Camping List

I provide this for those of you out there, who also like to be prepared. (scouts, I’m looking at you)

We like to go camping. We don’t go as often as we would like, but a key to camping when the weather presents itself is to be prepared. My parents had a picnic basket that we used when I was younger. It’s an honest to God, wicker and wood picnic basket with a hinged top. Years later I found one just like it at a garage sale and I bought it instantly.


We try and keep our picnic basket well stocked. The key is to repack it immediately after a trip so you can replenish what you used and add what ever it was you inevitably forgot. This last trip we needed flash lights, dish soap and a metal spatula.
The list was compiled after a camping trip last year that was tangentially related to a girl scout camp out in which the troop leader was not as prepared as she would have liked and asked what we kept in our picnic basket.  It's a work in progress as we continue to forget things or otherwise lack an item that can be packed ahead of time.

I use Ziploc bags to store like items together. They are inexpensive, light and see through.
** Not everything on the list can be packed ahead of time because of expiration dates, it may not fit in the container of your choice, or safety issues.


Fire!
• Matches
• Lighters
• fire sticks
• fire starters (we use cotton balls dipped in Vaseline, cheap, waterproof and very effective)

Let there be light!
• flash lights
• batteries**
• Lantern
• lantern fuel **
• extra wicks/mantles

Cooking
• cast iron skillet**
• small camp stove (the kind that can be attached to a small propane tank)
• propane tank(s)**
• aluminum foil
• roasting skewers
• (enamel) dish set (mugs, deep plates, pot, pan)


Seasoning
• salt
• pepper
• other spices (like Tony’s)
• kosher salt (also used to clean cast iron)


Utensils
• Forks
• Spoons
• Knives
• metal spatula
• tongs
• can opener: hand turn and key kind
• hook and line
• carving knives
• fillet knives


Dry Foods
• Nuts/dried fruit/trail mix
• instant breakfast cereals (oat meal/grits)
• hot chocolate
• condiment packs (catsup, mustard)


Cooking Oils
• vegetable oil
• lard


Clean up and Potholders
• 1 to 2 pot holders
• 2 dish towels
• 1 scrubber sponge/wash cloth
• 1 bottle camp soap (all purpose biodegradable soap you can use on dishes and to wash your hair if necessary).
• 1 small bottle Dish soap


Trash
• Several trash bags
• Several grocery bags


Better to be prepared
• toilet paper
• Paper Towels


Other things you probably will forget
• Sun block
• Bug Repellent
• Anti-septic (alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or witch hazel)


First Aid Supplies (this doesn’t replace a proper first aid kit. You should bring one of those too)
• Band-aids
• Salve
• Headache medicine
• Diarrhea medicine
• antiseptic wipes
• hand sanitizer
• Chapstick

What have you forgotten when you went camping?