AJ and I always have, and probably always will, argue about packing. He is a minimalist and I like to be prepared for contingencies. I’ve felt like the asshole parent one too many times, when we stay at the beach long enough for the air to get cold and my boys are shivering their butts off while the other kids in our party are snuggled into their nice warm hoodies and parkas that their parents were smart enough to bring. I have to admit however, that when going on long trips, I’ll often suggest that we bring the DVD player in case the kids get bored or we just want a little time to distract them so we can have some peace, but 8 times out of 10 it never gets used. We even have chains in the back of the Element, because who knows when a snow storm may hit Los Angeles, right?
We planned a camping trip to Malibu Canyon State Park for 7 days. Each morning we were planning to spend on the beach in Santa Monica while Sebastian participated in his week-long surf camp. In addition, we would be kicking off the week by spending the evening in Pasadena with friends to picnic and watch the fireworks show at the Rose Bowl. So here was my packing list, including AJ’s crossing off of items he’d rather not have to carry down to the car. Following the list is a rundown of things we used, things we didn’t use, and things we would have used if we had them.
- Clothing for 7 days for each family member (except AJ who prides himself on bringing as few clothes as possible), including
- bathing suits, rash guards
- shorts (4 pair)
- long pants (2 pair)
- shirts (5 short sleeve, 2 long sleeve)
- PJs (3 pair)
- Underwear (7 pair) and socks (2 pair)
- hoodie sweatshirt or fleece
- hats
- week’s worth of diapers and wipes for the baby
- footed PJ’s for the baby
- Phil & Ted T2 portable crib, including sheet and warm fleece blanket
- Portable high chair
- Airbed
- Portable air pump charger
- Sheets for airbed
- Sleeping pads (2)
- Sleeping bags (4)
- Camping pillows (4)
- Camping lantern and flashlights
- Camping stove
- Spare propane tanks
- Iron skillet, sauce pan, colander, cutting board
- Pre-packed bag of camping plates, cups, bowls, utensils, serrated knife, roasting sticks, and can opener
- Dishwashing soap and sponge (didn’t actually find this until unpacking once we returned home)
- Plastic tub for washing dishes (never used)
- Camping chairs (4)
- Cooler (2)
- Dry Ice
- Gel Ice packs
- Beach towels (5)
- Beach umbrella (never used, because it was so overcast on the beach all week)
- Beach toys, including frisbee, volleyball, boomerang, football, and frisbee disc
- Portable DVD player (never used)
- DVDs (never used)
- Watergun
- Water balloons
- Pre-packed toiletry bag that includes trial sized versions of the products we normally use
- Cell phone chargers
Wish list of things we would have used:
- Slack line to play on back at the campsite
- Hammock to relax on back at the campsite
- Ear plugs to drown out the whining
- Dustbuster to clean the dirt out of the tent
- Extra hoodie or sweatshirt for each of the kids
- Extra pair of underwear and toilet paper in the car
- Can of whupass
- Fishing line to play pranks on neighboring campers (pity the fool that camps next to us).
What say you? If your were camping by the beach for a week would you pack less than this? About like this? More than this?
Let us know and settle the Great Debate!
*Photo credit: pixdaus(dot)com
OF COURSE I’m with you, Mickie!! No sheets? That’s just plain wrong! I would have added: Down Comforter & Posturpedic Pillow!!
xxoo! Kim
Mickie, you forget to bring a Portable Radio
Weather Chanel, and where you all will go if they said in the Braking News
The HURACAN is Coming
Less is More! I’m with AJ, men like it empty and simple. It’s our nature. I totaly would have brought the slackline!
It’s a wonder we ever get out the door
I noticed no guns, knives or weapons of any sort. What gives? Also,how about some dental floss for AJs gingivitis?
The boys brought their lightsabers. Does that count?
Got it covered. Our LL Bean flashlight is solar powered, has a hand crank, and is also a portable radio. If all else fails, I know I can depend on you to keep us posted on the latest natural disaster:)
Why in the world would you take out the water guns and water balloons – what, 3 sq inches of space?? Water ballons and the slack line for sure!
Water balloons were left at home more out of respect for the sweet little woodland creatures and our camping neighbors than the actual space they occupied in the car. Complete agreement about the slack line.
Light sabers totally count
Yeah Kathy! Some of us don’t want little critters to choke – have a heart!
The slackline is a hit – draws a crowd every time we set it up. Have to jockey it the kids to get a turn though.
Oh yes.