Food, Shelter, and Safety – Every camping essential you’ll need for your next camping trip.

When packing for a camping trip, especially as a beginner, it can very quickly become stressful and expensive. There are many checklists and guides online you can follow to guarantee a safe, fun camping experience, but many become so long and complicated only adding to the stress. To help you with packing, Community Lands has read through every essentials list and prepared this short, comprehensive guide to optimize your camping experience. Of course, every family camps differently, everyone has their list of essentials, but this list will help you not forget the basics and, if you’re a beginner, serve as a basic guideline for your next camping trip.

There isn’t one guide that can check your every need. Camping is different for everyone and everywhere. Start your packing and planning with comprehensive research of your campsite.  It’s important to be aware of the weather and elements around where you’ll be staying, even if your car will be just a few feet away from you. Many essentials such as water, fire, toiletries, may be provided by your campsite. While it’s always safest to pack your own, you might be able to knock off some item from your list depending on your campsite. For example, while camping during the summer, temperatures can drop considerably during the night, making a light jacket or blanket an essential. The best camping trips are those packed with your camping site in mind, so don’t forget to research where you will be staying before you go.

We at Community Lands suggest you go back to the basics. What do humans need to survive? Only three essentials: food, shelter, and protection – often in the form of clothing. For camping, Community Lands’ three essentials are Food, Shelter, and Safety.

1. Food

No trip is enjoyable with hangry campers. In order to have food for your party at all times, here are the items you cannot go camping without:

• A cooler – with ice!
• Camping stove – and fuel!
• Water containers
• Air-tight, smell-trapping food containers
• Plates, cups, and utensils
• Pots and pans
• Scrubber, soap, and container for dishes
• Snacks and food of your choice and favorite recipes!

2. Shelter

A comfortable, safe shelter is what will guarantee your beauty rest. These are the items you will need for a proper night of sleep:

• Tent and footprint
• Sleeping bag and pad
• Pillows for extra comfort
• Blankets
• Camping chairs

3. Safety

Staying safe while camping is the top priority. With these items, you’ll be prepared for every scenario:

• Flashlight or lantern
• Firestarter – that includes firewood!
• Map and compass
• First-aid kit
• Toiletries
• Pocket knife or multi-tool
• Waterproof sunscreen
• Bug repellent
• Weatherproof clothing
• Trashbags – leave no trace!
• Portable chargers and extra batteries

Remember, this list is only the essential item you will need for a successful camping trip. If you’re interested in more articles about camping, make sure to keep an eye out for our new blog posts. There are many other items out there you can pack to maximize your experience. We suggest not breaking the bank, but also not going cheap out on every item. The better quality of your camping equipment is, the better will your experience be. This list of essentials is a good starting point on what items you should buy a better quality of. Do your research, pack your essentials, be resourceful, and, of course, have fun!