Camping checklist

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Our family has been camping on and off for nearly 25 years, mostly in tents. You can benefit from our experience.

• Scroll down past the camping checklist for more camping tips. I have gleaned these from our own experiences over the years so I know they really work!

Use your camping checklist to prepare for your family's campout.

This is not an exhaustive camping checklist. You will need to customize and add to it for your family's personal use. On the other hand, you may not need all these items. Use this camping checklist to give you ideas about what might be needed at the campsite or on the trail.


Use your camping checklist to re-stock your camping equipment after you return.

After you customize this list, make a master copy to keep with your camping gear.
Also keep a camping checklist with you as you camp and update it during your trips. Mark items that are running low and refill as soon as you get home.


Use your camping checklist to track your family's outdoor needs.

Make changes to your camping checklist according to how you actually camp.
Be aware of scented toiletries; they may attract insects and animals.


Camping tips we've learned over the years.


• Use a camping checklist!
Seems obvious, but a lot of folks try to wing it. What that will accomplish is a ton of frustration at the campsite when you realize you've forgotten a handful (or more) of vital items. Do yourself a favor and follow your customized camping checklist! While camping, keep your camping checklist handy and mark down any items that you should refill, change, or you wish you had brought. Take care of those items as soon as you unpack at home.


• Pack double and ahead of time.
I keep a separate 'camping bag' full of camping clothes and supplies for each family member, based on my camping checklist. This includes personal items and toiletries. When it's time to camp, I simply grab everyone's bag and I'm ready to go. When we return, I do laundry and re-pack the bags for the next camping trip. This tip alone has allowed us to continue camping! Before I did this, the prep time was too much work. Now it's a breeze.



Thank you very much. Well organized checklist and practical tips. Gadi



• I preplan all meals and do as much advance preparation as possible.
All chopping, browning, etc. is done before we leave. The goal is that all meals can simply be assembled and heated up at the campsite. Some meals I freeze in freezer bags ahead of time and then just thaw and heat at the campsite. You may want to do more cooking on site. We, however, do not and this method also cuts down on clean-up time in camp. My husband does most of the cooking at the campsite and he is very happy with this method. I also keep in mind the cooking utensils listed on my camping checklist and I don't prepare a meal that needs additional equipment.


• Avoid leftovers.
The size of our meals is also carefully planned. To satisfy extra munchies, I bring lots of snacks/fruits. The point is that it's difficult to store leftovers at the campsite, so we try not to have any.


• Brings plenty of hand sanitizer and premoistened wipes.
  
This eliminates much mess and keeps kids and adults fairly clean when it's time to snack. I keep one of each (hand sanitizer and box of wipes) on the picnic table and in the tent. Sometimes water supplies are tricky, which means you may have to conserve water. This method helps with that challenge, as well. I have listed these items on the camping checklist, too.


• Bring extra clothes for kids.



LOTS of underwear for the preschoolers. Imagine having diarrhea at the campsite (it's happened to us). How many undies will you need (double it)? Also, be sure and have extra plastic bags, like the type we all get at stores and then throw away. These can be used for a variety of things at the campsite, such as laundry or rock collections. Believe me, you'll need some bags! (Yes, they're listed on the camping checklist!)


• Everyone gets their own bag.
If possible, pack everyone separately. Why? Because at night, in the dark, it's much easier to find junior's pj's when you only have to search through one bag, not three other people's clothes, too. It just helps.


• Plenty of flashlights.
We started out trying to share flashlights. Bad idea. I've never met a kid who didn't want to be in control of his/her own flashlight. Well, adults do, too. It's worth the extra batteries. Leave the electronics at home and bring the batteries. On your camping checklist, you can mark the battery sizes you need for easy restocking at home.

To summarize: use your camping checklist, plan and prepare ahead, and you will be able to focus on your family time together, NOT on the camping details.
Have fun!

Colleen Langenfeld is a mother with 25 years of parenting experience and helps other busy moms at http://www.paintedgold.com.