#happyglamper

Glamping is camping done fabulously. After you have spent the time creating a great living and sleeping space, it’s time to focus on the kitchen!  In order to create your gourmet camping meals you have the have the right gear.  It isn’t as hard as it sounds either.  Today there are so many options available that are perfect for cooking outdoors. Cooking outdoors can be fun if you are prepared and organized.   Today, I’ll explore the basics of creating the ultimate camp kitchen!

An All Inclusive Option

A Camp Kitchen Kit is a portable (it folds flat) space that holds everything you need to prepare your meals. Depending on your budget they can be very elaborate. The basic camp kitchens hold space for your camping stove, a prep area; sink area and storage underneath (for spices and other cooking supplies).  The more elaborate ones even come with space to hang your pots and pans! Prices start at about $60.  This is a great option for people like me who want to travel with the least amount of equipment. It folds flat which makes it easy to travel with and all the components are there!

If you choose not to purchase a camp kitchen kit, you can create your own with some basic essentials!

   The Essentials:

Folding Tables:  These are essential in any camp kitchen. They function as your work space to prep food and store items.   Many of these are made to be portable and fold and store flat with handles for easy transport.  They also come in a variety of sizes depending on your needs.

Camp Sink & Cleaning Supplies:  It is imperative to keep a clean camp kitchen.  You can purchase collapsible basins to wash and dry your dishes. Bring a dish rack for the folding table to allow your items to dry.  I love the collapsible basins because it makes it easy to pack and keeps the amount of bulky items to a minimum! Don’t forget your cleaning supplies!!  A camp kitchen should have dish soap, towels, sponge, disinfectant wipes and paper towels!  Helpful tip:  if you purchase a portable solar shower bag , you can hang it over your dishwashing area with a lantern hook.  That way you will have warm water whenever you need it!

Pots & Pans:  You have to have something to cook on right?  You have two real options when looking for camp cookware.  Cast Iron Cookware and lightweight camp cookware sets.   Cast Iron cookware is a favorite for camping enthusiasts.  Cast iron is extremely durable and allows you to cook directly on coals or grills.   It holds heat really well and distributes it very evenly. It’s also non-stick so you don’t need any additional sprays and is easy to clean.  The drawback to using cast iron cookware is the weight. It’s heavy. However if you want to do a lot of cooking on the grill, I highly recommend it but only recommend getting a skillet and a Dutch oven. That’s really all you need for a quick weekend camping trip.

If you prefer to travel light or do not plan on using a grill, you can opt for a camp cookware set.  These sets typically nest together and are perfect to travel with.   You can use them on your camp stove to cook and boil water if you need it.   The only drawback to these items is you cannot use them on grills. They burn easily over an open flame.  Most kit’s range from $20 to $70 depending on how many pots and pans you like.   Helpful tip: Use both, I picked up a cast iron skillet and a camp cookware set because I’ll be using both a camping stove and a grill. You want to have options when outdoor cooking. If it rains, you can still create great meals on your camping stove!

Camping Stove and Portable grill:   Depending on what you plan to cook, you may choose a grill or camp stove.   Camping stoves are great for cooking meals quickly or boiling water.   Most people love a 2 burner camp stove. These work with small propane tanks that you can find anywhere.   Fry bacon, make pancakes! A camping stove is just a portable version of the stove you have at home.

For those grill enthusiasts there are plenty of options!  Charcoal and propane grills are now very easy to transport. Some fold flat while others are just small enough to put on a table!  Ideally you want to have a grill that packs up easily and is easy to use.  Don’t forget your charcoal, lighter fluid, matches and grilling tools!

Dinnerware and Utensils:   Remember you are glamping!  Gone are the days of your basic “mess kit”.   Glampers take their dinnerware to a new level.  Glampers create beautiful dining areas with acrylic or even porcelain dinnerware. Glampers want something beyond paper and plastic!  Wine Glasses and other acrylic drinkware replace red cups!  After all, you are creating gourmet meals. Why would you want to eat on a paper plate and plastic utensils? Not to mention, it’s more ecologically friendly anyway!

