Camping Organization

I hate packing. Truly hate it. So I want to do it as little as possible. Grab and go. As far as clothes, they have to fit in a backpack. In fact, the summer of 2007, we didn't camp on PIB (Put-in-Bay), we ferried over on foot and stayed in a hotel for 2 days. It was a spur of the moment, 2 weeks before type of thing, and we got around the island in a golf cart (incidentally, they loved the golf cart, and there is a golf cart rental right outside of the PIB campground - an hour rental will get you once around the island, w/o scenic stops, that we did last year just to get it out of their system). The kids and I each had a backpack, and I also have a mini backpack that acts as my purse (love that thing). Great fun, but that very basic motel ran over $90/night. My tent has nicer accommodations, better view, and lake breezes.

Back to topic. I picked up 3 of those crates with lids at Kmart, green for camping, and packed them with everything we needed for the trip. Dry goods, coffee!, medical kit, dishes and utensils, stove, oven mitt, propane 2-pack, clothesline, foot pump, dishtub, water carrier, extension cord, marshmallow/hot dog roasting "sticks," garbage bags. Initially, I started with 4 crates, but it was a tight fit in the SUV considering dear son's bike had to fit in there (it's too short for the bike rack). Going to see if I can condense to 2 crates this year; we'll see! I can stack two, if they are in the middle due to walls in SUV, so that does help, and I'd really like to add a screen house this year - I saw one for $60 at Target that will fit the bill. The crates also came in handy as a dishwashing station holding my dishtub and water carrier.

Kids Backpack Checklist ~
PACK:
o 2 Tshirts
o 1 shorts
o 1 fold-down capris (girl) or long pants (boy)
o 4 underpants
o 1 socks
o 1 pajamas
o 1 water tennies
o 1 swimsuit
o 1 beach towel
o 1 face towel
o 1 sweatshirt
o 1 iPod
o 1 book
o 1 bathroom caddy (check for toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, soap, hairbrush, razor and ponytail holders)

Adult list is similar, but toss in a waterproof container or two for the $/credit card and a camera!