Rain gear, rain gear, rain gear! Or as we put it at scout camp "nair gear".

I usually truck camp or go back into the woods by backpacking. The truck camping setup is plywood over wheel wells, 4" foam mattress, room under to store propane stove and tank, roll up table, lantern, cooler on top of bed (doesn't fit under), camp chairs.

Whatever setup you go with you might want to pick it together at home and try a "camp-out" there to work out any kinks in the setup before leaving home.

Curt, the inflatable air mattresses have improved alot over the last few years and a middle of the road Coleman ($35.00 bucks or so) is plenty reliable if they're not abused. You will have no trouble staying warm on them with a blanket layer layed on top. Save the Thermarests for what they were intended for...remote backpacking. Have fun!

WOW! Thanx to all that replied    

Guru,
I would throw in some type of table. They have many camp uses and there are alot out, that are made for camping, they fold up or rollup.

 Also I always take a shepards hook. That you would put in your yard for flowers. They will lay flat in the bed of a truck and are great for hanging a lantern on around camp.

I've been camping with my 2 girls and wife for the last 17 years. Everyone above has very good advice, especially the air mattress and table suggestions.
One thing I would tell you is to NOT skimp on a tent. All it takes is a bad trip (read rain soaked) to ruin the experience.
I have a friend who has the Alaskan Guide tent and it's great, but I wouldn't recommend it for weekend outings. It's really heavy and quite a chore to setup too.
I think the most important things to look for in a tent are the floor and rainfly. I recommend getting a tent with a sewn in double floor with seams that are at least 6" above the ground. Also, the rainfly should cover the WHOLE tent, not just the top.
I have a Kelty Glacier Ridge tent that is large enough for the whole family, meets the requirements above AND I can stand up in it.

So what are the "must haves" for kitchen utensils and cooking supplies?

I'm not much of a cook, that's why I ask    

Salt, Pepper,Lawrys seasoning salt, Forks, Fillet knife, Aluminum foil, Frying Pan, Some type of Sauce..,ie. Hot Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, Worchestershire Sauce, etc  Atleast in my camp!  Coffee for the A.M.  Hot Chocalate for the kids.  And on and on. LOL   Don't forget paper plates and paper towels, Burn them in the campfire...  I scramble eggs in Dixie cups or styrofoam bowls.

I'll add this to Big Ron's list. Make that a cast iron frying pan. A dutch oven is on my list of stuff to get. Spatula, small can opener (for opening your Dinty Moore stew), paring knife, a couple of dish washing tubs, sponge and a towel, dish soap. coffee pot for boiling water, i use the folger's singles for making my coffee. a hot mitt and a coleman stove. I also bring a tabletop grill. A small table to put all this stuff on, and a can coozie.

OH.... Don't forget the butter and or cooking oil!  Bacon/Sausage is always good and fish breading if there are fish available.  :D

Guru,

One way to see what you will need for your camp kitchen is to cook the meals at home and write down EVERYTHING that you touch. It helps you not forget the little things like can openers and hot pads.  Also, if you decide to skip paper plates and plastic silverware then take a couple of plastic basins that you can fit in each other, one for hot soapy water and one for clear water when you clean up after each meal. Use the same everything you touch rule for listing your clean up stuff.

Thanx fellas.....I'm getting quite a nice list together    

Larry, R U making Muzzy this year?

Trial run in the back yard is a good idea and popular with the kidos.

I also like to bring my tripod grill. It sits over the top of the firepit and the grill suspends from the center on 3 chains. Great for keeping the coffee warm as the height of the grill is adjustable.
A Dutch Oven is a real treat once you get the hang of cooking in it.
We also have some sandwich irons that work really well for making pizzas, hot ham n cheese etc.. And of course some quality wiener sticks!

Dang Killie, Looks like you need two more dogs...for that three dog night!

Hormoan, There isn't any activity in that shower scene like at the Sweat  :eek:  Doc

Guru,

I don't think I saw a cutting board on anyone's list or an old tarp to put under the tent that helps keep dampness out of the tent just remember to roll the tarp and tuck the tarp ends under the sides of the tent.

Doing a few back yard camping trips is a great way for you and the kids to get accustomed to putting up and taking down your tent and other equipment you may choose to bring with you. I can't tell you how many times over the years and camp grounds the arguments I've heard and witnessed over how to set up a tent.

I camp with kids a lot.  Keep it simple and clean.  Kids love sitting in a tent and just hanging but don't let them eat or have drinks other than water in there.  Also, make sure each of them has a duffle or pack and make sure they keep all their stuff in it neatly.  They will trash a tent very quickly.  Shoes come off before they come in.  Here's my list:

- tent - I have a pretty big Coleman that I can fit 2 queensize airmattresses in.  I have 3 kids, 2 girls are on one and the boy and I are on the other.  The wife doesn't camp much.

- tarp footprint for tent

- 2 Coleman air mattresses in a large duffle with coleman D-Cell powered air pump.  Make sure and pump the air out when breaking camp so they will fold nice

- weather appropriate sleeping bags and/or blankets

- Coleman white gas stove with stand

- Coleman rechargeable LED and Fluorescent lantern

- Camp box (plastic tote) that holds utensils and cooking pots plus non-refrigerated food

- Utensils - spatula, big metal spoon, large knife, forks, spoons, knives, plates, bowls

- iron skillet

- medium pot

- gallon size baggies

- paper towels

- brillo pads

- dish soap

- coffee pot and cups

- flashlights and extra batteries

- parachute cord

- folding table

- camp chairs

- tarp or instant canopy

- The PETT (thepett.com) - Portable toilet and enclosure - this is a must (especially for girls) if you are camping at a place that uses portalets like Cloverdale or MOJam

- big water jug and lots of bottled water

- firewood and firestarting material (most campgrounds are denuded of firewood)  Make sure it's local cut firewood.  Many places don't allow you to bring firewood in.

That's the basics.  I can get all this in a Toyota Coralla with 2 of my kids.  I just did it for MOJam