camping & floating trip essentials + a giveaway
this week i am writing about our buffalo river canoeing trip along with some of our tips on gear & food prep. i am excited to share some of our favorite camping essentials with you today! below are a handful of items we take on weekend camping & floating trips that perhaps you haven’t added to your packing list just yet:
1. large cooking pot & sturdy cast iron pan. regardless if we are cooking on the fire or a gas stove, we always bring along a cooking pot & cast iron pan. we fry eggs in our cast iron & boil noodles & steam vegetables in our pot. these two will get your cooking job done with little clean up afterward. we find most of our cast iron pieces secondhand for less than $10 each.
2. dryer lint. we have since replaced newspaper & homemade fire starters for lint from the dryer. we simply keep a basket next to the dryer at home & each time we clean out the lint, we place it in our basket for our next camping adventure. we love reusing something that would otherwise be thrown away.
3. reusable plates, utensils & cloth napkins. we love our handy set of blue plates we purchased for only a few bucks from a yard sale when we first married. our set is much better than the plastic & styrofoam throw away plates & utensils we too often see when camping. we keep the plates, along with our utensils & cloth napkins, in a storage container in the garage with the rest of our camping gear. when we are preparing to leave for a weekend trip, we simply bring along the camping container with all of our gear packed & ready to go.
4. a quilt. we love bringing along a well-worn quilt for naps by the river, sitting with a good book & relaxing by the fire. it only takes up a bit of space & makes for a more comfortable trip.
5. simple, natural body care products. we always bring along a small container of dr. bronner’s castile soap, toothpaste, bug spray & sunscreen. a new favorite body care product i will continue to use even when we are not camping is the deodorant cream by happy homestead botanicals.
mandi is such a knowledgeable & gifted friend of mine. when i heard that she was opening up her online shop & selling her deodorant, i had to try it. luke & i have used every kind of natural deodorant with little luck. some needed reapplying after thirty minutes, others left us smelling unfortunately stinky & some creams gave luke a serious rash. the happy homestead deodorant was a very happy success, leaving us smelling like lavender even after several hours of paddling on the river.
mandi is offering a jar of her happy hippy deodorant cream to one natalie creates reader! this cream is perfect for every day living at the office, out with friends, snuggled at home or on a camping trip!
simply leave a comment sharing your favorite camping essential & email address.
i will randomly choose a winner & share the news on friday morning! comments close friday morning at 6:00 am central time. happy winning!
love,
natalie
Pheasant | 10th Jul 13
Ooh that looks great, I'm forever trying to find new natural deodorant. Almost finished my current one so on the look out!
Erin Smith | 10th Jul 13
We, too, use lint! We also like to bring citronella candles, sleeping pads (so comfy!), and old pans.
Unknown | 10th Jul 13
Dryer lint is a great tip! And adding a touch of beauty with a quilt is the way to go.
Lucy | 10th Jul 13
Thanks for the dryer lint tip!
My favorite camping essential is a very non-essential bag of marshmallows. I once had a raccoon steal my bag of marshmallows from the picnic table when I popped inside the tent to grab something. That little bugger ate those marshmallows one by one while we stared each other down. I had to run down to the camp store and pay something like $7 for another bag. Ouch.
Anonymous | 10th Jul 13
We pack a small, machine washable rug for the entrance of our tent. Not only does it add a homey feel but it also cuts down on the dirt! Diana farmgirl616@hotmail.com
Living on Love | 10th Jul 13
Love this post. Great tips. Makes me want to get off the farm and into the wild. I should also tell you that I just adore your blog and your contributions to Tend. Hope all is well at the new place!
xx
Lacy
Mechelle L. | 10th Jul 13
I've never been camping. But, I do keep my thrifted blanket in the car for impromptu lunches/picnics at our local park.
mechelleluster@gmail.com
Brittany | 10th Jul 13
I'm a camping novice having only done it twice (both times in March, brrrr!). Silly question: doesn't using deodorant attract bears? That's my biggest fear with camping. I love the idea of using lint to start a fire. We usually compost ours.
