Camping Checklist

This list is for car camping. Car camping is when you can drive your car right up to your site and unload. It means you don't have to lug the heavy stuff so you can bring it. Camping is totally different when you have to carry everything for miles through the woods.

Tents
I recommend Eureka tents. But then I am within an hour's drive of their outlet store. For all brands there is something you need to know about the capacity that they list on tents. Tent capacity is the number of average sized people in Mummy style sleeping bags you cold lay out on the floor of the tent. I like to divide the listed tent capacity by 3 to get the number of actual campers who could live in a particular tent. I got a 6 person tent because I wanted to be able to have at least one guest.

Heat!
During the day you may be more comfortable with no cloths at all (which is frequently an option) Although that has it's own down side i.e. full body sunburn. The first (and last) time I did that I felt like a sausage ready to pop. I recommend a broad brimmed hat and a poncho or shawl to keep the sun off your shoulders. Or just liberal doses of sunblock. And I mean "block" not "screen" the summer sun is merciless.

Cold!
At night the temperatures drop. Bring extra sweaters and blankets. You won't regret it if you do. You will regret it if you don't.

Rain!
Remember to waterproof your tent when you first get it. And don't set your tent up in a depression that may turn into a pond.

Lidded Rubbermaid boxes are a good idea for keeping things dry and simplifying packing. Bring 1 for Dry goods (Food), 1 for clothes, and 1 for anything else you want to keep dry.

At a clothing optional festival dressing for rain is not a problem. I personally don't see any point in putting on a raincoat so I can go take a shower. But if you don't like getting wet bring an umbrella and a rain coat.

Bring about 50' of cord for rigging a clothes line, and clothpins, to dry bedding. Unless you have a sleeping pad between your sleeping bag and the floor of your tent moisture will be trapped between your body and the plastic making your sleeping bag damp.

Footwear
Good hiking boots are good safety precaution for walking at night or hikes in the woods. Rubber flip-flops are good for wet days and most conditions. And then there are old dependable sneakers.

Health issues
Medications
If you have any potentially dangerous health problems or require special medication Tell the First Aid Staff and your neibors. Make sure everyone knows what to do in an emergency. Bee allergies and asthma seem to be the most serious problems and the easiest to avoid.

Heat stroke
Is probably the most common problem. There is water available everywhere. Bring a water bottle and remember to drink often. Even if you don’t think you need to.

Ice
Here is a neat trick fill a couple of 2 litter soda bottles 2/3 full and freeze a couple of days before you leave. They are great for keeping the cooler cold, they don’t leak all over the place and you can drink the water.

Before you leave for a week
Check over equipment (i.e. grills, bikes, car, etc.)
Get Maps
Arrange for Mail pick up.
Cancel Newspaper
Make Pet Care Arrangements
Temporarily sign off newsgroups and elists.
Unplug/Turn off unneeded appliances

Campsite Items
Necessary
Tent
Tent stakes
Tent poles
Rubber mallet
Claw Hammer
Tarps: 1 for tent ground cover
1 for covering gear
Cooler
Ice or Ice Substitutes
Stove (grill)
Fuel (propane)
Matches or lighter
Folding Tables
Folding Chairs or Camp Stools
Flashlight w/ batteries
Broom & Dustpan
Flares/Mirror - emergency devices
Water Jug (5gal)
Water bottle or Canteen for walking around
Back pack
Compass (just in case)
Whistle
Lantern
Rope (you shall miss it if you don't have it)
Work Gloves

Good
Hand Ax
Hand saw
Shovel
Folding Stands for Cooler and Stove
Table cloths
Clothesline 50'
Tiki torches 2
Camp Shower
Wash Tub (for sponge baths)
Citronella Candles
Citronella Oil for Tiki Torches Laundry Detergent
Outdoor rug
Indoor rugs for the tent
Wading pool
Banners
Lawn ornaments
Canopy/Screen House
Stakes for Awning/Canopy/ Screen House
Cell Phone Battery Charger
Laptop to check newsgroups and e-mail
Beer/Soda Can Sweater
extra tarp for the storm

Sleeping Gear
Necessary
Sleeping Bags
Ground pad
Extra Blankets
Pillows
Flashlight

Good
Clock
Sheets
Air Mattress
Slippers

Kitchen Gear
Eating Utensils
Coffee Mugs
Cups
Plates
Bowls
Paper Towels
Napkins
Spoons
Forks
Butter Knives

Cleaning Storage
Dishpan and Pot Scrubbers
Dish Towels
Sponges
SOS/Brillo Pad
Dish Soap (biodegradable)
Dish Drying Rack
Trash Bags
Storage Bags
Sandwich Bags
Plastic Wrap
Aluminum Foil

Toiletries
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Mouthwash
Dental Floss
Q-Tips
Toilet Paper
Tissues
Hair Brush
Deodorant
Mirror
Nail File
Feminine Sanitary Products
Noxema
Soap
Razors
Hand/Skin Lotion
Wash Cloths
Bath Towels
Beach Towels
Beach Blanket
First Aid
Broad brimmed hat.
Sunglasses
Sun block Lotion
Bag Balm (for sunburns)
Bug Spray
Lip Balm
First Aid Kit
Band-Aids
Neosporin
Triple antibiotic ointment
Snake bite kit
Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory pain reliever
Calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream
Antiseptic/anesthetic spray (like Bactine)
Prescription Medication

Clothing
LOTS of extra SOCKS

Fun Stuff
Beach Balls
Bikes
Binoculars
body paint/henna
Books
Bubbles
Camera and Film
Deck of Cards
drums
Extra Batteries
Frisbee
funny hats
Games
glitter
glow sticks
incense
Necktie (for tie clad party) Notepad
Pens & Paper
Portable Radio
Protective Gear: Helmet, Pads,
safe sex supplies
tapestry bedspreads
Water guns

Staples
Cinnamon
Garlic Salt
Oregano
Instant Coffee
Tea
Hot Chocolate
Vegetable Oil
Salt
Pepper
Sugar
Non Dairy Creamer

Meat
Hamburger
Hot-dogs
Steak
Cube Steak
Ham Steak
Pork Sirloins/Chops
Spare Ribs
Deli Meat
Tuna Fish
Canned Meat (e.g. deviled ham, chunk chicken, etc.)
Bacon
Sausage
Boneless Breast of Chicken
Chicken Legs

Veggies
Potatoes
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Onions
Peppers
Corn on the Cob
Summer Squash
Green Beans
Carrots
Bananas
Apples
Oranges
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Kiwi
Peaches
Plums
Grapes
Pears
Limes
Blueberries
Strawberries

Dairy
Parmolate, powdered or canned evaporated Milk
Orange Juice
Margarine/Butter
Sour Cream (for baked potatoes)
Pudding/Yogurt
Eggs
Sliced American Cheese
Cheddar Cheese

Bread
Bagels
Bread
Hamburger Rolls
Hot-dog Rolls
English Muffins
Donuts
Muffins

Condiments
Ketchup
Mustard
Pickles
Mayonnaise
Relish
Steak Sauce
BBQ Sauce
Marinating Sauce
Miracle Whip
Teriyaki Glaze
Salsa

Snacks
Cookies
Crackers
Graham Crackers
Marshmallows
Chocolate Bars
Candy
Nachos
Pretzels
Chips
Corn Chips
Popcorn
Trail Mix