Prepare for the Trip

Once we have planned things out here are the steps we follow to make sure we have a great trip with as much fun as possible!

Inventory and Stage Your Gear

     No this step isn't a duplicate. We really generally go through everything to make sure things are in working order, refilled, or just made it back into their homes after the last use. A way we keep things straight is to develop a storage system that keeps like items together. We keep a kitchen box, a tent box, and an 'extras' box. All of these are great to eliminate the clutter and 'noise' that camping gear can become. By deciding in advance what is important and what isn't you can slim down your load for the car. Once the inventory is done and you have decided what gear you're taking, get it organized. Stage it all in an area that separates it from what you aren't taking.

Make A "Go List"

     When we are getting things ready we start what we call a "go list" which is just a list of last minute details and items that we don't want to forget. Love the pillow on your bed, but you still want to sleep on it the night before you leave? Put it on the go list. Have chicken in the freezer? Put it on the go list. Take the trash out before you leave? Go list. Get the picture? Anything that you haven't packed or grouped up with all the stuff you're for sure not going to forget, gets put on this list.

Go Shopping

     We planned our meals, made a list of all the ingredients, then made a shopping list. Now we take the shopping list and go shopping. Weird right? Make a plan and work the plan. I recommend not trying to do your camp shopping and home shopping at the same time because if you're like me there'd be impulse buys galore. When we add impulse items to our camping list they end up being our leftovers. So, stick to your plan and buy only what you need.

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Do the Food Prep

     Cut the veggies, measure and package ingredients, partially cook things. When I say do the food prep, I am usually thinking "The more I get done in advance of departure the less I will have to do on the picnic table". Home is more controlled and predictable so it makes things a little easier. Also, it's cleaner so food stays safer and more preservable. When I get things prepared I try to use re-usable containers for my ingredients such as mason jars and plastic Tupperware. If I can prevent unnecessary plastic waste I usually do. Sometimes I use freezer bags but I try and avoid them as much as possible.

Once things are portioned, cut, and packaged; I go through the list one more time and put all of the refrigerated items we will need, grouped together on one shelf in the fridge. This makes it a lot easier to not forget items as they are going into the cooler later.

Pack The Dry Foods

      We pack all of our non-perishables and dry food goods the night or day before we leave. Our mindset is that if it's all in one place it becomes harder to forget things. Also, we live in bear country, so we like to have all the items from camp that they might be interested in, in this box as well. We put sunscreen, toothpaste, booze (if you pack it), lip balm, etc. in this box so it is easy to secure. You don't always need a bear proof container but having these items in a container makes them easier to put in and take out of bear boxes that are often present in campgrounds or in our case, my locking toolbox in the bed of the truck.

Pick a Departure Time & Get Some Rest

     Just like most of our process goes, having a plan and clearly communicating that plan can keep the stress down and fun up. If you want to leave on time, like I always do, make sure everyone is aware of what that time is. Almost as important as knowing when you should be leaving is being able to get out of bed to do so. Getting good sleep before you leave is important. If you need to snooze the alarm plan for that. If you have to rush because you got up late, I guarantee you that you will forget something. Having a clear plan, being well rested, and being organized when you want to load out in the morning makes your life much better.