What do you need to take with you on a camping trip?

That is a question that I get a lot. My reponse is usually something along the lines of: What are YOUR camping needs?

It's really a personal question that varies depending on the person/people that are going camping.

Here are a couple of basics that just about everybody needs:

1. Something to sleep under – a tent, trailer, RV or cabin…for you "rugged" types it could just be the stars in the sky.
2. Something to sleep in – sleeping bag, sheets and a blanket, air mattress, pad, blankets, etc…
3. Something to wear – shorts and t-shirts, multiple layers of cold weather gear or somewhere in between.
4. Something to eat – how long are you going to be there? How many people? What do like to eat?
5. Something to cook with – firewood? Charcoal? Propane?

That was the really, really basic list of camping needs.

Now let's talk in more detail.

Are you a novice camper that needs/wants all the comforts of home?

Are you a little more experienced but aren't sure how to pack lighter?

Do you go camping by yourself? With your spouse? With your whole family? With a bunch of friends that don't know how to camp?

I usually go camping with my wife and two kids and to make sure that I don't forget something important I usually use a checklist I created. Here is the basics:

• Tents – yes plural…my wife and I have a tent and my kids have their own tent.
• Four sleeping bags – 40 degree bags…my wife doesn't really do the whole winter camping thing so the 40 degree bags are sufficient.
• Pillows
• Extra Blankets just in case
• Clothing – Appropriate for the season/location, extra change of clothes and an extra sweatshirt and long pants just in case.
• Dining Fly
• Camping Chairs
• Campfire wood – check the campground you are going to…some don't let you bring your own firewood
• Propane stove – 2-3 small propane bottles
• Camping Kitchen – I love this invention…keeps all my cooking supplies together neatly and in one area
• Garbage bags
• Food for 4
• Drinking water
• Juice
• Adult Beverage of choice – if appropriate and allowed at campground
• Tablecloth
• Paper Towels
• Toilet Paper
• Shower gear – towels, washcloth, soap, shampoo, shower shoes
• Rainy day games
• Football, soccer ball & basketball
• Toiletries
• Bag of Charcoal
• Cooking utensils
• Pots & Pans
• Mixing bowls
• Plates/bowls/silverware – we don't do plastic…we wash and reuse
• Wash basins
• Broom
• Dustpan
• Spices
• Misc other stuff depending on the type/purpose/location of the trip

It's a lot of gear but when packed right it doesn't take up a whole lot of space. We can usually pack it all into a couple of 20gallon plastic totes, one cooler, the tent bag and a couple of dufflebags.

Your camping needs will vary to some degree from this list because you are a different person than me, have different needs than me and will probably be going camping different places than me. There really is no right or wrong answer to this question so when you begin thinking about what to pack here is what I suggest:

Sit down with the list above, pen and paper, a description of where you are going and some idea of what you plan to do while there and create your own list ahead of time. Put some time into thinking about this list and what you need and don't need. Also consider the type/size vehicle you are taking because that might very easily limit what you can bring. A Hyundai Elantra will not fit four people and all of the gear that I mentioned above but a chevy Trailblazer with a roof rack will.

Till Next Time…

Eric

Tags: Camping, camping needs