Capming... what to bring and advise

So we are going camping with 3 other families the end of June. My friend picked a place a couple of hours away where we'll have a campsite on this small river and we supply everything. My boys will be 6 and 3 at the time (almost 4).
I know I need a 10 person tent and don't want to spend a fortune on one. Any advise? I guess a sporting goods store hoping they'll have some sales with Memorial Day weekend coming up.

We are pooling our money for food and I know we'll figure out who's bringing grills, etc.
Besides the usual... sunscreen, bug spray, not great clothes or shoes... what else should I bring? Sweatshirts and sweats for at night figuring it'll be cold.
Advise? It's going to be 3 nights/4 days. I can only imagine how I'll be towards the end. LOL! I know it'll be fun and looking forward, but 4 days in wilderness with one area to drive to for showers and who knows what may be it for me. LOL

Capming... what to bring and advise

Walmart has some great tents with great reviews. Look them up online before you hit the store. Target has some also, but Walmart has a better selection. I would avoid a sporting goods store as they are $$$$ .

Re: Capming... what to bring and advise

I would advise getting a couple of smaller tents, even if your gear is in one, and your family is in the other. I was camping recently with Boy Scouts, and another troop had a massive tent (I think it slept 15-20 or so). Unfortunately, their ONE tent had leaks, so EVERY tent was leaking and all of their stuff, and them, were soaked. At least with a couple of smaller tents, you have a backup, and smaller tents are easier to pack into vehicles, and set up.
Walmart has the Ozark brand. Not top-level brand, like a Hillary, or a Coleman, but not bad. The "easy up" tents really are easy up. I set up my 6 man tent, by myself, in 3 minutes (I timed it, just to see).

Re: Capming... what to bring and advise

Message edited 5/11/2015 4:28:09 PM.

Capming... what to bring and advise

I always bring a screen room to put the tables under and store coolers/food in this way you can zip up at night and keeps bugs/sun away when eating.
Batteries and Lanterns, Flashlights...Shower bags and flip flops.
Clothes line and pins for your towels or if there's swimming near by.

Radio's and outdoor games like KanJam, Ladder ball, frisbee, etc..

A Broom to sweep out the tent and doorway...you will definitely need it.

A tent fan...you will also definitely need this you will wake up in a steam room.

Wipes (so much easier to clean up kids face and hands when you cant lug them all the way back to restrooms)

Tent activities for kids like coloring, card games, board games etc. for when parents are hanging, drinking by the fire and kids are getting restless in the dark.

Hmm I'm trying to think what else but these are the majors that come to mind.

Message edited 5/11/2015 4:42:34 PM.

Re: Capming... what to bring and advise

I'm trying to remember what we brought last year....although we cheated and rented a double wide instead of tenting it. haha

- glow bracelets/necklaces for the kids (they like that at night, made it less scary)

Basically as I packed each necessity, I would think of things that went along with it

Like: coffee: coffee pot, filter, sugar, milk, cups, spoons

bottle/can opener
first aid kit (bandaids, tylenol/motrin, allergy meds -- we needed for bug bites)

Re: Capming... what to bring and advise

Lots of good advice above.

I'd add: two sets of clothes per kid per day. We camped two years ago when DD was six, with good friends who camp a lot and the mom suggested that. My kid was very neat and I was skeptical but yeah, we went through everything. In fact I'd add a couple additional tops.

Re: Capming... what to bring and advise

I'll just run down the camping stuff we always bring not including food/cooking / personal items

Tent - if your car is nearby you will be fine with an 8 person tent
Air mattress - it's a must for me
Lightweight sleeping bag
Duct Tape
Small saw/ax
Rake to clear the ground under tent, rake out campfire coals
Tarp for under the tent
Mallet to bang tent stakes in
Another tarp that can be turned into a rain fly if needed
Rope
Lanterns
Personal flashlight for each person
Chairs
A wagon or cart may be useful depending on where you are
Bucket or empty gal jugs for water ( to keep nearby if you have a campfire)
First Aid kit