Camping is one of the oldest and most time-honoured traditions known to man. However, it’s important to follow all safety tips, and take every precaution when you’re out there alone, or as a family. There are also a few things that you absolutely must take with you when you head out for a night, or a weekend, in the great outdoors. Your camping trip could end up being a disaster without them, so keep on reading to find out the essentials you need to pack before anything else.
Weather-Appropriate Clothing
Even on days that promise hot and humid weather, you may still want to take weather-appropriate clothing, in order to stay warm overnight, as temperatures drop at dusk, depending on where you’re camping. Remember when you saw those jeans on sale last week? Now might be the perfect time that you pick them up. Since these are denim jeans, they can stand up to the rigors of camp life and will keep your legs warm. They should also help keep them bite-free; as everyone knows insects rule the areas where you’re camping. Don’t forget to pack a few long-sleeved flannel shirts, and a jacket, even if you’re on a summer camping trip.
Mosquito Repellent
Mosquito repellent is essential for when you’re heading out to camp in the woods. Natural mosquito repellent is the better, if not the best option, because you don’t have to worry that the ingredients in the repellent will harm your family and pets. The last thing you want is to be miserable because you forgot to pack anything that will repel bugs. Therefore, any form of natural bug repellents are an absolutely essential item. Also, mosquitoes tend to show up most in warmer weather, and are known to carry many different diseases, such as malaria, so keeping them away is the best way to keep your family from being at risk.
A Tent
You’ll want a tent that is easy to set up and 100% waterproof. While you should also opt for a well-ventilated, sturdy tent, the size of it will depend on how many people are going to be sleeping in it, and how much space you’re going to need for other activities.
Sleeping Bags
While many well-seasoned campers feel that all they need is a good solid piece of ground and the stars above their head, that’s not the case for everyone. It’s best to have a high-quality, waterproof sleeping bag for each member of your party. It can be dangerous in some cases, if you choose the wrong sleeping bag for the conditions you’ll be camping in, so make sure to do your research well. Also, sleeping bags are good for keeping the bug bites away too.
A Water Bottle
Water is the most important thing to take on your camping trip with you, as you simply can’t live without it. Pack a reusable water bottle, so that you can refill from the spigots at your campsite. Do not refill water bottles from streams or rivers, as you don’t know what kind of bacteria is in them that can make you and your family sick, or worse, be fatal.
Food Supplies
Deciding what you’re going to eat on your camping trip is essential. While you may be planning to eat the fish you’ve caught or possibly wild game, it’s important to bring stuff with you anyway, just in case. Having a planned menu and a few healthy snacks is better than having nothing to eat, when the catch of the day doesn’t go quite the way it should have. Beef jerky, trail mix, and other non-perishables are great to take on a camping trip. Don’t forget the portable gas stove either, for if the fire doesn’t work out quite as you expected it to.
These are just a few of the things that you absolutely need when you’re going on a camping trip. From food to weather-appropriate clothes, you’ll have a much better time if you’re well prepared.
