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A Camper's Dozen: 13 Tips To Successful Meals In Camp (Part 1) - Page 2

© Steven C. Karoly

Make a checklist: A checklist serves two purposes: It lists everything you're taking on the trip so you don't forget anything. (But don't repeat my mistake from our last trip: I had cottage cheese on my list and still forgot it. You wouldn't believe how expensive cottage cheese is in the general store in Kirkwood!) And, unless you have an extremely well-stocked pantry, you'll need to make a shopping list for the trip to the supermarket.

Pack smartly: You might say, "Just use an ice chest or two for the perishables and place the dry goods in a box." Well, you're half-right. The trick is to pack smartly. For several years, I've wrapped each package of frozen meat two sheets of newsprint and placed them into a self-closing freezer bag (like Ziploc brand bags). All of the meat packages are then closely packed together in one or two ice chests. For long trips, I use two ice chests.

Select good cookware: If you take several camping trips each year, it's a good idea to set aside cookware for camping. You don't have to run out to a sporting goods store and buy specialized campware. Old pots and pans from your kitchen will work as well. If you enjoy cooking over the campfire like the Bentleys, you'll also need a good cast iron skillet or griddle, a sturdy fire grate, and several Dutch ovens.

In my next article, I'll explore seven more tips that'll help you cook wonderful meals in camp. You'll find tips on locating a good campsite, camp set up, sanitation in camp, cooking over campfire, restocking at local stores, and dealing with wild animals.

So, in the meantime, get ready for your next camping trip. And when you get there, remember Bentley's advise: "With all camp cooking take your time, relax and savor the smells of the food and fire."

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Featured websites
Pete's Camping Page
The Boilard's average 30 to 45 nights camping in New England campgrounds each year. The star attraction on Pete's Camping Page is the Campmaster 2000, a eight-foot utility trailer that's been rigged to haul all of their camping gear.

Mike's Camping Page
Mike Bentley has grouped scores of camping links on his website. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find camp and outdoor cooking links.

Pete Boilard's camp galley

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