Camping Tips for summer will help make your next outdoor adventure one you won’t forget.   Take a look at below the checklists for camping and get all camping gear right here!!  I seem to always forget something when we go so I have found this to be helpful.   Adventures of the Great Outdoors will start here!! this is where you will find everything for that next venture!!

Camping Tips for you and the Family

 

First on your camping list

You will want to locate where you want to camp and set a date on your calendar. Some Campgrounds can require reservations and can fill up quickly so plan ahead to get a spot. And try to leave early in the day on Thursday or Friday to avoid traffic so you can get set up camp before it gets dark.

Invite friends

Plan your trip with another family or have the kids bring a friend. Be sure to plan ahead when inviting friends so they can schedule their camping trip as well. Camping with kids alone is great, but you don’t want them to get bored. So camping with another family with kids or have your kids’ bring friends along help keep everyone happy and occupied.

Prepare the gear

Use the camping checklist below to make sure you take what you need, but not much more. Be sure to check all the camping gear to make sure it is complete.  I have arrived at a camping site with my tent and the poles were not with it as they did not get packed properly last time.  So check the tent to be sure it is complete, repair any holes that may have occurred since you last packed them up.  Check the stoves working condition and be sure there is plenty of fuel, matches/lighters.  Also, lanterns need to be checked beforehand for damage and working condition as well.  If you pack it right you can condense it all to fit everything.

You don’t want to forget to take a portable charger for your phone as well.  Check out the Anchor Wireless Charging Pad that works on most smartphones.

 

Prepare the food

The cooking checklist below is a list of what we usually bring camping, This will give you some ideas and you can customize it to suit your family.  Here’s a tip: Figure out how many nights you are going camping and plan dinners for each of those nights also bring a couple of options for breakfast and lunch for those days as well.  Sometimes when camping we tend to skip lunch and just snack during the day then go straight to an early dinner.  Then prepare what you can at home—marinate the meats, freeze them ahead of time, cut the vegetables, wrap the potatoes in foil. You’ll be thankful once you get to camp.

When you pack the cooler, set out the foods meal by meal, thinking about how you’ll serve each meal so you don’t forget condiments and necessary utensils, can opener, etc.

That’s it for the tips! Now on to the checklist. Have fun!

 

CAMPING CHECKLIST

 

CAMPSITE GEAR

• Tent, poles, stakes
• Tent footprint (ground cover for under your tent)
• Extra tarps
• Canopy Tent
• Hammer, Ax
• Rake and Broom
• Rope or Twine
• Cots, air mattress
• Sleeping bag for each camper
• Sleeping pad for each camper
• Repair kit for pads, mattress, tent, tarp
• Pillows
• Extra blankets
• Camping Chairs
• Hanging lights, flashlights
•  AA & AAA batteries
• Lanterns
• Lantern fuel or batteries
• Smart Reminder Water Bottle

 

CAMPING KITCHEN

I use two milk crates that I pack everything for cooking in them and stored in the garage so I am ready at a moments notice.  These crates can also double as a place to sit for the kids as well.

• Camping Stove
• Fuel for stove
• Matches or lighter
• Firewood, newspaper
• Burn Pit, Rapid Fire Chimney
• Frying pan
• Pots
• Pot Holder
• Fly Swatter
• Corkscrew, bottle opener, can opener
• Tablecloth
• Roasting sticks for marshmallows, hot dogs
• Food-storage containers, bags
• Trash bags
• Coolers
• Ice
• Paper Plates, plastic bowls, forks, spoons, knives
• Cups, mugs
• Paper Towels
• Paring knife, spatula, cooking spoon, tongs
• Cutting board
• Foil
• Dish soap
• Sponge, dishcloth, dishtowel
• Extra bin for washing dishes

COOKING CHECKLIST

The cooking checklist is really personal preference and what you would like to have on your trip.  I try to make things as simple as possible so there is not much prep time involved and you can enjoy camping.  I freeze ahead of time as much as I can.  This will help your ice last longer when you are traveling and prevent spoilage of your food.  When it comes to meats, just check to see if you need to thaw it as they will stay frozen quite a while.

• Bottled Water and other beverages of your choice
• Bread
• Butter
• Eggs (2 dozen)
• Milk of your choice
• Cold Cereals
• Oatmeal
• Sugar
• Instant Coffee, Hot Cocoa
• Mayo, Mustard, Ketchup, Relish
• Lunch meats, Peanut Butter & Jelly
• Tuna, Crackers
• Potato, Macaroni Salad and/or green salad (pre-made at home)
• Hot Dogs and buns
• Hamburger and buns
• Various types of chips, snacks and trail mix
• Steak
• Chicken
• Stir Fry Veggies, Soy Sauce, Corn Starch
• Assorted Veggies
• Potatoes
• Onions
• Cooking Oil
• Spices like Mrs. Dash
• 5-gallon jug of filtered water with a hand pump
• Marshmallows, Chocolate bars, and graham crackers

The list is endless on what you can bring, I just try to keep it simple.  I am Vegan, so I cook for my family and I just skip the meats and dairy.

 

CLOTHES

• Clothes for daytime
• Sleepwear
• Swimsuits
• Rainwear
• Shoes: hiking/walking shoes, easy-on shoes, water shoes
• Extra layers for warmth
• Extra shoes and socks
• Gloves
• Hats

 

PERSONAL ITEMS

• Sunscreen
• Insect repellant
• First-aid kit (see below)
• Prescription medications
• Toothbrush, toiletries
• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Soaps
• Lotion
• ChapStick
• Towels and washcloth
• Porta-Potty
• Privacy Tent
• Toilet Paper

 

 

OTHER ITEMS

• Campsite reservation confirmation, phone number
• Maps, area information
• Bikes, toys
• Binoculars
• Camera
• For your pet:
  • Leash and Colar
  • Bed or crate
  • Dishes for food and water
  •  Food and treats

 

CAMPING FIRST-AID KIT CHECKLIST

Put your first aid kit into an airtight container

• adhesive bandages of various sizes
• butterfly bandages
• gauze pads of various sizes or gauze roll, paper tape by Bandaid
• antiseptic creams and ointments
• sterile wipes and rinse solutions
• Aspirin, Advil, Aleve – pain relief and anti-inflammatory
• hydrocortisone cream
• tweezers, scissors, safety pins, and knife
• sewing kit (needle, thread, patches)
• sunburn relief spray
• anti-diarrhea medicine
• Benadryl or antihistamine for allergic reactions
• eye drops
• triple antibiotic ointment
• moleskin
• hand sanitizer
• Duct tape
• super glue
• aloe vera
• epi pen
• cotton balls and Q-tips

 

Hopefully, our Camping Tips have given you inspiration so your camping trips will be a success.

This is your one-stop shop for all of your camping gear and can be found right here.  

 

 

 

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