The 5 Things Everyone Needs to Take Camping

Camping gives you the opportunity to spend time with family or friends. While some campers like to rough it in the wilderness with as little as is necessary to get by, the camping experience may be more enjoyable when you bring everything you need. There are many items you can take with you on a camping trip, but most of the essentials will fit into one of five categories.

  1. Cooking

    • Cooking supplies are essential. Whether you will cook food items you bring with you or hunt for your food while you're camping, you need pots and a skillet for cooking. A Dutch oven or small barbecue grill are also worth bringing. Pack eating utensils, plates and containers for storing food as well. Don't forget matches, charcoal and charcoal fluid for starting fires.

    Shelter and Bedding

    • A tent, stakes for the tent, air mattresses, plenty of blankets, a pillow, a hammer for pounding tent stakes in the ground, a pillow and an air pump for the air mattresses are some of the shelter and bedding considerations you'll need to address. Sleeping bags and a repair kit in case an air mattress punctures are other items to bring along.

    Clothing and Hygiene

    • Be prepared for all types of weather on a camping trip by packing appropriate clothes. Bring a rain poncho, shorts, swimwear, socks, sandals and tennis shoes. Pack plenty of underwear, a jacket appropriate for the area you're camping and something to put your dirty clothes in. Razors, soap, sunscreen lotion, shampoo, toilet paper, comb or brush, deodorant and feminine products are some of the personal items to carry with you.

    First Aid

    • Bring a first aid kit with you when you camp. Put the kit together yourself or purchase a premade kit. Include a variety of items to cover an array of medical situations that might arise on a camping trips. Include different size bandages, antiseptic cream, tweezers, tissues, sinus medication, cotton balls or cotton swabs, adhesive tape, snake bite or bee sting kit, pain relievers, hydrogen peroxide, burn ointment and bug repellent.

    Personal Items

    • Personal items are not always necessary or convenient to bring with you, but depending upon where you will be camping and how long you'll be gone, you may want to bring personal items for entertainment. These include books, a guitar for singing around the campfire, a portable music system, a watch or binoculars. Don't forget items such as contacts or glasses.