Getting Organized: A Camping Checklist

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Why do you need a camping checklist? We are forgetful beings sometimes, and the reality is that people are used to the conveniences of home. If people walk outside and realize that they have forgotten something, they can simply walk back into the house and grab that item. Or, if people do not have something at home, they can often get in the car, travel to a store, and purchase that item. That isn’t going to happen when you are out in nature.

Why a Camping Checklist is Important

When people are camping, they may be able to employ a similar strategy, but in some cases, it doesn’t make sense to purchase an item that they have at home. Or, people may be miles from an accessible vehicle, and going back for a missing item may essentially end the trip. This is why it is so important to put together a checklist. Here are a few details on why this is the case.

Structure And Planning

Making a checklist allows people to employ some structure to camping so that the experience can be planned out and enjoyed. People can embark on very different types of camping, but all forays into the outdoors require people to leave some of their belongings behind.

Putting together a checklist allows people to make sure that they have the proper food, equipment, clothing, and shelter. Few things are more miserable than battling the elements out in nature without the proper gear.

Inventory

Putting together a checklist also gives people an opportunity to inventory what they have. If people camp on a regular basis, they may be able to check and make sure that everything is still there. Sometimes people use up the last of a particular item when they camp, but they do not replace it when they are putting everything away.

Rather, they assume they will remember next time. Or, in some cases, a piece of equipment is damaged, but campers employ the same intent of taking care of it later. As a trip approaches, it may be time to assess the condition and amount of everything again.

Time, Hassle, And Expense

It is important to put together a checklist because some items are crucial to having a good time. If people discover that they left something behind, they are faced with a tough decision. They may need to go back and get it.

Or, they may need to find a place that sells their forgotten item so that they can obtain what was left behind. This can be expensive, particularly if people are at the mercy of a camp store or a remote retailer that doesn’t have any competition in the area. Plus, people end up spending time on something when they are supposed to be out camping.

Stress-Free Living

Overall, a checklist allows people to avoid stressful situations, such as the previously-mentioned forgotten item. When people go camping, the idea is to have some fun and not worry about the hassles and stresses of life.

Granted, camping can be a lot of work, but if people are in the right frame of mind, they may find that a few days out in nature can be relaxing and refreshing. Still, there is always room for a bit of structure, which is what makes the checklist so valuable.

Outdoor Camping Checklist

It’s wise to keep a checklist handy when packing things up and heading out for camp. With so many items, large and small, using a list to keep track of things is a reliable way to make base camp as comfortable and safe as home. You can also modify your list to fit every trip.

Choosing The Right Camping Equipment for Camping Comfortably is very important.

Tent

Since your tent will act as your temporary home, think about it as a house. Keep it clean, organized, and dry and you’ll sleep well despite the weather outside.

Sleeping Bag

Invest in a good sleeping bag. Consider the climate you’ll be camping in, and use that as a guide when selecting a temperature rating. An inflatable or foam pad and a pillow will also keep you warm, dry, and cozy.

Back to Basics

Headlamps and flashlights are important when camping, along with spare batteries and duct tape. Instead of a toolbox for tools, consider a small camp tool kit or a multitool that has a selection of useful tools on it.

Personal Hygiene

Product samples fit nicely in a travel kit, according to TheCampingSource.com. Smaller sizes of hygiene products such as shampoo, deodorant, sunscreen, and toothpaste take up less room and are inexpensive. Plus, the containers can be refilled and reused for next time.

Clothing

Remember to check the weather and pack accordingly. Throw in some extra warm and cold-weather clothing just in case. Think 20 degrees of variation on either side of the forecast, and you won’t be left out in the cold.

First Aid

Always remember a well-stocked first-aid kit, with plenty of bandages, prep pads, antiseptic wipes, and tweezers. Be sure to check the condition of the contents, as many first-aid products expire. Bug bite cream and pain relievers are also good to have.

Cooking

For backpacking, lightweight and the easy-to-use single-burner stove is the best choice. For car camping or large base camps, nothing beats a double or triple-burner flat stove that can cook multiple items at once. Check out The 5 Best Single Camping Stoves on Amazon.

Remember to bring enough pots and pans, and dishes for cooking and eating. Like your coffee? Check out our list of the Best Camping Coffee Pots For The Great Outdoors. Use kits that are compact and fit together for easy packing. Car campers can bring bigger wares. One cup, bowl, plate, spoon, and fork per camper will help keep dirty dishes down.

No matter how you look at the Easiest Way to Wash Dishes While Camping, it is easier to wash when you have a smaller amount of them to do.

Food and Water Storage

Experienced campers often use plastic totes or storage bins, great for storing food at camp. They can be stacked, are relatively tamper-proof, and can resist the weather. For perishables, coolers should be packed well but with room to spare, so the internal air can circulate and cool the food. A 5 to 10-gallon jug for water is ideal.

Eat Well

Camping burns more calories than normal daily activity, so bump up your caloric intake. Bring easy-to-prepare meals like pasta, sandwiches, snack foods, and energy drinks. Weight conscience backpackers can carry dried fruits and nuts, and prepare dehydrated meals.

Backpackers should always have some kind of water filter/purification system as well. According to REI.com, today’s filters/purifiers are light and effective for travel in remote areas.

Final Thoughts

Camping can be a lot of fun for the whole family, but it’s important to be prepared. Make sure you have all the necessary camping equipment and pack wisely so that you don’t have to carry too much weight. Be sure to bring along plenty of food and water, as well as some basic first-aid supplies. And lastly, enjoy your time in nature!

Like our camping checklist? Check out these other articles:

• The 5 Best Single Camping Stoves on Amazon
• Best Lightweight Camping Chairs on Amazon
• Choosing The Right Camping Equipment for Camping Comfortably
• The Best Kid’s Camping Gear
• Coleman Black Cat PerfecTemp Catalytic Heater
• Travel with Timber Ridge Director’s Chair