is no electricity.  Just be sure to use the lowest setting, as they can tend to have hot spots.
4. Toast maker for the campfire or stove - Easy and fun (these can be purchased at many outdoor and camping stores).  This is one thing my kids loved!
5. Tea Kettle - For heating water for any reason
6. One large cast iron fry pan with cover - I tend to make a lot of meals on the campfire and this pan is a must – makes great biscuits and is good for cooking bacon or sausage.
7. One medium or small camping frying pan to use on the portable stove (a lid is nice) - For whenever you don’t want to use the fire.
8. One 2-3 quart saucepan - I added this because I always seemed to need it for warming things up.
9. One camping Dutch oven (cast iron with cover) -  For great one-dish meals or baking – I have made pies and cakes over the campfire in this - it doubles as a great camping oven!
10. Portable gas camping grill - I include the stand-alone grill because my husband does over half of all our cooking outdoors on this.  Ours has a griddle on one side and grill on the other.  We can make bacon and pancakes at the same time, steaks and garlic bread – the choices are endless and it’s probably our most important cooking surface.  Ours is Teflon coated and easy to clean.

You may have other wants and needs, but these are the ten cooking utensils I use most and I keep them packed in the camping supplies so that they’re never left behind.  The only things that are interchangeable are the electric frying pan and griddle as I have noted above.

With these items I am able to cook anything outside on a portable gas camping stove or on the fire over a grate.  Good luck with your choices! 

Almost Free Camping Gear

You think you might like to spend a weekend camping in the great out-of-doors.  Your friends went and they loved it.  Your kids are clamoring to do something, work has given you a headache all week, and you’re broke!  Don’t worry, there are places you can find inexpensive equipment and have a great time, whether alone or with a family.

I’ve been camping at various places all of my life.  With four kids and a dog my dad didn’t have the luxury of going to the local camping shop and forking out his hard-earned cash for gear.  But he loved the outdoors.  So he did the next best thing.  He borrowed a tent and a couple of other things from a neighbor, packed up the car and off we went.  I’ll never forget that weekend. 

Between being eaten alive by mosquitoes and jumping for joy every time we caught a fish, my siblings and I were hooked.  We loved every minute of it (and my mom quickly learned to have mosquito repellant and sunblock on hand at all times).  We moved up in the world and soon had our own tent and later went on to a travel trailer. 

I carried on the family camping tradition as a young wife and mother and my kids have had some amazing experiences and seen awesome sights we wouldn’t have been able to see otherwise. 

I’m here to prove to you that camping stuff doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.  Here’s an example from my own life:

A few years ago, I went to a garage sale where a used pop-up tent camper sat in the driveway.  I looked it over, noticed a few flaws and some cleaning issues.  The price said $250.  

“What’s the lowest price you’d consider?” I asked.

“The price is firm,” was the answer.

I came back the next day when the sale was nearly over and the tent camper still sat in the driveway.  I asked again what was the lowest price the owner would consider.

 

“Make me an offer,” he said.

 

I took my time and thoroughly inspected the unit.  I looked him straight in the eye.

“It needs a lot of work, there’s a tear in the screen, no toilet, and only an ice chest.  I wouldn’t go over $75,” I said.

Imagine my surprise when he replied, “Sold!”  

My family camped in that unit for three years and I sold it for $300.  So, I actually made a profit on it and all I put into it was a little time and energy.

Here are the best places to find used camping gear that won’t leave you penniless. 

• Garage or yard sales
• Craig’s List
• Auctions
• Flea Markets
• Neighbors and Friends
• Thrift stores
• Dollar stores (check for tarps, ponchos and rubber hammers and flashlights)

 

I camp with almost exclusively one brand of equipment (coleman) because the company stands behind the name.  Although I have purchased new equipment, most of it is gently used and has lasted me for years.  Here are some other outdoor camping supplies I have found on the cheap:

1. Camp cots – two for $20 (they’d been used once)
2. Fluorescent lights ($5) they run $39.95 new
3. Camp stoves ($5) I see these all the time
4. Sleeping bags in good condition with working zippers ($5 each)
5. Coolers (between $2 - $15)
6. Cooking utensils (from free to $2)
7. Cast iron cookware (for the campfire) if you are patient you’ll find some at a bargain – I bought two huge frying pans for $1 each
8. Silverware and dishes (from free to very little for whole sets of stuff good for camping) 

My biggest word to the wise is getting all the camping information you can and checking out everything carefully before you buy.  Don’t seem too eager or you’ll pay the asking price.  Also: 

• Don’t be afraid to offer a lower amount. 
• Check new prices before you go and you’ll know what is and isn’t a good deal.  Don’t be pressured. 
• Know exactly what your needs are for room and what type of camping gear you are looking for. 

