Well, we had Ashton's Cub Scouts meeting this evening, and he was so excited. This is the first time he has taken any interest at all in something for him. But this year, he is watching his sister have all the fun with her role in the Appalachian Children's Theatre, once again, and in Cheerleading, which is new.

So he wanted to do something just for him. And cub scouts it is. Only somehow, hubby and I came out of there as Adult Volunteers as Den Leaders!!! Aaauuggghhh!!!!

We're excited about it. We've never done anything like that together before, and it will be second graders, which is an age I deal well with. As you all know, I LOVE kids, and am studying to be a teacher.

We've been told by two people that have been in Scouts for years, that they will help us in anyway necessary. We have a meeting on Sept. 11 as a group, and we will get all info we need then.

I think it is going to be cool doing this together. And I am thrilled my husband wants to do this.

So, our first BIG campout is going to be for two nights/three days in September. We don't have to plan anything for this one. It's all taken care of. We will just be there helping the boys with activities and such.

But this is the first REAL campout for us away from home, so can anyone give me pointers on what all I may need for our campsite? They provide the campsite and activities, and each individual family provides the rest for themselves. So besides the tent and sleeping bags, any suggestions or been there done thats?

I know we probably need a lantern for inside the tent, and food, and bugspray...

By Kaye on Tuesday, August 29, 2006 - 11:04 pm:

Okie dokie..camping 101.

First go buy one of those large (really large) tubs. This is now your camping box. Load it with those things you need and don't unpack it. This makes camping sooo much easier. If you are an organized person, print a list, tape it to the lid and attach a pen, so you can mark when you need to replace stuff.

My camping box...
papertowels
trashbags
matches
firestarters
kindling on a good day
small sizes of bleach, hand soap, dishwashing detergent
cup towels
plastic ware (forks,etc)
cups and plates (we wash and use these)
clothes pins and rope
pot holders
and a duraflame log
glowsticks
hot dog/marshmellow sticks (academy has these)

I found I go to the dollar store to find most of that stuff, it doesn't cost much and it is much nicer than ruining pampered chef pot holders..lol

For sleeping,
tent
airmattress
tarp
sleeping bag
pillow
I also take a sheet and a blanket...it helps adjust the temps a bit better

lighting...we use a lantern and have flashlights for everyone

Clothes..
don't forget a towel
and bathroom shoes...those floors are just gross (crocs are very nice for this..lol)

And food...I pack in two coolers, cold stuff and pantry stuff. I do a lot ahead of time. Depending on the weather you can do lots of cooked food, or just do sandwiches. In general it takes us a solid hour to set up camp. The first few times it took a couple of hours. Cooking isn't something we want to do. So we do something easy. Maybe burgers or hot dogs just over the fire. We tend to always have sandwiches for lunch the next day, because we want to come and eat, but not do the full clean up. I do always cook breakfast, hubby just eats poptarts if he takes them.

You also have to decide how you are cooking...using a propane grill? open fire? or dutch oven.

At this point we do 90% of our meals in the dutch oven, easy to clean up.

Hmmmm...I will try to think of what else

As for bug spray, we have a first aide kit that has everything, including bug spray and sunscreen.

Pack plenty of water, and don't forget your marshmellows.

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 06:48 am:

And, I packed my boys' clothes in plastic bags so they wouldn't get wet if it rained, and made sure they had a couple of large plastic trash bags to hold the sleeping bags, etc. if it did start to rain.

By Imamommyx4 on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 - 10:41 pm:

I love Kaye's list.