7 Camping Necessities

   

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    When I'm packing for a 1 night camping trip there are a ton of things that are fun to have on your trip like fishing gear, but you need to ensure that the must havesvget packed. Now let’s talk about what I think are the 7 must haves for a 1 night camping trip:

1. Hammock/Tent 

    You can’t forget shelter. My preferred form of shelter depends on the time year. During the summer and early fall I prefer hammock camping, hammocks are lightweight and the only gear required is the hammock, hammock straps, and i like to bring a tarp to keep the morning dew off of me. For the rest of the year I use a tent. This means bringing the following items: the tent, tarp/ground cloth, and a hammer.

Tent: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014LSDUA8/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_apa_gl_i_VJZY0DE8EJ1WQQDB047T?linkCode=ml2&tag=seawolf01-20

Hammock: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V16MC9H/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_apa_gl_i_C051B8Z2JN3JRD5SF7JS?linkCode=ml2&tag=seawolf01-20

2. Sleeping gear (sleeping bag, pad, pillow)

    Sleeping gear includes: sleeping bag or bed roll, sleeping pad, a sheet, and a pillow. There are a lot of different options for sleeping bags and it can be difficult to know whether you need the zero degree bag or the summer bag, well the solution I use is to use a sleeping bag in cold weather and a bed roll when it is warmer. A bed roll consists of a bedsheet and a blanket or two, this is ideal for warm whether camping and hammock camping. If tent camping is the way you are going for the weekend then a sleeping pad and pillow are preferred so that a more comfortable sleep can be attained, they will keep you off the ground a little more and allow for better temperature regulation.

3. Flashlight/headlamp/lantern

    Lighting Is a necessity when doing anything outdoors especially if you want the fun to continue past sunset. There are 2 primary types of lights that can be utilized: flashlights and lanterns. Obviously each one has its own purpose. If the goal is general area lighting then a lantern is the right choice, however, if the goal is better lighting for a specific spot then a flashlight will be better.

4. Camp Chairs

    Camp chairs are an item that make camping more enjoyable. It gives you somewhere to sit while you eat or just hangout with friends and family. There are different types of camping chairs as well as brand, my preferred chair is the Ozark trail oversized chair. There are also different types of chairs that can be used such as lawn chairs, and collapsable stools. Lawn chairs are good because they are cheap and versatile but they can be a little clunky. The lightest weight seating option is a collapsable stool. 

Basic chair: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NTONHP4/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_apa_gl_i_CPF929TPZV20K8B0XCP1?linkCode=ml2&tag=seawolfoutdoo-20

Heavy duty chair: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PVK5DHM/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_apa_gl_i_ZKD1KN6M7GWE8AMSH5M0?linkCode=ml2&tag=seawolfoutdoo-20

Stool: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QWC29LB/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_apa_gl_i_VNBRJHEGTX912BDJ6B70?linkCode=ml2&tag=seawolfoutdoo-20

5. Stove

    There are many different types of camp stoves, wood fed, charcoal, propane, and sterno fueled stoves are a few of the most commonly used ones, propane stoves and sterno stoves are great because all you have to do is turn it on and cook. Wood fed stives are my preference based on cost and fuel, these can be homemade or purchased in a store. Last but not least is the charcoal stove/grill, this is probably one of the more common ways to cook when camping, it is very good and easy. The primary downside to both charcoal and a wood stove is that it its more difficult to regulate the cooking temperature 

6. Dishes(pots/pans, cup, utensils

    The dishes that are needed for a camping trip can vary depending on the method of cooking, and what food is going to be eaten over the course of the trip. I recommend always bringing a camping dish as these are usually a cross between a plate and a bowl, a good cup that will work for hot or cold liquids, as well as a fork and spoon. Aside from these eating dishes a pan and a pot are usually recommended. I like to include a stainless steel kettle with my cooking equipment as long as I am not hiking to the campsite.

7. Firestarter 

    The last item on today’s list is firestarter. Firestarter comes in many forms, the main three are lighters, matches, and flint & steel. Each one has their own benefits for example flint and steel are reusable, despite their practicality. This is my least favorite when recommending options, this is because they can take a little more time and skill. Next we have matches, these are great with their main downside being that they are only good for one use. Last we have lighters, there are different types of lighters such as cigarette lighters, BBQ lighters, and Zippo lighters. Of these, a cigarette lighter is the cheapest and easiest to find. BBQ lighters are great for lighting things without getting too close, these are my favorite for camping. Zippo lighters are useful because they do not get blown out by the wind as easy as the other types of firestarter. The drawback with Zippo’s is that their fuel does not last very long and you have to refill them often.

 Now that you have seen my list of the 7 most important camping items can you think of anything that you would add to the list? If so, subscribe and leave a comment below of what you would pack. Feel free to also comment any topics you would like to read about

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