Hot Meals
There are many options for simple, hot meals to cook while camping. Canned food, while heavy, is great for quick, filling meals. Heat up canned vegetable soup and pair it with sandwiches; stock your cooler with sliced meats and mustard or mayonnaise. If you enjoy fishing, have fun while catching your lunch or dinner. Clean the fish and boil it or cook it over a fire. Bring dry pasta, garlic and butter and make a simple pasta dinner. Heat up fiber-rich canned beans and eat them with minute rice, which is quick and can be cooked in a pot over a fire.
No-Cook Solutions
Make your camping trip as simple and mess-free as possible by packing a variety of foods that can be combined to create no-cook meals and snacks. Trail mix is a healthy, tasty snack that you can purchase or make yourself; portion it out into plastic bags for the trip. Muffins, bagels and fruit make great breakfasts, while peanut butter and canned tuna, chicken or ham can go on top of multi-grain bread for a healthy, filling lunch. Raw vegetables are hardy and can be paired with a sandwich for a no-cook meal or eaten as a snack.
Considerations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests being conscious of food safety while camping. Transport perishable foods that have already been cooled with a cold source, such as an ice pack. Keeping everything clean is very important; prevent cross-contamination by double-wrapping foods such as raw poultry and transporting them in sealed plastic bags. Bring sufficient amounts of clean drinking water and plan food items, meals and how you're going to cook, such as over a fire or with a portable grill, in advance.
Activities
If you're camping with individuals who enjoy being active, embark on a long hike or nature walk. If children are part of the group, shorten the walk and make it more enjoyable by discussing nature and pointing out animals, plants and insects. Go swimming if there's a clean lake or pond nearby, and roast marshmallows or make s'mores around the campfire in the evening. Play simple sports such as soccer and be sure to bring indoor activities, such as books for adults and handheld video games or markers and paper for kids in case of rain.