What to bring when camping in the woods? For a simple family getaway, a weekend in the woods is ideal. A few days of simplicity will assist you in resetting and reconnecting, whether you tent camp or sleep in a camper. While packing for your first camping trip may seem difficult, keep in mind that you may often borrow equipment from relatives and friends and that many of the items advised are not required for what you want to do.
The most fundamental of necessities for a weekend camping trip—without or with the children—are included in this list. You already know you will need plenty of extra clothing and soap if you are bringing them, but they will have a good time doing it!
Essentials For Camping In The Woods
Tent
Even if you love sleeping under the stars, having other emergencies or a tent shelter on hand is recommended. Otherwise, a late-night downpour, freak snowstorm, or sticky dew is likely to drench you, making you furious and susceptible to hypothermia. A tent can also protect you and your belongings from strong winds. Bring along all of the needed accessories, including rope, tent poles, stakes, and a rain fly, whether you choose the best two-person tent or a larger cabin-style tent.
Water Bottle
Water is critical for survival in the great outdoors, and the further off the beaten path you go, the more rapidly it seems to run out. The ultimate thing any camper wants is to be stranded without water, especially since drinking from a pond or lake might result in serious illness due to germs. Carry a day’s supply of the wet stuff in a Camelbak or other large container, no matter how near your vehicle is to the wilderness area you are exploring. Then, if necessary, carry a filter or water purification tablets with you in case you must refill from a nearby stream.
Sleeping Bag
It may be enticing to lie on a bed of moss and leaves when it gets dark, but you will not stay warm when the sun goes down. Temperatures drop significantly at night, sometimes by 20 degrees or more. Keep in mind that many insects are most active at night and may discover your unwrapped body. It is not uncommon to sleep cold when camping because you do not have a sleeping bag. Sleep may be uncomfortable at the very best, or even dangerous if you go without one. And if you have ever attempted to camp with your children, you know that they will toss and turn all night long unless they are wearing a kid’s sleeping bag.
First Aid Kit
Even a lengthy day of trekking might end in blisters that must be treated, and even minor cuts and abrasions can quickly become infected if left untreated. Keep bandages and antiseptic on hand in case of small wounds or scrapes that might develop infections quickly. Other items to add to your first-aid kit include scissors, tape, gauze, soap, a CPR mouth barrier, and an emergency whistle. Also include bottles of sunscreen and insect repellent in your pack. Sunburn and bug bites can ruin your trip as quickly as any laceration.
Map And Compass (Or A Charged GPS)
Do not go on a trip without a map and compass or GPS if you are planning to explore remote regions. Forest features might become unfamiliar as the sun moves across the sky, causing hikers to lose their bearings. Unprepared campers have been known to disappear into the woods for days before being rescued or finding their way back to camp. It is no laughing matter to become lost or stranded in a wooded area with a limited water supply. Even if your children only want to go down to the nearest creek from your campsite, make sure they have a means of retreat available.
Fire Starter
You can not have camping without a crackling campfire, so you will need the equipment to get one going fast. A steel and lint, cigarette lighter, matches, or a magnesium fire starter may all be used to start fires in campers. If you choose matches, be sure they are waterproof. It is a good idea to bring two fire starters in case one fails. Bring a waterproof container with some dry bark or strips of newspaper on hand as well. Finding dry kindling when you need it may be difficult in the wild.
Weather-Appropriate Clothing And Rain Gear
Because camping entails only a few changes of clothing, it is critical to maintaining them dry. In colder climes, walking around in damp apparel is not just unpleasant, but it can also be deadly if you suffer from hypothermia. Wet clothing is also heavy equipment, making carrying a backpack uncomfortable and difficult. Choose a waterproof, lightweight, rain jacket that can handle many layers of clothing. If your jacket won’t cover all of your gear, consider purchasing an extra rain bag to protect it.
Toilet Paper
To many hardy individuals, toilet paper may be seen as an unnecessary luxury in the wild, but many campers swear by its importance. In terms of comfort and hygiene, bark and leaves are poor alternatives for latrine duty, and a chapped rear end can be uncomfortable to sit on. Camping in the wilderness might be inconvenient at times, but it is still possible. If you need to use the restroom while camping in a forest, keep this in mind: Some campsites with restrooms have reported running out of paper on occasion. Purchase some that biodegrade or take a trash bag for disposal if you are camping deep in the woods and concerned about using toilet paper’s environmental effect.
Pocket Knife
The pocket knife is the greatest all-around outdoor tool. A knife may be used to cut a rope, dice bait, trim fishing line, slice cheese or sausage, open a stubbornly sealed package, deal with tangled vines, skin a small animal, or tighten a screw. Such activities would be near impossible without the use of a knife. Expect to feel irritated if you don’t bring your knife with you–often.
Lantern, Flashlight, Or Head Lamp
A campfire may be lovely and bright for a few feet in all directions, but it is not really suitable for keeping you or your belongings safe. A portable, battery-operated light is useful if you need to find something within your tent or go to the latrine at night. Because of their hands-free convenience, many campers claim headlamps as the best alternative.
