Essential items you need to take while camping
There are a lot of reasons why you should go camping. For one, this outdoor activity can bring you closer to nature and let you get away from your digital screens. Camping also allows you to exercise, especially if you decide to incorporate other outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking, and swimming. In a nutshell, camping can boost your mental and physical health in a lot of ways.
Camping can be fun, but since you’re going to spend time outdoors, preparation is key. You need to come up with a list of the essential items you need to bring and ensure that these are placed inside your backpack days before the actual trip. It’ll be hard to improvise when camping if you don’t have the necessary gear or tools to start with.
For your next camping trip, make sure to bring the following items:
Campfire Cooking Supplies
Daily chores, such as preparing and cooking meals, can become more fun once done outdoors. Aside from having a change of scenery, cooking on a campsite allows you to bond with your friends and family. For kids, this part of the camp can even become their favorite!
For your next camping trip, bring a cooking stove, propane tank, and utensils. Cutting tools such as a knife is vital when cutting food, and a camping saw makes it easy to chop wood for your fire pit.
If possible, decide what meals you are going to prepare or cook weeks before your camping date. You’ll know which cooking supplies to bring if you know what you’re going to cook at the campsite.
Sleeping Bags
The idea of sleeping directly on the grass while gazing at the stars can sound exciting and romantic. If you're a new camper, you might have planned to do this. But no matter how visible the stars are or how great the weather is, sleeping outdoors without the proper equipment isn’t a good idea.
Lying on the grass at night can make you susceptible to mosquitoes and insects. These pests will feast on your body, and by the time you’ll wake up, your body is already full of insect bites and rashes.
The dangers of lying outdoors don’t end there. Since the temperature at night drops drastically, sleeping without the proper gear can lead to chills and even hypothermia.
To ensure that the quality of your sleep or your health isn’t compromised when you’re camping, place your sleeping bags in your backpack ahead of time. This is one of the most basic gears in camping as it provides cushion and insulation as you sleep.
Some sleeping bags also have stash pockets for you to properly store your watches and compact devices.
Tents
Sleeping inside your sleeping bags can be a great way to spend the night, but abrupt weather changes might prevent you from doing this. Strong winds and rain will make it impossible for you to sleep outdoors, even if you have high-quality and durable sleeping bags.
For a safer alternative, always bring your tent. This gear can guarantee your safety and security during harsh weather conditions. A properly-installed tent will stay in place and provide shelter during your camping trip.
Water Jugs
Your body needs water. It serves as fuel for your body so you can walk around and explore. Keep in mind that a well-hydrated body is a healthy body. These are just some of the reasons why you should always bring a water jug when camping.
The amount of water you’ll bring should depend on the number of days you’ll stay outdoors. The longer your camping trip is, the more water you should bring. Not all campsites provide a potable water supply, so it’s best to bring your own.
Sunscreen And Insect Repellent
You’ll never run out of activities to do when you’re camping. Regardless of how long you’re planning to spend time outdoors or who you’re camping with, there will always be activities that suit your preferences.
However, if you’ll end up suffering from sunburns and insect bites during your camping trip, you might not be able to do all of these activities. In worse cases, sunburns and insect bites might become too severe that you won’t be able to get back on track after camping.
Always bring bottles of sunscreen and insect repellant whenever camping, especially if you’re camping with kids. These products can protect your skin and body from the dangers outdoors. By bringing these products, you can engage with the activities set by your companions and experience all the wonders of camping!
Prepare Properly
Aside from using this article as a reference, knowing where your next campsite also helps. By doing some research about your campsite, you’ll know if certain items should be added or removed from this list.
Being prepared can ward off stress, making your next camping trip memorable for all the right reasons!
