Master Camping List

This is the list we use to pack and check everything off when we go camping.  If you're new to camping, it's a pretty comprehensive list to start with.  :) Master Camping Packing List

Item

2 gallon bags (we put an outfit and pajamas in each one for each day...this way, if it falls in mud, it's still dry.  It's also easy to just take out four bags for everyone to dress for the day instead of rummaging through a bunch of clothes)

air mattresses

air pump

batteries

bbq tools

Bible boat

books

brushes

bungee cords

camera

camp chairs

cash

citronella candles

clean clothes/underwear

clothes pins

coal

coleman fuel

coleman stove

coolers (with shelves to keep food out of the ice water)

deoderant

directions and reservation information for campsite

dish basin

dish drain

dish soap

dish sponge

dishes/pots/pans/utensils

fire gloves

fire starter

firewood (we don't get this until we're near or at the campground because it's dangerous to surrounding trees to move wood from one area to another due to bug or disease infestation)

first aid kit

food

food bin

games/toys

grill

hamper (we have a collapsable one)

hand sanitizer

hand soap

insect repellent

jackets & hats

lanterns

laundry rope

life vests

light sticks (glow necklaces for night lights)

lighters

mallet

marshmallow sticks

mattress mats

medications/vitamins

mountain pie makers (we like the toas-tite pie iron)

pail

paper towels

pens/crayons/activities/paintbrush

pillows

plastic clips

portable toilet

pullups

radio

rug

sandals for camp

shovel/axe

shower soap, shampoo, conditioner, scrubbers

sleeping bags

socks/underwear/pj's

sos

sunscreen

table cloth

table cloth clamps

tea pot

tent/garage/footprint

tin foil

tissues

toilet bags

toilet paper

tooth brushes toothpaste

towels

trash bags

trash can

umbrellas/ponchos

waffle iron

walkie talkies

water dispenser

wet wipes

Camping

This is the fourth year we've gone camping.  There's always something difficult...the first year, which was very new to my DS who has autism, was the most difficult.  That year he banged his head so hard into my car that he broke a headlight.  He also hit me in the head repeatedly so that I started to vomit.  The second year, DS urinated all over the inside of the tent including everything in the tent, so I had to spend one whole day at the laundromat.  The third year we were completely broke that I didn't bring many new activities for the kids to do, and we couldn't go and do things around the area.  The kids got bored, and we left a day early.  This year, it poured for four of the five days we were there.  On the fourth day, DS got his finger stuck in the car door, so we went home early again.  The day we packed was the nicest day all week.  We wound up missing the urgent care hours anyway, and by the next day his finger looked okay, so we left early for nothing.  We were tired from being wet and cold all week.  In fact, on Tuesday, the high only got up to 63, so we were wearing fleece on July 25.  But, we had some nice family time, and it was nice to be out in nature.  Also, they built a new playground at the campground, and that was the biggest hit.  In between rainstorms, we had some campfires and some snuggles.  DD's hippo Harry went everywhere with us.  Soon we are planning to visit his brother William at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
DS loves camping now, and is generally very relaxed the whole time, which in itself is a major blessing.  I hope next year is better.  It's a cheap vacation, and just about all that's in our budget for now.