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Family Camping Checklist

Use this camping checklist as a guide when planning for a family camping trip.

Shelter

  • Tent
  • Tent pegs
  • Mallet
  • Ground sheet
  • Poly tarp
  • Extra rope or cord
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • Cot
  • Blankets and sheets
  • Pillow
  • Air pump
  • Tent repair kit

Food Preparation and Cooking

  • Campstove and fuel
  • Cooler
  • Ice or ice substitutes
  • Large water jug
  • Reusable water bottles
  • Thermos
  • Pots and pans
  • Pot grabber
  • Griddle and dutchoven
  • Coffee pot or kettle
  • Mixing bowls and food storage containers
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Ziplock bags
  • Storage containers
  • Plastic tablecloth and clamps
  • Cups, plates, bowls, and eating utensils
  • Salt and pepper
  • Seasonings and condiments
  • Trash bags
  • Biodegradable dish soap
  • Paper towel
  • Dish cloth or sponge
  • Clothes pins
  • Potholders or oven mitts
  • Ladel, spatula, and serving spoon
  • Tongs
  • Can and bottle opener
  • Cork screw
  • Fire grate

Miscellaneous

  • Water filter
  • Insect repellent and bite salve
  • Firewood
  • Solar camp shower
  • Two way radios
  • First aid kit
  • Safety pins
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Small sewing kit
  • Duct tape
  • Travel alarm clock
  • Notepad and pen
  • Camera and film
  • Tripod
  • Binoculars
  • Map
  • Compass
  • Day pack
  • Child carrier
  • Fishing gear
  • Whisk broom

Basic Camping Equipment
  • Lantern and fuel
  • Extra mantles
  • Matches and lighter
  • Headlamp and flashlight
  • Extra batteries
  • Folding table for stove and cooler
  • Radiant catalytic heater (cold weather)
  • Camp chairs and table
  • Multi-tool or pocket knife
  • Axe or hatchet
  • Camp saw
  • Folding shovel
  • Rope or cord

Personal Items

  • Toothbrush and paste
  • Biodegradable shampoo and conditioner
  • Razor and shaving cream
  • Soap in holder
  • Medications and supplements
  • Deodorant
  • Mirror
  • Quickdry washcloths and towels
  • Brush or comb
  • Toilet paper
  • Moist toilettes
  • Sunscreen and lip balm
  • Sunglasses

Clothing

  • Weatherproof jacket
  • Insulating layers, jacket, sweater, and vest
  • Pants and shorts
  • T-shirts
  • Socks and underwear
  • Pyjamas
  • Swimsuit
  • Raingear
  • Toque and gloves
  • Sunhat or ball cap
  • Hiking shoes and boots
  • Sandals

For Kids and Fun

  • Travel games
  • Cards
  • Books and magazines
  • Frisbee
  • Colouring book and crayons

Friendly advice

  • Use biodegradable soap, or go soapless with hot water for dishwashing, bathing, and clothes washing.
  • Dispose of wastewater at least 100 feet away from natural water sources, to prevent contamination.
  • Sort and pack each day of your children’s’ clothes within individual ditty bags in their travel bag. Your child can grab a bag in the morning and have a full set of clothes for the day, and at night they can stuff the dirty ones back in the bag, thus not mixing up their clean and dirty clothes.
  • Plan a simple menu for all meals to help reduce trash and waste, pack weight and dependence on campfires for cooking.
  • Measure and combine dry ingredients in Ziploc bags prior to packing. Make sure you label the bag for the appropriate meal.

Get outdoors and get giddy.

Download this checklist (PDF)