What to take camping?

I responded to a similar question for another myLot member, as did several other people. I don't want to copy/paste other people's responses so here is a link to that discussion http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/921827.aspx There is a lot of good info there.

Here's a few things I can think of: Bug spray Sun screen Toys to keep the kids entertained-things to dig with and cars to drive all over would be good First aid kit Wet wipes Towels/washcloths Flashlight Clothesline and finally, A Sense of Humor.

You will need to take lots of food- snacky items Bug spray sleeping bags plus extra blankets pillows lots of clothes pots/pans grill- charcoal dish soap to wash dishes for next use smore stuff lighter fluid to start campfire if all else fails activities to do we always take our bikes sunscreen hats plates/silverware/paper towels garbage bags book to read- I love camping- I am sure there is alot more- but this is all I can think of off the top of my head- Packing for camping is alot of work- but it is so much fun!

Make a list of all the meals that you will be having, then you can sort out you food. Blankets,camping gear as in torch,bbq and other necessities.

Instead of suggesting what to bring, I'm going to do just the opposite. Instead of bringing dish soap, shampoo, soap for washing hands/showering, and toothpaste...buy liquid camp soap that is concentrated and does a great job of all of the above including washing clothes. I believe walmart or kmart sells it in the camping isles. I buy mine online at campmor.com . Instead of bring something to wash dishes in, use the biggest dirty pot to fill with dishwater using camp soap and wash all the dishes in that, washing the pot last. I just saved you some time and space on packing. If you plan on doing alot of camping, it would be wiser to just buy a camp set that includes the necessary pots/pans/dishes/cups and buy the metal camp utensils. You store them all in one stuff sack and will be one less thing you have to buy/chase down in cuboards for when it's time to go camping. Why bring a grill and charcoal when you can cook right over the campfire? They even have folding grills that you could put right over the fire if needed in the camping department of walmart,kmart, target. Instead of lighter fluid to start your campfire, they also sell firesticks that do a great job of getting a fire started, again in the camping isles of the stores I mentioned. I could go on and on. lol I used to backpack alot so learned to get by with only what's really necessary and still do when we go camping now.

We do quite a bit of camping with our children, currently they're 18, 14 and 5; but we started taking the little guy when he was only 4 weeks old! I have a system I try to stick to for packing & it works well. The first order of business is to make sure the house is clean; you don't want to come home to a mess & it'll make it easier to see what you need to bring. Use either the kitchen table or your bed as the spot to gather things on. You want a big surface. Start in one room & gather up what you'll need, putting it on the table as you go. Don't pack anything yet, keep it all out so you can see it. Having it all sitting out, you're husband or older kids should be able to also look at it & make suggestions. And you'll be able to spot when you've doubled an item, carrying extra stuff is almost as bad as forgetting stuff in my opinion. We pack our kitchen stuff in a big rubbermaid tote and our bathroom stuff in a smaller version of the same tote.

travel light ,my dear.the more you bring means it is gonna make your camping a nightmare.do not carry things you thought you might need.camping should be fun and not comfortable.camping is an adventure with nature.bing only the essentials.first aid,enough meat and canned goods ,your tent and beddings of course ,stories to tell,activities in the wild,bonding activities with your love ones.utility swiss knives.for emergencies,radio and cellphones.that's it you are ready to go!do not bring your house.