USVI-On-Line

Just make sure you are Burt reynolds and not Ned battey

Keep an open mind, the material comforts are nice and you're used to them, but you can do it.

I've had a little camping experience over the years, but I did a 15 day rafting trip through the grand canyon several years ago with my son. Allowed to take what fit in a duffle bag, the primary things I used were 3 pairs of shorts and 3 t-shirts. Rotated and did best to clean, but it's only so good. The sleeping bag and tent were separate. Never set up the tent, no rain, slept under the stars the whole way. Only bathing was in 45 degree water. My wife said no way, no how, if I can't check in to a holiday inn at night forget it.

Easily one of the best trips of my life.

And the really long hot shower at the end was the most welcome one ever!

flip-flop wrote:

Pia wrote:Can't wait for this trip report

Good luck girlfriend - your gonna need it

Pia - Les' recipe for Skeeters may just save my life on this trip. I made an entire gallon and froze them to take. I am debating whether I will share them or not!

There is DEFINITELY NO SHOWER. It is on a friend's property in the middle of nowhere! Yikes.
Gromit has taken to calling it deliverance camp

It will be fine. I'll be fine. It will be JUST FINE!

I wondered just where you were going with a group that size.

What about taking a couple of gallons of water to wash with? Do little sponge baths in the car?

There is a river - it will be cold but its better than nothing right? There are going to be 20-25 people, maybe more! I think I am set. I have to share my daughter's take on my laments about the laack of a shower.

Me: I will really miss my shower!
Her: Mama, you will just smell like a wild animal. That way the wild animals won't be able to even smell you. You'll be safer that way.

She just turned 8.

She continued: Mama, do you know what to do if a bear approaches you? First you back away slowly, make yourself as big as possible, and make loud noises.

Me: I would die of a heart attack so it wouldn't much matter.

Now my son's idea of packing (I turned away from the cooler for a second and returned to this):

We camped alot when our kids were little. Finally graduated from a tent to a pop-up. You are giving your kids a wonderful experience. Enjoy it, no matter how bad you smell. Everyone will smell the same and not notice. Our kids, in their early 30s, still talk about our great camping experiences.

Good parenting and have a great time!

My four musts for camping:

Queen air mattress; your own pillow; Oil of Olay face cloths; good liquor.

the more you drink, the more you have to pee in the woods

My best advice.... DO DO IT! Don't get me wrong, I love the outdoors, but I love me a roof over my head and something more substantail then nylon between me and the great outdoors at night

But if you must, have fun.

We love to camp and be in the outdoors, but over the years we have accumulated stuff to make it more comfortable, including many of the items mentioned in other posts. We used to really rough it many years ago - backpacking with minimal things.

For coffee, we take a the type of system that has a funnel type gadget with small filters and you can make one cup at a time. (might be called Melitta?) We take ground coffee and just boil water, pour it in and voila, fresh hot cup of coffee.

Be sure to enjoy being outside since you're doing this anyway. Many times we rush through life without truly enjoying the outdoors and natural beauty all around us. Notice the different colors of green on the trees, animal tracks on the trail, patterns on the water, clouds in the sky, bright stars and little wildflowers. Be quiet and listen to the sounds of rippling water, rustling leaves, and birds calling. You will probably find things to enjoy if you seek them out.

Have a great time!

beer; more beer and more beer
then two decks of cards and money to play poker
of wait that's if your in your 20's

never mind

I'm an avid camper and often camp with no shower and have many times had no toilet facilities of any kind. That's when you have to remember to bring a plastic bag to put your soiled TP in to so you aren't leaving it in the bush.

Yes, Melita makes the little filterless cone that fits over a cup. Add boiling water over the grounds. It's that simple.

Don't forget PJ's (or a tee & light cotton sweats or shorts). You may not use them at home but if you need to get up in the middle of the night you'll be glad to not have to put a day's worth of dirty camping clothes back on.

Re: the no shower. Invest in the solar shower. You can find a cheap one and hang it up during the day and after dinner have a good rinse off. I also like to boil some water at night and have a "sponge bath" and soak my feet before I crawl into the sleeping bag so bring a bucket or bin specifically for "bathing".

Hey Flip- wanna impress those experienced campers-

Pineapple Upside Down Cake in a Can over a Campfire

http://joeandbetsy.com/2010/06/01/dessert-in-a-can/

Well? Did you survive?

Thanks all for the advice and tips!!! I survived and get this, I LOVED it! I think it helped that my friend (the property owner) and his buddies have been working on it for years so there was some order/civilization. For boys, they had thought of a lot.

It was very fun. My kids absolutely loved it! My 8yo said after being told they go every Memorial Day weekend, "I can't possibly wait that long!" So we are planning on an October trip if the weather works out. I will post some pics soon!

This pretty much sums it up...