Planning a Camping Dinner Party for 8-9 People: Ideas & Suggestions

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Discussion Overview

The thread centers around planning a camping dinner party for 8-9 people, with participants sharing ideas and personal experiences related to meal preparation and camping environments. Various meal suggestions are discussed, along with the social dynamics of camping at a gay campground.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions planning a dinner for a camping trip with access to a full kitchen and expresses a desire for simple meal ideas.
  • Several participants suggest Italian Grilled Pizza as a meal option, highlighting its appeal and flavor.
  • Another participant shares a detailed dessert recipe for a trifle made with angel food cake, fresh fruits, and pudding, which they served at a previous event.
  • One participant notes their experience with Grilled Pineapple Sundaes, describing them as delicious and expressing interest in the recipe.
  • Some participants discuss the social aspect of camping at a gay campground, emphasizing the friendly atmosphere and community connections.
  • Another participant shares their thoughts on the appeal of camping with a specific group compared to other demographics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on meal preferences and social dynamics, with no clear consensus emerging regarding specific meal choices or the nature of camping experiences.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal experiences and preferences related to camping and meal preparation, with a focus on social interactions within a specific community setting.

Who May Find This Useful

Participants within the consultant community interested in meal ideas for group camping experiences or those curious about the dynamics of social camping environments.

leftymac
leftymac
Messages
1,748
I'll be camping this weekend (it's at a gay campground so not like we're roughing it -- I'll be at a site with a full kitchen lol). I'm in charge of dinner on Saturday night for 8-9 people and need some ideas. I've got two ovens available, a stove, and grill so anything goes.

Any suggestions? I want it to be relatively simple (though simple to me is complicated to others), and I don't want to do the fajitas or 30 minute chicken.

I'll go through my myriad of PC cookbooks tomorrow but wanted to put it out there tonight for suggestions.
 
Italian Grilled Pizza! - It is INCREDIBLE!
(Casual Cooking Cookbook)And - seriously - there are Gay Campgrounds? Like you have to be gay to camp there?
 
Before we were born, that would just be a fun place to camp. ;)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #4
ChefBeckyD said:
Italian Grilled Pizza!


And - seriously - there are Gay Campgrounds? Like you have to be gay to camp there?
Click to expand...

haha no you don't HAVE to be gay, but you need to be gay friendly. It's a social thing. It's nice to go somewhere where you know 95% of the people are gay and it's fun to socialize. BF and I have made lots of other good couple friends there.

Where can I find the Italian Grilled Pizza recipe? I suppose I should look on here first.
 
leftymac said:
haha no you don't HAVE to be gay, but you need to be gay friendly. It's a social thing. It's nice to go somewhere where you know 95% of the people are gay and it's fun to socialize. BF and I have made lots of other good couple friends there.

Where can I find the Italian Grilled Pizza recipe? I suppose I should look on here first.
Click to expand...

I edited my post....


and that's good to know - I was wondering how they determined who could camp and who couldn't....:D
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
ChefBeckyD said:
I edited my post....


and that's good to know - I was wondering how they determined who could camp and who couldn't....:D
Click to expand...

I found the recipe on here on here -- looks great (except for the olives..blech)! I may try that..thanks!
 
(Couldn't resist the play on what the word USED to mean!)BTW, I was going to suggest meat, onions, potatoes wrapped in tin foil and cooked in the fire, etc., but then you through this whole "entire kitchen" thing at us!A few weeks ago I made spaghetti (my recipe) for our Fire Dept. during hose testing.I served french bread with our two dipping oil seasonings, a salad (plenty of PC recipes there) and for dessert, I made the Pineapple Mango thing into a trifle. I used angel food cake instead of pound cake as the bottom layer, the next layer I put fresh pineapple soaked in melted mango sorbet, strawberries and blueberries. The third layer was the vanilla pudding mixed with whipped topping and the rest of the mango sorbet. Repeat layers and then sprinkle blueberries on top - great and refreshing!For the trifle, I left out infusing the mint - liked it better without!
 
leftymac said:
I found the recipe on here on here -- looks great (except for the olives..blech)! I may try that..thanks!
Click to expand...

If you don't like olives, I've done it with other stuff on there too - red onion, mixed peppers, etc....but what makes it good is the olive oil blend w/ the fresh tomatoes and basil.
I just did this for a show, and the host was turning up his nose at it the whole time - until he ate a slice...and then, he was still raving about it as I was packing up my car to leave.

