| There's nothing like a camping trip with the | | | | portable water filter is your best bet to |
| family to create some unforgettable memories | | | | ensuring the water is safe to drink. These |
| and bonding time. Getting away from the daily | | | | filters remove bacteria, protozoa, viruses, |
| grind to explore the great outdoors can be | | | | and chemicals. |
| both relaxing and energizing. But before you | | | | |
| go, make sure you have made the necessary | | | | First Aid Kit |
| preparations with this essential camping gear | | | | |
| list: | | | | Definitely do not go camping without a first |
| | | | aid kit. Well-stocked first aid kits include: |
| Food | | | | bandages and gauze of various sizes, |
| | | | antiseptic cream, sterile wipes and rinse |
| Part of the fun of camping is having the | | | | solutions, pain medicine, tweezers and |
| opportunity to prepare and eat your meals | | | | scissors, sunburn relief spray, and |
| outdoors - the fresh smell of coffee and eggs | | | | anti-diarrhea medicine. |
| - wafting through the air. One easy breakfast | | | | |
| recipe, Hillbilly Trash Breakfast, uses | | | | Flashlight |
| aluminum foil to cook hash browns, eggs, | | | | |
| sausage or ham, and cheese together for a | | | | For those late-night calls to the bathroom, a |
| delicious start to the day with easy | | | | flashlight is essential. No matter how close |
| clean-up. And of course, no camping trip is | | | | you may be camped out near the facilities, |
| complete without a hot dog roast and s'mores | | | | you'll need a flashlight to see your way. |
| under the stars. | | | | Choose a sturdy flashlight that has been |
| | | | designed for outdoor use. |
| Sleeping bags | | | | |
| | | | Utility Knife |
| Sleeping bags come in various shapes and | | | | |
| sizes and use different materials for | | | | For all the tools that you use at the |
| insulation. Before choosing a sleeping bag, | | | | campground, a quality utility knife will be |
| consider what kind of camping you are going | | | | one of the most versatile. Always keep your |
| to do. Are you a summer weekend camper who | | | | utility knife clean and sharp. A dull knife |
| likes to head to a state park? Or maybe you'd | | | | is a dangerous instrument. Always hold the |
| like to try something more serious. For | | | | utility knife firmly by the handle and cut |
| casual campers who like to just get outdoors | | | | away from the body. Knives should not be used |
| during the warmer months, a basic sleeping | | | | to pry something open or as a screwdriver. |
| bag should suffice. For those who want to try | | | | |
| their hand at camping in cooler or more | | | | Rain Gear |
| inclement weather, consider a "mummy" | | | | |
| sleeping bag with insulation for up to zero | | | | Don't forget clothing for any inclement |
| degrees. | | | | weather you may encounter. That means a |
| | | | complete change of clothes, in case the ones |
| Tent | | | | you're wearing get wet. A rain jacket always |
| | | | comes in handy for when the weather turns |
| Tents come in many shapes, sizes, and styles. | | | | wet. |
| Make sure to really shop around before making | | | | |
| your purchase. Consider, are you a family of | | | | Lantern |
| four or more? A two-room tent might be ideal | | | | |
| for you. If you're just starting out with a | | | | Once the sun goes down, it can get pretty |
| spouse or friend, you could get by with a | | | | dark around the campsite, save the light from |
| two-person tent. Tents also come with or | | | | the campfire. Always bring along a lantern to |
| without screened-in porches, ideal for | | | | provide additional lighting. You can purchase |
| storing shoes and other miscellaneous items. | | | | a lantern fairly inexpensively. |
| | | | |
| Water | | | | Camp Stove |
| | | | |
| You'll need lots of water when camping - for | | | | Unless you're skillful at cooking over an |
| drinking and cooking. It's a good idea to | | | | open fire, a camp stove will be necessary for |
| stock up on individualized water bottles. For | | | | cooking most of your meals. Like lanterns, |
| those using water from a campground source, | | | | camp stoves are inexpensive items that use |
| you might need to sterilize it first. A | | | | the same fuels as lanterns. |