Are you planning a camping trip? Do you feel overwhelmed with all the responsibility involved in preparation? You can plan an exciting trip without forgetting anything and avoid packing your whole house. Preparation is necessary for any outdoor adventure.

Containing the basic supplies and equipment can make a difference in your enjoyment and camping experience. Checklists are a great tool to help with your organization. Your camping list will fluctuate according to the type of camping and activities you have planned for your trip. A list comes in handy as well for the places you are going, the time of year and the length of your trip.

Here is a great camping checklist to get you started:

Shelter and Bedding:

- Tent                                      - Ground cloth/tarp

- Extra stakes                         - Shade Tarp/poles/rope/stakes

- Axe or Hammer                   - Mat for tent entrance

- Sleeping bag                         - Sleeping pad/cot/air mattress

- Headrest/pillow                    - Extra blankets/sheets

- Air pump                               - Repair kit, if needed

- Utility bags for storage

Cooking/Dinning:

- Water                                   - Food

- Charcoal                               - Matches/Lighter  

- Cooler                                   - Can opener

- Camp stove                          - Mess kit

- Campfire grill           - Tongs

-Thermos                                - Skewers/grill forks

- Pots/frying pans                   - Cook utensils/plastic silverware

- Potholders                            - Fire starters

- Tablecloth’s                         - Plastic bowls/paper plates/food storage containers

- Paper towels                         - Trash bags

- Aluminum foil                       - Dish soap

- Napkins                                - Ziploc bags

- Pie irons                               - Paper cups

- Condiments                          - Dish rags/brillo pads

Clothes:

- Shoes/boots                          - Jeans/pants/belt

- Shorts                                   - T-shirts/extra shirts

- Socks/extra socks                - Undergarments

- Hat                                        - Sweatshirts/jacket

- Rain poncho                         - Swim suit/towel

- Laundry bag                         - Sleep clothes

Personal Hygiene:

-Toothbrush                            - Tooth paste

- Wash rags                            - Towels

- Soap                                      - Shampoo/conditioner

- Comb/brush                          - Toilet Paper

- Razor                                    - Nail clippers

- Deodorant                            - Feminine products

- Shower shoes                       - Personal medications

Miscellaneous Items:

- Binoculars                            - Bird guide

- Bug spray                             - Bungi cords

- Camera                                 - Candles

- Cards, games                       - Cell phone/charger

- Clothes pins                         - Compass

- Flashlight                              - Frisbee

- GPS                                      - Knife

- Lantern/fuel                         - Pen and paper

- Sun block                              - Tools

- Water filters                         - Whistle

- Radio                                    - Extra Batteries/bulbs

- Duct Tape                            - Plastic Grocery Bags

- Reservation Info.                 - Contact Numbers

- Umbrella                               - Disinfectant wipes

- Work gloves                         - Alarm Clock

- Drinks/snacks                      - Cooler

- Watch                                   - Scissors

- Money                                  - Radio

- Backpack                             - Park map/guides

- Sunglasses                                       - Camp chairs

- Fishing gear                         - Hammock

- Lantern hanger                    - Popcorn

- Smores                                             - Hotdog sticks

First Aid Items:

- Personal medication            - Bandages

- Aspirin, Tylenol                   - Medical tape

- Sterile gauze                        - Elastic wrap

- Antibiotic wipes                    - Antiseptic cream

- Burn ointment                      - Sunburn lotion

- Hydrogen peroxide - Scissors

- Tweezers                              - Eye wash

- Sanitary napkins                  - Snake bite kit

- Bug repellent                       - Benadryl

* Take a First Aid class and a CPR class -- keep current on this information

* Keep supplies in a well marked, durable, waterproof container

* Keep the contents organized

* Know how to use everything in your first aid kit

* Inspect content often, re-supply as needed