Unknown | 10th Jul 13
I always take an aluminum mug – it can be used in the morning for coffee, and then at night for…harder drinks by the fire. 🙂
Ooh, dryer lint as fire starter. I like it!
Anonymous | 10th Jul 13
My camping essential is our propane lantern, great for cooking in the dark!
I'd love a post on all your natural beauty product essentials!
-Suzanne
Amanda | 10th Jul 13
We also save and use our lint! This deoderant sounds awesome! We have been looking for one that would work and dosen't ast as a antiperperant or have aluminum in it!
Unknown | 10th Jul 13
My husband and I are camping this weekend! (Our first time together!!) an essential for me is s'mores ingredients. I love a campfire with people I love and s'mores tops it off. Sometimes we use peanut butter cups instead of chocolate bars for an extra indulgent treat. 🙂
Justine
Justine.L.Simmons@gmail.com
~lori | 10th Jul 13
It's not camping for me unless my kids are there, giggling and smiling – and I like to bring my hoop!
Muliebrity | 10th Jul 13
We just returned from a beautiful weekend of camping and canoeing. Cast iron pan, my hoops, and gin and tonic are a must.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Rebecca
muliebritysmith at gmail .com
Unknown | 10th Jul 13
Haven't been camping yet with my little one. Now that he's 3, HE is my favorite camping essential. Appreciate your list, and I would just add camp friendly soap like Dr. Bronner's. <3 Ashley – mamaderio@gmail.com
Taylor | 10th Jul 13
My favorite camping thing is also my dr bronners soap. We use it for almost everything and its simple to take along everywhere we go.
Taylor.Kelch@gmail.com
Courtney | 10th Jul 13
Headlamp for sure! For those late night trips to the smelly outhouse. Haha. Love the pics Natalie!
clthomas07@gmail.com
Unknown | 10th Jul 13
My favorite camping essential is bug spray. I hate those nasty mosquitos.
Shinkeyfam @ gmail dot com
Daniela | 10th Jul 13
I can't camping without a great book 🙂 it's essential to have relaxed evenings, slow afternoons and happy hours spent reading on the grass!
Johanna | 10th Jul 13
We just bought our first cast-iron dutch oven last year, and now I will never camp without it! Best purchase ever. It's made me actually ENJOY camp cooking rather than just "tolerate" it.
Anonymous | 10th Jul 13
Bug deterrent is key! And sunscreen, having to find natural alternatives to these is sometimes challenging an $$$.
Thanks for this giveaway!
Fingers crossed!
-Kim
mandy falgout | 10th Jul 13
Favorite camping essential is my camp chair.
Anonymous | 10th Jul 13
I just wanted to say thank you for pointing us to her etsy! I make the same deodorant at home so I don't need any, but I love her etsy site! 🙂
amandabryce | 10th Jul 13
Ooooh, honestly? My favorite camping essential is smores, haha! 🙂
Clanori | 10th Jul 13
Lavender is my must have for camping.Good for bug bites and burns and rashes.
Unknown | 10th Jul 13
I haven't done much camping, but would love to take a trip this summer! I would bring my homemade bug spray:
3 1/2 ounces witch hazel
1/2 teaspoon lemongrass oil
1/2 teaspoon eucalyptus oil
1/2 teaspoon citronella oil
-Ashley C.
fawn & fern | 10th Jul 13
a headlamp is a must! especially when you're camping in a primitive area & have no light other than what you bring. also…a portable fan for when you're camping in the heat of the summer & your tent feels like a sauna in the morning.
madcap mama | 10th Jul 13
You mentioned most of what I consider essential for camping, but one other thing we always include is a sturdy piece of twine. Doesn't take up room & can be hung between trees to dry towels, blankets, clothes, etc that end up inevitably wet due to morning dew or fun in the water. Thanks!
1pureheart | 10th Jul 13
i would bring my bug bracelet!
