LED or Propane lantern

[SoCal Gunner]

I'll throw in my two cents as someone who has Propane, Fluorescent, and LED lanterns. NOTHING compares in overall light for outside than a propane lantern. We know all the negatives and limitations, but if you want to light up a campsite, use the propane and strap it up high. The other two come in handy for inside the tents and trips to the bathroom.

I've camped and hiked all over the Sequoia & Kings Canyon Parks (In fact, I'm putting together a July trip as I type this). If you have any questions, throw them out and I'll do my best to answer. I'll start off by asking what age are the kids?

[gau17]

3 (boy) and 5.5 (Girl).

Any tips on camping recipes?

[SoCal Gunner]

Not sure what you're looking for in recipes... But with kids at those ages, you'll want/need some conveniences. The good news is there is a full service camp store at lodgepole, so everything you could want/need is there. Obviously, SMORES are always a hit.

[GotMojo]

Get the propane lamp. It will blaze like the sun and illuminate your entire site.

It will also blind and annoy the living c**p out of everyone camping around you. It majorly sucks to lose your night vision because somebody 10 sites away has one of these things fired up.

Eat and do your camp chores while it's still light out. Get a few LED flashlights and make do. Your neighbors will thank you for it.

[SIP2000GLO]

With my very limited experience in camping, I would also throw in my dos centavos. On my last trip for 5 days, I ran 2 Coleman propane lanterns from 2 BBQ tanks and 1 Coleman white gas lantern. It really helped at night when it was pitched dark. Last thing I needed was to step on a snake at night in the middle of nowhere.

Also, if for some reason the propane don't work, I would still have the white gas. It would really suck going on a trip for a few days finding out after getting there that your equipments don't work (brought 2 Coleman white gas lantern but only 1 worked).

I would also suggest buying a Coleman white gas stove then go to Walmart and buy the propane conversion generator for $18. It's worth it in my opinion. That way you can use both white gas and propane.

Also, I run an LED light with rechargable batteries inside the tent. Those LED lights can by purchased on Ebay for around $10 shipped. Four rechargable batteries and a charger for $13. It's bright enough for a 4 person tent.

[wjc]

I don't have kids so this kinda slipped my mind...time to put on my safety police hat

Be very careful with white gas with small children around. You don't want that stuff spilling on them.

...or have them spilling it near the campfire.

we had a little accident when I was a kid that almost burned down the campground.

btw, Kings Canyon/Sequoa rocks!

[gau17]

btw, Kings Canyon/Sequoa rocks!

That is what I've been hearing. I can't wait! Thanks for all the suggestions.



- Solomon.

[Crazyhorse]

Gas is better for you. Only time I wouldn't use gas is if it's a fire area, limited inside the tent. Gas will give you a good view of the little ones running around and keep critters farther away. Face your tent upwind of your camp fire and lamp so you can open the tent and use light from outside. Put the little ones to sleep in the tent with the doors open for a bit if they are scared. Once they fall asleep kill the light and close the door. the camp fire will give you a bit of light for awhile too. The LED lights arn't bright enough and you can lose a kid 10 feet away lol...

Down side is you need to keep it out of reach so no one get's burned or knocks it over and get cut.

As for the food. Go for staples, kids that small don't tend to like anything too strange. Smores, as someone said, most like, hot dogs, hamburgers, eggs&bacon, sandwiches, cereal bars, cereal, pop tarts, snacky stuffs, you can get fancy and put corn&beans&hamburger with salt and pepper make balls and put in foil on the fire too. If you go too crazy though they won't even want to try it. I would make a nice steak

CH