Getting Organized and Coming Prepared With Camping Bins

type='html'>A few years ago, I realized that it was taking us a very long time to pack for a weekend camping trip. Our goal was to get out more frequently, as many weekends as possible, and no less than once per month. We had friends who went nearly every weekend (who did not have kids), and we decided we could do it too if we could just get organized and always be ready to go. I remembered when I was in college, I used to keep my backpack all packed in the back of my truck for any trails that might suddenly call to me. While we couldn't keep the car packed for camping all the time with it's many other uses during the week, we decided we could keep some gear packed up and ready to go in one place. We already kept our tent, sleeping bags, and other larger gear in one area of the garage. It was the cooking gear and smaller miscellaneous items that needed rounding up every time. We bought three Rubbermaid storage bins that were stackable. Two were the same size, and one was half-height, but still stackable.

In the smaller one we put general camping gear. One of the larger bins was stored empty for packing food in on each trip and keeping it a little more critter proof (Note: the bins themselves are NOT critter proof, nor are coolers. We put the bin and the cooler in our car each night. If you've ever had a critter incident, you'll know why!). The final bin was the camping kitchen. I began acquiring the gear I needed to fill the bin at thrift stores and occasionally a hardware store if the thing I was looking for was elusive second-hand. I used baby food jars, small glass juice jars, and plastic honeybears to keep oil, spices, syrup and vinegar. I learned over time that honeybears eventually leak oil or syrup in the bin and are maybe not a good idea, and honey sticks are a good way to bring along honey because long-term storage in your bin will cause it to crystallize and no longer be runny. I stocked the bin with a roll of paper towels, coffee filters, aluminum foil, plastic baggies, rubber bands, and twist-ties.

We were set. These bins brought about great ease and streamlined our camping lifestyle. After each trip, we assess and re-stock the bins for the next trip. We manage to fit all of the bins and gear in our Subaru Forester with a car top carrier. The next step would be having a camping vehicle (the V6 Toyota Tacoma of my dreams) in which the bins and gear are always kept and only clothing and food need packing. We just work away at improvements a little at a time.

Camping Kitchen Bin Contents:

large enamelware soup pot, small enamelware pot with handles and a strainer basket, enamelware coffee percolator, 4 enamelware bowls, 1 large enamelware bowl, 4 enamelware dinner plates, 2 enamelware coffee mugs, 2 small enamelware espresso cups (kid sized), 1 giant enamelware mug, enamelware skillet, cutting board, spatula, serving spoon, stirring spoon, ladle, bread knife, tongs, steak/cutting knife, can opener, veggi peeler, cheese grater, salad tongs, miscellaneous silverware, tablecloth, hot pad and mit, 4 dish towels, tiny salt and pepper shakers, Dr. Bronner's soap, dish scrubber, coffee filters, foil, paper towels, lighter and matches in bag, assorted tea bags, coffee, dehydrated milk, brewer's yeast, olive oil, balsalmic vinegar, salt, pepper, summer savory. A dish drying rack will be our next addition.

*Note: Why all the enamelware? After looking into cookware options, I didn't feel okay with aluminum or Teflon. I needed something not easily breakable. Enamelware is made in a process similar to making glass, and includes water, clay, borax, feldspar, quartz and granite. The enamel coating covers a base of steel or other metal. It withstands high heat, is tough, smooth, stain-resistant, easy to clean, and non-porous (germ free). It's only fault I have found is chipping when banged around, but a few chips are not a big deal.

Camping Bin Contents:

clothesline, wooden clothes pins, rope, flashlights and headlamps, t.p. emergency reflective blanket, first aid kit, hatchet, rain coats in pouches, candles, books of campfire stories and folklore, pocket knives, bathroom trowel, lighters.

Other Equipment:

tarps (large and small), cast iron skillet and dutch oven, iron fire tripod, propane lantern, sleeping bags and air mattresses, tent, 5 gallon water jug, 2 1-gal. glass jugs of drinking water, Coleman propane stove, 2 dish tubs, firewood