Our Summer Campouts

Summer and outdoors are pretty much synonymous.  What would summer be without the ability to enjoy playing and camping in the great outdoors?  After going on several camping trips this summer I realized that I needed a checklist; something to help me remember all of the little things that I thought would make sense to bring, but that in the heat of the packing moment got lost in the shuffle.

We have a fairly large family and did tent camping, so our list reflects both of those things.  I broke the list down into these categories:

General Camping Supplies:

• Tents and Tarps
• Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Mats, Airbeds and Extra Blankets (for cooler nights)
• Lanterns
• Flashlight for each person and extra batteries
• Firewood
• Folding Table
• Camp Chairs

Kitchen and Cooking Supplies:

• Camp Stove and Propane
• Matches and/or Lighter
• Large Kettle, Pans and Griddle
• Cooking Utensils-Fork, Spoons, Spatula, Tongs, Can Opener
• Paper Plates, Cups, Plastic Silverware
• Ziplock bags-Gallon, Quart, Sandwich
• Coolers For Cold Food at Camp and a Smaller one for Day Trips
• Large Bowl for serving
• Foil and Plastic Wrap
• Small Dish Drainer, Dish Soap and Sponge
• Garbage Bags
• Paper Towels and Napkins, Table Cloths
• 5 Gallon Cooler or container for water
• Our Must-Have Food Items:
• Salt/Pepper, Oil/Cooking Spray, Seasoned Salt, Cinnamon and Sugar
• Marshmallows, Chocolate and Graham Cracker for the ubiquitous and mandatory S'more
• Breakfast:  Cereal, Instant Oatmeal, PopTarts, Cereal Bars, Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Bread, Pancake Mix, Syrup, Butter, Fresh Fruit, Milk
• Lunch:  Lunchmeat and cheese, Mayo, Mustard, Catsup, Relish, Baby Carrots, Tuna, Salad Dressing, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chips, Hummus, Salsa, Bread
• Dinner:  Hot Dogs and Bratwurst, Hamburgers, Foil Dinners, Chili or Stew
• Dessert:  S’mores, Brownies, Rice Crispie Treats, Cookies

Laundry/Bathroom:

• Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Shampoo
• Insect Repellant, Sunscreen
• Towels for Showers and Beach Towels
• Flip Flops for Showers
• First Aid Kit
• Toilet Paper (just in case)
• Small bottle of Laundry Soap
• Stain fighter for stubborn camping stains like Clorox2
• Personal Items:  (Each person is in charge of packing their own, or can have help from Mom)
• Clothes; enough for every day changes and extra socks in case of getting wet
• Swim trunks or bathing suit
• Appropriate shoes
• Extra toiletries, above and beyond the basics
• Books and games and Outdoor toys

We usually camp with other families and have a potluck or BBQ for our dinner, but I make pasta, macaroni, or potato salad and bring lots of fresh fruit and veggies for salads, too.   Having a list for what to bring has kept it a little bit less hectic and stressful, and allows me to have the kids take charge of some of it, too.

Playing outside together builds the family bonds and shows you what you're really made of.  And being prepared for it makes all the sweeter!  Take the Clorox2 Play 2Day Pledge and play outside today!   http://clorox2play2day.com

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Clorox2® blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.


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If you would like a list to print for yourself, download one here:   Tent Camping Checklist