Home Be Sure To Visit Our Camping Store Site Map 1st Time Camping Before Going Upon Arrival Types of Campgrounds Equipment Needed Sleeping accommodations Extreme Primitive Camping Ethics Camping with your Kids Camping with your Dog Camping Checklist EQUIPMENT TENTS Other Sleeping Quarters Sleeping Bag Making Your Bed CAMP STOVES Campfire Emergency Fire Procedures Breaking Camp No Trace Eco Friendly Nature Calls Animals Other Critters Camping Terminology CAMPING LINKS Terms Contact Us What is Swap Links? Other Sites made by The Webmaster: FUNdamentals of Fishing FUNdamentals of Little League Baseball Indianpolis COLTS

The Basic Equipment You Will Need For Camping     So you want to go camping, but you aren't sure what to pack for your trip. We got you covered. Preparation is essential for any outdoor adventure. Having the necessary supplies and equipment can make a difference in your overall enjoyment and experience. If you are new to camping, the first thing you should do is become familiar with the basic camping gear that you will need. One way is to go camping with a seasoned camper. You can quickly learn from them. Basically,  you need a shelter, which could be a tent, cabin, or RV, and you need a bed, which could be a combination of sleeping bags and pads, cots, air mattresses, and comforters, and you need to eat, which may or may not require cooking utensils.   If you need to shop for gear, go to Wal-Mart!  They have all your basics at good prices Or Visit Our Fundamentals of Camping Store Buy choosing an item for purchase from our website, your purchase is actually being made through Amazon.com. Amazon is the most reputable online company around. Amazon has the lowest prices, prompt delivery (many orders ship in 1 to 3 days). You always get Amazon's 30 day return policy for a full refund.   When My Wife and I started camping, we didn't have much more than a tent, sleeping bags, one cooler and an old hurricane lamp.    As far as equipment goes, it would depend on what level of comfort you want. It also depends on how often you will be camping, to see if it is worth buying all that I am going to mention. Accept the idea that for your first trips you will be under-equipped.  Consider them learning trips.  Bring a notebook to write down all the things you forgot or wish you had thought of.  Even after 10 years of camping we still do this. Equipment Rentals There are a number of sporting goods stores that will rent camping gear to you for a couple of days or more.  Check with your local stores to see if they offer this.  For campers just starting out, this is an ideal way to get your "feet wet" without spending a lot of money.  You can also decide if certain gear like a tent or sleeping bag is right for you before you purchase it AND if you ask the manager, he/she will most likely apply a portion of the rental fee you paid towards the purchase of the equipment.  You can also Google "camping equipment rentals"   First of all, you're going to need Shelter and Bedding Essentials: Tent Tarp Sleeping Gear Tent(s) Many families have their school age children sleep in separate tents. (Our 3 older boys each had their own dome tent.) Buy at least a "couple people bigger" than your family size. Regarding size, you will want to keep in mind where you will be camping. Not all campsites are created equal. Your tent size may require a bigger campsite! If buying a tent with an attached screen house, keep in mind that attached screen houses with a built in floor; when it rains, this floored-screen house holds water like a swimming pool! Dome or cabin - it's really a personal preference. How to Pick 'em   How to Care for them Purchase Camping Tents Here How to Use them   Tent Poles Detailed info about Tent Poles Tent stakes Many tents come with the inexpensive easily bendable aluminum kind. Be sure to invest in some of the plastic yellow or orange ones. You will have much better luck anchoring the tarp that covers your tent to these stakes than the aluminum ones. Ground Cloth Extend the life of your tent with the added protection of a ground cloth  (ground cover, tarp, tent footprint).  Consider using a ground cloth with your tent. This footprint tarp protects against abrasion and acts as an added barrier to help keep moisture out of the tent and make it more comfortable for those inside. You can use painters tarps  (these are thin clear plastic, and you basically get one use out of them)  and the rolls of plastic sheeting that contractors use  (You can get them at Wal Mart for about $5 per roll.) As a ground  cloth it can be used a couple of times until holes start to develop in it, then just throw it away, and make a new one. They are also great to cover your fire wood.  See Tarps below Tarp(s) can be used to cover the ground under your tent prolonging the life of your tent (just make sure the tarp you use under your tent is slightly smaller than the floor of your tent) can be used over your tent to protect it from bird droppings, sparks, tree branches, extra rain protection, and the sun. If using the tarp over your tent, try to get it bigger than your tent to have an overhang by your tent door. It is wonderful not to have to step out of your tent immediately into the rain. This keeps the inside of your tent drier! Some people have been known to buy an inexpensive dining canopy just for the poles to use for the tarp over their tent. firewood cover Yuo Can Purchase Tarps Here at Our FUNdamentals of Camping Store SLEEPING GEAR Sleeping Bags A well-chosen bag will fit the person using it, be easy to pack, store and care for, and suit the temperature it's being used for. See More About Sleeping Bags Here Pillows and pillowcases Some kind of sleeping mat/pad  blue foam closed cell type (Less expensive) self-inflating mattresses You may find a cot a nice little extra. sheets can feel better to lay on in humid weather than a hot sleeping bag  Wool blankets nothing beats a wool blanket as an insulator on cool/cold nights. Next, Your going to need Cooking and Dining Eessentials water food camp stove mess kit cooler can opener charcoal Water  Take bottled water for cooking and drinking. Bring large reusable water bottles that can be refilled, save money, and cut waste. Also bring a separate water container for non-potable water that can be used for chores like washing dishes and cleanup. Five gallon water container One with a spicket for drinking is nice.  