thewaggonerfamily
SE Michigan
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Joined: 08/15/2005
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I was wondering if there are any other larger families (more than 8) here on RV.net and what things have you found have been useful with camping? Any trick, tips or commiseration?
Scott & Katie
Katherine 19, Christian 17, Johannah 14, Nicholas 9, Genevieve 8, Matthew 4, Andrew 2 and Amy the Wonder Lab
Chevy 2500 12 passenger Express
Old Rig #1:1983 Fleetwood Prowler
Old Rig #2:1990 Fleetwood Prowler Lynx
New Rig: 1997 30' Skyline Nomad
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downtheroad
Pacific Northwest
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Joined: 02/18/2003
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Patience and a sense of humor come to mind.
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane"
GMC Duramax/Allison (LBZ)
Komfort .... Our Rig Picture>>Click.
Reese Dual Cam HP
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mpfireman
Cook County Il
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Joined: 12/26/2003
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When we first started camping, there were 8 of us. Our first unit was a pop up camper. All the children had different chores when setting or taking down the unit. They would switch off every day as to gathering wood, washing dishes, getting water, policing our camp site, etc . We traveled many thousand of miles during those years to different parts of our country IE, Canada, Yellowstone, Main, Florida, ETC and during family gatherings, they still talk about those early days. Our longest trip was 3 weeks. That Suburban really was the only tow vehicle that fit our needs. We always stressed to the kids, be courteous to other campers, and respect others property. But we had FUN Hiking, biking, swimming, bird watching, star gazing, and building that evening fire for popcorn making and marshmallow roasting.
1998.5 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Cummins
1998 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver
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garmp1
St Louis, MO
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Joined: 02/16/2008
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mpfireman. My hat is off to you. Although I come from a small family and never had as many miles under my belt as you have experienced, our values are the same. My dear parents have raised my brother and I with the same values, morals and work ethics as your post implies. Our campsite was ALWAYS left cleaner than when we arrived, be considerate of others and end every sentence with Sir or Ma'am. A little respect goes a long way.
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Opie431
Bellevue, MI
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Joined: 06/19/2004
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Get some large Ziplock bags and put a days clothes for each child in a bag. It saves so much work when you do not have to sort thru clothes for each day.
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7ofus
Georgia
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Joined: 06/20/2007
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Opie431, that is a great idea.
There are 8 of us. Kids are 20 months to 12 years old. We go in a 33' Class A gas motorhome. We have been on trips from 1 day to 3+ weeks over the last 4 1/2 years. We tow an 8 seater Saturn Outlook. For us, the MH makes getting there easier, and set up a one person job.
I enlarged the dinette. And then added a removeable double cot above it so we sleep a total of 4 there. 2 on the fold out bed and the wife and I in back. The thing for us to remember is that kids don't know that they are not supposed to be packed in tight. We seem to learn that later in life.
We learned how to survive in a small space by "boat camping" for several years before our 5th was born. 6 people on a 24' boat for a week teaches a lot about how much you don't need to take with you. By those standards, our MH still seems huge.
Our hint is to give the kids one storage bay and one cabinet for toys. That way, they have to agree on what to take. Then, each kid gets one mid sized duffel bag to pack for clothes.
And ear plugs are good too
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qazw
earth
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Joined: 08/23/2011
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Opie431, that is a great idea.
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brklyncamper
Brooklyn, NY
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Joined: 07/25/2011
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Don't use a giant "family size tent" when sleeping outdoors. There are so many tents out there designed for five, six, seven and more. But after several summer trips of trying to fit two adults and three kids in an eight person tent, I've realized it's better to simply use smaller tents. That way, you don't have to bother about trying to get everyone to sleep at the same time or have to bear listening to five people trying to sleep at once. Plus, the setup is surprisingly easier with separate small two person or one person tents.
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boondockdad
Dearborn
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Joined: 01/18/2009
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Growing up with 9 brothers and sisters, we used to camp in a 31' TT. It had a fully enclosed screen 'porch' under the awning, and some of us would sleep out there on folding cots.... good times.
Great thread! Seven of us now, so I'll be lurking this post often...
Laundry is always an issue- unless we're boondocking, then it's easy. By the end, our outfits could almost walk around by themselves 
Airstream 30' S/O Classic Limited + 8.1L Suburban LT
See you down the road!
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Opie431
Bellevue, MI
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Joined: 06/19/2004
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When I mentioned packing each days clothes for children in Ziplock bags I should have mentioned that there are gallon and two gallon sized bags depending on the age of who you are packing for. I bought the two gallon sized bags about ten years ago at a store where everything cost a dollar. Most of them are still in good enough shape to keep using and the two gallon size hold adult clothes except for the jeans. They even hold the jeans if you are not packing a sweat shirt for that day.
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