Making a camping list… What is practical? Do you like to get in with the great outdoors by cuddling with your loved ones around a campfire making Smore’s? Do you like to hike through the woods and see all that God has given us? Camping is the best way to accomplish all of that.

Some campers have gotten the packing down to a science on what they can leave behind and what they can’t do without. How long will you be gone is the most important question you need to ask yourself before going on a camping trip. This will allow you to know how much food to take as well as staple supplies.

If you are only going to be gone a few days then the less stuff that you will have to pack. The cheapest and easiest way to camp would be to eat simple sandwiches and snacks such as chips. For these types of meals you will need to load your cooler with sandwich sliced meat, condiments of your choice, ice and drinks. The only other item that would be sufficient is paper towels or paper plates. This is a simple meal that anyone can fix.

Most experienced campers go all out just as if they were home taking kitchen ware, dish soap and a rag to clean your dishes, food items and cutting boards if you plan on slicing anything up. I have found from experience that we do the sandwich thing for busy days and we fix larger meals for breakfast and supper. Fixing these kinds of meals is more time consuming but your packing list grows.

There are other staple items that you need also when planning a camping trip such as a tent, sleeping bags, cots, pillows, toiletry items, propane cylinders if you plan on taking a gas grill, tarp, bug spray, snack food are just a few.

Camping is an enjoyment that all families of any ages can enjoy. Your family may be on the high maintenance end and need more than this simple list. This list was prepared by an avid camper who has five children that tries to keep camping down to a bear minimal.