We go camping often (as possible) and I still need the checklist to get everything, and everybody, into the van. Without lists, sometimes things get left behind. On occasion, people, too. Here is part of the checklist I use for the camping trips. I suggest making a copy for each person going, including the dog.
For the Department of Homeland Security for the United States Government lists, try the DHS.gov site. Many of the items to go camping with can be used in any sort of emergency as a ‘Go Bag’ and should be available for use immediately.
Clothes- underwear– T-shirts — shorts — long pants — sweat shirt — swimsuit — Boots — socks — hat or bandanna — more socks — water shoes — work gloves — laundry bag — Did I pack Socks? How many layers do I need?
Hygiene- (*note, we use sample sizes for each person, even though there is more packaging, it is less likely that we will break or loose a large container if we each have smaller sizes. It also makes sure that the picky one has his own stuff…) soap — deodorant — washcloth — towel — toothbrush — toothpaste — goldbond/talc powder — brush/comb — hair ties/combs — shampoo/conditioner — ‘special’ bag — Poop bucket
Fiona Sez – Note: under hygiene, on your camp list, remember to include enough t.p.! The only leaves available will probably be poison ivy!
(*another note, the special bag is a cellophane or zippy bag that each of us, adult, child and dog have for things like cosmetics, acne medicine, etc. that we each have. It cannot be over filled to keep down camping/hiking clutter, and it makes sure that we all have our ‘private’ hygiene stuff with us)
First Aide kit- This is partially included in the Hygiene part(like goldbond powder) , but there are other things you should pack. Pain reliever (aspirin/acetaminophen/ibuprofen) – Bug repellant – calamine or other anti-itch ointment – bandages, of various types – black tea bags(for sunburn) – any pills you need for yourself (daily medicines/vitamins) – Contact Lens Supplies, including saline – cleansing towelettes(collect from restaurants) – Latex or poly gloves
Food- # Days going? Per person– 1 gallon water/day — 2 Snack bars/day — 1 fruit/day — 8 oz cheese — 1 box cereal/day (we use the little boxes for in the morning and burn the paper with the campfire at night) — 1 can evap milk/day — 2 dried veggies/day — 2 dried carb/day — 2 dried/canned meat/day — (you get the idea) — Supplements/Vitamins(the ones you usually take)
If you like real food, not just trail mix, consider dried fruits and veggies. A really great company with a really good product is Just Tomatoes, though they have much more than that! With organic products and cookbooks, they have a fairly complete line. And the food is great!
Cooking – (this actually goes for the whole gang, but a few things here and there get individually packed) Campground or outback? — Stove — Propane — matches/butane lighter — candles — gerry kit — canteen — salt — pepper — utensils — dish soap — washpan — Knife or Knives
With the cooking supplies, remember to pack a Can Opener if you have cans. It is not just embarrassing to have all your camp food in cans, you can get really hungry.
Tent- tarp — rope(non-rotting) — pegs — folding chair(s) — dustpan and whiskbroom — sewing kit — first aide kit — garbage bags — folding shovel — mat — sleeping bag — bag liner/sheet — pillow — hammer or mallet — duct or gaffers tape – tent seam sealant(for maintenance)
misc.- $5 in change — house keys — car keys — two maps — whistle — notepad and pencil(I prefer pencils to pens, and get the wooden ones more often than mechanical)– list of emergency numbers — (we camp with our cell phone available. We keep it off when we do not need it to conserve batteries, but they can be a life saver at almost any time of a camping trip) — licenses — (hunting, camping, fishing, etc.) — duct tape – and a roll of garbage bags.
Keep track of what you did use, what you wish you had and what would have been useful. Your list will continue to change as you camp more.
What am I bringing to the latest camping trip?
I know I should have made a list for my Night Under the Stars.
Also, there are skills involved with camping. What can you do?
