Things To Bring Camping

Here is a basic list of camping items that will be needed for an outing. Your needs will depend on where you are going, what time of year, type of camping, backpacking, car/tent, motorhome, and the length of your trip. This list is only a suggestion of the types of items that will make your campout more enjoyable. Pick and choose what you like and need. Experiment with your outdoor cooking and be creative. Cookin' Campers reminds you to have fun and be safe at all times, and you will enjoy the great outdoors with your family and friends.


Packing - Put heavy items on the bottom

1. Backpack, daypack, and/or fanny pack
2. Bags - Tent bag, grocery bags, etc.
3. Cardboard boxes or plastic storage boxes (if needed)
4. Ice Chests
5. Ice (block ice for the ice chest works best)
6. 5 gallon bucket or similar container (for washing or retrieving water)
7. Large (18-30 gal) Rubbermaid™ container for food storage



Lighting - Check your batteries!

1. Flashlight (one for each person)
2. Gas lantern (and/or electric)
3. Cigarette lighter
4. Matches (preferably water proof)
5. Spare batteries and flashlight bulbs
6. Spare lantern fuel and mantles



Shelter/Bedding - You want to be comfortable

1. Sleeping bag
2. Space Blanket
3. Ground Cloth - Tarp for big tents
4. Mattress or pad - Inflation device for air mattress
5. Pillow
6. Tent
7. Camp axe or hammer to pound tent stakes
8. Shade Canopy & Rope & Stakes



Medical - Bring what you need and then some

1. Sunscreen
2. Eyeglasses
3. Bug Repellent - Spray, Citronella Candle, etc.
4. Tylenol, Advil, Aspirin
5. Tums or ant-acid
6. Antibiotic creams (Neosporin)
7. Tweezers for splinters & ticks
8. Comb & brush
9. Antiseptic, Band-Aids and bandages
10. First Aid Kit (may include all the above items)
11. Prescription medication as required
12. Sinus Tablets
13. Eye drops
14. Pocket Tissues
15. Moist Towelettes (for cleaning wounds and early uses on poison ivy)



Cleaning & Personal Items - Travel light

1. Washcloth
2. Shampoo
3. Bar soap or a Biodegradable soap if in the wild
4. Toothpaste & toothbrush
5. Comb/hair brush/clips/bands
6. Razor & shaving cream
7. Towel
8. Toilet Paper
9. Whisk broom to clean table and tent site
10. Deodorant
11. Chapstick or lipbalm



Miscellaneous - Stuff you might not have thought of

1. Small shovel
2. Swiss Army knife
3. Compass and Map
4. Fishing rod & reel, tackle & bait (license required in most areas)
5. Duct tape and/or electrical tape
6. Safety pins
7. Cellular phone w/extra battery and car adapter
8. Two way radio(s) (CB, or Motorola Talk About are good)
9. Camera w/good battery and extra film
10. Camcorder w/good battery and extra tapes
11. AM/FM Radio/CD/Cassette and/or TV with power adapter and/or batteries
12. Books, cards, Bible, etc.
13. Money, credit card, ID, Passport
14. Pocket Tool
15. Guitar/Harmonicas/Other musical instrument(s)
16. Bike(s) & helmets
17. Binoculars and/or Telescope
18. Whistle
19. Chair(s)
20. Hammock
21. Umbrella
22. Outdoor Toys and/or Games
23. Travel Clock
24. Clothesline and Clothespins
25. Solar Shower (you'll be glad you did)
26. Basic Tools (screwdrivers, pliers, etc.)
27. Rope or String
28. Candles
29. Canoe, Boat or Inflatable
30. Life Jackets (if boating or near water)
31. Portable Heater
32. Door Mat or a piece of carpeting (artificial grass) for tent or RV entranceway

Clothing - be warm and comfortable

1. Hat
2. Bandanna
3. Jacket - take the appropriate type for your climate
4. Poncho - Doubles as emergency tent/lean-to
5. Pants/Overalls, with belt
6. Sweat pants and shirt
7. Underwear - 3 minimum
8. Shirts - 3 or 4 minimum (three light, one flannel)
9. Shoes, shower shoes, HIKING BOOTS, sandals or thongs/flip flops
10. Socks - 3 pair minimum
11. Work gloves & warm mittens/gloves
12. Swim suit
13. Sunglasses



