Camping Check List: Shelter, Company, Location and Supplies Ideas

Whether you have been camping before or you are planning your first camping trip. One of biggest concerns you probably have, aside from the bears of course, is driving miles from home, in the middle of nowhere, and realizing you have forgotten something important.

What I find helps me the most when organizing a camping trip is sitting down a few days before and making myself a check list. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and take a walk through your home. Looking through your house and noticing objects will help you decide what you need and what you don't need. Lessening your chances of forgetting something essential.

Before we go over an example list. Lets go over the steps you need to take in order to organize a camping trip.

Shelter

• You are going to have to decide on what type of shelter you want to stay in. You can make things real simple and just find somewhere you can rent a cabin.
• You can choice to camp in style and use an RV/Motor home or a camper trailer.
• You can do what some people call "real camping" and tent. 
  
• Or if choose to do so you can build your own shelter out of sticks and leaves.

Friends and Family

It's now time to decide who you want to go camping with. Maybe you just want to go alone for some peace and quiet. Or a romantic get-away with your significant other. Most often people decide to go camping with a group of friends or family.

Location

Choose you location wisely. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you make your final decision.

1. How far do I want to travel from home?
2. What activities do I want to enjoy while I am camping?
3. How much do I want to spend?
4. How far into the wilderness do I want to travel?

So now that you have shelter, a location, and have decided who you want to camp with. Lets get back to the list of supplies you will need for camping.

Things You Will Likely Need to Go Camping

Sleeping and Shelter

• Tent, tent poles, rain fly (if you are planning on tenting)
• Air mattress (unless you are taking a camper or RV)
• Extra Stakes
• Blankets
• Pillows
• Hammer
• Tarp
• Air pump
• Patches (to repair mattress if need be)

Clothing

• Shoes (if you plan on wearing sandals bring shoes as well)
• Jeans and pants
• Hat
• Dirty clothes bag
• T-shirts
• Shorts
• Pj's
• Socks
  
• Sweaters
• Underwear
• Swim suit
• Coat
• Rain gear
• Clothes line (optional if you want to hang your clothing)

Cooking

• Campfire grill or BBQ
• Aluminum foil
• Water
• Cooler
• Ice
• Can opener
• Matches/lighter
• Newspaper (to start the fire)
• Paper towel
• Garbage bag
• Knifes
• Forks
  
• Table (if there are no picnic tables)
• Pan or Skillet
• Pots
• Dish soap and container for dishes
• Plates
• Cups
• Cooking oil
• Oven Mitts
• Spatula
• Tongs
• Napkins
• Dish cloth
• Food and snacks
• Drinks

Personal Hygiene

• Soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
  
• Hair Brush
• Tooth brush and tooth paste
• Deoderant
• Toilet paper
• Razor and shaving cream
• Cloths and towels
• Feminine hygeine products
• Personal medications
• Sunscreen
• Nail Clippers

Miscellaneous

• FIRST AID KIT
• Bug spray
• Books
• Camera
• Pool toys
• Hammock
• Compass
• Fishing gear
• GPS
• Candles
• Radio
• Chairs
• Axe
• Map
• Flashlight
• Games
• Umbrella
• Watch
• Hand Sanitizer

Yes, I know what you are thinking. That is a lot of stuff to bring camping. But remember this is just a list of things that you MIGHT need to go camping. Items on the list will change according to your personal situation. Enjoy your camping trip!