By Lynda Smith Hoggan
Many experienced campers keep a "camping box" ready to go. A camping box need not be expensive. Most of the following items such as cups, bowls, plates, and silverware can be purchased at your local thrift store. The box itself can be anything large enough to conveniently store a collection of food preparation items such as a plastic bin, suitcase, or even a dedicated cupboard in an RV. Remember that if you camp in bear country, you will want your camping box to fit inside a bear-proof storage container, along with your cooler, cosmetics, etc. Be safety conscious and space conscious!
Here are some suggestions, but feel free to outfit your camping box to fit your needs.
Preparation items
Washable plates, flatware, cups – or paper/plastic if need be
Roll of sturdy paper towels
Roll of sturdy tinfoil
Small and large skillet
Small and large cooking pot
Coffeepot
Potholders
Spatula
Wooden spoon
Several sharp knives
Can opener
Corkscrew
Long-handled barbecue tools<
Waterproof matches, long matches
Long-handled lighter
Flashlight and batteries
Baby wipes
Antiseptic hand cleaner
Plastic dishpan, biodegradable dish soap and sponge
Food Staples
Instant or perk coffee
Black and green teas
Packages of instant dry milk
Raw sugar in airtight container and/or stevia powder (a no-calorie herbal sweetener) and/or organic honey or molasses (in an ant-proof container)
Packages of cocoa (no trans fats)
Packages of oatmeal
Bottle of olive oil
Bottle of flavored vinegar
Oil spray for pans
Dried herb and spice selection to taste – e.g., salt and pepper, garlic powder, crushed red chili peppers, dried parsley, cinnamon, vanilla, etc.
Author’s bio: Lynda Smith Hoggan is a Professor of Public Health in the Biological Sciences Department at Mount San Antonio College, Walnut, California.