Camping is one of my favourite activities since I was a child. I have beautiful memories of roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire with my Dad, my friends and family members. I love being outside all day and the way you sleep so well on a camping trip. While I have never been canoe tripping or portaging as part of my camping trip I do have lots of experience tent camping. Many years of creating the best camping recipes and perfecting my breakfast skillet recipe.
Whether it’s your first camping trip of you are a seasoned expert we have tips on how to prepare for a camping trip and some suggestions on gear.
Tips On How to Prepare for a Camping Trip
Going on a camping trip can be very exciting. But there are many things you should know beforehand. Things like packing your food, preparing for emergencies, preparing everyone for the experience, and what to bring are important. Here’s how to prepare for your first camping trip.
Packing Your Food for a Camping Trip
Make sure most of your food is nonperishable, unless it’s going to be a short trip, or you will have access to an ice source or fridge. More items will fit inside the cooler if you use airtight freezer bags to store food inside it. But some foods and liquids may require containers. Make sure all of those lids are sealed tightly and stacked upright to help prevent leaks. Also, make sure cooler lids are sealed tightly to keep the ice and food cooler longer. Tight cooler lids with locks can help prevent bears from raiding your food supply. Don’t forget to meal plan. Planning out your camping recipes and ensuring you have food everyone will enjoy is important.
Camping Trip Emergency Preparation
Be sure friends and family who aren’t going on the trip know where you’re going and how long the camping trip is expected to be. Have a cell phone that has service where you’re going in case of an emergency. It’s a good idea to test this pout ahead of time when possible or at least research via cell phone coverage maps. Research and discuss bear safety, as bears can be common on a camping trip.
Preparing Everyone for a Camping Trip
Before going on your first camping trip, everyone who will be going on the trip needs to have a discussion and planning session. Discuss where you will go, what you will do, as well as safety information. Be sure that everyone is educated on safety procedures to use in case of an emergency, such as someone getting lost or injured. Also, create a buddy system and stick to it. If people go to do anything, they should always go in pairs for safety. These pairings can be made beforehand so that everyone knows who their buddy is.
Extra Tips on Packing for Your First Camping Trip
- Roll clothing tightly to fit more in your bag
- Have plenty of nonperishable snacks available
- Bring more food than you will need in case of an emergency
- Use dishes and cookware that can fit inside of each other to save space
What to Bring on a Camping Trip
-
- A Tent
with extra stakes and tie downs - Tarp
- Camping Hammer
- Clothing and outerwear for various weather situations
- Hiking boots and tennis shoes
- Camping Pillow and Sleeping Bag
- Airbed and sheets
- Air mattress Repair
- Compass and map for each person
- Folding chair for each person
- Lots of water, some for drinking, some for cleaning
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Thick, long socks for protection from ticks and elements
- Cooking source
- Cookware and Cooking Utensils
- Knives and silverware
- Food, enough for everyone
- Fire source
- LED Lantern
- Headlamp
- Waterproof matches
- Trash bags
- Plastic tablecloth
- Dish soap
- Aluminium foil
- Tissues and paper towels
- Plastic bin for dishwashing
- Personal care items
- Clothing for all weather types
- Fire extinguisher
- First Aid Kit
- If you plan to go fishing, be sure to bring poles, bait, lines, and a bucket.
- A Tent
with extra stakes and tie downs
and 
and sheets
and map for each person
What did we forget? Any other items that are essential to bring on your first camping trip?
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Hi! Kerrie,
I like also camping but when reading your blog I found a lot of unknown tips from you and I saw you are a great mam also. It’s very helpful what should we need to bring during our camping most of the time we forget about it and suffered during camping. Thanks to you for letting us know the list of that.
This is brilliant. Thank you for these practical tips you mentioned. I almost forgot to bring a first aid kit. You’re a life-saver.
My family loves camping and I just realized I am not fully prepared when we camp. We will definitely include some compass and map for each person plus, I just ordered some waterproof matches. Thank you so much for sharing your checklist.