Camping Menu

Fast, simple and delicious.
Please be sure to increase/ determine ingredient quantities based on number of campers.
Breakfast

Potato Scramble
Vegetable oil
Salt & Pepper
Eggs, beaten
Potatoes, chopped (hashbrowns work, also)
Ham, chopped to bitesize/ diced
Green Bell Peppers, chopped & de-seeded

Fry chopped potatoes in vegetable oil until mildly softened before adding the ham. Once the ham has fried up, add the green bell peppers. Once the bell peppers have softened, scramble your eggs. I top this yummy breakfast food with ketchup.

Raisin Cinnamon Egg Squares
12 slices of cinnamon raisin bread
4 eggs
3 tablespoons of milk
butter or cooking oil

Beat the milk and eggs together in a bowl until completely mixed. Heat butter or oil in a griddle or pan. Soak each slice of cinnamon raisin bread in the egg mixture. Fry the bread on each side until it is golden brown. Tastes great by itself and served with canned fruit, butter, powdered sugar or maple syrup over the top.

Fruity Pancakes
Milk
Syrup
Pkg Blueberry Muffin Mix

In a mixing bowl, mix milk and muffin mix together until pancake consistency. Preheat skillet/ griddle. Use oil or cooking spray to keep your cake from sticking. Be sure to flip when ready. And voila! You have blueberry pancakes that are super simple and especially delicious (:

Breakfast Burritos
cooking spray
1 medium tortilla
1-2 eggs, depending on preference
2 bacon strips
Optional: onion and green pepper
Salt and pepper

Give your pan a shot of cooking spray, and place the bacon strips on it. While the pork’s sizzling, use a mixing bowl to whip the eggs and optional chopped onion or peppers together. When the bacon’s done, set it aside on a couple of paper towels and pour your egg mixture in the pan. Stir frequently, as the coals will be hotter than the eggs’ optimum cooking temperature. When they’re finished (it should only be 5-10 minutes), lay the already cooked bacon and fresh eggs in the center of your tortilla, salt and pepper to taste, and roll it on up.

Lunch
Sandwiches & Soup

Try out a Deli Turkey Sandwich with a Progresso or Chunky brand soup!
Canned Clam Chowder and Grilled Cheese are superrr scrumptious and filling
+more soups & sandwiches later+

Dinner

Chicken Teriyaki Skewers
Chicken, marinated overnight in teriyaki (or any other desirable sauce)
Zucchini, sliced
Onion, sliced
Mushrooms, sliced
Tomato, sliced

After marinating the chicken overnight (trust me, you want it marinated!!), and chopping all of the veggies into pieces that hug the skewers - organize the pieces of veggies and meat onto the skewer. Cook over a grill lined with aluminum foil until chicken is noticeably done.

Best Burgers in Town
1 box pkg of Lipton brand onion soup mix
Hamburger Meat
Sesame Seed Buns
Lettuce, Pulled apart to about the size of the buns
Tomato, sliced thickly or thinly to preference
Ketchup
Mustard
Colby Jack Cheese

For every pound of hamburger meat, use at least one package of onion soup mix (two per box). Mix together with your hands (hands v spoon = better dispersion). Once all of your meat is mixed in evenly with the soup mix, pat burgers out to a round patty that is wider than your bun. Be sure to make the center of your patty shallow, and the edges thicker (while cooking, your patty will shrink... making the patty bigger than the bun with ensure that your bun wont be a lot bigger than your patty after cooking, shallowing the center and beefing up the edges ensure that your patty won't become a ball while cooking). Once your patty's are done to your own personal specifications (some like burgers to be med rare and all that or a little less 'done' than others), place a slice of colby jack on top, and allow to melt a little before decking your burger with other toppings.

Flavorful Chicken Breast
boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup Dijon mustard (for every 4 chicken breasts)
1/4 cup maple syrup (for every 4 chicken breasts)
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Salt & pepper
Rosemary
In a small bowl, mix together mustard, syrup, and vinegar. Place chicken breasts into bowl, covering each breast evenly. Season with salt & lots of pepper. Grill until chicken is done, or until meat thermometer reads 165 degrees. Exactly how long you should leave it in is based on personal preference and your grill (line your pan with foil to keep clean up easy!) There will be extra sauce in the pan, which you can elect to toss out or use for extra flavoring. You do not need to cover with foil. Season with chopped rosemary.

