Posted by: Family Camping in Family Camping Tents on September 1st, 2011

Me and my family are going to go camping during the Thanksgiving break. It’s pretty much our first real time camping and we’re a little lost on what we need!

This is our list so far:
- 2 sleeping bags (15-20 degrees F)
- 3 airbag mattress…things
- a tent
- a grill
- 3 portable chairs
- a pan set
- condiment set
- head lamps
- food
- water

I feel like something’s missing.

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17 Responses to “What are some critical things I need when I go camping?”

  1. pyromaniac15315 says:

    whatch out for sasquatch!!!

  2. oh god what says:

    in addition to what you have, bring flashlights and batteries! matches, too. some kind of a knife or scissors.

  3. greasymadness says:

    A pumpable water filter. Then you can drink from streams (and it tastes like water from a stream), melt snowballs (the water will taste just like a snowball), gather water from springs…and you don’t have to worry about parasites! A pump water filter was my favorite piece of equipment in my backpacking days. Bring a camera and a notebook to keep a journal. Great memories there. And of course, a quarter of K.B. Need I say more?

  4. Lofo says:

    toilet paper ???

    a few medicines and some first aid stuff. medicines against dyria, painkillers, etc, vomiting food poisoning. bandage and wound cleaning spirit. Anything can happen, keep safe.

  5. jazzyjazz says:

    flashlights
    batteries
    a cooler for food
    bug spray
    toilet paper
    sunscreen
    games/ books/ cards/ etc. (what are you going to do for fun?)
    tennis shoes (if you’re hiking)
    a tarp (to put down in the tent to put sleeping bags on)
    sleeping bag pads (go under bags so ground isn’t as hard)
    stakes and hammer (to hold tent in place)
    a foldable table (very convenient!)

  6. jellybeanchick says:

    Firewood and firestarter, if campfires are allowed.

    Things to do, like playing cards and a book.

    Toilet paper

    Clothes and towels

    Basic toiletries like a toothbrush

    Something to eat and drink from: plates, cups, etc

    Bug repellent

    A lantern would be nice

  7. Curtis S says:

    you should probably bring some kind of lighter or matches
    flash lights
    so propane for the grill

  8. Alyssa N says:

    You need things to hold water in, a bucket or something for washing up, food, pillows, a light blanket just in case and maybe a smallish table.

  9. aint telling says:

    you need to go to one of those stores that sell old military stuff they should have dishes with silverware that the military uses and a bowl like thing that has a handle on it used to drink from andeat soup like stuff

    all i can think of right now

  10. Shae G says:

    I would take a back up generator, just in case something crazy happens.
    Toilet tissue
    Personal Hygiene Products
    Sanitizer
    Off (bug repellent)

  11. Daniel R says:

    -1st aid kit – !!!!!!!!!!!!!
    -Tarp – place on ground before tent (make sure to pick up any sticks or rocks 1st)
    -book / cards – real life saver if it rains
    -windproof lighter/waterproof matches
    -hatchet – make sure it has a hammer-like face for driving stakes into ground, can also be used for digging
    -sharp, sturdy knife
    -heavy duty trash bag
    -several rags (inifinite # of uses
    -flare gun- (not necessary but very useful for bear/intruder/help)

    I don’t know what level of camping your committed to, but this along with your list seems to be all-encompassing. I’ve camped with as little as a knife and a lighter, and as much as a pickup will hold. What’s great about camping is that you never really know what’s going to happen, so you can’t be prepared for everything. Just be cautious of local wildlife, and be mindful, and you’ll be fine. Enjoy!

  12. happy times are here again says:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Essentials
    CHECK THE INCLUDED LINK

  13. Brook E says:

    I’m a little confused. You seem to be talking about three people (3 air mattresses, 3 chairs) but only two sleeping bags. Not a good idea. I would certainly include one bag for each person.

    Among other things I would include:

    A groundcloth or footprint for the tent, so it is not pitched directly on the ground.

    A portable pump for the air matresses. Blowing them up by mouth is not fun.

    A portable stove. Not everything can be cooked on a grill. Other cookware, including cooking utensils and eating utensils.

    Plenty of clothing that allows you to dress in layers, for thermal control, and a wind- rainsuit for outerwear.

    Things to keep you occupied if you’re tent-bound due to bad weather: books, playing cards, board games.

    Binoculars.

    Camera.

    At least one field guide to birds or animals so you can identify them.

    Most of all, first aid gear, including items for all the usual cuts, scrapes, burns, etc. plus any special medicines you may need. That includes both prescription and over-the-counter medicines anyone in the group usually takes.

  14. 6.5x.284 says:

    water,food,shelter….and as much extras as you want/can carry

  15. Sara H says:

    pillows, matches/lighter , newspaper (to start a fire), cups/plates/utensils, camera, marshmallows, bug spray, sunscreen, hat, walking shoes, if there’s a beach then beach stuff (towel, swimsuit), a food cooler, if you are not using paper plates bring some kind of a container to wash them in, kettle, clothes, firewood, roasting sticks, warm jacket for at night, map, a deck of cards, picnic tablecloth, a foldable table to put the grill on. I can’t think of anything else. Have fun!

  16. campingman says:

    CHECK OUT THIS LIST, IT’S BIG AND VERY COMPLETE
    http://home.gwi.net/~spectrum/list.html

  17. thegrogfather says:

    don’t forget matches, toilet paper, insect repellant, and a can opener.

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