4Real Forums: Essential camping gear checklist

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Topic: Essential camping gear checklist

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guitarnan
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Posted: May 22 2007 at 7:40pm \| IP Logged

Ds is a Boy Scout, dd is now also into camping...we have one tent, three camp chairs, a couple of lanterns, lots of sleeping bags, a camp stove and the wrong kind of Dutch oven (the glass lid kind). We have flashlights. Ds is fully rigged out for backpacking.

All you family campers, what important items should I work to add to our gear stash? It looks like Yours Truly the Non-Camper is now Camping Mom.

Also, any storage/transport tips are appreciated?

Thanks!

P.S. - I learned this past weekend that my early camping experiences with my own family really stuck. I was the only person there who knew to let the campfire burn down to coals to cook foil-wrapped potatoes. (!)

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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.

JodieLyn
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Posted: May 22 2007 at 11:03pm \| IP Logged

Well.. here's my whole list... in the first part where a "box" is mentioned.. it's explained further down.

sleeping bags
sleeping pads
pillows
blankies
towels

tent
canapy
stakes
astroturf
rug inside tent
tent stakes

camp chairs
insulated water jug 2 gal

two way radios
camera

toolbox
dishes box
rubbermaid box
first aid kit

propane
lantern
wand
stove
stand
oven
bbq

dutch ovens
grill
firewood
axe

dog leashs
dog bowls
dog food
towels for dogs

------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------

TOOL BOX

staple gun
scrub brush
duct tape
flash lights
hammer
matches
mosquito net
leather gloves
clothes line
add on grommets
seam sealer/repair kit
misc sm ropes

------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------

DISHES BOX

wash basin
8 enamelware cups
8 enamelware bowls
8 enamelware plates
1 vinyl tablecloth
kitchen linens

cutting board
grater
salt & pepper
1 cloth napkin
heavy duty foil
sm amount plastic wrap
sm amount qt ziplock
matches

dry measure cups
grippy
potato peeler
2 can openers
9 teaspoons
1 tablespoon
1 plastic serving spoon
1 slotted plastic serving spoon
7 tableknives
corkscrew
8 forks
1 sharp knife
metal spatula
nylon spatula
dish soap
4 hot pads

------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------

RUBBERMAID BOX

toaster
16qt pot
bucket
fire tongs
tarp
nylon rope
toilet paper
paper towels
tent light
lg coffee boiler

------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------

FIRST AID KIT

Bag/box for kit - tackle boxes can be nice
bottles for various things for in the kit - so they fit in your box

gloves
CPR mask

Prescription medications

sun screen
non-refrigerator aloe
burn dressings (tape needed?)
electrolyte replacement

bug repellant
paste toothpaste (for bug bites/stings)
anti-itch cream
antihistamine (benedryl)

rubbing alcohol - sap, fiberglass splinters etc alcohol swabs work.. but if you are swimming.. you'll want some liquid preferably in a bottle with a dropper for preventing swimmers ear.

tweezers/needle/splinter remover

bandaids
butterfly tape
larger bandages
gauze wrap
bandage tape
moleskin/blister treatment
superglue
antibiotic ointment

ace bandage
duct tape (just about anything can be a splint if you have duct tape)

aspirin
Tylenol
Motrin
decongestant

heat rash/chaffing ointment
blistex
hand lotion

anti-diarrheal medicine (could be very important if you're out boating/camping and losing fluids in the heat.)
anti-constipation medicine

IPECAC and/or activated charcoal

instant cold packs
instant heat packs (if you'll be out in the cold)

I also carry some alternative medication

an herbal antibiotic type cream
herbal eardrops
arnica
hyland's teething tablets
bromelain
CS

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Marjorie
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Posted: May 23 2007 at 5:34am \| IP Logged

Nancy,

We just got back from a family camping trip last weekend. (FUN!) I made a check off list that I keep in my home mgmt binder in a plastic sleeve. I just pull out the list and mark on the plastic with a crayon as we pack. Jodie, I love your list and will have to update mine :-) Here is my Camping Gear List:

 tents
 screen room
 sleeping bags
 pillows
 air mattresses
 sheets
 patch kit
 air pump
 cook stove
 propane
 fire starters
 fire wood
 newspaper tarps
 rope
 tiki lamp & oil
 bungee cords
 lamps
 flashlights
 batteries
 pot/pans/plates/cups
 cutting board & knife
 picnic supplies/basket
 first aid kit
 laundry bag
 laundry soap
 wet wipes
 wash cloths
 paper towels
 dish soap
 dishtowels/sponge
 bug spray
 sunscreen
 beach towels
 boots/aqua socks
 swimming suits
 clothes line
 cooler
 ice
 water bottles
 bottled water
 food/snacks
 coffee
 sugar
 salt & pepper
 spice rubs
 foil
 trash bags
 grill tools
 lighter
 charcoal
 lighter fluid
 grill
 pocket knife
 mallet/stake pull
 cap/hat
 table cloths
 dustpan and brush
 whistles
 ponchos
 cameras
 camera bag
 travel bag/belt
 field guides
 binoculars
 sketch books/pencils
 fishing poles & bait
 folding chairs


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Marjorie

Lettres de mon Moulin

mom2mpr
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Posted: May 23 2007 at 5:53am \| IP Logged

Don't forget the first aid kit!!
For frequent family camping a system I used to use included a Rubbermaid box for a "kitchen" and one for "clothes." This was so we could pick up and go for weekends without much stress. We used old clothes and made them our camping clothes. They got washed at home and put right back into the clothes box. IT was so easy to just toss tent and sleeping stuff into the car along with a dry food box, cooler, clothes and kitchen. We had the basics.
Have fun!
Anne

Mary G
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Posted: May 23 2007 at 8:16am \| IP Logged

Ladies,

I'm not Nancy but THANKS so much for these lists and ideas -- I love your idea Anne of the clothes box and kitchen box always "ready". And the check lists sure will help me get organized for our camping adventures this summer.

