The most anticipated and arguably most fun trip of the year is right around the corner now, and it’s now become the traditional way we kick off the camping season. It’s none other than the… *drum roll*
BOYS ONLY CAMPING TRIP!!!!
Yes, indeeed, that means no girls are allowed. Zilch, nada, never, nowhere, no way, not a chance, sorry Hillery, Teri, and Melissa, you cannot come with us. You do get to stay behind to feed the fish and water the plants, though.
This year we are headed to Whitewater Lake in the Kettle Moraine Southern Unit, on a tent-only site which is a 600 feet walk from the parking area, a place we have NEVER camped before! Our nearest beach is 2 miles away, which we will reach by bicycle. Bryant will be a bike rider for the first time this year! We also got a new camera, and we will be taking all kinds of cool photos and hopefully making some fun goofy movies too! Exciting! IF AND ONLY IF you are a boy, and you want to come say hi to us, we will be on site # 771 in the Whitewater West campground through Memorial Day.
This is the first trip every year which brings all the gear back out from storage, and in my effort to organize and prepare I have made a new list of gear we typically take with us which includes many of the new camping gear items we have acquired lately. It’s not exhaustive, but it’s pretty close. Here it is:
MAIN STUFF AND GEAR
Ground tarps
Instant popup shelter with tent insert
Grand Trunk Quick Set Tent (the best!)
Quick Set Screen House #1
Quick Set Screen House #2
Hard Top Plastic Folding Table
Water Boiler/strainer #1
Water Boiler/strainer #2
Cloth top folding table #1
Cloth top folding table #2
Cloth top folding table #3
Full Propane Can #1
Full Propane Can #2
Air Mattress
Air pump with 4 D batteries
Propane single mantle lantern
Red folding chair #1
Red folding chair #2
Blue Folding Chair
Kids ‘cars’ folding chair
12X14 Chinook Flying Tarp
200 ft paracord rope
Metal nail stakes
Clothesline and clothespins
Stanley Sharptooth Hand saw
Leatherman
Dust pan and brush
Headlights with batteries
Radio with 6 C batteries
Candles
Cards and games, Pens and paper
Small camping shovel
Bungee cords
Soap and shampoo
Basic medical kit with benadryl, inhaler, sting relief, ibuprofen, kids’ motrin, thermometer, nail clipper, tweezers, antibiotic cream, bandaids, tums, Sunscreen, sunburn relief
Bug spray and fogger spray
Smaller tent for kid
Rain gear / ponchos / Umbrellas / Visors /Caps
Clothes, Swimsuits,– each person packs their own
Sleeping Bag (adult) #1
Sleeping bag (adult) #2
Sleeping bag (kid) #1
Sleeping bag (kid) #2
Pillows
Walkie talkies
Books to read
Flotation vests
Chairbrellas
Rain gear
Tent poles
Fanny packs
Towels
Deodorant
Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
Toilet paper in a plastic bag, and emergency TP
Hammock
Digital Camera
Foam pads for kids
Fire Starters
Reservation info and map to campsite
KITCHEN STUFF
Cutting board
Frying pan
Cooking Oil
Measuring cup
Eating Utensils
Paper towels
Scrubbie sponge
Paper bowls
Hot pads or glove
French Press
2 gallon flexible water container #1
2 gallon flexible water container #2
Ziploc bags and garbage bags
Matches
Two Burner Compact Propane Stove
Thermos Cup #1
Thermos Cup #2
Plastic holders and paper plates
Metal cups
Vinyl Tablecloth and clips
Aluminum foil
Spatula / spoon
Hand sanitizer
Scissors
Can opener
Marshmallow roasting sticks
Pudgie pie maker
Camp kitchen foldable aluminum table
2 aluminum water boilers / strainers
FOOD
Single serve Beverage mixers
Hot chocloate
Coffee, Tea
Snacks
Spices
Freeze dried meals
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Smores -> graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate
Ramen noodles and instant meals
Oatmeal
Cereal
Spaghettios in can
TO GET RIGHT BEFORE LEAVING
Ice
Milk
Bread, hot dog buns
Jiffy pop
MORE STUFF
Cooler with frozen water bottles, milk, chocolate, hot dogs
Bikes, Tire pump, Bike trailers, Helmets, car carrier
Extra tarps and rope
Backup Coleman tent
Rest of food
Frisbee, football, kickball, etc
Backup stove, backup lantern
wrenches, screwdrivers, duct tape, wd40
Extra shoes
Backup air mattress
Some cash, check card
Extra batteries (AAA,AA, C,D)
Extra tent stakes
Cast iron dutch oven
Cast iron griddle
Things to do before camping:
1) Attach burlee hookups to new bikes (maybe put one on will’s?)
2) Set up other new screen house to make sure it is okay
3) Blow up new air mattress to make sure it is okay
4) Organize, pack, etc.