We did Grilled Pineapple Sundaes to go with it. YUM!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
ChefBeckyD said:
If you don't like olives, I've done it with other stuff on there too - red onion, mixed peppers, etc....but what makes it good is the olive oil blend w/ the fresh tomatoes and basil.
I just did this for a show, and the host was turning up his nose at it the whole time - until he ate a slice...and then, he was still raving about it as I was packing up my car to leave.

We did Grilled Pineapple Sundaes to go with it. YUM!
Click to expand...

I love olive oil, just can't stand the taste of olives. I think if I do maybe two pieces along with a salad, and then grilled pineapple sundaes (which sound delicious) that'd be great!

Grilled pineapple sundaes -- walk me through how you do them. Or, is the recipe on here?
 
So where are you camping Keith? Is it in NJ? I have a friend who moved to Maryland/DC for schooling that loves camping and that would be right up his alley. He's only been out there for about 6-8 months so I don't know how much he's gotten around the area.Of course, you might not want him hanging with you guys, he has quite a potty mouth!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #11
Ne'er mind I found the grilled pineapple sundae recipe.Janet, we are camping at The Woods Campground, which is in PA, about 90 minutes north of Philly. Your friend should check us out! We like potty mouths. :)
 
janetupnorth said:
So where are you camping Keith? Is it in NJ? I have a friend who moved to Maryland/DC for schooling that loves camping and that would be right up his alley. He's only been out there for about 6-8 months so I don't know how much he's gotten around the area.

Of course, you might not want him hanging with you guys, he has quite a potty mouth!
Click to expand...


Just as long as he doesn't use incorrect verbs in French with his potty mouth...

Now THAT would tick off Keith!
 
That really wouldn't be far for him to travel to get away...
 
  • Thread starter
  • #14
ChefBeckyD said:
Just as long as he doesn't use incorrect verbs in French with his potty mouth...

Now THAT would tick off Keith!
Click to expand...

You got that right! Or incorrect English verbs, for that matter. :)
 
ChefBeckyD said:
Just as long as he doesn't use incorrect verbs in French with his potty mouth...

Now THAT would tick off Keith!
Click to expand...

I don't think he speaks French...other F-words, but not French that I know of. He was my partner for EMT-Basic class and was such a perfectionist that if he dare made a mistake out they came. Needless to say there were NUMEROUS times I played Mom and said, "outside NOW!!!!"

When we finished National Registry he didn't talk to me for 2 weeks because I beat his score by quite a bit. After his ego got over it, he was back to normal. :)

He became a great EMT over the last 6 years and is now at school for Emergency Management, Bio-Security, Terrorism & Institutions: Prevention & Response
 
Going camping with a bunch of gay men sounds so much more appealing to me then going camping with a bunch of "rednecks". :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:


I hope you have lots of fun Keith:)
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some easy camping dinner party menu ideas for 8-9 people?

For a camping dinner party, consider a menu that includes grilled meats like burgers or chicken skewers, alongside sides like pasta salad, corn on the cob, and a fresh green salad. You can also prepare foil packet meals with vegetables and protein, which are easy to cook over a campfire. Don't forget dessert options like s'mores or fruit skewers!

How can I prepare food in advance for a camping dinner party?

To prepare food in advance, you can marinate meats and chop vegetables at home, storing them in airtight containers. Pre-cook items like pasta or rice and pack them in coolers. You can also assemble foil packets ahead of time, making it easy to just throw them on the grill or fire when you arrive at the campsite.

What cooking equipment do I need for a camping dinner party?

Essential cooking equipment includes a portable grill or campfire cooking grate, cooking utensils like tongs and spatulas, a cutting board, and a sharp knife. Don't forget pots and pans for boiling or sautéing, as well as a cooler for food storage and a first aid kit for safety.

How can I keep the food fresh during the camping trip?

To keep food fresh, use a high-quality cooler with ice packs to maintain a low temperature. Pack perishable items like meats and dairy at the bottom, surrounded by ice. Use insulated containers for hot foods and keep everything sealed to prevent contamination. Plan to consume the most perishable items first.

What are some fun activities to include during the camping dinner party?

Incorporate activities like a campfire storytelling session, games like charades or card games, and a group hike or nature walk. You can also set up a DIY s'mores station or have a cooking competition using the ingredients you brought. These activities will enhance the overall experience and create lasting memories.

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