When going on a camping trip with a large group, is it better to plan meals together or individually?
Posted: August 10th, 2010 | Author: Mitch | Filed under: Camping Gear | Tags: adults, animosity, group meals | 3 Comments »I will be camping shortly with 10 adults and 8 kids (5 families in all). Several of the families would like to cook on their own instead of with the group meals we have done in the past. The two new families to the group this year are the ones who don’t want to eat with the group. This has caused a lot of animosity. Is it normally better to do the meals as a group if we are all camping together? We have decided to just have each family bring and cook their own food. Is it right to tell them to bring their own cooking gear as well since we are not sharing?
I have led group outings for years and find the best way is to have each family provide their own meals. All too often one family doesn’t like what another brought and the kids won’t eat it are not enough is brought or a hundred other excuses could pop up and someones feelings get hurt. What works best for a group meal is a pot luck each family bringing a main dish and a side or salad and dessert to share for the evening meal.
Each family should also have there own cooking gear and camping supplies and not be dependent on anyone else. It always seems that someone forgets something and sharing should be up to the person sharing it not any one group leader telling someone to give the lame person an item they forgot to bring. Some people are always not properly prepared and freeload or like the attention they get from their rescuer so valuable lessons are taught here on being prepared, they learn to do without and remember next time.
In planning your event make sure that all have a check list of what to bring and what is expected of them at the outing, have a planned schedule of events so that they know what to expect for the outing. If you hear the words "what are we gonna do next?" you can refer to your schedule and keep people from worrying about your planning ability.
If you’re not going to eat together, then yes, they should provide their own cooking supplies and eating utensiles. Eating together does take a lot of coordination, but I feel it makes for great fellowship.
To simplify things with my brother’s and sister’s and all our kids, we plan a list of meals, and then everyone brings their own supplies. This works well because that way it’s easier to bring the proper amount of food and if some people forget things other people have them.
But once again, if people aren’t willing to participate in coordinated meals, then you shouldn’t have to coordinate with them using your cooking gear.
Typically, it is better to cook on your own. Then you do not have to worry about all the trouble that comes with planning large meals and how each group is going to contribute to the purchase of the food items and making the meal.