When I started trying to be prepared several years ago, I used the "going camping" opportunity to test out my BOB, which at that time was what I could carry in one bag (A large Camelback at that time). While the family lived off the normal car camping gear, I restricted myself to living off my BOB.

Given that you have the general basics covered, what I learned the most was I needed to primarily get better at estimating quantity/redundancy of items.

Some thoughts that I'm recalling:

• Needed more cleaning and hygiene supplies such as bandanas, hand cleaner, liquid soap.
• Needed more basic FAK supplies (with kids around, you can go through bandaids and Antibiotic ointment quickly).
• Needed more coffee (I use the ones that are like tea bags). Made me a hero with a couple of the moms on Saturday morning though. They remember it and still thank me years later.
• More and better knives. I only had a benchmade folder (good quality), but not really suited for splitting anything but the smallest wood pieces (without putting serious wear on it).
• I had enough food for me but barely enough. I found I burnt more calories when camping and hiking, and was more hungry that just on the typical weekend doing chores around the house.
• I had too many clothes. Could have gotten by with 1/3 of what i took.
• Exception to clothes was socks, could have used another pair or two.

I learned a few things about the quality of my gear too.

So, FWIW, I advocate using it and resupplying (and adjusting) it immedately afterwards.

If "the curtain goes up" in that period when my supplies are down then, it is what it is. At that point I'll try to rely on a healthy dose of luck, fate and faith.

Regards,

Buckeye