Making a camping list… What is practical? Do you like to get in with the great outdoors by cuddling with your loved ones around a campfire making Smore’s? Do you like to hike through the woods and see all that God has given us? Camping is the best way to accomplish all of that.
Some people are avid campers so they seem to know all the tricks of the trade on how to pack the least possible. There are few factors involved when packing for camping… How long are you going to be gone and what necessities do you have to have?
Length of stay is a major factor when going camping. After you decide how long you will be away from home you can then decide how many meals you are planning on cooking and how elaborate you plan on making them. Most families that go camping just have sandwiches that make everything seem easy. A cooler, ice, sandwich meat, condiments such as mustard or mayonnaise, paper plates and drinks is about all you need for this feat.
Most experienced campers go all out just as if they were home taking kitchen ware, dish soap and a rag to clean your dishes, food items and cutting boards if you plan on slicing anything up. I have found from experience that we do the sandwich thing for busy days and we fix larger meals for breakfast and supper. Fixing these kinds of meals is more time consuming but your packing list grows.
There are other staple items that you need also when planning a camping trip such as a tent, sleeping bags, cots, pillows, toiletry items, propane cylinders if you plan on taking a gas grill, tarp, bug spray, snack food are just a few.
I always make sure that I take along my black swiss army knife, which can substitute for many other small tools.
Camping is an enjoyment that all families of any ages can enjoy. Your family may be on the high maintenance end and need more than this simple list. This list was prepared by an avid camper who has five children that tries to keep camping down to a bear minimal.