–Any other condiment or seasoning that you love and use often<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/noscript><\/p>\n\nWater and Drinks<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nWater is absolutely essential for survival and even more so when you are far from home or spending time in nature.\u00a0 If your campsite offers potable water, then you will be ahead of the game.<\/p>\n
Still, it doesn\u2019t hurt to bring along extra water just in case.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t have access to drinkable water, then bring along some kind of purification system such as tablets to purify any nearby water sources.<\/p>\n
Always make sure to bring more water than you think you\u2019ll need because you wouldn\u2019t want to run out when it\u2019s needed most.<\/p>\n
The starting calculation for how much water to bring depends on how long you will be camping, availability of water at your campsite, the weather (dry vs. humid), the number of people, your diet (will you be eating a lot of salty foods?), whether water is needed for cooking, and if you\u2019ll be active or more sedentary.<\/p>\n
If you plan to drink a lot of hot drinks, consider bringing along a thermos to keep them warm.\u00a0 Regular water bottles should be included too so everyone has water to drink and can take it with them while hiking. In addition to water, some other drinks to bring along camping include:<\/p>\n
\n–Coffee<\/li>\n –Tea bags<\/li>\n –Juice<\/li>\n –Milk<\/li>\n –Hot chocolate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/span>Cooking Supplies and Kitchenware<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nOnce you\u2019ve packed all your food, you\u2019ll need a way to store it, cook it, and eat it.\u00a0 These basic items are all you\u2019ll need to create a portable kitchen no matter where you\u2019re camping.<\/p>\n
\nCooler<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nA cooler is an ideal thing to bring camping because it serves so many purposes.\u00a0 It can be used to carry supplies, securely store food, and keep perishable foods cold.<\/p>\n
A sturdy enough one could also double as a seat or table for preparing food.\u00a0 Make sure to also bring ice packs to keep everything cold.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t have any, frozen fruits and veggies can be used as well as frozen juice boxes.<\/p>\n
\nCan Opener<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nChances are you\u2019ll be bringing along a lot of canned foods to use for cooking so; naturally, you\u2019ll need something to open them all up.\u00a0 Most can openers also double as bottle openers for opening a beer or other beverages in glass bottles.<\/p>\n
\nFoil<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nAluminum foil is a campers best friend because of its versatility and durability.\u00a0 You can wrap a potato in it to cook in the coals of your campfire and then use it to store leftovers.<\/p>\n
\nCleaning items<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nDoing the dishes might not be your favorite thing to do even at home, so it will present an added challenge while camping.<\/p>\n
However, it\u2019s a necessary evil and will make things easier come mealtime.\u00a0 Bringing along the basics like some cloths or old rags, a non-toxic or biodegradable dish soap, and a scrubber or sponge for pots and pans will help keep your dishes ready for cooking.<\/p>\n
Some paper towels will always be appreciated too and have many uses.<\/p>\n
\nCooking utensils<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nYour inner chef will thank you when it comes time to prep food for yourself and your fellow campers if you have the right tools.\u00a0 Frequent campers should consider buying camping utensils to use every time they are out in nature.<\/p>\n
The most frequently used items to pack with you include knives, spoon, spatula, and tongs.\u00a0 Another item most might not think of is pot holders to avoid burns when removing pots and pans from your campfire.<\/p>\n
\nCamping stove and fuel<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nWhen you\u2019re backcountry camping or staying at a campground without a dedicated grill and don\u2019t want to build your own fire, then a camping stove is the way to go.<\/p>\n
The only drawback is that the fuel is often heavy to carry along with you and they usually can\u2019t cook for large groups quickly.\u00a0 But, depending on your camping trip, they may be the perfect solution for your cooking needs.<\/p>\n
\nAirtight containers<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nTupperware or other plastic containers are not only necessary for food storage, but also to keep your campsite clean by preventing ants or other insects.\u00a0 Depending on the wildlife in the area, it\u2019s also a matter of safety, so you don\u2019t attract bears, for example.<\/p>\n
\nTrash bags<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nMuch like airtight containers, trash bags are also necessary for cleanliness and safety. Any trash should be disposed of properly, so it doesn\u2019t attract wildlife or pesky insects.<\/p>\n
Make sure to dispose of all your trash in the appropriate location at your campground, including bear-proof bins if applicable.<\/p>\n
\nCutting board<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nSome might say this is optional and use a plate or other hard surface such as a picnic table, but taking along a cutting board will make your life much easier.\u00a0 Food preparation on a clean, smooth, and stable surface will make it that much faster and less frustrating.<\/p>\n
\nEating utensils<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nUnless your camping menu only includes drinkable soups and handheld sandwiches or burgers, you\u2019ll definitely need the necessary utensils.\u00a0 Specialty camping utensils such as sporks or foldable items will save on room and mean you have less to pack.<\/p>\n
\nZiploc bags<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nAlthough these are listed under cooking supplies, Ziploc bags come in handy for just about any situation.\u00a0 Whether it\u2019s storing leftover foods or taking snacks with you on a hike, they are perfect for camping.<\/p>\n
They seal tight and, unlike hard plastic containers, they can fit into tight spaces, including coolers.\u00a0 Bring a variety of sizes from a sandwich to a quart-sized and use them for everything.<\/p>\n
\nFrying pan\/pots and pans<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\nIf your campsite has a grill and you only plan to cook things like hotdogs and hamburgers, then you won\u2019t need additional cookware.\u00a0 You can even do bacon right on a grill, and it will turn out fine.<\/p>\n
But if you plan to get a little more adventurous in your meal preparations and make things like eggs, pancakes, or pasta dishes, for example, you\u2019ll need a skillet.\u00a0 For soups make sure to bring along a pot which can also be used to boil water for coffee and tea.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re worried about the weight of your cookware, look for lightweight stainless steel or aluminum that can do double duty as bowls or cups to cut down on your packing list.<\/p>\n
<\/noscript><\/p>\n