Calculate Food Quantities for Camping and Outdoor Recreation

As the warmer weather approaches, we look forward to another season of camping and enjoying the fun, relaxation, and beauty that the outdoor environment has to offer. I am anxious to get out on weekends to some of my favorite campsites around Kentucky and Indiana. Of course I'll have plenty of fishing gear to bring along in case some of my family or friends join in on the adventures that are sure to come with each outing. This is the most enjoyable thing for me when I see others having a great time hiking, fishing, throwing Frisbees?, or sitting around the campfire telling stories or singing campfire songs.

There are several things I try to consider before I begin packing for a camping trip. First of course, is how long will I be gone? How much time do I have to get away from the "9 to 5", unwind and get refreshed by the fresh air, sunshine, and peaceful scenery that nature provides so abundantly? This summer, I'm going to try to get out more frequently on the weekends so I'll talk a little about short outings that are not too distant from home. This will allow me more time for what I actually want to do, and that of course, is to camp. I don't want to spend 5 hours going and 5 hours coming, using basically a whole day just for traveling. If I pick a place that's within a 100 mile radius, I should be able to find several dozen places to visit and spend less than 4 hours of total travel time.

Ok, that sound great, I can think of a dozen places within 100 miles right of the top of my head. Lake Monroe, where my youngest son and I visited last year, is only 1 hour and 45 minutes from my home. That was a great weekend camping trip and my daughter and her friends at IU came from Bloomington to join in the fun. Several of the girls had not fished much at all, and I had more fun than they did watching them scream and holler as we caught over 70 bluegill. It was a great thrill for them to actually catch, clean, and eat fresh fish. Most of the panfish were a little on the small side, but I had them keep them for several reasons. One of course, is the fish sometimes swallow the hook and it's nearly impossible to throw them back when this happens. Another reason I sometimes keep small bluegill, is that it helps other aquatic life to have more abundant food sources. Anyway, after we cleaned them all, they were absolutely delicious dipped in a bowl of egg and milk, rolled in cracker crumbs and cornmeal, and fried to a golden brown. And of course we had several bags to take home, which seemed like it made the camping trip last longer than just the weekend.

But let's get back to some of the essentials of planning your weekend camping trip. After you've decided on how much time you have, you will need to consider how many nature lovers are going camping. That's usually the easy part. So if you've got 5 people going, and you're going to be gone for two nights and two days, you'll want to figure how many meals that will be. I'd say it will be in the neighborhood of 2 dinners, 2 breakfast, and 2 lunches, not including snack times. So we'll need enough food for 10 people (5 x 2) for essentially one day. That should calculate to an average of 8-10 ounces of meat per person, 8-10 ounces of vegetables and fruit per person, and 8-10 servings of bread or grains per two persons. You can also use the 8-10 rule for your drinks for a total of 8-10, (8-10 oz. drinks) including water, per person per day. This may seem like a lot of liquid, but when you consider 3 meals a day and an additional drink in between, you are already at 6 drinks a day. Remember, dehydration is a major cause of heat stroke. If you're going hiking, swimming, or playing any type of running sport, this will easily bring the drink count up an additional 3 or more for a total of 9 drinks a day. Let's make an easy formula to go by.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOO D QUANTITY FORMULA

5 people for 2 days = (5 x 2 = 10)
10 x 8-10 ounces = (80-100 ounces meat) or 5-6¼ lbs.
10 x 8-10 ounces = (80-100 ounces fruits and veggies) or 5-6¼ lbs.
8-10 servings bread or grain per (2) persons
8-10 (8-10 oz. drinks) per person (per day)

NOTE: Hard cheeses such as American and Swiss include in meat weight.
Soft cheeses such as cultures add to fruits and vegetables weight.
Eggs may be separate.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

So that's a pretty good rule of thumb to go by for your "3 squares." If you like to snack, which goes great with camping, bring along your chips, marshmallows, or no bake cookies and you'll never go hungry. Don't forget the milk if your bring chocolate.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Article written by Keith Kampschaefer. Keith is President of CHK Marketing, LLC, which owns and operates http://www.PackNCamp.com Outdoor Supply. Along with his extensive knowledge and experience in the outdoors, Keith also has over 30 years experience in the food industry, specifically, perishable foods such as meats, seafood, and vegetables.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Hiking Trails Mt. Washington Valley NH - Trekking trails USA

Mt. Washington Valley Trails & Mt Washington - NHThe highest... Read More

Tom Sawyer Day - Floating Down The River

There were four of us on that first Tom Sawyer... Read More

The Cast of Culture in South Africa

Drive along one of South Africa's scenic strips and you... Read More

Safety Tips While Walking in the Spanish Countryside

Spring:Essential items when preparing for a walk-Compass-First aid kit -... Read More

10 Tips to Planning Your Dream Road Trip

Everyone has a travel dream. For many it is hitting... Read More

Arrowhead Hunting and Rock Collecting

We weren't planning to go rock and arrowhead hunting in... Read More

A Torrent of Influences ? Tourism in Goa

Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More

Rigid Inflatable Boats

A rigid inflatable boat is defined as a hard-hulled boat... Read More

Backpacking Journals ? Preserve Your Backpacking Experiences

Backpacking is a great way to escape the rat race... Read More

Kerala Backwaters - Gently Down the Stream

The quaint little balcony was large enough to accommodate two... Read More

Old Barney -- A Visit to Barnegat Light, New Jersey

Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a... Read More

Whitewater Rafting Trip

For the dedicated water sport enthusiast there can be no... Read More

Hawaii Volcano Tour

A Hawaii volcano tour can be a most memorable experience,... Read More

Visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park

If anyplace on earth is a natural paradise, Plitvice Lakes... Read More

Inflatable Boats: An Overview

Inflatable boats are made from flexible material, usually rubber, canvas,... Read More

Tent and Outdoor Gear Care and Repair

TENT CAREYou should seal all floor seams and those seams... Read More

Cheap Safari in Africa For $70 a Day - Heres How To Do It

You would think that a cheap safari in Africa for... Read More

Is The Workamper Lifestyle For You?

If you've been dreaming of traveling the highways in your... Read More

Tanzania Safari Top Five National Parks and Game Reserves

Ask about perfect wildlife destinations and a Tanzania safari will... Read More

Bird Safaris: Timbavatis Most Desired Plumage

Normally when you think Safari you think Big 5. The... Read More

Samoa, Heart of Polynesia

The islands of Samoa are emerging as an exciting new... Read More

One of the Oldest Traditions of the American West; The Dude Ranch

Dude Ranches first gained popularity in the 1920s, in large... Read More

The Benefits of One Day Hiking Trips

Do you like to take one day hiking trips? Do... Read More

Tips for Mountain Bikers in Spain

As any keen mountain biker will know, there are some... Read More

Inflatable Boat Trailers

An inflatable boat trailer is needed if the user has... Read More

No Artificial Ingredients Indeed

Back from our family's vacation to Costa Rica, I am... Read More

Its an Alien World in Every River

When you look at a river, what do you see?... Read More

Hiking Shoes Versus Hiking Boots

Hiking shoes versus hiking boots? Hiking shoes win. Okay, next... Read More

Maples for Autumn Colour

As the weather cools in late summer and the days... Read More

Pigeon Forge Campgrounds

Campgrounds are a perfect Pigeon Forge lodging option for visitors... Read More

GOA ? A Carnival of Beaches

The state of Goa on the West coast of India,... Read More

What Do Cowboys-n-Campfires Have in Common?

I bet you're wondering where the heck this articles going.... Read More

Hiking from Your Own Home

Picture this. You are stuck at home knee deep in... Read More