THANKS!

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3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)

my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!

guitarnan
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Posted: May 23 2007 at 9:02am \| IP Logged

My parents had a kitchen box (Dad built it) that had removable legs and little compartments for silverware, salt/spices, etc. It stood the same height, when closed, as a standard picnic table. Sadly for me, they gave it to my cousin.

They kept their huge tent, though, because Mom plans to use it and the camp stove if they ever have a big earthquake and need shelter.

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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.

Mary Chris
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Posted: May 31 2007 at 5:20pm \| IP Logged

Just piping in to say Thanks for the lists! I am taking my two little cub scouts camping tomorrow with their pack. I am totally in denial. Now at least I have some direction in my frantic packing state! Of course I already have the chocolate bars for s'mores

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Maturemomg
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Posted: May 31 2007 at 5:41pm \| IP Logged

Reservations at Holiday Inn.....

guitarnan
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Posted: May 31 2007 at 9:17pm \| IP Logged

LOL! That's my kind of camping!

No, seriously, as long as I can shower and wash my hair, I am OK. No high country backpacking trips for me, I'm afraid.

I did go out and get a nice Dutch oven...the proper kind...American-made, at Wal-Mart, would you believe?

And now...we have no time to camp until like, August.

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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.

florasita
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Posted: June 01 2007 at 11:14pm \| IP Logged

I think it depends if you asked me or dh

I like a rope for a clothsline so I don't have to use tree branches

and a coffe pot without a plastic handle . a mini flash light for in the tent .
mosquito stuff . and ever since I turned 30yo I've need padding for my hips when slepping on the ground

dh would say the absolute one thing he could not live without would be a machete or an axe oh plus the stone to sharpen it , probably fishing stuff too but he has gone without fishing on the odd trip

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CAgirl4God
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Posted: June 02 2007 at 9:16am \| IP Logged

love the lists.

we also take clotheslines for drying stuff.

I also take two plasitc little tubs for washing/rinsing dishes, and for kid clena up if the bathrooms are far.

I also take two&half gals jugs of water (the kind with the spout) so the kids can drink all day long if need be.

every person over 6 gets a little flashlight.

shower shoes for shower time...

a BROOM! small broom and dust pan for sweeping out tents before collapsing.
a small rake. I rake under the tents to ensure a smoother, "no digging into the back in the middle of the night" or "crawling into the tent and inpaling your knee on a rock" experience LOL.

when the kids were younger I would bring a extra small tent for them to have a clean place to play..or if you were at the beach, an exta canopy for more shade cover to play under and get out of the sun.

for storage...we have three rubbermade big tubs. (but small enough that I can use them). one for kitchen gear. (what ever I need to use for the menu) one for other gear (like extra batteries, propaine bottles, small rag rugs for in front of tents, first aide kit, bug repellent, line, etc..), and one for for fire gear 9this one is smaller, matches, paper, hatchet/ax, small folding shovel.)

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gracie4309
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Posted: June 02 2007 at 9:54pm \| IP Logged

Ooh, I so want our family to go camping this year. Oldest Ds used to go camping w/my parents (if you consider an RV camping

), and still camps with his Boy Scout troop. The rest of us are as green as grass, though, so I really appreciate the lists and other info. Now I just have to convince my Dh
that we can do it. Also that we can afford all the "stuff"!

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Bella
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Posted: July 03 2007 at 1:15pm \| IP Logged

Well,this info has been a lot of help! Thankyou!

We are doing a two day camping this week, and I too am in denial!

My last camping experience was 17 years ago(BC

) and this is why I haven't been since.....

For our honeymoon, we went on a hiking/biking/camping trip through northern New Mexico and Northern Arizona. At a campsite outside of Sedona, I got locked in the outhouse for almost 12 hours..yes. 12 hours. The door handle had broken off, and it took 5 campers, and three Rangers to get me out.

Needless to say, I haven't been in one since, and have shunned camping for a clean hotel.

Hmm....maybe I should put this on the prayer request.

Happy camping!!!

Christy

Becky Parker
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Posted: July 04 2007 at 9:09am \| IP Logged

We love camping! I also love the lists above. The one thing I would add are glow sticks (perhaps they are already listed and I missed it). BUT, don't let your little ones have them in bed. If they chew on them it could be bad news. Instead, I buy the large kind, and hang one in our tent each night. I hang it up high and the kids just think it's a night light. They give off just enough light so you can see in case of an emergency - you know, like the 4yo having to go potty at 3 in the morning!

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