Food Prep & Storage:   While I highly recommend planning your meals ahead, there will be moments where you have to prepare items on the campsite.  Make sure you keep the basics in your kitchen.  A Cutting board, a good knife, can opener, matches, cooking utensils, cooking spray, foil, zip lock bags, and potholders are a must when prepping your meals.  Also bring some Tupperware containers to store any leftovers and plenty of trash bags.   Keeping your camp area clean is imperative to keep bugs and pesky critters away!   

Cooler:  This is the most important item for your kitchen since you will be storing your food in these for the weekend.  The key to keeping your food safe is to pack it correctly and cool it properly. Tip:  Chill the cooler before you pack it.  A Cold cooler will keep ice longer.  Add a few bags of ice to your cooler and allow it to cool a day or two before you leave.   Empty the cooler of the old ice and pack your cooler as normal. A Cold cooler keeps your ice longer.

Pack your items in layers, with heavier items such as beverages on the bottom and more fragile items such as eggs on the top.  I highly suggest taking all food out of its original packaging and putting it in Ziploc bags or Tupperware.  Helpful tip: if you have greens veggies, wrap them in paper towels before putting them in Ziploc bags! It helps them stay crisp longer.  Make sure you keep your cooler organized; it helps when you know where everything is.   When not in use, keep the cooler fully closed so less cold air will leak out. 

Let’s Cook!

Camp cooking is a part of the camping experience.  However, when glamping, your meals are much more than hot dogs on a stick, dehydrated food or a can of beans prepared over an open flame. Glampers are gourmet chefs in the outdoors.  They truly take camp cooking and dining to the next level.  It isn’t as hard or difficult as it seems. The key to creating 5-star meals is proper planning! Planning ahead makes your outdoor cooking experience a breeze.   Create a menu with meals you love and prep as much as you can before you leave. 

I’ve put together a few meals that I think are worthy of a glamping trip!  The majority of them do not require more than 30 minutes of prep time!  Download my free E-Book today full of recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert that will please any glampers palette!

As always, I hope you enjoyed the last article in our Glamping 101 series!  Just a few more days until we gather in Idlewild, MI for a weekend full of good music, great food and new memories!  Make sure you follow me on social media as I will have live coverage all weekend long and stay tuned to the blog for 2 upcoming interviews that you don’t’ want to miss!

See you in Idlewild!

This is not camping the way you are used to.  Much more than a simple tent, lantern and mess kit, Glamping is a luxurious, upscale and creative way to camp.   The term “glamping” is a combination of the words glamour and camping, and is generally used to describe lodging that immerses campers in the outdoors while providing them with the comforts of home. Where the great outdoors meets luxury, glamping takes the best comforts of home or your best 5 star hotel and brings them to the outdoors in unique and creative ways.  Queen size beds and air mattresses replace sleeping bags, cocktail tables, end tables replace old milk crates and a beautiful and elaborate place setting replaces the simple mess kits with a plate, cup and silverware. Steaks and gourmet meals replace simple hot dogs and hamburgers!   This is high end camping and there is no such thing as “too much”. You can be as creative, bold and luxurious as you want to be. The ideas are limitless!

Held in Idlewild, MI, The Summer Oasis Music Festival combines music and glamping for a fun filled, upscale music festival experience unlike any other.  Attendees come from all over setting up the most elaborate, fabulous and comfortable living spaces for 3 days.   According to founder, Cedric McDougle, Summer Oasis brings both worlds of music and camping together where the music and the tents are the main focus.   The tents help to set the scene!

Glamping 101 with Black Widow!

So what exactly is glamping...and how do you take your basic camping equipment and create a luxurious space that rivals some resorts?  As the official blogger for Summer Oasis 2018 and a 1st time glamper I was up to the challenge!  I’m not an outdoorsy person at all. I’m definitely more of the room service and chill resort type but I do love decorating and outdoor entertaining so I figured this would be something fun and different for me to try!  Glamping is all about personalizing comfort and expressing your personal style.  I wanted to start my planning off with an idea of what I’d like my tent to look and feel like. I knew I wanted something colorful and warm and immediately started researching online on sites like Pinterest for inspiration. I was drawn to the colors and styles of Moroccan décor and Boho Chic Style.  I found a few photos and used them as inspiration as I started this journey of creating a fabulous tent!  

