Memorial Weekend marks the unofficial beginning of camping season here in the Midwest and I know that many people will be attempting to “rough it” for the first time this year. We’ve been camping quite a bit and these 5 tips are my basis for a good trip.

These tips assume you have already booked your campsite and you have your shelter lined up (tent, pop-up or camper).

Tip #1: Packing

My luggage of choice for any camping trip is a bunch of sturdy Rubbermaid -type containers.  The reasons are simple: 1) they hold a lot. 2) They are waterproof.  3) Most critters can’t get into them.  4)  They stack nicely.  5)  You don’t really want to drag your luggage around a campsite.

I am also a huge fan of Space Bags .  While I love the large ones that require a vacuum to remove the air, I am equally enamored with the ones that you roll the air out of.  Not only does this allow me to get more into my containers but it also helps me keep clean and dirty (or wet) items separated.

Tip #2:  Sleeping

So you’re gonna “rough it” and sleep on the ground.  A word of advice: that’s only fun if your under 12.  Invest $30 in an inflatable mattress.  Make sure it has an air pump- and that the pump has a Dc adapter for your car or you have electricity at your campsite.

Even if you have the mattress you will want to bring more blankets than you think you’ll need.  It gets cold at night.  And you’ll wake up a bit clammy and chilly.  Bring a blanket to go under your air mattress to protect it from anything on the ground that might puncture it, another to go on top of the air mattress (below the sheet) as that plastic gets cold at night, and a nice thick one to cover your self with.  Yes, that is three blankets per bed.  Trust me, you’ll want them.

If you have kids who still take naps- or if you just want them to relax for a while in the afternoon- try to get a campsite with electricity and bring a fan.  Tents can get very hot and muggy in the afternoon; the tiniest bit of sunlight shining on your tent will raise the heat to sauna levels.  Trust me- I’ve done it both ways and the fan is a life saver.

Tip #3: Clothing

If you’re camping with kids bring 2 pair of clothes per day per kid.  If you don’t use them, great.  But my kids play in streams, sand and dirt when we camp.  It’s nice to have them clean-ish.

Bring warm pajamas and socks.

If you plan to hike remember jeans, long sleeve shirts, sturdy shoes and a hat.  Save yourself as much as possible from scratches, ticks and other creepy crawlies that live in the forest.  And don’t forget a First Aid Kit (ours has a snake bite kit in it- just in case).

Tip #4: Food

When camping I apply the KISS rule.  Keep It Simple Stupid.  Unless you have a full size RV no one is expecting a gourmet meal.  Keep to easy to grill foods: hot dogs, brats, burgers, veggies, chips, potatoes, marshmallows.  If you have cookware expand out to include eggs, pancake mix and a few canned goods.  But, really, any more than that and it just gets annoying.  And, really, who wants to do more dishes than necessary?

Tip #5:  Cooking

If you’re cooking over fire you need cast iron cookware.  Make sure it’s “seasoned” before you use it.  The great thing about cast iron is that you don’t wash it.  Just scrape it out, maybe cook out any thing left in it, and it’s ready to use again.  (Bring oil for cooking- it will keep the cast iron seasoned and keep food from sticking.)

Another great way to cook over fire is in foil.  Just wrap your meat, veggies,chopped potatoes and a few dropps of water in the foil.  You can cook over the flames or bury it in the hot coals to cook.  You can also bake a potato this way.  Or corn on the cob.

Don’t forget dish soap and a  rag or two- you will have a few things to wash- and use one of the Rubbermaid containers as a wash tub.

Those are my Top 5 Camping Tips.  I have a few more camping tips on my Travel Tips page.  If you have a handy tip for camping please share it in the comments.  I would love to hear them!