Getting Started

The following is a list of gear you will need to embark on your first camping trip. I have organized them as follows:
  • The Basics: These are items you absolutely need.
  • Nice to Have: These are items that are not critical but do make for a better camping experience.
  • Luxury: These are items that are somewhat ridiculous and totally unnecessary but do add comfort to the camping trip.

THE BASICS
  • Tent: The essentials of life are food, clothing, shelter - a good tent takes care of the latter. When deciding which tent to buy, there are a few factors to consider. Most tents will show a layout of how many people can fit in the tent, typically the drawing is in a very awkward layout, with people positioned like Tetris blocks. Realistically, you need think of the number of people in your family group, and if you will use an air mattress, camp pads or a cot (see below). Plus you will also need some spare room to keep your gear out of the elements. For example, my tent footprint (Coleman Tuscana - now discontinued) is 16' x 10' - huge but gives enough room for 2 full size & 1 queen size air mattresses with a bit of room for gear. The bigger size also allows me to invite other single mom's with me on trips as I have room to spare. Your tent should provide adequate ventilation so count the number of windows. Your tent should also include a rain fly, which is a water-resistant cover that goes over the tent to provide shade and protection from rain. Most of the moderately priced tents will get you through spring, summer and fall camping. If you plan on doing any winter camping (you crazy, brave soul), invest in a better quality tent that can withstand the cold temperatures and high winds.
    • You will also need a ground tarp for your tent. The tarp should be the same size or slightly smaller than the footprint of the tent. If it is larger, it can cause water to pool around the tent (I learned this lesson the hard way). Those basic blue tarps you can get and any home improvement store is fine, or you can search the web for more durable options.
  • Sleeping Bag: Invest in a decent, comfortable sleeping bag. Sleeping bags come in two basic shapes - rectangular or "mummy" shaped. I personally own the rectangular as they are less expensive and you can zip two bags together to make a big bag if you wish to share your bag with your child or partner, plus I am a side sleeper and find the rectangular bags more comfortable. Mummy bags will keep you warmer but since I typically camp in warmer months this was not a priority for me. Sleeping bags are also temperature rated. You should consider the areas you will do most of your camping and what the lowest night time temperature will be. Most of the bags I own are rated for 30-40 degrees. They can be a bit warm but I tend to camp in the Catskills and Adirondack mountain regions of NY and it does get very chilly at night - even in August. You can always unzip the bag to cool off if it is too warm. I also prefer bags which have a fleece or cotton flannel lining as I find those that have the sleek nylon/poly lining uncomfortable since your skin may stick to the bag. 
  • Mattress/Pad/Cot: I consider myself a tough woman but not so tough that I can sleep on the cold, hard ground for any number of days. To provide some warmth and cushion between yourself and the ground you will need either an air mattress, camping pad or camping cot. If you're camping with infants or young toddlers, you should have a portable crib or playpen. Some hard core campers would consider these items a luxury or "nice to have" but if you have children and want them to sleep at night, it's essential. Here's the difference between the three: 
    • You should be familiar with an air mattress (like aerobed) however for camping make sure you purchase an air mattress which has a battery operated or long-lasting rechargeable air pump. Those which have an embedded pump with a plug will do you no good if you don't have access to electricity. You can choose to buy a full or queen mattress to allow multiple campers to sleep together.
    • Camp pads are much thinner and pack smaller than air mattresses and come in several varieties. The foam camp pads look like giant yoga mats and either roll up or fold up depending on the design. Then there are inflatable camp pads - some of which must be blown up manually, some which are self inflating. Camp pads do tend to have a smaller profile but typically only come in a single-user size so you would need one for each camper. They are also considerably more expensive than an air mattress.
    • Cots will keep you completely off the ground. They are typically more bulky than air mattresses or camp pads. However they are usually more comfortable than a camp pad and don't require any inflation. I have never owned one personally but having ended up on the floor with a leaky air mattress, I can see the attraction to the cot. Again though cots come in single-user size so one would be needed for each camper.