Good luck.  I hope you have the success and enjoyment I have had and enjoy many years of outdoor camping!

Children, Camping and Chores

Most of us have consulted a book or researched how to camp.  For some reason, many of us missed the chapter on kids and chores.  I have a few suggestions to make your camping tasks go smoothly.  They are:

• Involve the whole family.  Kids can help too, especially if you make it fun.  My children never got the sense they had to help – they wanted to.

• Make a list of things that need doing.  Each person in our family had a job to do that was his or hers alone.  One handed out tent stakes, one unloaded items from the truck, one picked up twigs for starting the fire – you get the idea.

• Stay focused.  The kids will be excited to get on their bikes and explore, but if you arrive at your site a couple of hours before lunch, for instance, they will be hungry, glad to help, and not as anxious to get away.

• Designate one person as cook for the first meal.  Our son was a great cook even at the age of ten so while we all unloaded and set up he was preparing an easy meal.

• Let your children bring along a couple of favorite toys or games.  They'll want to get them put away in their tent or bunk.

• Allow your children the freedom to explore the campgrounds on their own, but make sure they know there is responsibility involved and they must first help get things ready at base.  Once everything is finished they can see what’s available to do nearby.  We always took a short bike ride of the area first so we would all know where playgrounds, the pool, etc., were located.  Also, many of the camping places we visited offered the children camp activities to keep them occupied.

• After a meal, designate turns to do cleanup.  Since they were outside, I let my kids have fun.  It didn’t matter how the dishes got done, just that they eventually were finished before the next meal.  A little water didn’t matter outside and they could have fun while they worked.

• Let your kids learn how to do things like starting the campfire (with supervision), setting up the tent, etc.  Once they got older, my kids were much better than I at setting up a tent and they did it alone while I unpacked the camper.  They knew that we’d have lunch and be off to have fun in no time so they never grumbled.  They also were responsible for blowing up air mattresses and making their own beds.  Most of the time we got into a campground and were unpacked and ready to go in an hour or less.

• We gave the job of finding out what activities were available to one of the older kids.  That way they could pick out a few things the whole family might be interested in and we could choose from several (such as horseback riding, canoeing, etc.).

Camping doesn’t have to be frustrating and a lot of work for parents if they involve the whole family.  And believe me, once they’re grown your children remember all those summer times (and the funny things that happened too!).

  

Campfire Songs

There is nothing as relaxing and memorable as singing songs around a campfire.  My children still have fond memories of playing in the water and riding their bikes until they were exhausted, coming back to our campsite for a meal cooked out in the open, and pulling up our chairs for the evening bonfire.

There's No Need to be a Musician

Since I play the guitar, singing was natural and easy.  But you don’t have to be a musician to enjoy this simple camping pastime.  There are many songs that lend themselves to enjoying with your family and friends, and a good way to start is to dredge up some songs from your past.  Remember the camp songs you sang at summer camp?  Bring some of those old favorites back. 

Great Campfire Songs 

• Bingo
• Buffalo Gals
• Clementine
• Coming ‘Round the Mountain
• Do Your Ears Hang Low?
• Down In The Valley
• Froggie Went a ‘Courting
• Git Along Home Cindy Cindy
• Here we Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush
• Home on the Range
• Hush Little Baby
• Kumbaya
• My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean
• Oh Susannah
• Old Dan Tucker
• Old McDonald Had a Farm
• On Top of Old Smokey
• Row Row Row Your Boat
• Skip to My Lou
• Ten In The Bed
• The Ants Go Marching
• The Bear Went Over the Mountain
• The Fox
• There’s a Hole in the Bucket

You get the idea, makes you nostalgic doesn’t it?  Now give your kids the same opportunity.  You don’t have to be the greatest singer or play an instrument.  Singing comes from the heart and it can be a great source of family fun, especially when camping at a place that doesn't have much in the way of other entertainment.  

The moon is out, the stars are twinkling overhead, the flames reach to the sky and you can hear the crackle and pop of wood burning.  You’ve made s’mores and Tonka pies, but you aren’t quite ready to turn in for the night. 

This activity may seem a little strange at first if you aren’t used to singing, but trust me, you’ll enjoy the family interaction.

 

We found that when our kids were young this was a good way to get them settled down after a long day of exercise and fun.  We often began singing a few little songs and before we knew it half the campground had gathered around and joined in.  Children remember these times.  Don’t you think you should add this to your child’s book of memories?  You’ll be glad you did.

