Need help getting started collecting camping equipment?

Question

My fiance and I are registering on Amazon.com for our wedding because we want to build some a supply of camping gear. It's me, him, and our 4 year old. We need a tent, coleman stove, you name it. I just don't know where to start. I want to get quality stuff so any advice would be appreciated to get started. We probably will mostly do "car camping" to start, where you park right near your camp site. If someone has a list of stuff I could register for, that would be great. I remember my mom taking us all the time when we were little, and this is a tradition I would like to carry on. We really need help on choosing the right coleman stove and a tent! We probably will register for cots too. ( a luxury I didn't have as a kid. ha ha.

Answer 1

A large air bed is better than a cot by far. A small (3-4 man) double wall, free standing dome type tent (with a full fly that reaches the ground, none of those little tiny flies just on the tip) for sleeping only, and a larger screen tent to go over or near the picnic table, where you'll spend a lot of time, would be nice. Folding chairs are sturdier than those fold up chairs if you have room to pack them. You'll want a good thick cooler, and two burner Coleman stove, and decent sleeping bags, not cotton but 100% synthetic. Always get the smallest, least fancy item, you might need, not the most complicated, but the most traditional and not the biggest and most expensive.

Coleman stoves and coolers are good but tents and sleeping bags are not their forte. A better bet would be to register at REI.

This air bed will fit into this tent:

http://www.rei.com/product/761895

http://www.amazon.com/Wenzel-Queen-Insta...

http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-5430E700-T...

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_sg/105...

Answer 2

http://www.outdoorcooking.com/catalog/it...

I love my stove, I know your family is still small. but this stove is the best and you can purchase the BBQ box and make it even more of an accessory. I have a large family personally and my extended family is even larger. When we camp this stove and the griddle make breakfast so much better.

My other camping item that I just adore is a contico storage locker. I use it for picnics as well, I keep it stocked at all times for BBQ's, trips to the beach, camping just about any outdoor activity. Here's a link, i keep all my plates, napkins, condiments, utencils in here. Just makes packing and organizina a breeze.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

One last item you can never do with out is a good first aid kit, I got mine at Costco but, I'm sure you could find a good one on Amazon. I keep one in each car, not just for camping but for trips to the beach, park, you just never know when it will come in handy. My mom was right when she had me buy them, I have used them more than I ever thought I would even if it was just being a good neighbor and helping someone else at the park.   who knew?

Good luck, best wishes, theres nothing like a family trip to somewhere you have never been and with out all the electronics we depend on so much.  

Answer 3

Don't get all the silly camping stuff - like an air mattress. That's not camping. You'll end up having so much stuff you can't fit it in your car. All you need is:

Tent

Sleeping bags

Camp stove

Cookware - cast iron is best if you aren't hiking. Then you can cook on the first if you choose.

1 set of camping dishes (1 plate/bowl for each, cup, silverware)

Lantern - propane kind

Hatchet to make kindling for the fire

That should be plenty to get you going. The more stuff you have the bigger pain in the butt it'll be and before you know it you won't be going at all. We keep our camping supplies very organized and packed in a couple rubbermaid containers. When we spontaneously decide to go camping all we have to do is throw the boxes and the kids in the car and we're off. .

Answer 4

I am definately a fan of the blow up bed as opposed to the cot while car camping.  a nice, queen sized self inflator is the way to go.  you want a decent sized tent, something to fit the three of you plus the mattress and your gear, maybe think about getting a big two room tent with a vestibule.  some camping chairs, a decent camp stove if that's your thing (I'd rather stick with the campfire myself) you'll need a good size cooler too, sleeping bags (I like synthetic over down cause it stays dry) backpacks, flashlights, headlights, hatchet, pocket knife, water container, first aid kit...  you should really head over to REI.com or campmore.com and check out what they have.

Answer 5

After not having camped in several years we are getting back into it and taking our kids for the first time, to carryon the traditions that both DH and I had growing up.  I have been letting our 4yo help pick a lot of the equipment so that she would get into it.  We ended up picking up a Big Agnes Big House 6, spendy, but well worth it.  We have a family of 4 and a dog, but we could all barely fit in a 4 man tent.  If you're considering expaning your family again in the future you may want to take that into consideration as well.  Some of the reasons we went with such a pricey tent is the materials.  I can't remember how many fiberglass poles we broke growing up so I opted for aluminum.  

We weren't thrilled with Coleman's options for sleeping bags, but didn't want to spend a ton either so we opted for Keltys.  My 4yo had actually asked me for the Little Dipper bag and I stumbled onto it on sale for half off on Amazon.  

We have not purchased a new stove yet, we're still working on that.  We're getting so many mixed reviews.  Originally we thought we'd go Coleman, but now we're not so sure.

I have no advice on cots, b/c we don't use them.  I'm not coordinated enough to sleep on one. :P

We just got a new lantern, it's a Brunton Glorb LED.  It's pretty cool, it's TINY, but we love it.  We're planning on also getting a Brunton Polaris LED lantern as well.  Several lanterns are available now with LED or compact fluorescent bulbs.  We chose LED for the lasting power.  Obviously, you can still get an old fashioned oil lantern, but we opted not to because of the kids and hyperactive dog.  

Oh and definitely register for roasting sticks.  What's camping without hotdogs and marshmallows?

Answer 6

DON"T buy anything that you don't absolutely need,it's easy to accumulate too much stuff,then it becomes a job

Answer 7

Register with L.L.Bean too and if you have one near you, REI. You want to buy quality stuff. It may cost more, but will last a lot longer. Nothing worse then a tent that leaks. If you do not get cots, be sure to buy some sort of sleeping pads. The best are therma rest pads. Don't buy cheap air mattresses, waste of money. I like head lamps (the kind you wear on your head) a lot. It frees up your hands when walking at night. Buy sleeping bags that will keep you warm down to about 30 degrees. Down is nice, but is useless if it gets wet. I prefer other fillings. Bring your own pillows from home. Cooking equipment can be gotten a little at a time. I use non stick frying pans, a metal coffee pot, and a multi use pot, like one with a steamer in it. One last thing, when buying a tent, go for a big one. If it say 4 person tent, get the 6 person tent. The more room you have the better.