Spinach Quesadillas
Tortillas
Butter
Fresh Spinach, stems removed and chopped
White Queso, shredded
Cubed Chicken Breast or Shrimp
Mushrooms, shopped
Fire up your griddle or warm up your skillet! Be sure to use cook cubed chicken before putting it in your quesadilla (if using shrimp, be sure to warm up the shrimp and make sure it's cooked). Once your 'meat' is cooked, use the butter to brown the tortilla just a little bit. Throw your cheese, veggies, and anything else you like into your tortilla, press firmly for cheese to adhere everything. Once your cheese is all gooey, you're pretty much done.

Chili
Ground Hamburger Meat/ Turkey/ Deer
Chili Beans, several cans, 3-4 (be sure to pack a hand-held can opener)
Pasta, if desired
Tomato sauce, 2 lg cans Chili powder

Cook your meat first (I recommend deer or turkey - much tastier and healthier). Make sure to have a decent sized pot to cook those chili beans in with the tomato sauce. Season with as much chili powder as you like. If you like your chili to have noodles - go for it! Don't forget the saltines and cheese!!

Snacks

Fruit Sticks
12 Kiwi
1 - 2 pkgs Strawberries
1 Cantaloupe
3c Blueberries
1 pkg Wooden Skewer Sticks

Slice and peel kiwi. Remove leafy part of strawberries. Chop cantaloupe into bite sized pieces. Arrange fruit randomly onto skewer until all of the fruit is gone. BAM. The Easiest, Fruity Snack on a Stick!

+Will be updated in time+

Camping Activities

Fishing
- Trust me: Wear a ball cap!
Hiking
- Take your camera!
Bicycling
- Don't forget a water bottle!
Reading
- I hope you brought a hammock
Relaxing
Swimming
-Be sure to tether your floatie to the shore, somehow, with some twine/ rope!
Cards
-Skip Bo, Uno, Texas Hold'em, etc.

**Be sure to apply ample sunscreen throughout the day in order to prevent burn/ damage**

Summer v Fall

Keep in mind, that any information I give in this post is completely, and entirely my own perspective.

Location: Kentucky/ Tennessee area

Season: Summer

In the summer, a lot of importance should be focused on protection from the heat.. That means a crap ton of water along with a boat load of sunblock. The frequency of use for these two items are imperative to your health!!

Here's a typical hot summer camping day in Kentucky:
On your first day of camping, you will wake up to either a chilly morning or a choking humidity inside of your tent. As you step out, everything is absolutely beautiful - near the water is where you wanna be! Begin that morning before breakfast out in the water, there's no other way to start the day. Load up on a good (but not heavy) breakfast.
I recommend bringing a bike along with you, to enjoy a pleasant breeze as you pedal, get some exercise, and enjoy the pleasantliness of your surroundings.
**Be warned! Don't take unfamiliar trails!! Here's Why: True Personal Story Once you hit about lunch time, the sun will be at its peak... and you will be craving the sweet, delightful relief known only as: air conditioning.
But if yo butt is in a tent, without a fan.. I recommend a dip in the lake before lunch. But if you do that - you'll be starving like crazy once your tummy realizes what time it is.

Season: Fall

In the fall, a lot of importance should be focused on the unpredictability of the weather. That means you better prepare for freak rain/ lightning or thunderstorms (water proof your tent, use lots of tarps, secure a canopy over the campsite), drops in temperature (bring a comfy shirt and sweatpants on the trip with you - you won't regret it on a cold/ cool night or in the mild/ brisk mornings), or escalations in temperature (it happens.. just ask anyone who lives in Kentucky).
I would like to emphasize one tiny thing, just because I benefited so much from it while I camped in the fall: Bring a pair of jeans. Seriously. Between morning and noon, it is PERFECT jean weather. And I loveeeee my jeans.