I was totally inspired by the colors, fabrics, and textiles and used them as inspiration as I decorate my glamping space!

Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing a few tips and tricks to make your Summer Oasis Glamping experience even more enjoyable and I encourage you to share your favorite tips and tricks with me as well!

Glamping Basics

1.   A Large Tent

The last time I slept in a tent, I was 12 years old and a girl scout.  I slept on a sleeping bag, was freezing and remember that experience vividly! I slept outside one night at camp and a fly got trapped in my ear!!! That trip to the emergency room wasn't fun and I was officially over camping!  I didn't enjoy it at all! LOL.   Our tent was a simple teepee style tent with nothing more than space to keep a backpack nearby. Tents nowadays are much more unique, with plenty of amenities that make it easy no matter how many people you want to hold in your space. 

I fell in love with the “instant tent”.  I’m all about ease especially when it comes to the great outdoors.  These instant tents, literally pop up in minutes making set up a breeze especially for a first timer like me.  After researching a few tents, I decided on the Ozark Trail Hexagon 11-person tent.  This tent seemed like the perfect size to create my sanctuary for the weekend.  The box claimed set up time was 2 minutes but in actuality it took me about 15. It was still very easy and came with a really cute canopy entrance that I cannot wait to decorate. After all, I must have a fabulous entrance right?  Check out my tent in this little video!

If you really want to create a home away from home, look into a multi-room tent.  There are actually instant tents that have up to 4 rooms divided so you can create multiple rooms for you and your guests. Amazon and Walmart had some of the best deals on these tents and I was able to grab mine for $150 with free shipping! A good tent is the key to Glamping and you want to make sure you find one that is comfortable and long lasting!

2.    A Good Air Mattress

I highly suggest a double tier queen air mattress for glamping.  Many regular air mattresses deflate during the night, especially if it’s fairly new! With a double tier air mattress, even if it deflates a bit you’ll never be on the floor. Make sure you invest in a great battery operated air pump to refill if necessary!  For added comfort add a mattress pad cover for the air mattress!

3.     Bedding and Pillows

A Great Duvet, comfortable bed pillows, quality bed sheets, throws and cushions are essential for a great nights sleep!  I choose to use satin sheets for added glamour and a beautiful Moroccan bedspread.  Add extra throws, decorative pillows, and cushions for more pizazz and a nice warm blanket for extra warmth just in case the evening gets a little chilly!

4.    Side Tables/Lighting/Extras

Like my bedroom at home, I love my nightstands. I keep my journal, a good book, my phone and other essentials close to me.  Try adding a small folding table next to your air mattress to act as a nightstand. I added a cute tablecloth and Moroccan lantern to keep my Moroccan theme going throughout the tent.  Amazon, EBay, Walmart and Ikea have great folding tables that are affordable! Don’t leave them plain, however, dress them up! Add fabric, lighting, LED candles to jazz them up!  During the evening it’s imperative to have adequate lighting throughout your tent space.  There are plenty of options for tent lights and lanterns available now. Most are LED or solar powered and allow you to have your tent as bright as you want it.  You can also look into combination tent lights/ceiling fans that you can hang from the middle of your tent for light and cooler air!  For more ambient lighting, look into string lights/fairy lights, LED candles and decorative lanterns!  Some extras you may want to include are a welcome mat to keep the inside of your tent nice and dirt free and an outdoor rug (why get out of bed and walk on a cold camping floor?) It adds warmth and a little bit of “home” to your tent! It's your living space for the next few days! Customize it how you like! The possibilities are endless! 

Are you an experienced glamper or a first timer?  Share any tips, tricks or cool ideas you may have!!!

Stay tuned to the blog as we talk decorating and creating ambiance in your tent space and creating the perfect camp kitchen next time on Black Widow’s web!

As always,

See ya at the Summer Oasis Festival!