Internet Link for Songs To Learn and Sing

If you need words to some of the best campfire songs for children here’s a good internet link:

http://www.songsforteaching.com/folk/

There are many more songs on the site than what I listed above.  If you’re not sure of the tunes, look them up on YouTube.  Most of all – have fun.  You’ll get as much a kick out of singing as the kids do!    

Camping Food

Camping food is a matter of taste.  Many delicious recipes can be made on a portable stove, over the campfire, or even in your RV, Fifth Wheel or trailer.  I take some camping food staples with me every time I go.  They include:

• ·      Instant Rice (brown)
• ·      Catsup
• ·      Mustard
• ·      Relish
• ·      Barbeque Sauce
• ·      Canned Pie Filling
• ·      Peanut Butter
• ·      Jelly
• ·      Tuna
• ·      Eggs
• ·      Bacon or sausage
• ·      Bread (whole wheat and white)
• ·      Bottled water/soda
• ·      Snack items (i.e. cookies and chips, raisins and peanuts)
• ·      Pancake Mix
• ·      Non-stick cooking spray
• ·      Canned tomatoes

The first thing I do when reaching the grocery store closest to the campground is shop for perishable camping food.  These items include:

• ·      Milk/half & half
• ·      Orange Juice
• ·      Butter
• ·      Mayonnaise
• ·      Fresh vegetables and fruit
• ·      Cheese
• ·      Meat, poultry or fish (daily)

As stated above, camping food is a matter of choice.  We make Tonka Pies over the campfire. They are easy and you can fill them with anything you like. Our family’s favorite Tonka Pies are pizza filled and cherry (made with canned cherry pie filling).      Must haves at our campfire are s’mores, made with graham crackers, toasted marshmallows, and chocolate bars. I usually make Spanish Rice in a cast-iron Dutch oven on a tripod over the campfire.  Not only is it filling, but the smoky flavor and aroma as it simmers is mouth-watering.  Most recipes used at home are adaptable to camping.

Camping Sites

Your camping experience can be satisfying beyond your wildest dreams, with a little planning and foresight.  Many camping reference books, such as Woodall’s, Good Sam Clubs, Jellystone and KOA offer information directories to make your job easier when planning your next camping trip.  Jellystone Campgrounds, for example, cater to children and offer many activities to keep them involved.  Other sites gear their camping facilities to an older crowd.  Often overlooked, State and County campgrounds offer reasonable camping with  many activities that include hiking, swimming, bird watching and the like.  Do some research, either in your local library, through your telephone directory, or online to pick the best fit for your camping needs.  There are different sites for different tastes at many of these campgrounds.  If you have a pop-up, RV, Fifth Wheel or trailer, you will probably want to find a roomy site that has full hook-ups.  These sites usually have water, sewer, electric and, often, cable. 

However, if you are tent camping you may prefer to “rough it” and pick a site that is more wooded, and away from other campers.  These less accessible sites generally have only electric, although some can be had with water, as well.  Be sure to pick a level spot to pitch your tent and make sure there is a bathroom/shower nearby.  Also, be sure to check the availability of a picnic table on your tent site, as many tenters do not carry tables and chairs along.

Choosing the Right Camping Gear

The right camping gear is essential.  For those of you who have never taken the plunge, this list may be helpful when packing.  Camping gear can be found in most major retail stores, online stores, and from local garage sales and thrift shops.  There are several RV and Camping Showrooms who also carry a full line of camping gear.  The equipment you need will depend on the type of camping you plan to do.  For example, if you are camping in an RV, pop-up, or trailer, you most likely have most of your camping gear stored inside your rig, making it easy to just pack necessities before you leave.  If you are tenting this would be another thing altogether.  Here is the list I check off when tent camping:

• Tent, screen tent, poles, stakes, tarp, hammer, portable gill and gas canisters
• Pans, dishes, portable camp stove, utensils, dishpans, dish soap, tablecloth
• Flashlights, lanterns, first aid kit, charcoal and charcoal starter, coffeepot
• Rug, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, cots, matches or portable butane lighter
• Marshmallow sticks, Tonka Pie Makers, broom & dustpan, mosquito repellant
• Rain gear, lawn chairs, card games, camera, washcloths and towels
• Personal items, clothing, sweatshirts or jackets, flip flops, hiking shoes

This is the majority of my list, which I keep packed in totes in the garage until we leave again.  Be sure everything is dry and clean before you put it away.  It’ll be much easier the next time you go!