Wrap the kids in cling wrap for all the time you are out on the road and hose them off at night...

But seriously - until kids are sentient enough, they do take much more stuff than adults. It sounds like it was a not too great situation, but also a learning one for the older of the kids. To me, it sounds like a way to get the kid to create their own BOB, you know, a toy, blanket, etc. that could make a similar situation a little more grab and go with the kids.

Self reliance only comes in stages. A 'survival' situation helps us to individualize and mature. Until that maturity comes, we just have to look after the kids as best we can.

Rena