How long do harboiled eggs last unrefrigerated, and other questions about food

[Virginia Dawn]

My 14yo son is going on a CAP camping trip for the first time. He needs to bring 2 days worth of food for himself, but there will be no cooking or refrigeration. It is still fairly cool here, but I still don't want him to take anything that will spoil easily.

Here are some things we have thought of, do you guys have any other possible suggestions.

Granola Bars or Power bars
carrot and celery sticks with a small container of peanut butter
Pop top cans of beans and franks
apples
nuts and raisins
those little cans of readymade tuna or chicken salad that come with crackers
A few snickers bars

What about hard boiled eggs?

We can not afford to buy any "special" kinds of foods, but need to buy or make things that are simple and inexpensive.

[Doran]

I think he could do the eggs if he ate them for the first meal or two. Not sure what "relatively" cool looks like inside a backpack or duffle bag, but I would eat unrefrigerated hb eggs up to 24 hours later at 50+°, longer if they'd been kept in the 40°'s. Much warmer than that, and I'd feel funky about it.

If he's got to carry all this stuff in a pack, it may be too bulky.

Other food possibilities:

Hard cheese like cheddar
Peanut M&M's
Dried beef/beef jerky/summer sausage
Canned meat other than tuna (ham, salmon)
Refried beans
Prepared Indian food in the foil pouches (yes, they're meant to be heated first but could be eaten cold)
Tortillas as a "platform" for any of the above
Dried fruit
Fruit or milk alternative drink boxes (does he need to bring his own beverages?)

Sounds exciting!

Doran

[Jean in Newcastle]

pb&j sandwiches
trail mix (add some dried fruits and choc. chips and sunflower seeds to your nuts and raisins)


Cans can get heavy quickly. I'd pack everything in the pack (food, clothing. . . all of it) and have him try on the pack and walk around with it awhile. Eat the heavy things first. Remember you will need to pack your waste items out again.