Weekend Camping Trip What to Bring

Updated on June 08, 2012
J.M. asks from Doylestown, PA
13 answers

Ok so were going last minute (well we've been talking about going for a few weeks but never packed or got ready=) )
we're leaving tonight and both have work, and Emmy has school

I want it to be cheap, hence camping for the weekend for a mini vacation (13 a day beats a hotel=) )
so what should we bring? make it easy, cheap and last minute worthy please

I already know
tent
sleeping bags
pillows
clothes
bathing suits
towels
hot dogs
buns
smoores
juice boxes
water
beach toys
tooth bruses and toiletries
what else?

I don't want to go crazy and pack too much. what are the bare essenials?

1 mom found this helpful

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J.S.

answers from Columbia on

MATCHES
charcoal
sunscreen
baseball hats for everyone
sweatshirts/jeans for evenings
extra car keys
1st aide kit
donuts for breakfast (easy/no cooking)

3 moms found this helpful

More Answers

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Bug repellent and a first aid kit.

Wouldn't hurt to check your cell phone's coverage area.

Some type of fire starter.

Tarp.

4 moms found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

B. spray, toilet paper (bathrooms WILL run out,) first aid kit. Those are things I never camp without.

3 moms found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

You mentioned hot dogs. Is that for lunch and dinner for 2 days? How about PBJ for lunch. Chips on the side or pretzels. What's for breakfast? Pop tarts, cereal bars? Dry cereal in a cup? Fill zip lock bags for individual servings rather than bringing a big box that takes up space. Toys for the tent for some down time? CAMERA AND BATTERIES! Extra lighters. Music. Toilet paper cuz some places run out and don't fill it back up quickly. Band aids and baby wipes and extra zip lock bags for quick storage.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

3 moms found this helpful

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

over the years, things i have forgotten and regretted ....

extra batteries for camera and flashlight
bugspray/sunscreen
1st aid kit - bandaids, anti-itch cream, tylenol
tinfoil
can opener
toilet paper

3 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Do you have a camp stove or are you cooking over a fire/grill? You'll need matches, a pot to cook in, and what about breakfast, plate/cup/bowl/utensils, etc? You also need a light, either a lantern or a big flashlight, with extra batteries, and a couple of heavy duty garbage bags. A dishpan is helpful too, not J. for cleaning your dishes, you can transport them in it as well.
Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Don't forget the flashlights. And a can opener/bottle opener is always useful.

Do you have camp chairs? I like a place to sit.

paper towels/TP.

Have fun!

2 moms found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Atlanta on

depending how long you go, that sounds good. if there is electricsity i would bring and extention cord, due to at night i always hot hot, and would use a fan... also the cord is useful bc i also brought a radio, for when i was cooking.
Now you got M. wanting to go camping...

1 mom found this helpful
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F.B.

answers from New York on

if you plan on staying during inclement weather - a deck of cards, crayons, fire starter. I always pack salt & pepper and condiments, although I guess you could do without. breakfast food, trail mix, bananas.

have a great trip.
F. B.

1 mom found this helpful

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

Sunscreen, bug spray, pb&j, granola bars, cards, paper towel...

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

It all depends on where you're going and what type of camping you're doing. This would all be good for a simple sleepover at a park reserve or wooded lake resort located next to conveniences like stores and shelters and a clinic or hospital that is at least within a half an hour's distance from the camp site. But heaven help you if you were going somewhere like Yellow Stone or the BWCA for instance and only bringing what you've listed here.

If you are going to be really roughing it, planning on hiking or camping in a fairly remote place, don't worry about over-packing. Safety should be your main concern. I'd make sure you had first and foremost clean drinking water (enough for each person for each day of the trip), an adequate first aid kit for injuries more serious than minor bumps and scrapes, cell phones, a weather radio so you will know when dangerous weather is moving in, walkie talkies if people plan on hiking or biking on remote trails or breaking off into groups or going somewhere alone, materials for making a fire, a camp stove, mess kit, sewing kit, rain slickers, extra socks, waterproof shoes/boots, sunscreen, bug repellent, flash lights, propane heater if it gets cold at night where you are staying such as a mountainous area for instance, a camp sink to wash mess kit, fishing gear, axe, knives for cleaning fish if fishing is part of the weekend, mosquito netting, depending on the type of predators in the area you will be, get appropriate protection (ie. bear repellant as they like to raid food supplies). Life vests or floatation devices if you will be near water or boating. Make sure all food can be secured in sealed containers and the smell is well contained. Make sure you have adequate female sanitary supplies, toilet paper, and a way to clean up and dispose of wastes so as to not invite "guests." A sun shower (get at camp store and sometimes Target or Walmart) is a nice perk if you will be there a while and don't want to do a simple wipe down in the morning.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.F.

answers from Bloomington on

Cooler with ice,
Premade drinks (tea, lemonade) made in gallon milk jugs and frozen
snacks that are easy to eat - minimal trash.
trash bags, zip bags,
scissors, duct tape, rope, tarp
fan, lantern/light, extension cord

We like our airbeds. We take those and an air pump.

Pack what you need, and what will cost an arm and a leg to rebuy.

And definitely take the extra set of car keys!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.A.

answers from Cheyenne on

i agree with all that everyone has said, only thing I would add is fresh water. Even if cam site offers some. Where we like to cam has some but it smells and looks a bit funky, So bring some big jugs of fresh water, or a case or 2 of bottled water
Have a Blast!!!
J. saw you had water on the list.....Narff....Sorry....nm then. Boy is my face red now

1 mom found this helpful
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