LVNTEXAS had a great list, most of the stuff on it is stuff you would have in your house anyway. I love camping, were going like 3 times this year at least, most of what i bring is from my regular everyday household stuff.
we dont camp in cabins, so my take on the nessesities is for tent camping
1. One sturdy flashlight w/batteries (from the kitchen drawer, we also have a power outage box with lantern and extra batteries, i pack that)
2. 2 quick dry towels- we use the beach size ( i just use older towels from the linen closet.)
3. Bug spray/sun block (we use sunscreen all summer, not just for camping, i do buy a couple OFF fans for camping though)
4. Backpack (we dont have to hike with our stuff, so i just use my regular suitcase i have for all travel)
5. Matches or lighter (In waterproof container) (i just grab a few lighters from the junk drawer in the kitchen)
6. First aid kit (stays in the car anyway)
7. Small container for meds, toothbrushes/toothpaste, bandana, shampoo bar (doubles as soap), aloe gel (same little travel kit i have of free sample soaps and stuff)
8. beach toys (these can just come from an outdoor toy box)
9. beach blanket (old picnic blanket we use often)
10. 2 pillows (from the bed with double pillow cases)
11. One sleeping toy dog : )
12. Laptop (if we are going to have electricity, i take this for movies for the kids, otherwise, left at home)
13. Wallet with id/debit card and attached keys (its all in my purse)
14. Water bottles- (same one i use for the gym)
15. Phone/car charger/camera (same one i use all the time)
also:
Swimsuit
Cooking skewers, think hot dogs or sausages, marshmellows(although you could use a long fresh stick and a pocket knife to sharpen, but in Oregon, we dont like to deface the trees) (or for very minimalist, pack foods that dont need cooked, but i love cooking on the campfire, its part of camping)
iron skillet or other pans that can sit on the grate above the firepit) (could buy a 2nd hand one for just the trip, and then donate back to a thrift store if you dont want to store it)
camp chairs (we use these all year for different events, they fold up small)
Tent (could be borrowed once a year?)
Sleeping bags (same?)
cooler (we use this for picnics, potlucks and big grocery shopping trips in the summer) you can store other stuff inside it when not in use)
for most of the camping experience, youre just moving your regular home into the campsite, so not much need for camping specific stuff.
when i was with my ex, and it was just the 2 of us, i would just pack 2 plastic plates and plastic mugs from the kitchen, all the food was finger food and not too messy, i just rinsed off the dishes after we used them, no need for disposables. although when we camp as a big family of like 20+ of us, we use biodegradable, no-plastic, disposable plates and cups to cut back on the dishes. usually there tossed into the fire by my cousins.
have fun camping, it doesnt have to take up much storage space!
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