Many people don’t go camping because “It’s too much work,” or “I can’t plan well enough,” or “I don’t even know where to start!” Well, here’s where to start.
1 – Relax. There aren’t many things you absolutely can’t do without.
2 – Start your planning by knowing where you’ll be going and when.
3 – Use a checklist
This article will look at car camping and RV-ing. Note that there are no special considerations for RV-ing since with an RV there are few restrictions on what you can bring. If you have your own RV, you can leave it stocked minimizing packing for each trip.
Where and when you’ll be camping determines much of what you’ll bring both as necessities and luxuries. No matter if you are car camping or RV-ing, having the right clothes and sleeping bags along is most important. Consider night time temperatures, the likelihood for rain or snow, and whether or not you can build a campfire. Dressing in layers is best. With a car or RV, you can over-prepare and throw in extra jackets, gloves, and hats just in case. This is especially important when camping in the mountains where at the right elevation you can wake up to a heavy frost and ice in your wash pan in July!
If the temperature rating of your sleeping bag is uncertain, include warm clothes to sleep in such as sweats or a blanket – you can always use the blanket for a picnic.
Food and water are probably the next most important items. Again what you need to bring is dependent on where you are camping. Rustic or dispersed camp sites usually don’t have a potable water supply but most campgrounds have multiple water locations.
Food can be complicated or easy. You can keep things simple with sandwiches, salad, fruit, and cookies. If cold meals don’t appeal to you, an easy option is to make chili, stew, spaghetti or something else easily warmed on a camp stove. For the truly ambitious, there are many things that can be completely cooked at camp. Many people take the opportunity to do cast iron cooking over the campfire – though this isn’t necessary to be truly camping.
Other items you should bring include cooking utensils, wash pans, plates, and silverware. Must have items include flashlights, 1st aid kit, and trash bags. Most people would put campfire and camp stove supplies and bug spray in the must have category as well.
The checklist below can be used by marking the items appropriate for you and then crossing the item out as it is packed. You can save time by keeping much of your camping gear packed all the time in plastic storage containers – convenient for loading AND storing between trips. Have a good trip!
CAMPING CHECKLIST
Food/Drinks/Snacks
Hot Cocoa/Cider Mix
Coffee
Coffee filters
Chopping Knife
Cutting Board
Cooking Spray
Glasses
Paper Towels/napkins
Dish Soap
Scrubber
Dish Towel
Dishcloth
Dish Pan
Clothespins
Clothesline
Hand Towels
Hot Pads
Plates/Bowls
Plastic Plates/Cups/Bowls/Silverware
Water Jug
Pie Iron
Pots
Skillets
Spatula (regular & long)
Roasting Forks
Grill Rack
Coffee pot
Camp Stove
Propane/stove fuel
Lighter Fluid
Fire Wood
Firestarters/kindling
Matches/Lighter
Saw/Hatchet
Fleece Sleeping Bag Liners/Blankets
Groundcloth
Tablecloth
Pillows
Sweats
Sleeping Bags
Tent
Hammer
Moist Towelettes
Kleenex
Extra Mantle for Lantern
Extra Batteries - 4 D's for lantern
Lantern
Flashlights
Trash Bags
Zip-loc bags
Tin foil
Camera/Film
Cell Phone/Charger for vehicle
Toothbrush
Contact cleaning supplies/glasses
Other toiletries
First Aid Kit
Bear Spray
Bite ointment
Binoculars
Pet supplies
Can Coolers
Can Opener/Bottle Opener
Coolers
Chairs/Stools
Large Garbage Bags
Buck Knife/Leatherman
Rain Coat
Hiking Boots
Sandals
Jackets/Vests
Backpacks/Hip Packs
Water bottles
Sport equipment
Journal
Magazines/Books
Games
Maps