  • Lanterns: There are two basic types of lanterns: fuel operated and battery operated. Fuel operated lanterns tend to give a brighter light but require either propane or white gas (same as the camp stoves) and use delicate glass mantles to create the light. They can also pose a fire hazard if not used correctly and should never be brought inside the tent. Battery operated lanterns run on either standard or rechargeable battery packs and can have either standard bulbs or eco-friendly LED lights. The light radius of these types of lanterns isn't as wide as fuel powered lanterns but they are considerably less expensive. Make sure you have at least two, possibly more - one for inside the tent, one for the outside space. You can also supplement the lanterns with flashlights - especially if you have little ones who are weary of the dark, a personal flashlight or lantern could be of great comfort to them.
  • Camp Stove: There are many different types of camp stoves. The basic differences are size and fuel. Single burner stoves are typically designed for backpack camping as they tent to be light. Some of these may not offer much flame control and are more ideal for boiling water than cooking meals. The multi-burner stoves are better for family style meal cooking. Many multi-burner stoves come with a wind guard which is nice since even a light breeze can blow out the flame. If they don't have this, you can use foil. I like the wind guard but it does limit the size pot you can use on the stove. Regarding fuel, some stoves take white gas, kerosene or auto gas. Some take only propane. My stove is a propane one since that is the easiest fuel for me to find (other than auto gas) and relatively inexpensive.
  • Portable Grill: This is actually optional depending on where you plan on going camping. Most car camping sites will have a grill. Some campsites have a fireplace with a grill top but as I learned, these are not always maintained and may be broken on the particular site you choose. I always bring my own grill because I can cook directly on the grill surface without using foil since I know my grill is clean. You can choose to buy a charcoal grill (which you may already have if you frequently go on BBQ picnics) or you can choose a portable propane grill. I personally prefer charcoal. 
  • Cooking utensils: Grilling tongs and a spatula are a must. I also bring a kitchen knife and a mixing spoon. I own the Coleman Road Trip set, which comes in a bag and the tools collapse to save space. You can bring whatever tools you have at home to save money. just be sure to pack knives carefully. One trick I use is I put the knife in the cardboard tube of the paper towel roll I always bring. It fits in there nicely and I don't have to worry about it falling out and causing damage. You will also need a cutting board and potholders. I like the flexible silicone cutting mats since the roll up small and are easy to clean.
  • Cooking Pots/Pans: If you're bringing a stove, you will need a pot to cook with. What you bring may depend on your menu. I typically bring a stainless steel 10 inch frying pan, my aluminum rice pot and my cast iron dutch oven. At the very least I would bring a wide sauce pot, which can be used to both boil water or fry up some eggs & bacon for breakfast. I love my dutch oven but its weight, size and cost certainly makes it a "nice to have".
  • Cooler: You may already have one if you're apt to go picnicking. For camping however, you should own a durable hard cooler. I've learned from experience that soft-sided coolers don't always keep your cold food cold and nothing can cut a trip shorter than having a cooler full of spoiled meat. The cooler should at least be large enough to hold 2-3 days worth of camping foods.
  • Rope: This comes in handy for so many reasons - make a clothes line, repair a broken tent, tie down gear, etc.
  • Duct Tape: Need I say anything about the usefulness of duct tape? This is one of the greatest inventions right up there with fire, the wheel and sliced bread. Duct tape can serve as an extra pair of hands if you're camping alone with small children. You can temporarily hold tent poles into their clips with duct tape. It's uses are endless. They sell "camping" duct tape, which is the same as what you would get at any home improvement store except it is on a smaller spool to save space.
