Now is the perfect time to start planning your family camping adventures for this year. Whether you’re a first time camper or you’re a seasoned pro, it may help to have a quick camping gear checklist for your first trip out this year. Getting a family ready to go to the supermarket is hectic enough, let alone trying to pack a family for an overnight camping trip. We’ve created a list that is a good start to putting you and your family on the right track for having the necessities for your next camping excursion. Let us know in the comments if we forgot something or if you have had success with other list additions!

Trial Run To Get Your Bearings

If you don’t have time for this, then that is fine, but doing a trial run in the weeks leading up to the official leave date can do wonders for your packing preparedness level. Gather the supplies you think you will need for an overnight stay and set up the tent and cooking area in your backyard. Go ahead and try to cook dinner out there as well! A test run will tell you just about everything you will need to know before you actually get on the road. Pay attention to the little things that you need like aluminum foil, extra napkins, and water, etc. 

Sleeping Gear

We like to split our camping supplies into separate categories like sleeping, cooking, personal hygiene, and others. For sleeping gear you will need (for starters) the following:

• Tent
• Sleeping bags
• Extra blankets
• Sleeping pads
• Pillows 
• Tarp for covering the ground under the tent
• Kid night time routine items:
  • Stuffed animals
  • Books
  • Noise machine
  • Crib or baby safe sleeping setup

Cooking Gear

For cooking gear, you can really be all over the proverbial map. Some people bring pre-made and pre-packaged food and only use their fire for warmth and light at night while others will turn their campfire into the equivalent of a Michelin star restaurant. Here is a good starter kit for someone wanting to cook basic meals like eggs, steak, and burgers.

• Fire starting equipment 
  • Matches/lighters
  • Kindling or fire starter fluid
  • Fire extinguisher
• Paper towels
• Trash bags
• Stainless steel wire rack for setting pots and pans on while cooking
• Kettle for boiling water for coffee and cocoa
• Fire safe frying pan (cast iron will work)
• Fire safe pot
• Aluminum foil
• Cooking utensils:
  • Chef’s knife
  • Tongs
  • Large spoon or ladle
  • Cutting board
• Drinking water and cups
• Camp chairs
• Camp table for preparing food and for eating on if desired
• Pot holders or pot tongs
• Cooler with extra ice
• Dishwashing soap
• Extra water for washing dishes and handwashing 
• Your food items (plan a menu ahead of time!)

Clothing And Hygiene Gear

One mistake that a lot of novice campers will make is not packing enough cold weather items, even when camping in the middle of the summer. In higher elevations, the night can get brutally cold, especially when you are camping at the beginning or end of the camping season. Make sure to pack extra clothing like socks, long underwear and blankets!

• Clothing outfits for each day
• Extra underwear and socks
• Jackets or even coats
• Rain gear
• Toilet paper
• Sunscreen 
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Baby wipes
• Handsoap 
• Hand sanitizer
• Insect repellent
• Medications

For The Road

Putting together a family camping trip in the summer is no small feat, but with a little preparation you can be ready for anything that comes your way this year. Contact us if you or someone you know may be in need of a residential or commercial cleaning service like ours. We can’t wait to hear from you. Give us a call or email us here. Have fun and stay safe out there!