Camping Checklist

Are you planning a camping trip this summer but aren't quite sure what you'll need for an adventure in nature? I got you!

In these expandable lists below you'll find all the items that you'll need for your next camping trip.

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Shelter

By far the most important part of any camping trip is the shelter. This includes tents, tarps, sleeping bags, and more.

Before going camping, make sure to clean out your tent. No one wants to sleep on the sand from last years trip. It is also good practice to do this again when you return, so that next time future you will already have a clean tent. This is also give you valuable practice setting up and tearing down your tent.

Having a cot can also be beneficial when camping. The ground is often uneven, it can be chilly, and if it's raining, it can be wet and muddy too. Using a cot will not only keep you off the ground, but it may also be more comfortable.

In the expandable list below are more shelter items you might need on your next camping trip.

Shelter

• Tent

• Tarp

• Cot

• Sleeping Bag

• Pillow

• Blanket

• Chair(s)

• Table

• Bug net

Cookware

When it comes to cookware, you can camp without a camping stove if you don't plan on cooking much or plan on cooking mostly over a fire. I, however, found my camping stove to be quite useful, especially when it came to making coffee.

Tin foil is such a multi-purpose tool when camping! You can easily cook food inside of a fire or on a camping stove without the use of pot and pans if you wrap them in tin foil. You will need tongs or some kind of tool to safely remove it from the fire though.

In the expandable list below are more cookware appliances and utensils you might find useful on your next camping trip.

Cookware

• Pot

• Pan

• Spatula

• Tongs

• Cutting Board

• Utensils

• Mug(s)/Cup(s)

• Dish soap

• Dishtowel

• Sponge

• Kettle

• Stove

• Reusable Water Bottle

• Tin Foil

• Sticks for hotdogs or marshmallows

Equipment

I didn't know while packing, but string and scissors are tools I could not have done without. I was able to hang up my tarp thanks to them.

Newspaper isn't always necessary. You could bring fire starter or simply feather some twigs at your campsite for kindling.

In the expandable list below is more equipment you might find useful on your next camping trip.

Equipment

• String

• Scissors

• Tape

• Candles

• Lighter

• Paper/Fire Starter

• Hot Packs

• Garbage Bags

• Flashlight(s)

• Umbrella (Rain or sun shelter)

• Axe for fire food

• Mallet for tent pegs

Food

Food will be different for each person. For me, since I am lactose and gluten intolerant as well as vegetarian, packing food is always a struggle.

My focus was on shelf stable foods as they are always a great option without the use of a fridge. I packed bread, honey, peanut butter, tea, crackers and so.

Portable snacks are also important. While kayaking, hiking, or any other outdoor activities, snacks such as granola bars and trail mix are a great travel option to give you the nutrition you need.

In the expandable list below are some foods you might like on your next camping trip.

Food

• Shelf Stable

• Crackers

• Cookies (graham crackers for smores)

• Bread

• Honey

• Peanut Butter

• Rice

• Veggies and Fruits

• Portable Snacks

• Granola bars

• Cereal

• Trail Mix

• Coffee

• Tea

• Sugar/Sweetener

• Powdered Coffee Creamer

• Bottled Water
  

Clothes

When packing clothes make sure you check the weather before you go. If it looks as thought it will be sunny, pack shorts, tanks tops, and a hat. If the weather looks like it will be on the rainier side, sweaters and a windy breaker may be the way to go.

However, even if the weather seems promising, it can change on a dime. Bring some warmer clothes in case the weather gets chilly or the nights are colder than you expected.

In the expandable list below are clothing items you might need on your next camping trip.

Clothes

• Shirt (Long and short sleeve)

• Pants

• Shorts

• Undergarments

• Sweaters

• Coat

• Swimsuit

• Hat

• Sandals/Shower shoes

• Close-toed Shoes

• Towel

• Sun glasses
  

Toiletries

Yes, that is hotel shampoo, conditioner, and soap

One toiletry you cannot do without is sunscreen. There's nothing like sunbathing on a gorgeous summer day with a cool drink. But there is also nothing like the pain from a blistering and peeling sunburn.

It may also be helpful to bring after-sun or aloe vera gel for those times when we forget to reapply sunscreen.

In the expandable list below are more toiletry items you might find useful on your next camping trip.

Toiletries

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Soap

• Toothbrush

• Toothpaste

• Floss

• Hairbrush

• Hair Tie

• Sunscreen

• Lip balm

• Aloe Vera/After-sun

• Hand cream

• Deodorant
  

First Aid

Someone is bound to get hurt or sneeze up a storm from the pollen while camping.

Bring bandages, allergy medication, and anything else to keep you and your camping buddies safe.

In the expandable list below are more first aid items you might find useful on your next camping trip.

First Aid

• Bandages

• Pain killers

• Disinfectant

• Allergy Medication

• Bug spray

• Bug bite relief cream

Entertainment

I love to disconnect when I'm out in nature, so I brought a book with me. But entertainment will look different for each person depending on if your glamping or roughing it.

During this trip, my grandmother taught me how to play dominions and cribbage. Dominions was quite fun to play but cribbage was quite confusing to learn. I have never been good at math so figuring out the 31, 15-2, 15-4 and how many points were in a run was a bit beyond me. I'm sure I'll get it with some more practice though.

We also tried playing the board game Dr. Luck but my grandmother definitely didn't not enjoy that game.

In the expandable list below are more entertainment options you might enjoy on your next camping trip.

Entertainment

• Books

• Board games

• Kayaks

• Canoes

• Frisbee

• Badminton

• A ball

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Look out for more camping content coming this week!