Camping Supplies

As always, the supplies that go into a camping trip differ with location and time of year. I'm trying to keep that in mind when making this fairly generic list of (mostly obvious) items that are needed on a camping trip. I'll try to include every single item I have ever used on one trip or another. I will be marking items that would be more typical with certain seasons/ locations. Most items will be listed in order of importance (the higher on the list, the more important). Also, something to keep in mind whilst camping: Pack conservatively. You don't want your trip to the campsite to be overloaded with junk. Sure, I've listed a plentiful amount of stuff that could prove to be extremely helpful or necessary. But you're goin' out to the woods. This isn't a luxury resort. You don't wanna tote around a ton of clunky junk; otherwise, unloading and loading the vehicle will be a drag and a drain on your energy and time. Some people don't need certain things while others need more unique items. Do with this list, whatever you please:

BASIC CAMPING ITEMS
Primitive
+Shelter
- Tent
- Ground cloth/tarp
- Extra stakes
- Canopy
- Rubber Mallet
- Tent Mat
- Dust pan/brush
- Bedding
- Sleeping bag
- Sheets/blankets
- Pillow
- Air mattress/sleeping pad/cot/tarp
- Air pump
- Repair kit for air mattress

+Cooking
- Large water jug & water bucket
- Coolers/ice
- Thermos
- Stove with fuel/propane
- Matches/lighter
- Charcoal/firewood/buddy burner
- Dutch oven/tin can stove/box oven/etc
- Campfire grill/BBQ grill
- Fire starters/newspaper

- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
- Clothes pins

+Kitchen Utensils
- Cutting Board
- Measuring cups
- Knife w/ Sheath
- 2-3 Mixing Bowls
- Plastic Spoons, Knives, Forks
- 2-3 Cereal-type Bowls
- Tongs
- Skewers/grill forks
- Can opener/bottle opener
- Folding table
- Mugs
- Two Dish Buckets (one for soapy water, the other for clean water)
- Dawn Dish Soap (a little goes a longggg way)
- Sprub pads/ Brillo
- Ziplock bags
- Napkins
- Dish rags/towels
- Seasonings/sugar/condiments
- Cooking oil/Pam spray
- Containers for food storage
- Potholders/oven mitts
- Pots and frying pans with lids
- Tablecloth (good plastic table cloths last longer than one trip = multiple uses)
- Plates (please refrain from plastic or foam. Walmart has a nice selection on camping plates and cups)

+Appropriate Clothing
- Dependent Upon Season (will go into more depth below↓)
- Shoes/boots
- Jeans/pant/belt
- Shorts
- T-shirts
- Socks/extra socks
- Hat
- Bandana
- Sweatshirt/jacket
- Underwear
- Sleep clothes
- Rain gear
- Swim suit/towel
- Laundry bag

+Personal
- Shower shoes/flip flops
- Towels/washcloth
- Soap in plastic case/shampoo
- Tooth brush/tooth paste
- Deodorant
- Comb/brush
- Razor
- Feminine products
- Toilet paper
- Shower bag or 5 gallon bucket
- Camping shower/shower pump
- Other personal items
- Personal medications – take extra

+Miscellaneous
- Totes
- Lantern with fuel/mantles
- Extra batteries/bulbs
- Compass/GPS
- Whistle
- Water filters/purification/treatment
- Camera/battery/film/video
- Books/magazines)
- Candles
- Maps/directions
- Misc. tools
- Backpack/Drawstring Bag
- Fishing gear/license/bait
- Radio
- Musical instruments/song books
- Camp chairs
- Sunglasses
- Hammock
- First aid kit
- Tissues
- Saw/axe
- Park map/guidebooks/trail maps
- Lantern pole or hanger (some campsites provide these)
- Collapsible drying rack
- Popcorn
- Marshmallows, Graham crackers, Hershey bars (Smores)
- Flashlight/batteries
- Pocket knife
- Plastic grocery bags
- Binoculars
- Rope/clothes line
- Canteen/water bottle/coffee pot
- Bungi cords/straps
- Cards/games/toys/golf
- Duct tape/electrical tape
- Notepad/pen
- Reservations info./confirmation
- Cell phone/charger & 2-way radios/walkie talkies
- Small shovel
- Safety pins
- Money/ID/credit card/quarters
- Bikes/helmets
- Travel alarm clock
- Work gloves
- Umbrella
- Hand wipes
- Drinks/snacks
- Small sewing kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Hot chocolate/tea bags/coffee
- Scissors
- Watch

