Reason for A Checklist
If you are like me, you have planned the perfect camping trip, driven 100 miles or more from home, chose a location that is miles from the nearest store, and realized that you forgot the lantern, matches, utensils, plates, the camp stove, the coffee pot (a must have), or the map to your chosen location. This is not a to-do list; it is a way to make sure you remember everything you need. Naturally, your camping checklist will change slightly according to the season you are camping in, in fact, you should consider making your seasonal lists ahead of time.
5 Things to Include on Your List?
- Camp Needs- Tent or shelter (check that all parts included; stakes, poles, etc.), ground cloth ( I always use a ground cloth under my tent to insulate and prevent sharp objects from piercing the floor of the tent), sleeping bag or bed roll, lantern, camp stove, fuel for lantern and camp stove (propane, white gas, or kerosene), flashlight (pack extra batteries), firewood (although you should practice Burn It Were You Buy It), matches
- Cooking- Camp Stove, fuel for stove (either propane, white gas, or kerosene), set of pots and pans, skillet, serving spoon, spatula, ladle, condiments like salt and pepper, coffee maker, other kitchen items according to your camping trip menu,
- Clean Up- Dish washing tubs, soap, scouring pad or dish rag, drying towel
- Toiletries- Brush or comb, deodorant, wash cloth, biodegradable hand soap, towel, shampoo, makeup
- Activities- Fishing trip? Rod, reel, creel, tackle box, net, stringer, bait; Mountain biking? Bikes, tire pump, safety gear and helmet for children, goggles, gloves; Beach? Towel, children’s toys, correct SPF sunscreen for your complexion, umbrella.
Seasonal Lists
Obviously, the items on your list are going to change according to the season and location that you are camping in. I did not put clothing on the what to include in your list because I do not what season you are camping in. Winter camping requires clothing items to prevent hypothermia, spring requires warm and cold weather clothing, summer may work with tee-shirts and short pants, and fall is like the spring.
A camping list will help you to remember all of the items that will make your camping trip memorable.
Your list will change according to where you are camping, but the basics will always be listable. Your list should include, camp site needs, cooking needs, clean up, personal toiletries, activities, and seasonal clothing items. Go out into the woods and make memories.
All of the articles on my blog come from being a camper from the time I was eight years old. I bought my first RV when I was 30, a tent trailer. I traded the tent trailer for a 26′ bumper pull trailer, then a 5th wheel, and I now have a 38′ Newmar Mountainare Class A motorhome. Once I retired from the Motion Picture Industry after a 39 year career, my wife and I sold the house, and moved into the motorhome. We have been traveling, managed an RV Park in Washington, worked at a lake in Southern California (I was the Maintenance Manager), and are planning our seventh season as the campground hosts at a campground in the Los Padres National Forest, in Southern California. We love the Full Time RV Lifestyle. See my course on https://howtofulltimerv.com
