What Camping Gear Will You Need?
How much fun you may or may not have on your camping adventure will depend a lot on the gear you take with you. If you are going in an RV or camper trailer, then you would stock it in much the same way you would a small house! This can be convenient when you plan to camp a lot because you can leave specific items like bedding, dishes, and other essentials in these camping options all of the time. Below is mostly a list for things you will need for tent camping, but check it anyway because somethings could still be needed even for RV or trailer camping!
Gear For Tent Camping
Tent - Be sure you either have a big tent large enough to hold all members of your camping party or take enough smaller tents to accommodate everyone.
Screen Tent - Although a screen house might not be a necessity when you camp, you can rest assured having a high quality screen tent set up to store supplies in, to eat and cook in, or just to escape
annoying insects, is worth its weight in gold when you camp outdoors!
Cooking Supplies - Dishes and eating utensils can be paper, plastic, or metal. Pots and pans for cooking. A metal fire grill if there are no grills at your campsite is essential unless you bring along a camp stove with fuel.
Food Supplies - What you bring along as food supplies can depend on whether or not you will have access to a store close by or not. If you are primitive or backcountry camping, then the best items are non-perishables such as canned good, freeze dried, or boxed foods that won't spoil without refrigeration. If you have store access, then using a cooler with ice can help you to keep perishable foods good long enough to be eaten.
Bedding - How you sleep can be done several different ways. You can use sleeping bags directly on the ground. You can use a cot with or without a sleeping bag. You can bring one or more air mattress according to your number of people. Sheets and pillows will be needed for air mattresses.
Towels and Wash Clothes - For bathing and swimming.
Clothing - Make sure everyone has the appropriate clothing for the stay. If it is cool weather, then bring warm clothing. If it's hot you will want clothing like shorts, tank tops and swim suits!
Toiletries - You are certain to need things like toothbrushes, toothpastes, soap, shampoo, deodorant, and the like. If you chose a campground with no flushing toilets, then bringing your own toilet paper is a must!
Miscellaneous - Just because these items may fall under the miscellaneous category, doesn't mean they are not essential.
You always want a hatchet and fire making essentials like lighters and matches.
You want to have at least one or more flashlights with fresh batteries.
A weather radio.
A First Aid kit is extremely essential!
Life jackets for boating or non-swimmers getting in water.
Sunscreen and insect repellant.
Cell phone if available and usable
Of course, every camping party might have special items that need to be brought along such as medications, baby supplies, or pet supplies. You will have to adjust your personal list of camping gear accordingly.