A square shaped one will pack easier in your car than a round one. The more - the better!  One for drinking, one for cooking, one for hands and dishes and messes and one for Kool Aid (or such) for kids and ME! Freeze gallons of water ahead of time.  By freezing gallons of water ahead of time, you will have cold water to drink for days and ice for your cooler. Food Simply take what you like to eat and will need to prepare a breakfast, lunch and dinner for each days of your camping trip. Bring plenty of snacks for enjoying while hanging around the campground. Freeze meals ahead of time. In the weeks prior to your camping trip, make a little extra of some main courses and freeze the leftovers. When placed in your cooler, the frozen entrees can take the place of ice for the first few days. Once they have defrosted, simply heat and serve. Take frozen vegetables. Bags of frozen vegetables can also take the place of ice in your cooler. Once defrosted, they will keep their shape and texture for a few days in the cooler. A small pan of boiling water is an easy way to prepare them once defrosted. Take along sweet potatoes, squashes and baking potatoes.  All of these vegetables do not need refrigeration and are quite easy to prepare. With the addition of some onions and a cast iron skillet, these core vegetables can take on a wide variety of flavors. Take lots of fruit. Apples, oranges, pineapples, bananas and cantaloupe travel well. A sharp knife provides all the tools you need to prepare them.   Stove Campfires don't make very practical stoves or ovens.  Sure, some foods taste good and are fun to cook over the campfire,  however without appropriate utensils and a proper fire, the food will not cook correctly and you'll likely wind up with blackened cookware. As there may be a grill at the campground, it's not practical for preparing all your meals on unless you are going to make an entire day of cooking. A two-burner, propane variety campstove with a wind screen is preferred and makes it easy to boil water and prepare dishes quickly and efficiently. See Stoves Cookware There's something about outdoor cooking that makes food taste better. No special preparations are required, but a few camping food essentials will make the task easier. See Cookware Chuck Box A chuck box, also called a patrol box or grub box, is a device used by campers for storing the many items associated with a camp kitchen. When packed up, it looks like a large box and traditionally contains kitchen items such as cooking pots, pans, plates, utensils, and cleaning items. The box will unpack (usually with a fold down front and sides) to reveal its contents in specifically designed compartments, shelves, drawers and racks. There are several models commercially available, but many campers choose to build their own to suit their personal camping checklist. Some campers use plastic storage containers or crates in lieu of custom built chuck boxes. The primary advantage of having a chuck box is that it is easier to go camping quickly, because these numerous kitchen items are always packed and ready. However, some chuck boxes are also designed to provide work surfaces and utility features, providing the significant benefit of additional kitchen table space DIY Chuc Box Websites: How to Build Your Own Camp Kitchen Chuck Box Chuck Box - Camp Kitchen by thetoolman Lantern(s)   Click Here for More on Lighting and Illumination   Small hatchet Stake hammering mallet rubber mallet with a hook on the other end for pulling up stakes  Small broom to sweep out your tent Small rug for outside your tent door This is important because it really cuts down on the dirt that would otherwise end up in your tent! Clothes line and clothes pins Camp box This is similar to a Chuck Box, yet it is for all your other camping needs, ooposed to Kitchen Accessories. If you camp or plan to camp more than once a year,  a camp box is the best thing you will ever invest in.   The idea behind the camp box is to place the most common and essential stuff in one pre-packed place. A camp box can be anything you choose.  I have seen everything from plastic tubs to lockable toolboxes used effectively for stowing your most crucial camp gear.  The trick is to pack as much as you can without creating a box that weighs more than you can move.  If the box becomes overly large, don't worry.  Over time you'll figure out what you need to leave at home and what to include. But when it comes time to pack, the most common gear is already boxed up and ready to go. Of course, a list ensures you'll never forget anything -  if that's possible.   Making a list is probably the hardest thing to do.  Most people forget and some don't bother to take the time it requires.  But once the list is complete, you'll have serious peace of mind. To develop a good list you have to start with a base of things you normally bring.  Then each time you go camping bring along the list and update it.  Removing things that go unused, but adding stuff you forgot.  Eventually the list will contain absolutely everything you want to bring. Click Here for an Idea Camping List Cooler We take three. All different colors. Then you'll know which one is the "beverage" cooler, which one is the "food" cooler and which one is for "condiments" (eggs, cheese, mustard, ketchup, etc).  A metal cooler would be heavier, but in the long run you won't need as much ice.  