Camping Essentials

Who wouldn’t like a camping trip? Camping is certainly fun, but forgetting to include essential items in your checklist can ruin the whole trip.  Some people may feel that camping is more fun and adventurous when they carry the bare minimum essentials with them; whereas a few others may opine that it is better when they carry items that will make their trip more comfortable.

Let us make a checklist of the minute but essential items that are required for a camping trip:

Lighting Equipments - Lighting equipments like torches or lanterns with extra sets of batteries is a must. Headlamps are also a good substitute as they are light weight and fastening them on your head will leave your hands free while walking, reading or cooking.

First-Aid Kit – The first item on your checklist should be a First-Aid Kit. Never underestimate its importance.

Pre-cooked Food Packets – Carry a few pre-cooked heatable food packs/cans with you. You may never know when you may need it.

Tin/Can Opener - And don’t forget to carry a can opener. Opening food cans without them is a difficult task.

Pot and a Pan – Necessity is the mother of invention and you will be surprised at the number of dishes you can churn out with just a pot and a pan.

Flask – Carry a flask to store hot water as you can avoid the trouble of lighting up a fire every time you feel like having some coffee or tea.

Toilet Paper – The importance of toilet paper can never be over emphasized.

Garbage Bags – Carry a couple of garbage bags with you.  Remember your moral responsibility and keep the campsite clean by using these garbage bags to collect and dispose trash. These bags can also be used for storing soiled clothes.

Lighter/Match Box – Though you may feel that a lighter is more convenient to carry, remember that the fluid gets over soon. Hence carry some match boxes with you.

Ziploc Pouch - Ensure that the items like match boxes, batteries etc are put in these pouches, so as to prevent moisture from negating their use. Keep one or two empty pouches in hand.
Propane Canisters - Always carry a couple extra propane canisters just in case you run out of propane for the camp stove.

Ropes – Rope can come in handy for lots of things. It can be used to make a temporary clothes line, an instant swing and so on.  You can also use it if you are using a bungee cord.

Bug Spray – Bugs have been voted as the no.1 spoilers of a camping trip, hence do not forget to include a can of Bug Spray in your checklist.

Sweaters - Keep in hand a sweater or a jacket even if it is summer. A chilly evening or a cold wave may take you by surprise.

Hand Sanitizer - A soap and water free hands sanitizer that can kill germs in less than 20 seconds is a must on a camping trip.

And for those who would like to have a luxurious camping trip, items like Portable Heater, Mosquito net, Air Mattress. Pillows, Collapsible table cum chairs, Travel Games, Walkman, CD Players, iPods and even a GPS can be included. 

Just as the saying goes – practice makes a man perfect; the more number of times you go on a camping trip the better prepared you will be.

Dear Friends, do vote for this guide if you have found it useful.