Camping 101

Green, originally uploaded by Eclectic_Endeavours.

Today's blog is dedicated to those that would like to go camping for the first time, those that camped as kids but haven't camped since and those that love camping. I'll be providing a few checklists on camping equipment and supplies. Keep in mind that it can be tailored to suit your needs. All of these big ticket items can be found at: Academy Sports + Outdoors, Big 5, Cabela's, Bass Pro Shop, Walmart or Kmart.

If you're planning to go camping for the first time, the following is a list of MAIN things you'll need to shop for:

• A durable and easy to set up tent
• Tarp (To place underneath your tent. Keeps it cleaner and less bumpy if there are rocks)
• A mallet
• Coleman Metal Tent Stakes (are the best in my opinion)
• Sleeping bags
• Lantern (Propane powered or battery powered)
• Two-burner Stove and Grill
• Propane Tanks (2-3)
• Camping Chairs
• 5 lb Water Container (Water from here is used to wash hands, face, brush teeth)
• Ice Chest (preferrably 2... one for your food the other for drinks)
• Table (There's some that fold in half for easy storage. May consider using 2: One for eating on and one for cooking on.)
• Firewood (easier to purchase ahead of time than to scrounge for some later)
• Matches
• Camping Coffee Maker (super essential) lol
• ICE
• Food and Drinks
• First Aid Kit (You never know)

Additional items to add to your list that can be found at home:

• TP (super duper essential)
• Pillows
• Blankets
• Pots, pans, spatulalalalalas, tongs (I like to use the tephlon type for super easy cleaning and re-using)
• Coffee mugs and cups (May not need cups if you take bottled water or sodas)
• Forks/knives/spoons
• Paper towels
• Paper plates/bowls (for cereal)
• Hand Sanitizer
• Clorox wipes
• 2-3 Dish cloths (For drying dishware after cleaning it, drying hands, storing knives)
• Dish scrub
• Dish/Hand soap
• Trash bags
• Broom/Dust pan (To sweep out your tent from whatever may have trailed in)
• Sunscreen
• Insect Repellent
• Flashlights (Glow Sticks for kids are fun)
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste (Completely essential!) lol
• Clothing
• Shoes

Luxury items (non-essential):

• An air mattress
• A port-a-potty
• Hand warmers
• Radio (distracts from natures own sounds)
• Power Generator
• Camera (Although this is SUPER essential for me) lol

Things to know:

• Make sure you keep your trash bags away from your tent (in case animals decide to snack while you sleep).
• Make certain your ice chests remain closed or your ice will melt quicker.
• Leave your campground BETTER than you found it. Which means, pick up all trash and take it with you to the nearest dumpster.
• Take an extra set of clothes to change into once you're done packing up to leave. This can be messy.
• Attire for camping depends primarily on the area you'll be camping at. If there's a creek, then you might consider taking water shoes and a bathing suit. If there are trails, you may want to take your hiking boots, hiking stick and backpack. If it's super cold at night, take extra warm clothes.
• S'mores are also an essential part of camping, so don't forget to purchase big white fluffy marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. :)
• Most importantly, respect Mother Nature. :)