A flashlight with extra batteries. It is absolutely amazing how crucial these little guys are. In fact, when I go camping, I always bring two or three of them along with extra batteries. Finding yourself in the middle of nowhere at night without the means to see anything is scary and dangerous.
Insect repellent. If you are prone to mosquito bites and other nips and stings, it is very likely you won’t forget to bring this item camping anyhow, but it made my list because being fifty miles from the nearest store is not the place to find out you are being eaten alive and have to protection. This item is a must for children!
Trash bags. Consider littering at the campground a felony. It probably isn’t, of course, but if you consider it a serious offense you are more likely to remember the trash bags. Camping in someone else’s waste is not fun, so please pick up your paper plates, bottles, cans, and whatever else wish to discard. Pack it in, pack it out. That’s the rule.
Water and extra food is highly important. Always bring more food and water than you think you’ll need. It makes much more sense for a few sandwiches to go to waste than starving for a day because there was insufficient food in the cooler. Once again, if you have kids camping with you, this is a must.
Warm clothes and boots. In forest areas, the weather can turn for the worst very quickly, and nights can be brutally cold. It is a much better idea to bring jackets you don’t wear then to freeze all day and night on what is supposed to be a fun camping trip. Gloves, beanies, and hiking boots are also a wonderful idea.
Bring the camera! If I had a nickel for every family who forgot the Kodak on a camping trip, I could retire tomorrow. If you are running a digital camera, remember to clear the memory card before you leave, and pack at least one extra set of batteries. If you use a film camera, be prepared with enough rolls to last the camping trip, and you may want extra batteries for the flash.
Lighter and/or matches can save the day! Having the ability to create fire is not only a great idea, but it could save a life! A pack of lighters can be had for a couple dollars, and is well worth the price. Unless you are a survival expert and like rubbing sticks together or striking stones on flint or using a magnifying glass to start a fire, bring lighters or matches camping.
First aid kit. You may not think that minor cuts or scrapes are a serious thing, but if they get infected and you are miles from nowhere, it becomes scary and maybe even life threatening. Bug bites, poison ivy, burns, and many other minor injuries can be treated with a properly stocked first aid kit. Spend the ten dollars; you’ll be glad you did.
Heavy footwear. Hiking boots are a very smart thing to bring camping. They reduce your risk of falling, they support your ankles, and if you should encounter a snake while camping, they can be the difference between a scare and a hospital trip. They also repel water better than any tennis shoe, so mud or puddles don’t completely ruin your good time. Some form of entertainment. Books, board games, a deck of cards, a radio, and even a portable DVD player for the kids or the tent can save the day if the camping trip becomes boring. Some things can be done at camp that you don’t have to pack, however. Singing songs or playing word games can be a big hit when folks get restless.
