...and don't take this the wrong way...

Bring a better attitude!

Your kids and everyone else will read it all over your face and in your body language that either you are in some kind of panic mode or that you don't want to be there. Sounds like the honchos got the rest covered. The den leader could probably answer any other questions you have about what to bring.

Relax and take a deep breath!

Remember, your kids are looking up to you and counting on you. You'll probably end up having a great time! And don't worry about the rain. These will be stories you and your kids will be telling for years to come!

Relax and keep it fun!

BrianC

Remember to bring fun stuff like flashlights, glowsticks, and something that will hold bugs to bring home to mom.
Ponchos, insect bug bite stick, wipes, lantern, plastic bags to hold the wet muddy stuff, unless you want it in the car on the way home. Don't rely on the other den muthers to bring everthing. Be prepared!

You first mistake was getting involved in the scouts in the first place. Potentially your second would be not being able to get to your car and out of there when it all gets to be too much.

-Will
gamingwithbaby.com | all your diapers are belong to us
my flickr

I believe the BSA has a policy prohibiting a little somethin' somethin' at events..... :-)

I brought my Ukulele to my family reunion and we had a terrific time, we played every song I knew and a whole bunch that I just faked, so if you play the Guitar/Harmonica/Tuba I would throw it in, along with one of the many fake books (Rise Up Singing has hundreds of songs everyone knows). I think that I would agree not to pre-bum on it to much, we have had some great times camping with the kids.

db
Father of three,
Mac (6), Tavie(4), and Buddy(3)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Denver_Dad/

1. Stay "dry." You were kidding about the beer, right? You freakin better not take beer to a cub scout event. I will personally kick your butt for that one.

2. Your number one goal will be to keep everything dry. Lot's of ziplock bags of all sizes. Trashbags too. Put your sleeping bag in a trashbag. The worst thing in the world is a wet sleeping bag. Put anything that could be screwed up by dampness in a bag. Take extra socks and extra underwear. Consider thermals. Take towels and keep in bags. Also, remember that if you are wet, you will get really cold. Night time is the worst to be wet. Poncho, Poncho, Poncho. Waterproof boots. Scotchguard is lame, but better than nothing.

I go camping all the time with my sons (5, 3, 1). Stay dry and bring inside games, Uno, cards, etc.., make sure you have extra snacks and snacks. Even when it rains we play outside in extra boots and ponchos. I really like marshmallow shooters. You can bring cut up PVC and make a bunch of shooters there. My 1 and 3 YO always go behind us and eat the used ammo. If I know its going to rain, i bring an extra big tarp and tie it to some trees to sit under and play games. Gameboy and a portable DVD palyer have saved my sanity more than once.

Good Luck,
Dan

But I guess I have to apologize for my apparent angst. I'm not as "panicked" about this camping trip as I guess I came across. The emotions that you probably sensed were from that day: my trying to start this thread while dealing with one sick kid, one whiny kid, car problems, and a lasagna (from scratch, thank you very much). And then the phone was ringing off the hook that day, too, I guess. One of those days. So I was trying to do too many things and didn't take enough care with my post, and it didn't come across like I thought it would. My bad. Lesson learned. (And NO!, I wasn't ignoring my kids just so I could get on the computer. One was sleeping and the other was shooting squirrels out of the tree with his .357.)*

Anyway, as for the suggestions, thanks! I am going to Border's to look for that book tomorrow, ticktock. It looks great.

• Knowing that Dirtilus and Bellyman can survive -- that is inspiration. :-)
• Instead of a ukulele, can I just bring Uke?
• And don't worry, JP, ain't no likker in my gear. (Just tea.) I may joke, but I wouldn't disrespect a group like the Scouts like that.

In any case, can anyone think of a place -- a little central-ish-ly located in the U.S. -- where a bunch of SAHD's from around the country would go camping in the summer? Would anyone want to? Just a thought. But BPD brings the backpack and Will brings towels for everyone.

(* Yes, I'm kidding. You just don't give a .357 to a 5 year-old! It was a .38 Special.)