Camping Gear 101

Camping is the ultimate outdoor adventure. Whether you camp every weekend, once every summer, or even if you haven't camped since you were a kid, it's important to plan ahead before your next excursion. Preparation is a key to making every camping trip a safe and fun outdoor getaway.

Camping is a great adventure, whether you're planning your first trip, or you've done it a million times before. Having the right camping gear is crucial to having a safe and satisfying wilderness vacation. Before you head for the hills, it's a good idea to make a checklist of all essential items you'll need for your campout. Waiting until you're in the middle of the forest is too late to realize what you've forgotten.

Plan and Pack

Rather than throwing together the necessities at the last minute, allow time to plan and pack. List all of the items you'll want and need, and don't forget to include those "just in case" items. Check each item on your list as you pack, and don't overlook anything. You have so many items to include; this is sometimes the only way to be sure that you've got all of your must-have camping necessities.

Shelter Yourself and Sleep Well

One surefire way to turn a camping trip from paradise to purgatory is to pack shoddy bedding and poor shelter. You need to be warm, dry and comfortable when camping. Sleeping under the stars might seem romantic, until you find yourself exposed to rain, frost, insects or curious four-legged creatures that may visit during the night. Bring along proper shelter that will keep you safe and secure. Bring enough blankets to stay warm and for heavens sake, don't forget your pillow.

Bring Your Bare Necessities

No one cares what you look like in the forest, so you don't need to bring hair gel or eyeliner. You will, however, need to bring insect repellant, sunscreen, and toilet paper. You might also want to bring soap, a hairbrush, shampoo, toothbrush and other personal care essentials. Make sure that everything, particularly towels and toilet paper, are packed in water-resistant bags.

Clothes

If you're going camping for five days, bring enough clothes for six. Unless you are camping beside a river and have a length of rope on hand, it won't be very easy to wash and dry your laundry. Packing extra is a lot easier. The very beauty of the outdoors is what makes it so messy, so be prepared to get wet, dusty and muddy. Also, the nights can get quite cool in the forest, even during the hottest months, and you'll want to be comfy and cozy. Pack warm socks, long pants and a few extra warm shirts, just in case.

Campsite Medicine Cabinet

Remember the first rule of Scouting while you're packing your camping gear: Always Be Prepared! Go through your medicine cabinet, and bring along anything you might need. Pack the medicines you need to take on a daily basis, and don't forget your vitamins and pain relief pills. If you have allergies, bring appropriate medication or an epi-pen. A properly stocked first aid kit is always essential, along with a sharp outdoor knife and scissors.

Cooking

There is nothing as delicious as a meal cooked over an open flame, and nothing more frustrating than forgetting your matches. Be sure that you have everything you need to prepare and cook your outdoor feast. Pack a clean grill, tongs, spoon and a metal spatula. You'll need a bowl for mixing food, a cutting board, paper plates (not plastic), cups, silverware, aluminum foil, biodegradable dish soap and linens. If you'll be fishing, remember to bring a sharp filet knife and an iron frying pan. Remember to bring garbage bags to clean up camp at the end of your stay and for heaven's sake, don't forget to bring lots of matches in a waterproof container.

When you take the time to pack carefully and bring along all of the essential camping gear, you'll have an outdoor adventure to remember, for all the right reasons.

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