More On COOLERS Ice We buy the loose cubed kind, because I think it is easier to fit the food in the cooler. Many people love the big block of ice. You decide what will be right for your needs. Fire extinguisher! All vehicles and boats should have one. Not a bad idea to have one just for camping.   For families with young children, this next item falls in the "Basic equipment" category, in our opinion. It takes a tremendous amount of stress off of the weekend; however parental supervision is still required. A Baby Gate  to go around the fire pit   NICE TO HAVE ALONG THINGS Folding step ladder good for some height when tying tarps to the trees  Rake Kott grill (grate) Don't count on having a dependable grate over your fire pit. If your fire pit has a grate it may be small or bent up. The Kott grill is actually just a flat grate that takes up less car space than even a small kettle style grill. Maul This comes in very handy for splitting the big chunks of wood many Campground firewood vendors sell. Various length bungee cords (You can never have too many of these!) Bungee loops Guy line adapters These are like short little bungees with only one hook. These are used in conjunction with the ropes you use on your tarps. A great advantage to using these to attach your tarp to the stakes is that in a wind you are less likely to pop the grommets from your tarp. The bungees provide your tarp with move "give" in stressful situations than just a rope does. Dining canopy or screen house TIP: Buy enough plastic drop cloths in the paint department of Wal Mart/K Mart to go around the sides you want covered of your screen house. Clothespin them to the seam where the screen meets the ceiling. This also keeps you warmer when it's chilly in the fall/spring. A bit of an inconvenience, but hey, it works! Lawn chairs Citronella candles If you're camping in mosquito territory, you may want to bring some. Hammock Dutch oven UTILITY BOX An Army ammo type box is great Duct tape spare batteries of whatever size you use spare mantles funnel for filling Coleman fuel lanterns multipliers Swiss Army knife compass adjustable wrench pliers nylon repair tape spare lantern generator camping scissors extra rope liquid puncture preventative and repair kit spare fluorescent tubes Sportsman's goop A "must" for repairing those leaks you discovered in last nights rain! seam sealer 3/8" Grommet kit Fishing Poles and Tackle BOUNCE Fabric Softner Sheets WHY BOUNCE Fabric Softner Sheets? All this time you've just been putting Bounce in the dryer! TRY THIS! Put a sheet of Bounce in yourpocket to keep yellow-jackets and bees away It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop  Prevent musty suitcases and dufflebags. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight Need Fishing Tips? GETTING CLEAN bath towels wash cloths shower kit Tupperware Box, etc. "toiletry" type items toothbrushes toothpaste dental floss shampoo/conditioner soap q tips deodorant razor/shaving cream mirror the mirror you find in the camping section of Wallmart or wherehaveya - it has a handy little hook for hanging it.    Besides toiletries you won't want to forget  any prescription medication family members need to take!   FIRST AID KIT Buying A First Aid Kit: Which company kit is best?  Purchasing a commercially packaged kit from either of the following four companies, is as close as any to putting a doctor in your pack: Atwater Carey (800/359-1646)  Adventure Medical Kits (800/324-3517)  Outdoor Research (800/421-2421)  Sawyer (800/356-7811)  Other commercially packaged kits cannot hold a candle to any of these four. If you are having trouble finding any of the above kits in your local stores, or wish to obtain specialty first aid gear to refill your kit, then look no further than Chinook Medical Gear-the best, one-stop, mail-order shopping source. You can get their catalogue by calling 800/766-1365.   Practice assembling and using your new stove, lantern and tent in your backyard.  You might even do a "backyard overnighter" with the kids for practice.  Cook up a dinner of camping style food, tell some campfire tales and tuck the kids in their bags in the tent for the night. You'll be glad you did a test run.  It's always better to get your act together in the comfort of your own backyard than to arrive at a campsite tired, hungry and clueless about how to make camp. You may want to even try setting it up in the dark in your backyard to get the hang of it. You NEVER know!!!!   Simply clicking on the image above will open your default E-mail Writer and have a pre-determined subject line. You can simply send this E-mail with nothing to write and I will be alerted with the Page that has a broken link.  However it would be nice if some input from you of exactly which link is broke. Thank You!!!! Copyright © 2012 Jon's Images, Inc. All rights reserved DISCLAIMER: PLEASE READ - By printing, downloading, or using  any info from this site, you agree to our full terms. Review the full terms by clicking here. Below is a summary of some of the terms. If you do not agree to the full terms, do not use the information. All information on this web site is provided as a free service. Under no conditions does it constitute professional advice. No representations are made as to the completeness, accuracy, comprehensiveness or otherwise of the information provided. This site is considered publishers of this material, not authors. Information may have errors or be outdated. Some information is from historical sources or represents opinions of the author. It is for research purposes only. The information is "AS  IS", "WITH ALL FAULTS". User assumes all risk of use, damage, or injury. You agree that we have no liability for any damages. We are not liable for any consequential, incidental, indirect, or special damages. You indemnify us for claims caused by you.