THE INEXPERIENCED CAMPER

The information on this page was put together by one of our most experienced campers, Mary Panza (Kate's mom).

Where to find equipment:

Family tents and sleeping bags can be purchased relatively cheaply at WalMart, Costco, or a sporting goods store. If you prefer to rent, many of the outdoor outfitters offer camping equipment through their rental departments. Check REI or Marmot Mountainworks for rates. Reserve your equipment early; August is prime tourist season and many out of state backpackers and mountain climbers rent their heavier gear once they get to Seattle.

We should have several camp stoves available for group use, so if you don't have one, don't worry. Just bring your own pan or pot to cook in. We'll have a community coffee pot and a kettle for hot water.

Each campsite has a picnic table and a small fire pit with a grate. Bring your folding camp or lawn chairs or an old blanket for more comfortable seating arrangements; these are especially useful in the community area.

And, finally, if you have any specialized outdoor equipment that you would be willing to share, please consider bringing it. Some of us will be bringing flower and tree identification guides, binoculars, and a compass. If you have anything along these lines, or have an outdoor skill that you would be willing share, we would love to learn something new!

What to Pack:

• Your reservation receipt and driver's license to present at check-in.
• Flashlights with batteries
• Sun screen/Bug Repellent/Skin lotion
• A Good Hat/Sunglasses
• An extra, extra change of clothes, and a spare pair of shoes. Shoes are needed for the beach walk, and they will get wet.
• light jacket or sweatshirt
• A tent - (or RV)
• Sleeping pads and bags or blankets
• Pillows - coats work great if you're in a pinch for space.
• Wooden matches or a lighter, if you plan on building a fire
• Camp stove and Propane/Grill/Charcoal and lighter fluid/firewood.
• Cooler or ice chest + ice
• Food for planned meals
• Can Opener, if you are bringing canned items
• A frying pan and/or a pot with a lid
• Water jug or pitcher to hold water (there are spigots near our campsites)
• Cooking utensils
• A cup/plate/plastic or silverware for each camper (bring extra if using disposable items, because they'll break or get blown away)
• Napkins or paper towels
• Spare trash bags.
• Toothpaste / Toothbrushes/Shampoo/ Conditioner/Soap
• Roll of Quarters for the shower
• Towels and washcloths. The kids WILL get dirty.
• Camera and film - camera batteries
• Bring a book or a deck of cards or a small game
• Toys, especially beach stuff. A toy fishing pole has been the star attraction at past camping trips.
• Extra Snacks
• Any necessary medication, including allergy medicine, epi-pen or bee sting kits, minor first aid supplies. We will have a large first aid kit in the community gear, and may even have an EMT amongst our campers.  

More Food Ideas:                                                           

Planning your meals for a weekend camping trip may seem daunting, especially if you haven't camped before. Rest assured, it's not that hard. All of the campsites at Penrose Point State Park have small fire pits, if you want to go the "traditional route" of roasting hot dogs and toasting marshmallows. You can bring your portable grill, make use of one of the propane or butane stoves brought by the experienced campers in the party or plan no-cook meals.

A cooler or ice chest with a bag or two of ice will keep most items fresh all weekend long. If the weather is hot, you may need to replace the ice if you want to keep perishable items, such as milk, at a good temperature. However, you can easily keep sandwiches or sandwich makings, milk, cheese, and hot dogs in your cooler. Frozen items are usually ok, if you put them into the cooler when they are frozen solid, and surround them with ice AND use the item within 24 hrs.

Perhaps the first thing to do when planning meals for a weekend camping is to list a few simple meals your family enjoys. Many times these meals are easily transportable and convert well to outdoor cooking with few or no changes. A good target is to limit the number of pots and pans needed to two. You don't have to stick to "one pot" recipes, but if you need to use more than 2 pans, the meal preparation will become hard to juggle over a small stove or the fire. Clean-up is easier with fewer pots and pans, as well.

Then think about the food items that are a "must have". Can't get started without your morning coffee? Have a toddler who won't go to bed without a cheese and mustard sandwich? Someone who actually eats 3-5 servings of fruit and veggies a day? These are things to add to your list. In our experience, the kids are so excited and busy at the campground, we have to reel them in to eat. Fast, easy meals are a good choice, but even picky eaters build up a healthy appetite. Breakfast is considered the start of the day, and dinner is the end. Lunch consists of all the snacks and energy breaks in between.

If you still need some help, here are ideas:

Breakfast

-         cold cereal and milk

-         muffins or bagels with juice

-         yogurt + fruit

-         pancakes made from commercial "just add water" pancake mix.

-         If you want to get fancy, or have a heartier breakfast, pre-cook breakfast sausage at home and pack it in the ice chest. Reheat at the campground.

-         Scrambled eggs are easy to cook over a propane camp stove, but clean up can be a hassle.

Lunch

-         sandwiches, either pre-made or made onsite with fixings from the cooler

-         pitas stuffed your choice of fillings

-         apple wedges, cheese, and crackers

-         "just add hot water" instant meals

-         pepperoni or jerky, cheese and crackers

-         hummus and pita bread with veggies

-         yogurt and fruit

-         If you want to cook, you can heat up your favorite soup or stew from a can.

Snacks*

-         trail mix

-         juice

-         muffins, bagels, crackers with jelly or jam or nut butter

-         oatmeal cookies

-         single-serving apple sauce and graham crackers

-         yogurt

-         granola or cereal bars

*Remember that we have children at Brown Bear who are allergic to peanuts. If at all possible, we ask that you leave your peanut products at home. If you do bring them, please do not share them with other children without permission from the parents. Please do not bring peanut products to the community areas. None of us want to cut the camp out short with a trip to the emergency room. Thank you.

Dinner

-         any or all of the above

-         hot dogs/hamburgers – pre-form and freeze hamburgers first to keep longer in cooler.

-         Deli salads will keep at least a day on ice.

-         Pita Pizza (see recipe below)

-         Spaghetti

-         Any "one pot" meals, e.g. Hamburger or Tuna Helper

-         If you want to get fancy, you can pan fry fish, chicken, potatoes, or bake these things in foil wraps over the coals. (This requires that you get a fire going earlier in the day, so you have hot coals to cook on.)

At past camp outs, we've had Chicken Curry, Spaghetti, hot dogs, French toast, "Foggy Bottom" blueberry pancakes, and Pita Pizza to name a few things. One experienced camper reported that leftover Chinese take-out hits the spot, too, especially if you don't mind eating it cold.

Pita Pizza recipe

(items given per pizza)

1 pita round

2 Tbsp pizza or spaghetti sauce

2 Tbsp shredded mozzarella or pizza cheese mix

other toppings of your choice

Non-stick frying pan, spatula, knife, spoon

Make a 2-3" slit along the side of the whole pita round. Spread sauce inside and sprinkle cheese. Add any other stuffings.

Heat in frying pan over low-medium heat. Flip once or twice to heat evenly. When the cheese is melted, it's ready.

Cut into wedges and enjoy!