I’ve been that person who forgot a spatula, an extra tank of stove fuel and the ever-important towel. I’ve suffered through the arduous task of lighting a fire without precious dry kindling or the magically efficient aide of newspaper.
Camping isn’t always the most forgiving to the forgetful but with the skills, one can definitely adapt and make things work.
As someone without said ‘skills’ though (at least so far) – A list sure does come in handy.
So, for me (and those like me), here’s my go-to list of camping essentials for those times when cars carry the load instead of my shoulders:
- Tent
- Sleeping bag (extra blanket weather dependant)
- Pillow
- Lantern/Headlight/Flashlight
- Matches/Lighter
- Rain Jacket + Umbrella
- Towel + Micro-Fibre Towel
- Knife/Multi-Tool
- Cooking Utensils (spatula, long-handle tongs, knife)
- First-Aid Kit
- Tarp + Rope
- Axe/Hatchet
- Sleeping Pad/Air Mattress
- Water/Water Filtration System
- Bug Spray/Citronella Sticks/Sage (burn at the edge of the fire and enjoy a mosquito-free zone)
- Washing Bin + Sponge + Biodegradable soap
- Baby Wipes/Hand Sanitizer
- Toilet Paper
- Chair
- Cooler + Ice (freeze water bottles to use as ice packs)
- Cutting Board
- Dishes + Cutlery
- Newspaper/Kindling
- Paper Towel
- Grill/Cast Iron Skillet/Pot/Pan
- Camp Stove + Fuel
- Duct Tape
- Batteries
- Thermos + Water Bottle
- Food!
If I’m missing something I’ll feel pretty silly in an hour when I re-read this, so let’s call it for now. As a beginner there are things I’m sure will be forever amended and added, and changed. And I look forward to every edit this list is met with these next few years. I want to edit it. I want to revise it. I want suggestions and advice and all the lessons that come along with them.
I’ve got big plans. And I can’t wait.
She Collects Campsites 