Hello, Fellow Campers

My wife, Eileen, and I have been camping for years. We did the usual process of starting off in a tent, going to a pop-up, and then to a trailer. We recently bought a hybrid camper that gives us the pleasure of having the fold out tents that we enjoy with the amenities of a trailer. We enjoyed camping with our kids until they grew up and moved out on their own. They have done their own camping as a result of the fun we had when they were young. My opinion is, if you camped as a kid, you’ll camp as an adult.

I’m not exactly sure how it happened, but I became the camp cook. I enjoy cooking (because I like eating), so I have no objections. We started with two 10-inch Camp Dutch Ovens. I bought the first Dutch Oven to cook biscuits or sweet rolls for breakfast but expanded our recipes from there. We’re up to a 14 inch deep Dutch Oven, a 12 inch, the two 10 inches, and an 8 inch. That doesn’t even compare to the pot count of other folks. I try to stay out of the Lodge store, because you’ll see something you think you just have to have. There’s something magnetic about these cast iron pots, no pun intended.

Our first experience with Southeast Campers Dutch Oven Group was at Kings Mountain State Park here in NC in about 2015. We were walking around the campground and when we passed some of the group, we had a hearty invitation to stop by. They were a welcoming bunch, and we were invited to have cake cooked in a Dutch Oven. To be honest, we didn’t take that offer but should have. We’ve since discovered that with this group, there are no strangers. Who doesn’t want to be a part of that kind of a group of folks? All are welcome and encouraged to stop by and sample the goods. So, we decided we wanted to give this group a try and get in on the cast iron cooking with a group. I looked up the group on the internet and we attended their next event. Southeast Camper Dutch Oven Group

The Southeast Camper has 3 regular meetings a year: the Cabin Fever DOG (Dutch Oven Gathering) first weekend in February, the Spring DOG is the last weekend in April, and the Fall DOG is the last weekend in September. Naturally, attendance varies for each event, but we usually have 30-40 folks attending. We’re fortunate to live in North Carolina and the Cabin Fever DOG in February typically has good weather; it’s our first camping outing for the year. The DOGs are at a campground and most participants are also camping. Our DOGS start on Friday night with the “Weary Travelers” dinner for folks arriving later. We enjoyed having a hearty meal ready for us when we arrived after work back before we retired and enjoy making sure we contribute to that now. And having the occasional assistance setting up in the dark is always welcome.

Our DOGs (Dutch Oven Gatherings) are a full day of cooking on Saturday starting with breakfast, snacks through the day, and the final large group meal “The Cast Iron Cowboy Buffet” being in the late afternoon. It’s always fun to see the ovens in a double line down the picnic tables. It’s even more fun to dig in. Any camping enthusiast will tell you that a meal prepared and eaten outdoors always tastes better. We spend the day cooking in the company of friends, relaxing and often swapping recipes and camping stories. Cooking in the iron is not difficult and it’s fun to try something new at the DOG. Dan and Katherine Milam are the groups founders in 2008. Dan is a walking encyclopedia of recipes and it’s always fun when he shares his cooking experience.

I retired in 2023 and that was our first experience with the National Dutch Oven Gathering, in Louisiana. It was an amazing experience to meet people from all over the country that enjoyed the outdoor Dutch Oven cooking experience. It was our Southeast Camper Group on steroids, as they say. We went to the National Dutch Oven Gathering in Indiana last year and had the same experience. Both events were well organized with good food and companionship. The National Dutch Oven Gatherings also offer opportunities for education about caring for, and cooking in cast iron and Dutch Ovens. It draws together a lot of experience in one place. This year, our Southeast Camper Dutch Oven Group will be hosting the 2025 National Dutch Oven Gathering from 10/23/2025 to 10/25/2025 at the Cleveland County Fairground in Shelby North Carolina. You can arrive as early as Tuesday, 10/21/25 and departure is Sunday, 10/26/25. We are looking forward to hosting folks from all over the country and focusing on cooking and of course eating. Visit National Dutch Oven Gathering 2025 for more information.

This Dutch Oven cooking gets in your blood. It’s the fun of the challenge of cooking over fire or coals, usually with results that are very satisfying. It’s always a learning experience even if it doesn’t quite turn out as planned. Come join us if you cook in a camp Dutch Oven or want to learn how. I can guarantee that you’ll enjoy the experience, the food, and most of all, the company.

DeWitt Black
Gastonia, NC
March 16, 2025

WOW!

What a way to start off the new year, Fine Food, Friends, Family, and Fun were enjoyed by all, as we rendezvoused at Andrew Jackson State Park, Feb 3, for Cabin Fever Dutch Oven Gathering, our first gathering of 2024. Some, who will remain unnamed, were so excited that they even arrived 3 or 4 days early to blaze our trail.

We sometimes have called this February event the “Chili DOG” however, even though temperatures may have touched the freezing point at night, we were blessed with blue cloudless skies, warm sun, and thermometers reporting in the high 60’s during the day.

On Thursday night numerous Pie Irons decorated the fire pit, filled with every possible stuffing from grilled cheese to BBQ, to pizza and calzones, Sloppy Joe’s, and of course some “sweets”. The only complaint I heard was “hurry up and quit cooking… and put more wood on the fire”.

Friday night’s ‘Weary Travelers” dinner was a feast in itself as we gathered around the campfire again and gorged ourselves from tables lined with more Cast Iron Dutch Ovens that never emptied….. and that was only a preview of the sweet and savory delights to follow the next day.

Saturday morning by 8:00am the wagons rolled to the shelter area where smoking camp kitchens sprung to life. Aromas of all sorts wafted on the crisp morning air as many breakfast specialties were prepared, sausage, biscuits, breakfast burritos, apple dumplings, muffins, cinnamon rolls, and breads. Too many selections to see or sample.

We attracted the attention of many park visitors wanting to know who we were and what we were doing. Several of them excitedly indicated they would be back. Snacks and appetizers continued to flow well into the early afternoon including special deliveries of Toasted Mozzarella Sticks and Seasoned Potato Wedges, hand-prepared by our next generation chefs, Kindle, and Jacob. A couple of hours later, 24 Black Pots filled the tables for the Dutch Oven Gathering. It goes without saying that it was impossible to try every dish, but I will say that no one left hungry for lack of food.

We finished the day with a group photo, packed our wares, said our goodbyes, and began to plan the Southeast Camper Spring Dutch Oven Gathering in April.

Until then, Happy Trails
Dan Ewing
Southeast Camper