Before I get to the “stuff” for all the gear-heads out there (myself included), let me say this: Don’t buy it unless you need it and are sure you’ll use it. If your camping equipment consists of a travel mug, no worries. Think of it as an opportunity to do a little consumer product review — on other peoples’ stuff!
photo: chillin’ in one of the essentials – the camping hammock (Spillway Campground at Woods Canyon Lake)
First, ask around to borrow the tent, camping stove, etc. Lots of people seem to have these things in a seldom-used recess of their garage and are happy for someone else to use it and see if it still works. (which is usually does)
Second option to buying gear is to rent it. REI rents out of many of their stores. Here is the website with info: http://www.rei.com/stores/rentals.html In Arizona, the Tempe and Paradise Valley locations rent. Here’s another website for renting camping equipment: http://www.lowergear.com/product.php?cat=15
If you do buy, make sure you are clear on the return policy, in case it doesn’t work out. Cost saving tip: buy plates, cups, utensils, etc., at Goodwill or another used goods store. Can’t beat the prices and it works just fine.
OK, if you’re ready to shop, here are here are a few of my favorite things that definitely make camping easier and more fun.
Camping coffee press (French Press): How tough can it be with great joe in the morning? This press is a way to get really good coffee without elaborate equipment. (It occurs to me that some may think a French Press is elaborate…) I go to bed anticipating my first sip… with the crisp morning air, chirpy birds, kids still asleep…(ha ha)
Camp griddle: pancakes are one of our camping breakfast staples. (see it in the French Press photo above) The griddle makes it so easy. I also make quesadillas on it. My backpacking alter ego still recoils at the weight of this thing, but I am getting over it.
Tonka. Most of the campgrounds I have reviewed here have wonderful well water. It tastes great, so no need to lug up water from home. But, getting it from the faucet to your campsite can be a pain. So, I use my son’s oversized Tonka dumptruck. Perfect. To my mind, it’s worth it to buy one just for this purpose! Otherwise, just fill up the water jug part-way so you don’t throw your back out in the first 15 minutes of camping… (Upper Tonto Creek Campground)
Roomy Tent: Having been indoctrinated by my backpacking days to downsize as much as possible, I sort of resisted this at first. That was silly. A big, roomy tent is awesome when camping with small fries. There should be enough room for everyone and your clothes, etc. Ours officially sleeps six, but it is perfect for our family of four, plus clothes and toys and stuff. If you can stand in it, all the better. The tent is a wonderful refuge for everyone.
This is a “Greatlands Outdoors” brand, which is nothing special, but works fine. Unless you are getting into severe cold, stormy weather or the risk of it, you don’t really need a fancy tent. Just make sure you seal the seams well or it will leak. (At the stores I mention below you can buy glue-like stuff that is “Seam Sealer”, which is made for sealing tents, boots, etc. Note: a friend of mine reported that an REI remployee scoffed at the notion of sealing a new tent, but all I know is mine needs it about once a year.) (photo: Upper Tonto Creek Campground)
Water jug. The water jug enables us to make one trip to the faucet per day. It is collapsable so it’s small for storage. And that’s a nice blue.
Camp sink. After years of washing camping dishes in one of the used dirty pots, this was a revelation to me. Using this basin makes dish clean up a lot easier. And it is collapsable for convenient storage.
Photo: All the gear is out, now someone has to start using it. (Forked Pine Campground)
Sleeping Pad: This should be very good. I love my “Base camp” Thermarest pad. If you take care of it (i.e. store it open, not rolled up), it is very fluffy and comfortable. (well, ok, maybe not “fluffy”—but surprisingly …uh…padded) Many family campers I know bring up an air mattress or two. That seems to work well.
Comforters: If you’ve got the room in your car, bring a few cozy comforters–especially if you are going to have cold nights. It easier to cover the kids up with a comforter than to try and keep stuffing them back into a sleeping bag. It can also double as a picnic blanket.
Battery operated small lantern: we hang it from our tent ceiling while getting the kids ready for bed. (There’s a little loop up there.) That way it’s not underfoot and it casts a mellow glow over everything that is perfect.
Camping axe: It’s great to be able to make all the kindling you need, particularly when the big logs are wet and you don’t know how to make a fire in the first place. It’s also just plain fun to chop stuff up—very impressive to the kids.
Camp Hammock: a delightful way to take a catnap (I’ve seen my husband do this.) Also, the kids LOVE to play in it. In fact, you may want to bring two, or three…(photo taken at Spillway Campground)
Best kid toys for camping: toy shovels (a gardening hand trowel works great), rakes, buckets, bubbles (who cares if it spills?!), glow sticks for night-time. If you have enough people, a “parachute” is also great–there’s usually plenty of room for big games like this. The dump truck is also a big hit. Coloring books and markers/crayons, picture books– great for down time in the tent.
Favorite outdoor gear store: REI, hands down. Knowledgeable and nice staff, camping oriented equipment (as opposed to hunting, etc). I go to the REI in Tempe at Southern and Priest. http://www.rei.com/
Big 5 also has basic camping equipment and good prices. For low prices only, if you know what you want/need, Target has many tents and gear to choose from, as does Walmart and Costco (with seasonal variations).