  • First Aid Kit: If you're a mommy, you should have one of these anyway. You can invest in a smaller size kit for traveling. Here's what is in my case:
    • Tons of band-aids (for little to big boo-boos)
    • Roll bandages
    • Adhesive tape
    • Antiseptic wipes
    • Sterile gauze pads
    • Cotton swabs
    • Tweezers (for removing splinters or ticks)
    • Scissors
    • Allergy medications (Loratidine & Benadryl)
    • Dramamine
    • Cold pack
    • Splinting materials
    • Ipecac
    • Stomach medication (Tums, Pepto-Bismol, Imodium A-D)
    • Antibiotic cream
    • Lots of Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen
    • Hydrogen Peroxide
    • Aloe Gel (for sunburn)
    • Thermometer
    • Nail clippers
  • Water jug/bucket: You will need one or the other or both not only to hold drinking water at the campsite but to quickly deal with any fires that may break out or to douse hot coals/fires at the end of the night. "Remember, only YOU can prevent forest fires". I used to buy a gallon jug of drinking water and refill it on site but I recently purchased a collapsible, reusable water jug on sale. I also used to own a plastic bucket but recently purchased a collapsible bucket made from rubberized fabric which is really nice. My former plastic bucket was also my cleaning bucket until it broke one trip.
  • Plastic Storage Containers: These will be needed for keeping your dry food items and gear. If you're camping in bear country, you may want to buy a bear-proof container. I always camp in black bear country but I just keep my food in zip top bags, and then in a plastic container, and then in my car for triple sealed protection and have never had a problem with critters getting into the food.
  • Personal Items: Travel toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. Basically whatever toiletries you would bring for a vacation. However for camping try to use unscented items to prevent insects and animals from being attracted to your scent. Dr. Bronner's makes unscented liquid castille soap which I swear by for camping and use it as soap, body wash, shampoo and dish washing detergent.
  • Multi-Tool: These tools vary but typically come with pliers, a screwdriver, can opener, knife, etc. You may go on several trips without one but when you need it, you'll be glad to have it. My multi-tool has been used to cut rope for making a clothesline, repaired a broken sleeping bag zipper, and fixed a bent tent stake. If you've ever watched Survivorman or Man Vs. Wild you know how handy it is.
  • Garden Hoe/Mini-Shovel: When nature calls you must dig a hole and bury your waste. Even if you are on a campsite with restroom facilities, you may not always make it with little ones, or if hiking, facilities may not be available on the trail.
  • Wood saw/Ax: If you plan on having any type of fire, these items are needed for making kindling or cutting up large pieces of firewood.
  • Sturdy Footwear: If you plan on doing a lot of hiking, invest in a good pair of hiking boots. If you're doing a moderate amount of hiking, then just a sturdy, solid pair of sneakers will suffice - especially for the kids as hiking boots are pricey and children's feet grow so fast.
  • Decent Backpack: If you plan on hiking, invest in a comfortable pack. For day hikes, a basic backpack or fanny pack is fine provided there is enough room for water bottles/canteens. I have a fanny pack that came with two water bottles attached to the sides that I use for short day hikes. If you plan on doing more strenuous or multi-day hikes or back-country camping, then you may wish to invest in a better pack.
  • Bug Repellent: Nature = Mosquitoes, especially if you're camping near any body of water. Citronella candles work fine - especially at the picnic table. For your skin, use any bug spray which contains at least 25% deet - especially if you're camping in an area which has deer and deer ticks. If you're opposed to deet, you can use natural forms of repellent such as Repel Lemon Eucalyptus spray. I've survived camping in the salt marsh sand dunes of Fire Island, NY where the bugs are as bad as I've ever seen them and deer ticks are rampant. Here is what worked best for me:
    • 3M Ultrathon Bug Repellent - This stuff works and it lasts 12 hours.
    • Ben's 100 Max Protection - This stuff is 100% Deet. It's as strong as it gets and a little goes a long way. I tend to spray this on my clothing, rather than my skin even though it is safe for skin (at least on the label) and it lasts 10 hours.
    • Deep Woods Off - This works well, not as much Deet as Ben's so I feel it's safer to apply on the skin. It doesn't last as long as the other products so you must reapply ever 4-6 hours.
  • Whistle: You children should each have a whistle to use in case they get lost.
  • Rain Poncho: Yes your tent will protect you from rain, but what happens when your child needs to use the bathroom during a torrential downpour? Those cheap plastic disposable ponchos sold at most drug stores is fine, or a heavy duty garbage bag (make sure to bring extra).
