Camping Checklist

1995 by E. Michael Smith

This is a list of what we take camping. It's sort of a hybrid of car camping and backpacking, so feel free to down size or upsize as your needs dictate.

Lighting

• Maglight - 2 Cell AA Minimum. 3 x D or 4 Cell C better, per person.
• Gas Lantern - Primus single mantle, or Coleman Unleaded double.
• BIC lighter - And those butane fireplace lighters are real nice too!
• Spare batteries and bulbs
• Spare lantern fuel and mantles

Bedding & Shelter

• Sleeping Bag - Space blanket emergency aid as well.
• Ground Cloth - Big space blanket works well for individuals.
• Tarp for big tents.
• Mattress or pad - High volume, low pressure, inflator for air mattress...
• Pillow
• Tent ( & camp axe or hammer to pound tent stakes)

Water

• Water jug or bottle, at least 1/2 gallon per person/day. 2 gal is better.
• Water Filter!

Cooking

• Stove with fuel - Primus single burner for one. Coleman unleaded 2 burner.
• Charcoal or wood & Grill for BBQ.
• Frying Pan - Non-Stick is nice. Plastic Spatula!
• Pot or sauce pan - Big enough to cook noodles for all. With lid.
• Can opener - If you have canned goods while car camping.
• Thermos - ersatz slow cooker?
• Tongs
• Coffee maker & Filters
• Lighter
• Pot Lifter grabber &/or pot holders
• Wine cork puller & Tablecloth for those tres yup trips.

Dishes

• Plate - Partition tray/plate is nice.
• Mug/cup - Sierra Club Cup or Coleman Mountain Mug style
• Kitchen knife - Nice to have. In general, carry a pocket knife.
• Bowl
• Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula
• Scrub Pad
• Dish Pan

Consumables

• Paper towels & knapkins, trash bags
• Paper plates, cups, bowls, etc.
• Plastic Knives, forks, spoons, Ziplock Bags
• Aluminum Foil
• Dish soap

Clothing

• Hat - Broad brimmed sun/rain. Sleeping Cap.
• Bandana
• Jacket - As weather dictates. Eskimo style, MacIntosh, Windbreaker, etc.
• Poncho - Doubles as emergency tent/lean-to.
• Overalls - Painter Pants style work well. Or traditional Pants with Belt.
• Underpants - 2
• shirt - 2 or 3 (one light, one flannel)
• shoes & shower shoes or 'flip flops' - & Hiking boots, if so inclined.
• socks - 2 pair (wash socks & underpants daily).
• Work Gloves
• Warm Gloves
• Swim suit

Personal & Cleaning

• Bar soap - With washcloth, if desired.
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste & Toothbrush
• Comb or hair brush
• Razor
• Towel
• Toilet Paper - And perhaps a shovel to build a latrine.
• Trash bags
• Wisk broom to clean table and tent site
• And any cameras, books, radio, cards, games, toys, etc. that you want.

Medicine & Misc.

• Sun Screen
• Bug Repellent - Yard spray, personal spray, Citronella Candle, etc.
• Poison Oak remedies - Special soap.
• Antihistamine creams
• Allerest
• Tylenol, Advil, Aspirin
• Alkaseltzer, Malox, Tums
• Antibiotics - Whatever you need.
• Micatin for fungus, for example.
• Tweezers for splinters & ticks.
• Antiseptic, bandaids and bandages for big owies.

Food & Drink

• Pancake Mix - Krusteaze, 1/2 cup per person per day
• Cooking Oil - About 1 oz per person per day seems to work.
• Syrup - About 2 oz per person per day.
• Butter - 1/2 stick per person per day.
• Malt-o-meal - Or Cream of {wheat, rice, mush...}
• Oatmeal - Instant Quaker Oats single serving packs are nice
• Potatoes - 2 per person per day. Freeze dried if packing.
• Bacon - 4 slices per person per day
• Eggs - 2 per person per day. Fresh or powdered.
• Noodles - Angel Hair, Ramen, Flat egg ribbons, elbows or shells
• Sauce - Marinara, Cream or Alfredo? (In jars or dehydrated if packing)
• Bouillon cubes - Chicken & Vegetable Herb Ox brand
• Rice packages - Pilaf, Saffron. Use "instant" or "minute" if packing.
• Soup mix - Split Pea, Bean & Bacon, etc.
• Tuna - 3 0z. pop top cans for single service. 6 Oz for groups.
• Bread - Roman Meal, 16 oz round top
• Condiments - Salt, Pepper, spices, Sugar, Coffee Mate, Catsup, Mustard
• Mayo - Smallest size jars you can find.
• Salami - Dry. Can substitute for ham or bacon if no ice chest is used.
• Cheese - Mild Cheddar
• Fruit - Small fruit cups or fresh market fruit
• Carrots - enough for carrot sticks daily
• Taco Stuff - (Meat. Seasoning package. Olives, Lettuce, tortillas)
• Kippers
• Cocoa, Coffee, & teas (don't forget the sugar!)
• Marshmallows & Graham Crackers & Hershey Bars (Oh My!)
• Peanut Butter & Jelly (of course)
• Ham slices
• Hot Dogs & Buns
• Milk, Soy Milk (Special Milk), Juice boxes, jug of juice, Cokes, rum, beer, tequila, etc..