How To | 5 Steps to Plan A Camping Menu

Adapted from the NOLS Blog

A good meal plan ensures happy campers. Mauricio Clauzet One of the critical elements of a great camping trip is good food. If you’re looking to add a little creativity to your diet or save money, try planning your own menu based on foods you can find in your pantry or at the grocery store. Follow these 5 steps to plan the menu for your next camping trip!

1. Determine how many meals you’ll need. First, consider how long you’ll be on your trip. Will you eat breakfast at home before you leave, or will you need to pack a hasty breakfast to eat on the way? Planning ahead helps make sure you don’t miss any meals and bring the right amount of food. 2. Decide which food you’d like to eat at each meal. Figure out the meals you want, then plan backwards and list out the ingredients you need for those meals.

This will help you see any foods that will overlap between meals (such as cheese), and make sure you don’t miss any key ingredients (the spice kit!). Consider the order in which you’ll eat these meals. For example, if you want to pack a fresh lime to liven up your rice and beans, plan to have that meal earlier in the trip. 3. Estimate the amount of food you’ll need. How hungry will everyone be?

Appetites may vary based on preference, the weather, and how strenuous the activity is for each person. Planning portions involves a little guesswork, but at NOLS, we follow some general guidelines based on weather and activity level: • Short trips, mild weather, leisurely pace (low-mileage, weekend hiking or car camping): 1-1.5 pounds per person per day. Roughly 2,000-3,000 calories per person. • Cooler weather, moderately strenuous (a longer backpacking trip): 1.75-2.0

pounds per person per day. Roughly 3,000-3,500 calories per person. • Cold weather, more strenuous (carrying heavy packs in spring or fall weather): 2.0-2.5 pounds per person per day. Roughly 3,500-4,500 calories per person. • Extremely cold weather, very strenuous (winter camping): 2.0-2.5 pounds per person per day. Roughly 4,0005,000 calories each. Carrying the right amount of food is critical for avoiding food stress as well as carrying unnecessary items. 4. Make a list and go shopping. Use the weights on the product’s packaging to determine how much weight per serving you need. If you’re repackaging at home from a bulk purchase, your measuring cups will help you estimate portions (again, this is not an exact science).

“Shopping” should start in your own kitchen. You may find the basics, such as oil and seasonings, in your pantry. 5. Repackage, prep, and pack your food.

Repackaging food is great way to determine portion sizes ahead of time, avoid creating trash that you’ll have to pack out when the trip is over, and make sure everything is in a durable, easy-to-pack container. Pasta boxes, for example, take up a lot of room in a pack. NOLS often uses durable plastic bags to repackage food, since they’re waterproof and easy to repurpose as food gets eaten. Make sure to label food that’s easy to mix up.

You can even pre-mix meals or snacks, like brownie mix or instant oatmeal with dried fruit. Good luck on your menu planning and eat well on your next trip, no matter where your adventure takes you!