Camping is a fun and dynamic experience every person should experience at least once in their lifetime! There is nothing like sleeping underneath the stars and roasting hot dogs and marshmallows on an open man-made fire. Every first-time camper should familiarize themselves with the campground as well as the top essentials every camper should have handy.
1. Tent Some people do enjoy sleeping underneath the stars (literally) and some prefer the security and convenience of a tent. You should check your tent options and weigh which one would suit your needs best, there are single, simple tents and there are large multiroom tents. Even if you prefer the simple over the extravagant, ensure your tent is sturdy and weather proof.
2. Sleeping Bags To get the full camping experience, sleeping bags are a must!! A good sleeping bag is always good to have, something that is warm and water resistant in case you do decide you want to ditch the tent.
3. Lanterns Whether you’re making smores or stumbling to the bathroom in the middle of the night, a lantern or flashlight is a basic necessity. Many lanterns come battery operated (don’t forget the spare batteries) or if you prefer to go really rustic, you can pick up a flame lantern.
4. Matches This an essential you don’t want to forget. Unless you’re into rubbing sticks together, boy scout style, you’ll need matches to light a fire to cook food and keep you warm. Buy the matches in bulk, just in case it takes you a couple of tries on lighting that fire.
5. Tarps Tarps are great to use below your tent to protect any perforations as well as creating extra shelter. You can even pitch a tarp above your tent for extra weather protection. They are easy to fold and take up very little space.
6. Maps and Compass You probably already have Google Maps installed on your phone, but most remote camping areas do not have cell phone signal and your network probably won’t work. It is important to have while hiking or taking a stroll into the woods, we can’t stress enough how important these items are. They might save your life!
7. Water Water, water, water, definitely something you want to have an excess of! Water can be bulky in size, but you can probably ditch that 10th pack of marshmallows and make room for a few extra bottles of water.
8. Food A medium sized cooler stocked with food will suffice, bring a couple of more rations just in case. Preferably a couple of extra non-perishable items, you want to be prepared!
9. Alternative Weather wear Even though you have probably been checking the weather forecast for weeks, weather is very volatile ad can change at a drop of a dime. You don’t want to be stuck in cold clothes, especially during a cold front.
10. Pocket Knife Swiss Army Knife is the way to go! Equipped with a knife, corkscrew, saw, small scissors and other features, a pocket knife is definitely something you’ll want to have!
11. First Aid Kit A well-stocked First Aid Kit is something that is a MUST! Burns, scratches, bruises and cuts are bound to happen. Make sure it’s a portable kit so you can take on your excursions. Better to be safe than sorry!
12. Jar of Peanut Butter Wait, what? Yes, a jar of peanut butter is something you definitely want to take with you. It has a long shelf life, and can be used in many ways. It is a reliable source of protein and fat, if you’re in a bind just dab some on a piece of bread. Peanut butter can also be used to het gum out of your hair!
