The weather’s clear, and you’re in the mood for an unforgettable outdoor adventure. Whether you are alone or with friends, there are few things as rejuvenating and refreshing as being out in the wild. However, to begin your great adventure, you need to prepare.
Do you need a Dutch oven, portable shower, roof pax, or perhaps a credit card? Part of the fun of camping is figuring out what to carry but feel free to use this list as a guide. Let’s begin:
Campsite
This will be your base of operations, aka home. You’ll need the following:
- Tent
- Sleeping bags
- Camping mattress
- Camping pillow
- Camping lantern
- Headlamp
- Camping chairs
These are good for a start, but you may want some optional extras e.g.
- Firestarter/Lighter
- Camping table (though the campsite may provide this)
- Hammock
- Sunshade
- Extra stakes
- Clothesline and clips
- Firewood (you can source this near the campsite
Kitchen
You’ll likely have to prepare your meals, therefore, consider what your portable kitchen will look like. If you love to cook, then this may just be your favourite part. Sandwiches, freeze-dried soups, hotdogs, and oatmeal are camping mainstays, but some may want to look into pre-packaged meal camp meal kits. Here are the kitchen essentials:
- Camp stove and fuel
- Cookware and utensils, e.g. (cook pots, frying pans, knife, cups, cutting board)
- Pot scrubber
- Biodegradable soap
- Dish towel
- Recycling bags
- Cooler
- Ice
- Water bottles (many campsites provide fresh water)
- Water purifier/filter
Additionally, you may need the following:
- Camp grill and grill rack
- Charcoal
- Dutch oven
- Griddle
- Portable coffee/tea maker
- Marshmallow/hot dog roasting fork
Clothing & Footwear
Prepare this based on the weather conditions you expect to see at the camping site. If you’re camping in cold weather, you need to layer effectively, i.e., your base layer, mid layer, and outer layer/shell. Consider also carrying quality hiking gear to improve your outdoor experience.
- Moisture-wicking underwear/base layer
- Moisture-wicking T-shirts
- Quick-drying pants/shorts
- Long-sleeve shirts (good against the sun and bugs)
- Down jackets or synthetic jacket
- Rain jacket
- Boots or shoes suited to the terrain
- Socks (synthetic or wool)
- Sleepwear
In addition, you may also want to carry gloves, a beanie, sandals, a neck gaiter, and a swimsuit.
Health and Hygiene
Here are the essential toiletries you’ll need:
- Toilet paper
- Biodegradable Soap/Hand sanitizer
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Toiletry kit, e.g., deodorant, lotion, lip balm
- Sunscreen
- Quick-dry towel
- Menstrual products
- Personal medications
- First-aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm
- Insect repellent
Some optional extras you may want include:
- Sunglasses (and sunglasses straps)
- Sun hat
- Portable shower
- Portable toilet or trowel (if no facilities are available)
- Baby wipes
Tools
- Duct tape
- Multi-tool
- Axe (if you’ll be cutting firewood)
- Binoculars
- Navigation tools, e.g., compass or GPS
- Extra rope/Rope
- Portable power supply or solar charger
Personal Items
- Cell phone plus charger
- ID
- Credit card/cash
- Campsite pass
This list covers most of what you’ll need to survive the great outdoors. However, consider your specific needs. Your needs can change drastically depending on the weather. During winter, you will need warmer protective gear, such as a four-season tent, a cold sleeping bag, and snow-specific equipment. The number of people will also need to be accounted for as well as kids and pets. But don’t fret. If you miss an item this time, be sure to jot it down, so you don’t the next time round. Happy camping!