  • Games: With kids, this is a necessity. Be it a simple deck of cards or a portable board game, this will keep the kids from getting bored, especially at night when it is too dark for them to explore. My game bag includes three items: a deck of regular playing cards (go fish being the game of choice), a deck of Uno cards, a pack of dominoes. All of these are small items that makes for entertaining evenings and my kids look forward to camping so we can play games at night. 
"NICE TO HAVES"
  • Dutch Oven: I love my cast iron dutch oven. It was expensive, and it is really, really heavy and it's bulky. But I make the most delicious and amazing meals in it. I've baked bread in it. I've baked cake in it. I've cooked eggs in it. Throw some coals underneath and on the lid and you have a literal oven.
  • Folding Table: Most car campsites have a picnic table, which is fine. But if you want to set up your stove, grill and cooking supplies, a portable folding table is really handy. They now have tables with roll tops, which pack away really small. I have the type that folds in half, which is handy as I use it as the base on my roof rack.
  • Camp Chairs: These aren't really a necessity but pretty high on the nice to have list. How can you sit around the camp fire if you don't have a place to sit?
  • Screen Room: If you're in any area where stinging bugs are a problem (pretty much anywhere you go camping) then a screened tent room is really nice. I always place mine over the picnic table so me and my family can eat in relative peace. Some of these can be pricey but I own the Coleman Instant 10'x10, which I bought for a steal at BJ's wholesale club. If you don't bring one, you will spend your camping trip looking over in envy at all the other campers who have one.
  • Shade Tarp: If you're going to be at a campsite which is not fully or partially shaded, then bringing an extra tarp for shade would be nice. These come in handy if it rains and gives extra outdoor space to be protected from the rain. If you're in the woods, just tie the tarp to a tree with one side angled higher than the other to allow water to run off. If you're in an area without trees, you can also purchase tent poles to keep the tarp up.
  • Travel Pillows: These are a necessity for me but not my children who can sleep without a pillow. You can also use rolled up towels or clothing as a pillow alternative.
  • Radio: It is nice to have a battery operated radio at the campsite provided you obey the quiet hours and don't have obnoxious music tastes. If you're camping at a campground with a beach it is really nice to enjoy sun & sand with music.
LUXURY ITEMS
  • Lantern Pole/Hanger: These are great to keep your lantern in a specific spot off the ground, rather than having to carry it around or have someone else carry it over you while cooking, cleaning, etc.
  • Solar Shower Bag: It's rare to find a campsite that offers warm showers, many that have showers is cold water only. A solar shower bag is a black or silver bag which absorbs the suns rays to heat up the water inside. You have to leave it in the sun for a few hours to work. The bag has an attached hose which you can use to shower off. 
  • Hammock: A hammock is a wonderful way to kick back and relax. Be sure to buy the special straps which don't damage trees and check the weight limit on the hammock before you throw the whole family in it. 
  • Compression Bags: If car space is an issue (as it is for me) these special bags can be used to compress your sleeping bags, clothing and other soft items into a much smaller space. I frequently get my sleeping bags down to half or a third of their original size.
  • Inflatable Boat/Raft: If you frequently camp near lakes, many of them will offer boat rentals. These rental fees can add up over time and may be more economical to purchase a quality inflatable boat. These may be rather bulky however and you may not have room in your car or home for such an item. Be sure to buy life vests if you do buy a boat to be complaint with many local laws and keep your family safe.
  • Binoculars: Good for spotting critters when hiking.
  • Grill Forks: These are special long forks good for roasting marshmallows or roasting hot dogs over the fire. More hygienic than a stick but it's length can be awkward to pack.
  • Customized Campsite Sign: I've seen these popping up more and more frequently on campsites. You can find local woodcarvers who make these cute decorative signs marking the campsite as your own. It can also make it easy for your children to find the campsite especially if they are old enough to walk about the campground on their own but too young to remember things like site numbers.