Camping is still one of the most popular family vacations. Whether you pitch a tent or park an RV or campervan, camping is a great way to bond as a family without the interruptions that technology can bring. Leave the technology at home and you’ll be surprised at how quickly you reconnect as a family.
With careful planning, a camping trip can go off without a hitch. One of the most important details is your camping menu. While sharpening a stick and roasting a hot dog over a fire will certainly bring back fond memories, it is not the food stuff an entire week is made of! With just a few tools and some great food, you can create the perfect camping menu.
Tools and Things You’ll Need
Charcoal – many campgrounds have foregone fire pits and gone with on-site grills due to the dangers an open fire can pose. Charcoal is often not supplied and can be quite expensive in the gift shop/camp store. Be sure to bring a few bags along with you.
Camp Stove – a camp stove is fairly cheap and can be a valuable tool, particularly if the idea of grilling three meals a day is unappealing. Stoves are 
available in one and two-burner models; the size you need will depend on the number of people you’re cooking for.
Cooler – get the highest rated cooler you can afford. Camping coolers are rated by day, the higher the rating, the longer your food will stay cool. Keep in mind when purchasing your cooler that a good portion of it will be taken up with ice so you’ll need to choose a size accordingly.
Cast Iron Skillet – cast iron cookware is imperative when camping. It can stand up to being used on the grill, in the fire and even on your camp stove. A cast iron Dutch over will be just as durable and will lend itself to fantastic soups and stews.
Miscellaneous tools – table cloths, utensils, measuring cups, napkins, plates and drink ware are all things you’ll want to remember.
Great Sample Menus
You can tailor any simple meal to your family’s tastes and preferences. Start with these basics and adjust them to suit your family.
Breakfast
-Scrambled eggs with bacon, onions, green peppers and fried potatoes
Lunch
– Fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, yogurt with granola
Dinner – chili with pre-packaged corn bread or biscuits. And s’mores, of course.
Pasta, rice and anything you can grab on the go make for easy camping meals. Don’t forget the hot dogs and buns!
Food is essential to any camping experience, especially for children. We all remember sitting around a camp fire roasting marshmallows. You can create those same great memories for your children with a few tools and just a bit of preparation.
Photo credit: S’more by sanchom/flickr; Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread by Paul Cole/flickr; DSC_6503 by imgdive/flickr
David Matthews is a Volkswagen dealer and an avid roadtripper who recommends traveling in comfort in camper vans. Check out great deals on used camper vans for sale in the UK today!
