Latest Z Technologies - How can I pamper a princess first-time camper while camping? Where can I find gadgets that make it 5 stars?

How can I pamper a princess first-time camper while camping? Where can I find gadgets that make it 5 stars?

It's a 7 day camping trip in southern California with no electricity and minimal running water. If you take someone who is used to Oprah-style vacationing (I say that in love), what are some products out there that can make it not only manageable, but unbelievably enjoyable? I'd like to take it to the point where someone else might say, "Is this really camping?" given how much they are being spoiled by the latest gadgets, gizmos, and technology. Thanks in advance. I knew the "camping is SUPPOSED to be..." would come up. In this specific case, the trip is mandatory for the person involved and staying somewhere else is not an option. This is a problem-solving question, not a opinion poll. Great questions. Very primative campground, same place each night with minimal day backpacking. Thanks!

Public Comments

a generator ..........TV.........air conditioner...........but really why bother.............camping is supposed to be roughing it.........might as well go to a Holiday Inn
So, you want to make sure she is comfortable? A nice tent (read: NICE, not a cheap one that will leak if it rains - unless you are sure it won't rain a drop) Depending on the temps at night - a warm sleeping bag! And those air mattresses you buy from MalWart are aweful - they loose air and are cold to sleep on. You could get a nice blow-up Therm-a-Rest - they are FANTASTIC! - or a cot. Make sure she brings the right clothes and good boots if you're hiking and that they fit. Camp chairs are a must and easy to find. If it does rain, bring good rain gear. I even bring my umbrella with me backpacking and camping - it is a luxury and can be used for sun protection too. FOOD is one of the MOST important things! It can raise moral. Beans and rice will NOT cut it. Make sure you bring some of her favorites and don't forget desert. A 2-burner Coleman stove should do. If she needs to take a shower you can buy a shower kit and warm the water on the stove. If she's not that picky, diaper wipes go a long way. Be sure there are things for both of you to do - books, boardgames, cards. I even brought my portable DVD player camping once - great for a rainy day. Teach her things. If you know all the camp skills, teach her - don't tell her what to do because that will backfire on you. If it's really hot, they sell battery operated fans, oh, and make sure to get some source of light be it a lantern, flashlight, or headlamp. The rest is just normal camp equipment. Check the last listed website for some more information. Oh, and the best thing to do to have a successful trip is to have a positive attitude. It goes a long way! Hope this helped and have a great time!
Ok if you want to go camping like the big dogs then let me tell you the best of the best gear. For sleeping go with a therma rest. They are expensive but cumfy. Take along a full size pillow. After 3 days camp pillows really suck. Make sure your tent is seam sealed and is of good quality. Now the previous anwser was great on clothing. Now for cooking if you want to eat good get a stove. If you want to eat like a king go buy a dutch oven. You can make everything from cake to stew and jsut about everything in between. Old technology but nothing beats them.
honestly tell er to tuff it out.. but bring lots of blankets and a fan tents get hottttt.. walmart actually has alot of good camping supplies. for most of the night lie on the ground (w a blanket and just watch the stars women love that trust me
If you have to backpack all of the stuff into the campsite then you'll be unable to take things like heavy-duty blow-up air mattresses. Here are a few of the things I've picked up over the years at places like REI, Eastern Mountain Sports, Campmor, and LL Bean that I regularly use when backpacking: 1. Java Press. I use the Backcountry Bistro (aka Big Sky Bistro). My wife got mine for me off the web...don't know where. 2. Black Diamond has a slick new electric lantern that is pretty cool. I saw that at Eastern Mountain Sports yesterday. 3. Crazy Creek chair. I got mine at Sierra Trading Post but you can get them almost anywhere. There are cheap knock-offs at Target and Wal-Mart...they suck and break. 4. Backpacking Espresso Maker. I got mine at Campmor years ago. I used to use mine a lot. It works great. Sorry..you won't be able to make her frothy cappuccino without packing in some dehydrated milk though. 5. Good Food. There are a lot of dried veggies and fruits available at better supermarkets. A lot of the backpacking meals from Backpackers Pantry and Mountain House are very good as well. Similarly, there are dozens of noodle dishes that are very tasty and easy to make. The seasoning packets and spices are what makes the taste! 