Camping Essentials 101

If you’re planning to head out camping in the great outdoors – but you’re not exactly a seasoned camper – you may want to take a few moments and think about the kinds of things you’ll need while spending time outside.

If possible, grab a seasoned camper and take him or her along with you – they’ll be able to tell you what to do in just about any situation – but if that isn’t an option, think about what you’ll need to start with: shelter, warmth, and food.

Most beginning campers start out as tent campers, simply because it’s the easier thing to learn and the best way to ease yourself into the thrill of camping without too many variables.

Also, this is a good way to see the “great outdoors” without giving in to your desire for the comforts of home – stay away from that RV and pack up the car instead! When you’re purchasing a tent, make sure it has adequate weather protection and durable mosquito netting – and do the same with sleeping bags, ensuring that they’re well insulated for ultimate warmth.

Of course, the problem for many beginning campers is that there are simply too many styles and types of tents to choose from – so how do you know which one is the best for you? First, consider how many people are going to be sleeping in your tent, and whether you plan on storing your bags in the tent or keeping them in the car.

Do you want to reserve the tent for sleeping-only, or will it also serve as a change room and relaxation area? In terms of space, it’s always best to choose a tent that is two people larger than the amount you plan to fit inside – for example, purchase a four-person tent if two people are going to using it.

SLEEP & COMFORT

Before you think about setting up the tent and throwing the sleeping bags inside however, remember that the bags will be lying right on the hard ground – and unless your spine is incredibly durable, your body won’t be too happy with you in the morning if you don’t cushion the surface. Inflatable air mattresses or ground-pads work very well for this, and they’re compact enough to fit in the car easily without demanding too much extra space. And make sure you’ve brought your pillow!

We've always used the basic foam type because they guard your back against rocks, but can roll up to easily fit when packing - and fit at the bottom of a back-pack if you're backpacking only.

FOOD PREP

Next, think about what you’re going to eat and how you want to prepare it. If you’re familiar with backyard cooking, you probably already know how to work a camp stove and grill, and your family may already be familiar with sitting down at a picnic table outside. Pick up a bag of charcoal, grab the spatula, and pack some buns – hot dogs and hamburgers make the perfect camping meal, and if you’ve got a small pot and can opener, you can heat up plenty of canned vegetables to round out the selection. 

While these are the main essentials you’ll need when heading out to camp, it’s always a good idea to make yourself a checklist beforehand – plenty of people have the best of intentions, but arrive at the campground only to find that they’ve forgotten a can opener and the toothbrush is still sitting in the washroom at home. The little things count too, so plan ahead and get a checklist organized. That way, you’ll have all your bases covered – and will have a fantastic camping trip all around!

For some campers who are stressed out by packing because they cannot distinguish what’s essential and what’s not, those that are tempted to bring the whole house just to make sure they have not forgotten anything, or are apprehensive about the thought that they missed putting something important on their checklist. To ensure that you’re not forgetting anything and to make packing easier, use that checklist each and every camping trip.

No matter what you decide needs to be on your camping checklist, here are the 3 basic Camping Essentials I would say are needed for every camping trip:

Camping Essentials List

1. A reliable and durable tent. Choose one that has sturdy poles, durable fabric, heavy duty zippers and sufficient ventilation to make the atmosphere inside the tent fresh and breezy.

2. Comfortable sleeping bag with insulation for cold nights.

3. A lantern and flashlight to provide you with light.

Some of my fondest camping memories only included these basics, with food and water.

Moral to the story, do not make the camping gear that many people buy and use be the thing that stops you. Just get the camping essentials and go camping!

Camp Cooking Made Easy

Camp cooking can be as elaborate or simple as you want it to be.

If you want to prepare quick and simple but nutritious meals while you are camping, camp cooking doesn't even have to require a fire.  But if you are interested in fueling your camping trip with a feast, camp cooking can allow you to make hot, healthy foods that are as good as you can make them at home in your own kitchen.

Camp cooking does not have to be limited to sandwiches and baked potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil.  Almost any cooking method you use in the kitchen can be duplicated around the campfire.

For example, use a Dutch oven or pit cooking to bake your food.  You can also easily fry foods in a pan over a grill, or boil, braise and roast.  What type of camping cookware is best for you? Camp cooking and clean-up can be easy or a hassle, it all starts with great camping equipment.

Some pots/pans come in sets that mate together or "nest" for storage and even allow you to tuck a canister of fuel inside them. This comes in handy when you're looking to save room while camping. 

Following are some camping items to take with you if you are planning on preparing some meals around the campfire.  These common kitchen items will allow you to duplicate tasty meals while you are out of doors.

• Salt and pepper

• Your favorite herbs and spices (Hint: use old tic tac containers to hold them all in a small space, but easy to use when needed)

• Cooking oil

• Pot holder (make sure you don't mind if these get smoke or burn marks from using with the fire pit)

• Hand-held can opener

• Aluminum foil (heavy duty is best, if you can get it)

• Tongs and spatula

• Cutting knives

• Cutting board

• Mixing bowl

• Paper or plastic silverware, plates, and cups

Not only should you look to include these items into your camp kitchen, but look for smaller or travel size versions of these to save space when packing.

If you have just a few campers and are looking for some simple camp cooking, try the easy and quick technique of tin can cooking.  All you will need is a clean tin can – a one gallon size can works well.  Your source of heat can be a small campfire, or if wood burning is prohibited, a small buddy burner will work well, which can be found at sporting good stores or online.

Place your meal in the tin can and simply heat the contents of your can over a flame.  You will have a hot meal ready in minutes.  This technique works great for soups, stews, beans, and tuna fish.

A more time-consuming camp cooking technique that also produces tasty meals is pit cooking.  Pit cooking is great for items that can be wrapped in aluminum foil to be cooked.  It is also a great camp cooking method if you are using a Dutch oven or cast iron cookware.  Pit cooking warms your food by heating rocks and coals that are buried in the ground.  As the rocks cool off, their emitted heat cooks the food.  To pit cook, first dig a hole that is about three times larger than your cookware.  Line the pit with rocks and build a fire in the middle.  Once the fire has burned rapidly for about an hour, push the hot coals and rocks into the center.  Layer your wrapped food or covered skillets on top of the rocks and coals and place more on top.  After a few hours, you will have some delicious camp food to enjoy.

And most importantly, do not forget to have simple items like fresh fruits and vegetables. They are portable and easy to eat without a need for any type of fire whatsoever - and they are healthy as opposed to bringing unhealthy snacks such as chips, cookies, and other treats.