What Kind Of Equipment Will I Need For A Camping Trip?

There are books on this subject and the answer to what to bring camping could go on forever. The basics are water, food and shelter. Depending upon how "rough" you want your camping experience to be, there are other niceties as well.

If you are car-camping, that is camping within a few feet of your vehicle, there are luxuries that you can afford to bring because weight is not an issue. If you are hike-camping or canoe-camping, the list of luxuries falls off quickly since weight and space have to be factored in.

Back to the basics, you must have water. Not soda pop or alcoholic refreshments- but water, and plenty of it. If you are car camping, chances are there is a water hydrant at your campsite so it is readily available and potable. If hike-camping, you will already be burdened with a heavy pack of gear. Water weighs eight pounds per gallon. You cannot carry enough water to last you on an extended hike-camp. Get a water purification kit/tablets or take your chances, which I don't recommend no matter how pretty and clean the stream looks. Same goes for canoe-camping.

It won't hurt you to eat light for the duration of your excursion. Again if you're car-camping chances are McDonald's is nearby or you can bring coolers full of goodies to cook. Hike-camper and canoe campers do not have this option. The best foods are the ones that are easiest to prepare or can be eaten straight from the package. Fruit, potatoes, mac and cheese, ramen noodles, etc. are not gormet but will hold you over till you get back home. The key here is weight. Choose carefully.

Your shelter can be a nice tent with lots of room if you don't have to lug it far from your car. Hike-campers might opt for a simple tarp shelter and blanket in warm weather and in cold temps a small backpacking tent is very nice to have. Canoe-campers have a bit more leeway with the weight situation than hike-campers but your shelter should not be more than adequate for the job. Keep it simple. A note on tents: you do not have to spend big bucks on a tent if you are not a regular weekender of the woods. Wal-mart sells them dirt cheap. Get a can of silicone tent treatment and use it generously on a cheap tent and you'll find it will last much longer than you thought a $29.00 investment would. There are some very nice tents out there and they are very expensive. I have been just as cold in a $400.00 tent as I have in a $29.00 one. Just as hot, too. All tents are made of the same material these days and all will leak somewhat if not properly taped and siliconed. It's your money... And one more tip: an old piece of discarded carpet beneath your tent will help protect the floor from punctures from thorns, sticks and rocks. Never wear your shoes inside your tent if possible.

Tools you might want to have around: knife, hatchet, hammer, several disposable lighters. Small bottle of lighter fluid comes in handy sometimes if you don't know how to start a fire.

First-aid kits are a burden until you need one. Always carry one. It will be the time you don't take it that you will need it.

Cell phones do lessen the camping atmosphere somewhat but if you break your leg you would pay a hundred bucks for the chance to make one call. If you can get reception, bring it. Don't turn it on unless you need it. It weighs nothing and takes very little space. Double bag it in a ziploc.

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Don't forget to take a good knife. A Swiss Army knife or a Leatherman are both good multi tools.

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When you go camping, it is important to have the right equipment so that you can enjoy your trip and be as comfortable as possible.

Many people hate camping, for the fact that often it is wet, cold and "outside" (of which half the population seem to be allergic to).

Camping can however, be an absolute great way to get out, enjoy the weather - come rain or shine - and go for a nice long walk in the beautiful countryside.

There the kind of equipment one needs would consist of the following (for a basic camp in reasonable conditions):

Tent - big enough for your party and waterproof in case it buckets with rain!

Sleeping Bag - Warm and comfortabe, with adjustable toggles around the face and shoulders preferably, so that you can keep your body heat in and the cold air out.

Sleeping Mat - either a roll mat made of foam or special camping mat (which will be self-inflating) or an airbed.

Camping Stoves - Cooking al fresco is great fun and very easy. Take a fuel stove for a proper camping experience.

Crockery/Pans - for eating and cooking with, plus cutlery so you don't have to shovel porridge in your mouth with your hand.

Chairs - Unless you are quite happy sat in your tent, or on the grass, you might want a chair to relax in after a hard day's hiking. Fold up camping chairs are very comfy and reasonably priced.

Obviously other things can be brought along to make your trip a bit more interesting, such as a lantern for those dark nights and of course don't forget your toothbrush.

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