“What 10 Camping Essentials Do You Need For Your Next Camping”

How does spending one week outdoors feel for you? Exciting or dreadful? Typically, whether you will have an exciting or horrifying camping experience will depend on one factor: how prepared you were for the trip. That is, it all boils down to how you have packed. Having all the essential camping gear can assure you of a quiet and peaceful vacation under the tall trees, as well as a transportation means to enable you to access the closest emergency room. 

It doesn’t matter whether this is your first camping experience or you are neck-deep into camping, do not attempt to leave your house without having the following items with you. 

Things needed for camping

1. TENT

Going on a camping trip without any tent or an emergency shelter is a big red flag. Regardless of how much you love staying in open places, going on such trips without a tent can be equated to putting yourself at significant risks. You could be exposed to a heavy dew or freak storm out there, which could lead to hypothermia. One way to protect your gear and yourself from terrible storms is by staying inside a tent. You can choose between a cabin-style tent and a two-person tent for a fascinating camping experience; ensure you are accompanied with the necessary accessories like stakes, tent poles, rope, as well as a rain fly. 

2. SLEEPING BAG

You may have evaluated beds as what will guarantee you maximum comfort in the outdoors. While you are correct, you seem to forget one thing: what happens when it is nightfall? Temperatures can drop significantly at night by up to 20 degrees. Also, recall that insects appear to be at their best when it’s night and might decide to make a feast out of your body. There is a good chance of you not sleeping well when you lack a sleeping bag. Plus, it would help if you indeed had a sleeping bag in case you are planning to go on such trips with your kids. They usually don’t sleep all night when you don’t put them in their kids’ sleeping bag. 

3. WATER BOTTLE

This is one of the camping essentials you need to survive the outdoors. Unfortunately, it tends to finish faster than you can imagine. As a camper, you don’t want to find yourself in that tight corner where you are in dire need of drinkable water. It will be unwise for you to put all your hopes on water sources like ponds because they can cause you to fall sick, which can ruin your entire camping experience. Therefore, even if your camping spot is just a stone throw from your car, ensure you carry enough water that can serve you for a day inside a big container or camelback. Then, ensure you have your filter or tablets for water purification if you have to refill your container from a stream nearby. 

4. FIRE STARTER

No camping is complete without warmth or a nice campfire. So you must have all the materials to light one. Campers are capable of starting a fire with steel and flint, cigarette lighter, magnesium fire starter, or matches. If you decide to go with a box of matches, get the waterproof type. You can even go with two fire-starting materials because one can disappoint. Take some kindling, like dry barks or newspapers alongside. Put them inside a container that is waterproof. You might be disappointed if you plan to look for the kindling in the outdoors. Instead, get it before you move. 

5. FIRST AID KIT

The chances of coming down with any serious injury during your camping are very slim. But, you can never tell; you can return with blisters from a long day full of hiking activities. And you might need to bandage those blisters. Scrapes and minor cuts can result in infection if they are not well-managed, so always make sure your antiseptic and bandages are within reach. Items such as gauze, soap, adhesive, scissors, an emergency whistle, and a CPR mouth barrier should always be inside your first aid box. Bug bites and sunburns can bring your camping to a sudden end due to laceration. 

6. POCKET KNIFE

If you think of one tool that can serve so many purposes, a pocket knife should ring a bell. It can be used to slice sausage or cheese, trim a rope, cut a fishing line, dice bait, stick sharpening, open a tightly sealed package, deal with vines that are tangled, skin a small animal, or for tightening a screw. When you lack a knife, it will be impossible to achieve those tasks. Camping without your knife for any reason will be your greatest undoing. 

7. COMPASS AND MAP (OR A GPS THAT IS CHARGED)

If you intend to hike in remote areas during your camping, make sure you go with a compass, map, or GPS. The constant change in the sun’s position can make it difficult for you to recognize specific forest landmarks. That can unsettle any hiker. Campers who are not adequately prepared have ended up lost in the woods for some days before they could locate their camp or be rescued. You don’t want to find yourself in such situations, especially when you are out of water supply. 

8. CLOTHING AND RAIN GEAR FOR THE APPROPRIATE WEATHER

Typically, you go camping with a small number of clothing items. Therefore, you need to make sure they are kept dry. Refrain from moving about in wet clothes; it can spell doom for your health. Plus, your gear becomes automatically heavy when wet, making it inconvenient for you to haul your backpack along with you. A rain jacket that is lightweight, waterproof and can accommodate several clothing layers sounds like an excellent pick. If it is not going to cover your backpack, include a rain bag for extra protection. 

9. FLASHLIGHT, HEADLAMP OR LANTERN

A campfire is a brilliant idea, but not good enough in some instances. It can only light up as far as six feet. If you need to look for something inside your tent or answer to nature call at night, you could use a portable light that is runs on battery. Headlamps seem to be the choice of most campers due to the ease with which you can use them.

10. TOILET PAPER

A toilet paper may not sound like a camping essential to hardcore survivalists, but most campers have attested to its usefulness. Leaves and bark are not nearly as good as toilet paper for latrine duties, considering the importance of hygiene and comfort. It is also common to see a campsite that is out of paper. If your camping will be deep inside the woods and you have some concerns regarding the use of toilet paper, get the biodegradable type or go along with a refuse bag to enable easy disposal. 

Although this post has only listed ten things needed for camping, there are other things you need to consider if you want your camping experience to be a successful one. Please go through our camping list for more information.