6. Travel games. Travel Scrabble saved the day on a trip with my wife a few years ago. It poured rain all day on one day and we hung out in the tent playing Travel Scrabble for a few hours. I also stash a few pages from Mad Libs in with my map when I take the scouts out. I also have taken travel chess or checkers. They don't take up too much room, nor do they weigh all that much. 7. I have a few bandanas I got from LL Bean or REI a few years ago with things like animal prints, stars, and tree identification tips. I use the astronomy one sometimes at night to locate constallations. My buddy has a better thing I believe he got from the Boy Scout catalog that is a foldable star chart that you can set for your latitude and season. It's like a rubber bowl and you move it to meet your needs. It's neat. 8. Frisbee. (also serves as a dinner plate in my case.) 9. Things to suit your destination. If I am backpacking into a place with some good rock, I'll take my climbing shoes and go bouldering. I'll take a fun noodle or some other floaty thing if I'm hiking into a hot spring or swimming hole. I even packed in a gold panning dish one time in New Mexico and spent the day panning streams for gold nuggets. (Hey, I found about $75 worth of gold that day!..don't laugh.) There are other gizmos I've seen, but never used...such as the Ice Cream Maker and the hand-crank blender. These are good things if you are car camping and can tote in the extra weight and bulk, but aren't something I would take backpacking. Have Fun. If she doesn't...dump the princess.
Got some good answers already, so I won't repeat them. I do lots of primitive camping too and love it. If possible, make sure you bring a tent large enought to actually stand in, in case it rains you can still have fun, plus it's more comfy for changing. Dont' forget easy slip on shoes, for those mid night visits to the woods. How about a battery powered DVD player w/charger so you can recharge off car lighter during the days? No toilet? they make little porta potties. don't forget clean washcloths and hand towels.After a day of being dirty, I feel better after washing up w/my regular linens. I am drawing a blank about anything unique aside from all the basics, but go to REI.com and Campmor.com. Both have the lastest in great camping supplies.
Don't forget the fly swatter for the flies/ bugs/horseflies that get in the tent! Also a rainy day board game / deck of cards Munchies If this is your sig other: lotion or massage oil for rubbing sore feet and backs....
I believe you will be fine ... I have a feeling she will enjoy it. Your taking her to a new world, and if she is adventurous, you will have no problem gathering wood with a helper who becomes a great volenteer, get ready to cuddle by the fire. Nature does weird things to people. Have Fun!!
My husband and I go camping all the time with our kids. 1. Always start with a good checklist. A MUST!! Make sure you take everything you're going to need. Here's a good list. You don't have to take everything on it, but a good place to start. http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/Checklists.htm 2. A good tent. For a family of 4 space is a must for us. We have a 12x14 with a screened in front 'porch'. We got ours on sale at Academy for $50. One of the best tents we've had so far. academy.com (you can also find a LOT of gear) 3. Cooking utensils and Camp Kitchens.... look at cabelas.com. I LOVE my GSI kitchen. Pricey but WORTH every penny. here;s a specific link to camp kitchens http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat20112 4. First Aid.... what can go wrong WILL. Make sure you have a well stocked first aid kit. Also get a snake bite kit (get the suction kind. The one I have looks like an oversized syringe. I got mine from Academy. 5. BUGS!!!! mosquitos!! Get a propane powered black flag fogger. With yellow fever n all the stuff they carry you don't want to get sick from a mosquito. Well worth the $. We got ours from Lowes. 6. FOOD!! make sure you have a GOOD cooler to keep ice cold for a long time. That way you spend less money on ice. If you're going to be fishing.... eat what you catch. (less meat to have to pack and keep cold) There's lots of ways you can prepare a gourmet meal out in the wild... take some heavy duty aluminum foil, some heavy duty quart size freezer bags. You can prepare an entire meal just by putting your meal in a foil pocket and cooking it over coals. Breakfast omelettes can be cooked in the zip lock bags in boiling water Here's some recipes and you'll also find links for other methods of cooking with recipes to go with them. http://www.macscouter.com/Cooking/Backpacking_GourmetBackpacker.asp 7. Portable generators.... not necessary, but nice to have JUST IN CASE. here's a couple you can look at. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/common/search/search-results1.jsp?QueryText=portable+generators&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=portable+generators&noImage=0 If you have any other questions... feel free to contact
Rent a pop-up. I've tried to break in the princess myself, several times with dismal results.