Camping, Fishing and Hunting tips at Bornwild.Info
Checklist for Camping
Preparation is essential to any successful camping trip. Forgetting any necessary equipment and supplies can effect your experience negatively. Start a checklist well in advance of the trip. You are less likely to forget additional key items this way as you have plenty of time to think things through. Camplist.Net has a very useful online tool which generates a checklist for you depending on your chosen criteria.
To help you get started here is a common checklist of items which you may, or may not, need. Although it's not a complete checklist, it's a good start and will help you remember any additional necessary items for your next camping trip.
Common Camping Checklist
- travel guides and maps
- A hat, bandana or something to cover your head
- long underwear
- Swimwear
- Shorts
- long pants
- Rain gear
- Sneakers
- Sandals
- Thick wool socks
- Sunglasses
- Sewing kit
- Band-aids
- Aspirin
- Disinfectant ointment
- Any medication you take
- Spare prescription glasses
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Hairbrush or comb
- Plastic mirror
- Soap and shampoo
- Bath towels
- Insect repellant
- Sun screen
- Paper Towel
- Toilet Paper
- Tent and all necessary poles, stakes, etc.
- Sleeping bag
- Additional blankets
- Pillow
- A Tarp
- Lamp(s) for inside (battery only) and outside use
- Cooler
- Cooking pots and utensils
- Tablecloth
- Plastic bags
- Rope
- Tape
- Axe or a hatchet
- Knife
- Matches or lighter
- Flashlight(s) for everyone
- Batteries - lots
- Camera
- Radio
- Deck of Cards
- Folding chair(s)
- Umbrella
- Fishing Permit
- An adventurous outlook
Some of the most forgotten items on a camping checklist are extra batteries or a charger, whisk broom, adhesive tape, garbage bags, ziplock bags, extra footwear, extra towels, band-aids and other first aid items, matches, axe, aluminum foil, paper towels, some kind of kindling and deodorant. It's a good idea to bring lots of extra plastic bags of all sizes as they come in very handy throughout the camping trip. You should also bring plenty of newspapers for kindling.
Checklists aren't only for items to bring. You may also want to create a checklist for things to do before you leave. Here are some things you may want to do before leaving for the camping trip.
"Things to do" Checklist
- Reserve your camping site well ahead of time
- Ensure your vehicle is road ready for the trip
- Cancel your newspaper delivery
- Install timers on a few lamps and lights in and outside your house
- Shut down your water heater
- Adjust your thermostat
- Leave a key to your home to a trustworthy neighbor
- Arrange for someone to empty your mailbox
- Arrange for someone to come and feed your pet(s)
- Arrange for someone to cut your lawn (for long camping trips)
- Activate your home alarm (don't forget to give the code to those who need it)
- Ensure all windows and doors are locked
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