+Basic First Aid Kit
- Bug repellant/candles
- Personal medications
- Sunscreen/chapstick
- Roll bandages
- Adhesive tape
- Antiseptic wipes
- Sterile gauze pads
- Cotton swabs
- Tweezers
- Safety pins
- Scissors
- Bee sting kit
- Sinus medications
- Tissues
- Bug repellant
- Sunscreen
- Notepad/pen
- Sterile compresses
- Splinting materials
- Feminine products
- Ipecac
- Razor blades
- Plastic bags
- Small bottle of water
- Blanket
- Other personal needs
- Small mirror
- Misc. Band Aides/bandages
- Anti-acids (Tums, Rolaides)
- Antibiotic cream
- Ibuprofen
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Ace bandages
- Sunburn lotion
- Burn ointment
- Snake bit kit
- Eye drops
- Poison ivy cream
- Small flashlight
- Antibacterial soap
- Antibiotic soap
- Twine
- Nail clippers
**More shall be added here and there**

Safety Story

Be sure to let people know certain information about your trip:

+Location
- Where is this camping area?
- Give directions.
- Give details.
- Plan on taking back roads/ detours?
- Specify county/ area.
+Phone Numbers
- provide local authority numbers (State Police, Game & Fish Commission, Sheriff Dept, etc.).
- satellite phone number, if you have one.

+Durations
- When should you be expected back (earliest and latest)?

+Personal
- Who all is going?
- Vehicles used? Give a description, license plate numbers, etc.


My True Story

Additionally:
Take a First Aid class and a CPR class – keep current on this information
Keep supplies in a well marked, durable, waterproof container
Keep the contents organized
Know how to use everything in your first aid kit
Inspect content often, re-supply as needed
Keep readily available at all times

Introduction

I have been camping my entire life. Mostly primitive (only three times in an RV, and once in a pop-up camper - all other are tents). From early childhood, I remember camping for weeks at a time. Yes, in older primitive sites we do bathe in the actual lake. We did have toilets; although, they were weekly-cleaned holes in the ground with a toilet topper). Mind you, this also mostly occurred in the summer months. I have something to share with you...
I hate hate hate hot weather. I live in Kentucky, where the summers are brutally/ sweltering/ humidly hot hot hot. I also sunburn quite easily (I'm white, and can hardly hold anything that even remotely resembles a 'tan').
As already stated: I've been doing this my entire life, so far. It isn't a lifetime of knowledge (seeing as I'm only 19 years of age) but I do have a passion for camping that surpasses all others that I have. I absolutely love it. Absorbing nature, the brisk nights, the glowing campfires, fresh s'mores, the sound a tent zipper makes as it shatters the woodsy silence... Ahh, that is what I crave most of all. I'm a big picture-taker. Yes, I'm one of those people that run out of pictures on those old kodak disposable cameras taking pictures of trees, flowers, squirrels, and the like.
...More about me later, maybe!
Now, to get to my point.

What do I wish to accomplish with this blog?

Well, I have scoured the internet in order to learn absolutely everything I can to ensure a pleasant, memorable, and exciting camping trip each and every time. So far, I've learned quite a bit. Most of it, you learn through experience.. I'm planning a camping trip this fall. As I go through the motions of planning, shopping, and packing.. I will be sharing with you all of my knowledge! I hope to help anyone who has any dilemma/ question/ concern/ interest/ etc in or with camping.

I really hope to provide the utmost helpful information as I possible can to anyone who wants to know! I'm really excited to be chronicling my camping experiences, and I hope I'm helping anyone who needs it (: