CAMPING TIPS
For onsite food/cooking tips, click HERE.
Want to see our BEST IDEA?

COOKING

• PRECOOK RICE at home, let it cool, and seal it in a gallon ziplock bag. Can be heated up with meat for a fast first-night dinner, or use an egg, some oil, a few veggies and bits of meat for fried rice.

• FOOD PREP--Do as much at home as you can. Prechop veggies, measure and bag pancake mix ingredients, parbake a couple potatoes.

• DUTCH OVEN--indepensable in our camp. We've used it for baking cakes and bread, holding water for washing, frying....and the lid makes a great grill or spare plate for an unexpected guest.

• HOT WATER--Take an insulated coffee pot. We fill it with hot water at home, and have hot water for dinner or washup after camp it completed. Also, you can make hot water or coffee at night and have it ready for you when you wake. Washing up with hot water before you put in your contacts is so much nicer....

• BUY FOOD IN BULK-- having a friend/household member with a membership to Price Club/Costco is a wonderful thing when travelling as a group. Those in charge of the kitchen trying to feed a large group will be very glad, and if all members chip in for supplies it can greatly defer the costs.--Contributed by Lady Genevra de Brus /Clan Bloodstorm

• SLEDGEHAMMER--Invest in one for setting stakes. A world of difference over using a hammer.

• CHAIRS get set up first! That way you can take a quick break if you need it. Also, if it is hot, be sure to have something available to drink, like Gatorade.

• BEST IDEA--SHOWER/BATHTUB--Use a large plastic tub to carry your tents, stakes, etc... After camp is set up, this tub becomes the bathtub/shower in the shower pavilion (see the MINI PAVILION PLANS ) or in a curtained off area in your tent. To me, a bathtub with a decent shower (we hang a solar shower bag on a stand by the tent center pole) and some luxurious soap is the height of decadence when out camping, and your household fighters may well agree. Hang a mirror on the centerpole, put down a reed mat that will let the water drain through, and add a towel hanger. We keep a basket with loofah, nail brushes, soap and shampoo right by the tub. Be sure you've situated the tub where you can let it drain, like next to some berry bushes, or use a gray water tank. I often dig a small sump hole right behind the shower tent, and then can unhook the tent stakes on that side and just tip the used water into the hole when I'm through bathing.  We also make sure that all soaps and shampoos are biodegradeable. Now, if I can just figure out plans for a good, portable hot tub.....

• CARPET--You don't necessarily need to use large, rolled carpet. Flying to Pennsic, I was worried about size and weight of what I was packing, so I found some grey, felt-appearance upholstery fabric. I cut it into several rug size pieces, and sewed bias-tape binding on the edges. It was lightweight, very tough, and washable.

• INVEST IN A DINING CANOPY---Yes, attached awnings are not period for non-Muslim reenactors, but you will spend most of the time you are in camp outside, instead of entertaining in the tent. Usually just a large canvas rectangle with strategically placed grommets and a set of wooden poles, this will be the social hub of your camp. You may want to consider painting the canvas with the household badge, sewing on dags, or painting the poles to spice up the appearance.

• HAND TRUCK/LUGGAGE CARRIER--I've used both for events where cars can't be driven off the asphalt, and I've had to move the entire contents of my car to where I want to camp--NOT by the parking lot! :) Also, a good, sturdy luggage carrier (I got mine for about $20 at KMART, and it's hauled hundreds of pounds to Pennsic and back) is a godsend when you need to bring a full water container back from the site's distant water source. Throw a cloak over it if you're worried about a too-modern appearance.

• LIGHTING--You can't have enough period lighting at night when entertaining! A lit up camp is friendly, and much safer. I love the triangle lanter Panther Pavilion sells---gives great light and appearance using just one candle. I sometimes have a tent to myself and want a safe light at night so I can instantly see when I wake up, so I use disposable glow sticks. One stick will last all night. No, they're not period, but if I am the only one in the tent, and it can't be seen from the outside, who's to care?

• TRASH--We use a large wicker basket, lined with a trashbag, and kept discreetly away from the center of camp. Use a cover if you think insects or animals might be interested in your trash.

• EARPLUGS--GOD, yes, get earplugs. It can't quite block out late night drumming or if you neighbor has a conch shell he loves to blow at 4 in the morning (been there, heard that), but if you are a light sleeper, earplugs make a big difference. You're on your own to smack the conch-blower....

• Take a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. Our first aid kit includes an insect sting salve, and the liquid 'skin' that is used to cover burns.

• Have a cel phone? Take it.

• Tag your guy lines. We use strips of light colored fabric tied about three feet off the ground on all guy lines.

• Ask your household if anyone has special medical needs, like diabetes or severe allergies (such as to bee stings). If they use an emergency sting kit, ask where they keep it.

• BABY TUB--For our son's first event (3YC - he was 2 months old) we discovered that a small 2' x 2' inflatable camp sink (from Target - cost around $6. at the time) served wonderfully as not only a place to wash dishes, but our baby as well. Rather than try to tote a baby tub when packing space was limited, we inflated the sink in the tent and gave our bairn a comfy bath.--contributed by Lady Genevra de Brus - Clan Bloodstorm

• A friend of our family (who also has toddlers) takes a Rubbermaid roughtote stroage box along to events to haul things, but during the event on a hot day it also serves well (when emptied) as a terrific toddler pool! Fill with tepid water and a few small tub toys and lay on!--contributed by Lady Genevra de Brus - Clan Bloodstorm

• TAKE YOUR TOOLS--an old helmet (flat-top pot helms work the best my laird says - this is one of the few things that style is actually good for) has served as: a} an emergency tire jack, b} a make-shift hammer for planting tent stakes, c} a welcome foot rest for a tired/injured fighter and, if properly cleaned and sealed, makes a terrific pasta strainer!--contributed by Lady Genevra de Brus - Clan Bloodstorm

Other camping tips sites:

•  House Grynmoors Articles of Interest--includes camping tips

Email Mira Silverlock