Chasity | 10th Jul 13
One of our camping essentials is a breathing mobile washer for washing our family of 5's laundry. Plus I have to say Everything tastes better cooked in Dutch Ovens!
Brittany @kitchen::candid | 10th Jul 13
I love natural deodorant but sadly it doesn't always keep me feeling fresh. I'd LOVE to try something handcrafted!
As for camping essential, I'd have to say My Husband. He has become a survivalist and "prepper" in his spare time and I know that, together, we could handle any camping trip! 😉
But if I had to choose something else: Sunscreen! We fair maidens cannot tolerate the sun in all her mighty brilliance! 🙂
candidkitchen@yahoo.com
Lori | 10th Jul 13
A good flashlight for late night walks in the woods. Also, a cozy quilt. I have an old one my parents used when I was a kid, and I like that when we take it with us we build on the many memories the quilt already carries. Side note: I follow you on Instagram but this is the first time I've seen your blog and I love it. 🙂
Shelby | 10th Jul 13
Giant shirt to keep the sun and buggies off along with my camera. You and your instagram are wonderful!
HK | 10th Jul 13
Oh! Basket for gathering lint is now on the to do list. My essentials are card games and a hammock.
Fingers crossed
Hilary aid at gmail
mandi | 10th Jul 13
Thank you friend!
Anonymous | 10th Jul 13
I have had zero luck with natural deodorant. I would LOVE to try one that works :)Camping essentials? Wine, camera & makings for s'mores!! :)Thanks for the giveaway!!
Colleen Stewart
lakegeorge13@aol.com
Erin | 10th Jul 13
Our favorite things to bring camping are books and hobo pie irons for cooking 🙂
Ebeby@live.com
hi, i'm kat. | 10th Jul 13
a fleece jacket! we live in oregon and the temps always go way down at night.
Sherrie | 10th Jul 13
Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil to keep the bugs at bay! I'm enjoying your camping trip tips & pictures! 🙂
Blakely Hiner | 11th Jul 13
That deodorant looks amazing, ironically I favorited it on Etsy just this morning! 🙂
I've heard of using lint, I guess it really works – we will take it next time! Other camping essentials for me consist of plenty of homemade bug repellant, sleeping bags, and a good deck of cards! Also love to have disposable cameras on hand to capture any and all good times! 😉
Paula | 11th Jul 13
I love the quilt … or maybe I just love the idea of taking a nap! Anyway, my camping essential is my lightweight backpacking husband's nightmare. My body pillow. If you're going to sleep, you might as well make sure you get a really good night's sleep!
amelia | 11th Jul 13
I like the lint idea!! I am, apparently, delicious to bugs, so some oregano and lemongrass essential oil always comes along on outings!
marianne nolley | 11th Jul 13
I like to vaccum seal gravy or soup and pop it in boiling camp water, no clean up and delicious food! We also take along a bar of soap i have sewn a washcloth pocket for and tie it to the handle of a milkjug for a quick sink setup. If that deodorant works on these pits it will be a miracle for sure, but i am always looking for a natural deodorant that works!! (Im real stinky)
Kathy | 11th Jul 13
My headlamp is by far the most practical thing I bring camping… it's fantastic to be able to do things with both hands!
But my favorite camping essentials? Good tea, a sketchbook, and some colored pencils. 🙂
Thanks for the great giveaway!
jessie b | 11th Jul 13
my spork!
i would love the deodorant, but cringe at posting my email address. you can find me at http://painting-on-the-road.blogspot.com/
Unknown | 11th Jul 13
Ummmm….coffee, right? Oh, and my friend's amazing scavenger hunts, because it keeps the kids occupied for many happy, smiley hours!
Unknown | 11th Jul 13
Oh yes. papersnip.art@hotmail.com
See comment above.
Linda | 11th Jul 13
how great – i'd love to try this! We haven't camped in ages, as dh likes to have a bed/shower {and we have somewhat mentally unstable dogs lol} but… when I was a kid we camped often. We always brought games, and a good book.