Cooking - Remember you won't be near a store sometimes

1. Stove with fuel & lighter
2. Newspapers for lighting a campfire
3. Firewood (in certain areas you are not allowed to pick dead wood from the ground)
4. Charcoal or firewood (for cooking)
5. Frying Pan - Nonstick w/plastic spatula is nice for eggs, but cast iron is where its at
6. Cooking skewers (for hot dogs, smores, etc.)
7. BBQ Grill - most outdoor grills in campgrounds are not so great, bring one
8. Pot or sauce pan - Big enough to cook noodles for all; With lid
9. Can opener - If you have canned goods
10. Thermos
11. Tongs, Spatula
12. Coffee maker & filters
13. Pot holders
14. Tablecloth
15. Stew Pot
16. Dishes - Take enough to cook the meals that are planned



Reusable Items:


1. Plate - Partition tray/plate is nice
2. Collapsible camping/hiking cup
3. Kitchen knife - nice to have in general or carry a pocket knife
4. Small mixing bowl
5. Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula
6. Scrub Pad
7. Dish Pan
8. Tupperware (for leftovers)



Consumables Items:


1. Paper towels & napkins
2. Trash bags
3. Paper plates, cups, bowls, etc.
4. Plastic knives, forks, spoons
5. Ziplock Bags
6. Aluminum Foil
7. Dish soap
8. Water - This is a must
9. At least 1/2 gallon per person/day Water purifier if relying on natural water sources
10. Water bottle, to carry while hiking
11. Food & Drink - Plan your meals with your friends, it's easy
12. Pancake Mix - Krusteaze, 1/2 cup per person per day (need large skillet)
13. Cooking Oil - About 1 oz per person per day or Pam Spray
14. Syrup - About 2 oz per person per day
15. Butter - 1/2 stick per person per day
16. Oatmeal - Instant single serving packs
17. Potatoes - 1-2 per person per day freeze dried if packing
18. Bacon - 3 slices per person per day
19. Eggs - 1-2 per person per day, fresh or powdered are available
20. Noodles - Spaghetti, Angel Hair, Raman, or shells
21. Spaghetti Sauce - In jars or dehydrated
22. Parmesan cheese
23. Bouillon cubes - Chicken & Vegetable
24. Rice (choose a type that fits your needs)
25. Soup/Chili - mix or cans
26. Spices, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Lawry's Seasonings Salt, Cayan Pepper
27. Tuna - Don't forget Mayo, pickles, and onions
28. Onions, lemons, mushrooms, Tomatoes
29. Bread - One loaf per day per four people (store in a cool location)
30. Dry condiments - salt, pepper, garlic powder, assorted spices, sugar (more is better)
31. Ketchup or Catsup
32. Mustard
33. Mayo - Small jar or squeeze bottle
34. Cheese - Cheddar, Swiss, American
35. Fruit - Small fruit cups or fresh fruit
36. Veggies - carrot/celery sticks are good snacks
37. Taco Stuff - (Meat, seasoning package, olives, lettuce, tortillas, buns)
38. Cocoa, Coffee, & Teas (don't forget SUGAR!)
39. Marshmallows, Graham Crackers & Hershey Bars (smores)
40. Peanut Butter & Jelly (a good camp staple)
41. Deli meat slices: Turkey, Ham, Salami
42. Hot dogs & buns (get the good ones!)
43. Milk, juice, soft drinks, Ice Tea, Lemon Aid, Kool-Aid
44. Snacks, Cereal
45. Hamburgers & Buns
46. Steak (go for the Tri-Tip)
47. Chicken (try the Fire Roasted Chicken recipe)
48. Ham (can be used as a main meal and then use the leftovers for breakfast and lunch)
49. Fresh Corn on Cob (when in season get the white corn, it’s the best)
50. Orange Juice (also good for seasoning some cooked foods)
51. Granola type bars
52. Cookin' Campers Fixin's for stew (some of the items are above)
53. Beer is good and wine goes with the spaghetti
54. Jiffy Pop or regular popcorn
55. Vegetable oil
56. Spray oil (like Pam)
57. Squeeze or soft butter or margarine