Camping is a must-have fun experience that you should never miss out in life. Camping is ideal for engaging with wildlife while you bid farewell to your stress. Depending on your camping location, you will want to plan your camping essentials accordingly. For instance, if you are camping in your backyard, you are all good with a pair of blankets, snacks, and a tent. Nonetheless, if you are planning to spend the night or a few nights in the backcountry or some private campgrounds in the wild, then you will need more than a tent and a pair of blankets. While you will want to aim at keeping the gear to a minimum number, you will also want to ensure that your camping setup is convenient, comfy, and homely. If this is your first camping experience, then you have nothing to worry about as we have covered you about how to meet your camping needs.
That said, while preparing for the camping checklist and packing your essentials, you will want to refer to the checklist to ensure that you have everything you need and that you don’t take more or less than you absolutely need.
Guidelines to your Camping Checklist:
#1 Campsite Essentials
Here is the list of the campsite essentials that you will want to pack into your belongings:
Tent
Of course, you will want to start with packing the tent. If you are going solo, then you are all good with an adventure tent. However, if family and friends join you, then you will want to opt for a family tent. You can also opt for a bell tent, tarp tent, or a car camping tent.
Always take care of your personal items, such as credit card/ cash, cell phone, and ID. Make sure that your cell phone is charged at all times so that you can reach out to your contacts in case of emergency.
Sleeping Bag
It doesn’t matter whether you will stay one night or several nights at the camping site; you will want to stay warm and cozy, so you will choose a sleeping bag carefully. Ideally, you will want to opt for one of the mummy-shaped sleeping bags or one of the semi-rectangular sleeping bags, as these come with built-in hoods and are more form-fitting. You can find all types of sleeping bags on shops for military gear. Make sure to choose a sleeping bag that provides you with maximum heat retention for colder winter nights.
Flashlight
Compared to a headlight or a lantern, we recommend you opt for a high-quality flashlight, such as a powerful EDC flashlight, for your camping trip. As a first-time camper, you should know that your flashlight will be nothing less than an asset on your camping spree. Why, you might ask? Well, the answer is as simple as the fact that you will be exposed to the wilderness and the darkness where you will be surviving on your own, which also contributes massively to the adventurous venture of camping. A high-quality flashlight will not only brighten up the darkness around you but also protect you against wildlife that could potentially find its way to your camping tent. Flashlights are available in various designs, modes, and features.
Understanding the characteristics of each flashlight variation before you choose one for your camping adventure is a good idea.
#2 Essentials for Health & Hygiene
You will also want to pack your essentials for health and hygiene, such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer, toiletry kit, toothbrush, toothpaste, essential medications, menstrual products, and a first-aid kit. It doesn’t matter whether you are going camping for the first time or whether you have been camping several times; you cannot forget your first-aid kit.
You never know when you might get injured while camping, which is where the first-aid kit will come in handy – especially for survival situations and sudden emergencies. Make sure to keep the following things in your first-aid kit:
- Safety Pins
- Gauze Pads
- Antiseptic Wipes
- Antibacterial Ointment
- Pain-relief Medication
- Anti-Itch Treatment
- Butterfly Bandage
- Splinter Tweezers
When it comes to health and hygiene, you will want to wear sunscreen every day, even when it is raining. Don’t forget to pack your sunglasses and your sun hat. Also, pack an insect-repellent and a lip balm with you.
When it comes to personal hygiene, you will want to include a sanitation towel, baby wipes, urinary products, and a brush.
#3 Kitchen/ Food Essentials
Although you are camping in the wild, you might not be so lucky in hunting. Make sure to carry your portable water bottle with you so that you can keep sipping water throughout the day. If you don’t have drinkable water at the campsite, you will want to make arrangements so that you can treat the water and make it drinkable. When it comes to camping and cooking, you will want to pack a portable stove and also include waterproof matches or a fire starter.
Don’t forget to pack a frying pan, cooking utensils, and eating utensils. You will also want to pack plastic plates and cups. Pack a cooler and a bottle opener too.
#4 Potential Reasons to Go Camping
Now that you have the list ready, you might want to know about some fun reasons to go on a camping adventure.
Becoming a Survivor
If you go camping, you will be exposed to the wilderness, which typically doesn’t happen when you are living your routine. You can pretend you are a survivor and learn a lot about surviving in the wild.
Imagine all the things you could do outdoors while camping, such as setting up a tent, cooking outdoors, and building a campfire. Speaking of which, you should learn the skill of building a campfire before you go camping,
#5 Setting up a Campsite
Another reason to go camping is to learn to set up a campsite. It doesn’t matter whether you are camping alone or camping with friends; you cannot miss out on the fun of setting up an entire campsite even when you are putting up a car tent. You will have fun collecting rocks and sticks for the campfire. And you will experience the ultimate bliss of sitting back and relaxing at the campfire.