Everything You Will Need To Go Camping

Camping is one of the most fun activities. However, it requires pre-planning. Spending hours collecting and packing supplies and equipment can be frustrating, so it’s crucial to have a camping checklist. The checklist will ensure a smooth camping trip and can be helpful in future. A camping checklist depends on factors like trip duration, weather, company, mode of transport, personal preferences, and campsite facilities. Our expert team has put together this essential guide to help you camp right!

Bedding and Shelter

Tents are among the primary camping essentials anyone can pack. In addition, make sure to bring a mallet, a windbreaker, a bed sheet, or a rug to cover the floor. Other tent essentials include flysheet, guy lines, tarpaulin, poles and groundsheet. We would also need dustpans, brushes and doormats to clean the tent floor. Last but not least, get tent pegs to protect the tent covers. 

Sleeping bags with duvets give a tent the much-needed cosy feeling. But if the tent is big enough, it can even fit an air mattress or a camp bed. Besides the above essentials, we may carry a foot pump and repair kit for the inflatables. 

When out on a camping trip, a carbon monoxide alarm is a vital safety gear to carry.

Check out Garage Department for top-quality tents.

Cooking Supplies

Cooking outdoors is one of the most rewarding camping experiences. Cooking supplies will depend on the kind of meals required and the number of people going on the trip.

It would be advisable to keep the meals simple with minimal ingredients as elaborate meals will take a lot of effort. Here is a necessary checklist of supplies to carry during a camping trip:

• Cutlery
• Hot water bottles
• Corkscrew
• Tin opener
• Utensils
• Water purification tablets
• Mixing bowls
• Paper towels
• Snacks
• Condiments
• Cooking oil
• Garbage bags to dump all the trash.

In addition to the above, we must pack firestarters, charcoal, lighters or matches, and aluminium foil.

Groceries can be bought at a nearby departmental store. However, it would make better sense to purchase perishables from the camping area itself. 

If the campsite allows fires to be lit, we can set up a grill and make delicious barbecues. For the best grills for reasonable prices, visit Garage Department.

Clothing and Toiletries

The best part about going on a camping trip is that we don't need to dress to look the part. Hence, when it comes to clothing, there are no fashion mantras but quick checklists.

Rainy weather gear, extra socks, jumpers, and warmers are essential clothing items for camping.

Other essentials include:

• Flip-flops
• Underwear
• Sunglasses
• Swimming gear
• Sleepwear
• Towels
• Laundry bag to dump dirty laundry

Packing extra clothing is advisable as it can get chilly at night. Similarly, a set of dry clothes will help in case of rain. Essentially, we must pack clothing according to the weather and the activities planned.

For long camping trips, laundry essentials are necessary as clothes get dirty pretty quick outdoors.

Pro-tip: A toiletries bag will not only help save space but also store a range of items like:

• Toothpaste
• Brushes
• Shower gels
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Hand sanitiser
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellants

Transport Essentials

Even though smartphones and GPS are common these days, no camping trip packing list would be complete without maps and a compass. And let's be honest, GPS doesn't help deep in the woods or halfway up a mountain.

Carrying emergency car or trailer repair materials and a copy of breakdown recovery insurance will also help. Additionally, we must install an updated GPS and pack driver's license and registration documents. 

Remote locations don't have a lot of gas stations, so we suggest bringing spare fuel canisters and jump leads.

Most importantly, satellite phones can be used to stay in touch with people in case the campsite is in a secluded area.

Lighting

Lighting is integral to any camping trip. Except for the bathroom and shower facilities, the campground is unlikely to have any light. In addition, it may get extremely dark in the woods after sundown.

Several lamps and torches are available for purchase to light the campsite. For convenience, having at least one lamp in each tent is ideal. Simply speaking, everyone in the group should carry one tiny torch to navigate the campground and find items in the tent.

A headlamp would help us spot animals in the bushes or dark woods. Additionally, we must pack citronella candles to keep the insects away.

Carrying batteries and spare bulbs would be advisable in case of emergencies.

Entertainment Supplies

Amidst the chaos of prepping for a trip, ampers often forget about one vital supply that would make the experience envigorating - entertainment supplies. After all, who wants a drab and boring trip?

The ideal entertainment supplies would depend on the group, but carrying a few books and magazines would not harm much.

Since we also want to explore the locality, having a guidebook would help. A few more items for camp-site entertainment can include:

• Colouring books
• Board games
• Puzzles
• Speakers
• Musical instruments
• Playing cards
• Frisbee and other sporting equipment.

Pet Supplies

Camping can be one of the best activities for pets. Open areas allow pets to run free and have the time of their lives.

If the pet is part of the trip, we must pack their favourite treats and feed them during breaks. In addition, it would be a good idea also to carry pet toys, a leash and collar for walks, and collapsible bowls for water and food.

Gadgets

Gadgets on a campsite do not seem like an appealing combination. But they can be helpful too, so why not?

We may start by drawing up a list of essential gadgets, removing the unnecessary ones.

Chargers, portable chargers, and solar-powered chargers are a few essential gadgets we must not forget.

To take the adventure quotient of the trip to another level, we may get a mini fridge for storing cold beers under the moonlight.

Camping in the wilderness forces us to rough it a little, which is both thrilling and enjoyable. What's not enjoyable is accidentally damaging a costly phone. A waterproof phone cover will keep the phone clean and damage-free. Regardless of whether the trip involves water activities, a waterproof cover will protect the phone against unpredictable weather situations.

Extras

A first aid kit is essential for any camping trip. It will help us treat cuts, splinters, and leech bites or such.

Umbrellas for rainy weather and clothing lines to dry the clothes are two essential items we must include in our checklist. The clothing line can be strung between the nearest tree and the tent.

Moreover, multi-tool and pen knives are essential to building the tent. An extensive list of miscellaneous items may include the following:

• Tweezers
• Trowels
• Safety pins
• Notepads and pens
• Duct tape
• Earplugs
• Electric hook-up cable
• Scissors
• Sewing kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Blankets
• Electric pump

Black bears are spotted at many camping sites. Packing bear spray whilst camping is, therefore, a no-brainer. That being said, we should also pack bear-proof food boxes.

Things to Remember Before Leaving For The Camping Trip

We must remember to run a few essential checks before leaving for the trip. These include:

• Check the tires for pressure.
• Bring spare tires.
• Check fuel level and, if needed, go for a refill.
• Empty the fridge at home.
• Water the plants.
• Make arrangements to feed stay-at-home pets.
• Turn off the heating.
• Unplug all the non-essential electronics.
• Schedule deliveries according to the trip.
• Lock all the doors and windows.
• Turn on the security alarm.
• Leave a key with a trusted neighbour. 

Tips to Stay Safe

Choosing The Right Campsite

It’s best to choose familiar campgrounds. One already knows the terrain, where to find essentials like dry wood and water and what areas to avoid.

If the campsite is new, it is advisable to set up camp near other campers. In case of emergencies, it will be easy to get help quickly. We must check for the nearest water source and go to an east-facing campsite for some sun early in the morning.

Alerting Friends And Family

It’s crucial to alert friends and family about the campsite location and keep updating them whenever feasible. We must also give them the itinerary and an alternate contact option.

Packing Smart

We must pack all the essentials stated above. But most importantly, the packing should happen according to one's preferences.

The first camping trip is always the most exciting and requires meticulous planning. Hence, we hope this list helps you with all the necessary tips.

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