| Besides the tent, sleeping bags, and cooler there are | | | | serve as a backup for each other should one method |
| many essentials that must be brought in order to have | | | | become inoperable. Be sure to bring screwdrivers, a |
| a successful, enjoyable camping trip. Depending upon | | | | hammer, and a camp knife. Also keep a fire |
| the environment where the camping trip will be, these | | | | extinguisher handy just in case. Finally, some duct tape |
| essentials can vary according to the terrain, whether, | | | | should be packed. Duct tape can fix unseen tears in |
| and any flora and fauna that may be encountered. | | | | tent material that become a problem should it start to |
| Also, who is going on the trip must be considered - | | | | rain, plus it has many other uses. |
| children may require different gear from adults. | | | | All the items already mentioned are essential for a |
| A first aid kit is absolutely essential no matter the | | | | successful, headache free trip. Other items that should |
| camping environment or the makeup of the group | | | | be brought include personal hygiene items like |
| making the trip. Camping trips, by definition, are to | | | | toothbrushes/toothpaste, shampoo, a mirror, brush, etc. |
| areas away from civilization and should an injury occur | | | | Be sure to pack toilet paper and a shovel for when |
| it could be some time before professional medical | | | | nature calls. If you're camping in the summer time be |
| attention is available. That's why it is so important to | | | | sure to pack sunscreen and lip balm. Lip balm is a nice |
| have a first aid kit packed for the trip. | | | | item to have during the colder months also. Be sure to |
| In every first aid kit, there should be a flashlight with | | | | bring bug repellent and some bug candles. Bug candles |
| working batteries. Be sure to check that the flashlight | | | | when lit help keep away the bugs from your campsite. |
| works before leaving home. This flashlight should be | | | | There are also some simple items to bring that can |
| additional to other flashlights more casually used. It's | | | | increase the comfort level when sleeping in a tent. Cut |
| there in case of an emergency and other flashlights | | | | down a piece of carpet to the size of your tent and |
| are not available. Also, the kit should contain a whistle. | | | | place it inside when the tent is up. This will provide a |
| The whistle has a dual purpose - a method for locating | | | | great comfort enhancement to the hard ground. A |
| lost campers and for scaring off wild animals. There | | | | camping stove will greatly enhance the camping |
| should be a whistle for every person in the group and | | | | experience when it's time to eat. While it is fun to cook |
| they should be worn whenever a trek into the | | | | on the open campfire this can be impractical when |
| wilderness is begun. Also, the kit needs tweezers, cloth | | | | cooking hamburger meat or fish, but it is perfect for |
| bandage for wrapping sprains, etc., band-aids for small | | | | roasting marshmallows. Also, campers might consider |
| abrasions, anti-itch cream, burn cream, aloe vera for | | | | investing in a cooler that operates off a car battery. |
| sunburns, a thermometer to check for fevers, | | | | These are really small refrigerators that plug into the |
| antiseptic (Listerine works), pain medicine (Tylenol, | | | | cigarette lighter. These eliminate the need for ice - |
| Ibuprofen, or aspirin), and a first-aid handbook that can | | | | which melts, of course. |
| provide guidance in the case of an emergency. | | | | Be sure to research the area where the camping trip |
| In addition to the first aid kit, basic necessities and tools | | | | will occur so you know what to expect. Sometimes, if |
| should be packed. Pack flashlights for adults, and one | | | | bears are active it is recommended that food be kept |
| for each child if children will be camping - this will avoid | | | | away from campers to avoid confrontations. Also, at |
| arguments on who gets to use the flashlight. Battery | | | | certain times of the year poisonous snakes may be |
| powered headlamps can provide light for nighttime | | | | about or poison ivy could be abound. Be sure to look |
| activities. Campfires do not provide adequate light for | | | | into this before embarking on any camping trip to |
| nighttime cooking, for example. Wooden matches and | | | | ensure you are ready for what might come up. |
| a lighter are always needed for lighting campfires and | | | | |