What to Take Camping
What to take camping depends on how you like to camp and where you will be camping. I prefer rustic or primitive camping in woods and mountains where if you want water you get it out of a stream or pond and boil it. You may prefer a cushier type of camping where there are amenities such as electricity and running water.
The items I have listed here are intended for backcountry camping where you bring your own comfort items such as stoves, light, fire utensils and purification for water. You do not want to drink directly out of a pond or stream due to bacteria that can give you the runs causing dehydration. Unless you know the source of the water, treat it as though it came from a contaminated pond where Giardia is abundant.
Giardia is a single celled organism that thrives in digestive tracks and will cause Beaver Fever. Beaver Fever is diarrhea and can be severe enough to cause dehydration, weight loss and inability for the digestive track to absorb needed fats and nutrients.
This list is available as a printable camping list in PDF format. The printable list has more items on it that are available at local hardware stores
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First Aid Kit
Snake Bite Kit Bear Pepper Spray Tent Tent Footprint Extra Tent Poles Extra Tent Stakes Hammer Tarps & Ropes Stove Camping Lantern Water Filter Stove : Lantern Fuel Ax Camping Shovel Wood Saw Fire Poker Rebar Cooking Grate Fire Starter Survival Knife Flint and Steel Kit Water Container Sleeping Bag and Sheet Self Inflating Air Mattress Pillows Chair Flashlight Rain Gear Clothes |
Camera
Gps or Map and Compass Hiking Jacket Cookware Spit Camper Pie Irons Water Boiling Pot Coffee Pot Can and Bottle Opener Cups Eating Utensils Trash Bags Food and Seasonings Toilet Paper Towels and Soap Tooth Paste and Brush Sun Block Insect Repellent Medications If you take your dog Collar and Leash Training Collar Dog Bowl Food Treats Dog Medication |
Of course you can't forget the food. Before I shop for the food I decide what meals are needed and plan those meals in full. If I go camping for a week I will need 6 suppers, 7 breakfasts and 6 lunches. One supper will be pork chops with bakede potatoe and green beans and apple sauce. Another will be lamb with squash, mashed potatoes and brocolli. This way I know I have enough food for the week and will not have to go into town for condiments or bacon for a breakfast.
I do the shopping a few days before the trip so that the meat has time to become completely frozen. With a good cooler it will stay frozen for a few days. I put the frozen meat in an open plastic container to keep the meat from getting water logged from the melted ice.
As I said in another post, Each time I go camping I refer to this list and edit out what I will not need. While most state parks allow you to burn dead and down trees most do not allow you to use chainsaws. So, if I'm going where I cannot use a chainsaw I leave the chainsaw, gas and oil and sharpening tools home and bring a camping saw. With the spread of the Asian Longhorned Beetle and Ash Beetle campgrounds are strict about transporting firewood. So, if you plan on having a fire be prepared to scavange for wood to burn. If the park has running water I can leave the pot for boiling water home but bring a container to carry and store water.
I have a lot of my camping gear already to go in platic bins. This way I can just grab them and go. The bin with the food has to get emptied and refilled for each trip but it makes it easier because the containers for the dry and perishable goods are there to remind me of most things.
So, everytime I leave for a camping trip I have to decide what to take camping. With this printable camping list I just print it out and cross off items as I load them. This way I always have what I need.