Thanks for the giveaway, and good luck everyone!
cokelush at gmail is my email
{former coke lush. icky stuff lol}
Jen | 11th Jul 13
Would love to try this deodorant. I swear I have used every.single.deodorant – natural, conventional, and homemade. Nothing works!
We always take along what we refer to as a "pudgie-pie maker." I guess it'd be more widely known as a sandwich griller or something, but we butter two pieces of bread and put fruit filling inbetween and then close it up and grill it over the fire. Awesome.
Stephanie | 11th Jul 13
We never leave for a camping trip (mostly backpacking) with our our perk coffee pot. Nothing beats a cool MN morning as a cup of coffee. My headlamp is great to have too as are my awesome stainless sliver ware. 🙂 we camp/hike a lot. We never bring cast iron as its too heavy for our trips but great for short trips or car camping.
That deodorant sounds great. I've been using toms.
Jen | 11th Jul 13
Oh, pie iron! That's what most people call it! And my e-mail's tffcprez@yahoo.com
Anonymous | 11th Jul 13
oh, please please!! lots of camping planned!
Anonymous | 11th Jul 13
Bikinis, cozy sweaters and lots of food! 🙂 I've been trying so hard to find a good long lasting natural deodorant!
Mariapcatanzaro@gmail.com
Chelsea. | 11th Jul 13
I have to camping essentials: (1) a travel size chess set, and (2) my Fujifilm instax camera. Having physical pictures you can't delete off your phone brings me back to my childhood camping days, where we look at the pictures now and laugh hysterically at someone's goofy face who didn't know the picture was being taken 🙂
Kelli | 11th Jul 13
I love bringing fresh eggs from our chickens {heart}! There's just something about cooking over a campfire our own, nutritious eggs from our sweet biddies. Makes me think of them while we're gone. 🙂
Kelli, from sunny Florida
Kelli | 11th Jul 13
Oh yeah, my email is we4bates@tampabay.rr.com 🙂
Anonymous | 11th Jul 13
Favorite camping essential woul definitely have to be blankets, and a reminder to not forget to look up at the amazing night sky–wouldn't trade clusters of stars for anything.
(:
kwithj15@gmail.com
Tiara | 11th Jul 13
I always bring a book and my camera when I go camping.
Lynn | 11th Jul 13
We love camping. I always make sure I have my camera and my star charts (for the night sky).
I have tried several natural deodorants with very little luck. Thanks for the giveaway.
hhenna73 at yahoo dot com
Steffi | 11th Jul 13
my favorite camping essential is my norwegian wooden cup (http://ottatre.no/turutstyr/suppekopp-12-cm-d-detail.html), big enough for a meal or a big cup of tea or coffee. i actually never tried (or even have seen) deodorant cream, would love to try it!
steffi.engel@gmx.net
Unknown | 11th Jul 13
Coppola Sofia in a can! Love you photos, btw 🙂
Holly | 11th Jul 13
My favorite camping essential is The Clever Bucket from http://www.CleverHolly.com. It is water tight and collapses flat so it's easy to store. It's perfect for vegetable washing, dish washing, fishing….whatever! I like the lime colored one. You have my email 🙂
Wendy | 11th Jul 13
The beach chair would be a camping essential, along with a good book or knitting project. Perfect way to enjoy the camping for me! Thanks for telling us about happy homestead botanicals. I have added it to my favorites for the future purchase!
Unknown | 11th Jul 13
Natalie, your trip looks dreamy! Thanks for sharing those tips. I especially like the thought of bringing an old quilt. I have found it's always wise to bring along a tarp to put under the tent or over stuff if it starts to rain. And pb and j is always a quick meal in case of rain that somehow tastes better in the woods.
Unknown | 11th Jul 13
megan.m.rowell@gmail.com
Unknown | 16th Jul 13
Now a days people love camping. They love to spend free time in outdoor rather then in home.
Kellys Camping