DIY CAMP CREATIONS

5 EASY PROJECTS TO KEEP THE WHOLE FAMILY BUSY ON ANY CAMPING TRIP 

- REUBEN BOLIEU

“Answer the Call of Nature and Relive the Days of Old”

By far, one of the most popular types of vacations, especially among families, is a beloved American pastime known as the camping trip.

One of my favorite books is “Camp-Lore and Woodcraft” by Daniel Beard. He covers just about everything needed for a successful camping trip that was available—back then. He also wrote it expressing his hope to rekindle the love for camping and the skills that went along with it, especially in youngsters who he felt were straying away from the outdoors. This book was published in 1920.

Whether you want to simply roast s’mores, day hike, or gaze at the stars, making your adventure with your family special is the ultimate goal. Use these tips to create a list of fun, safe things for family camping.

TOOLS NEEDED

Assuming the obvious essentials like sleeping bags, proper clothing, first-aid/survival kits, bug spray, rope (cordage), medication, food, and a tent are taken care of, make sure to pack necessary food preparation items, namely knives and a cutting board. Kitchen knives are the obvious choice, but to transport them safely, they need to be in a sheath. This is why so many good camp sheath knives are available. If you don’t have one, however, you can transport kitchen knives in a hard plastic container.

As for cooking, keep it simple. A cast iron skillet, kettle, and boiling pot will suffice for a weekend in the woods. Don’t forget silverware or you’ll really be getting back to primal roots. Plastic bags will be your friend. They have hundreds of uses and will keep camp a little more organized and offer safe haven for keeping things dry.