Camping....going this year...things I remembered from last year.

This weekend we are going on our 2nd annual moms group (including our family) camping trip. Last year we had such a blast and I am sure this year will be even more amazing! 

Anytime that anyone experiences something they always have those mental notes of things they should bring next time...what they should have brought even though  their husbands said "we won't need that" (hello Walmart...thanks for having some cute and cheap sweaters for the kids).. meals that worked...meals that didn't...fun games..and everything in between. This is a basic "mental note" list that I made..maybe it will help you out for planning your camping trips. 

Camping 2013.
At Walmart buying sweaters for the kids

1. Pack clothes that you are okay with getting muddy, stained, and ripped. Kids and adults..
2. Bring a first aid kit. Wondering what to put in a basic kit? I like this website. Plus bring children's tylenol/advil if you have kids. Nothing sucks more than a teething baby in the middle of the boonies and no pain relievers.. 
3. Pack a jacket for everyone even if it is supposed to be super warm, also long sleeve shirts and pants! It helps with preventing mosquito bites at night and it can get super chilly at night too. 
4. Bring snacks and bring lots of them. We are bringing fishes, bagels that we made last Friday (recipe can be found here), veggie sticks, juice boxes, and many other items that will be easy to grab in pre portioned out bags. 
5. If tenting it and you are looking for a kids bed, check out this cot that can be purchased from Toys'R'Us. We have one for Carter. It's convenient. It folds up into a small bag. (Think folding chair, but a little smaller). And its $40!
6. Bring/plan more activities then you will have time for. Make some that are rain and yucky weather friendly. Lasy year one of the mom's planned a scavenger hunt, like this one on Pinterest and it was a hit! Another mom planned a simple, yet fun craft. 



Carter modelling his crown 

7. Bring games for when the children go for naps/to bed. I will be bringing Personally Incorrect...should be a blast! 
8. Kids love sleeping bags (or maybe just the idea of them)! Carter and Sophie are so excited to use their sleeping bags that they got for their birthdays. It was literally all they could talk about today. Although I also think they are equally excited about the backpack/carry bag that comes with them... 
9. Check out Kijiji or other places to get cheaper/free wood if you can. Buying wood at the campsite is EXPENSIVE.. When we bought our house the owners left us lots of wood. We will be bringing some of that with us to avoid the crazy wood prices. 
10. Invest in mosquito repellent bracelets.. We have the bugslock ones and love them! No chemicals. No sprays. Easy to use. 
11. Lastly.... be in the moment and take the time you have and be away from your major electronics. Bring a camera.. take pictures, take many..and camp. Tell stories by the fire. Sing songs. Have fun!