The connection to nature makes camping a favorite activity for many people. Unlike a hotel vacation that provides amenities for you, the natural location means you'll need to bring all needed supplies with you. The specific supplies needed depend on your camping location and personal preferences in terms of activities, cooking and sleeping arrangements.
Tent
The tent provides the sleeping quarters and protection. Choose a tent large enough to accommodate all of the campers comfortably. You'll need additional supplies to get the tent set up correctly. Pack a tarp to place on the ground under the tent. The tent should come with enough stakes to set it up, but packing a few extra tent stakes provides a backup if one of the original stakes gets lost. A mallet is necessary to pound the tent stakes into the ground. Pack a small mat to place near the entrance of the tent for shoes.
Bedding
Bedding supplies make the sleeping arrangements more comfortable. An air mattress or cot provides more cushioning than sleeping directly on the ground. Pack an air pump and extra batteries if you choose the air mattress option. Pillows, sleeping bags, blankets and sheets for the cot or air mattress round out the bedding supply list. Consider the weather and average temperatures in the camping location when packing blankets.
Cooking Utensils
Cooking at a campsite typically occurs over a campfire or on a small camp stove. When cooking over a campfire, bring your own firewood or make sure the campground has wood available. Other cooking utensils might include camp stove fuel, roasting sticks, grilling baskets, cooking tripod, pans, spatulas, water jug, coolers, matches, aluminum foil, potholders and a can opener. Pack table service items including plates, silverware, cups and tablecloths. A dishwashing tub, dish soap, cleaning cloth and container to store leftovers help you clean up after the meals.
Protection & Safety
Camping outdoors exposes you to a variety of elements. Add items to your camping list to protect against those elements. Sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent protect you from the sun and pesky bugs. Rain gear makes a stormy day more comfortable. A well-stocked first aid kit comes in handy in case of minor injuries around the campground.
Tools
Packing a few basic tools helps keep you prepared for various tasks around camp. If you plan to cook over a campfire, pack an axe for easy splitting. A multi-tool and pocket knife are small enough to pack easily and work for a variety of tasks. A lantern and flashlights with extra batteries round out the tool list for camping.
Clothing & Personal Items
Your clothing and personal items list varies depending on personal preference and the camping location. Consider the typical weather for the area when choosing your clothing. Pack extra clothes as a backup in case your clothing gets dirty. Pack a sweatshirt or other warm clothing even if you think the climate will be warm enough. All of your normal daily personal hygiene items should be on the list. Bringing a few rolls of toilet paper is a good idea even if the campground has restrooms.
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