The Perfect Camping Checklist

Even after all the years I've been camping, I still manage to forget something when I go. I've forgotten everything from the tent, to the food and once, I forget where the campsite was that I was meant to be going to. When you take machines camping like motorbikes and 4x4's things get complicated and the amount of camping gear significantly increases. Throw in kids, a dog and some gadgets and next thing you know you're seriously looking at filling a trailer!

Camping lists help people like me who usually leave things to the last minute, pull out every thing camping related and stuff it into the car, not really knowing what's gone in.

This camping checklist should help remember some of the major things that will make your camping trip more enjoyable. Of course everyone is different, has different carrying capacities and levels of luxury. Use this camping list as a guide and enjoy your camping!

Hardware:
Here are some of the "big ticket" items that make camping enjoyable

__ Tent
__ Tent poles
__ Tent pegs (These things may not "live" together as I've found out the hard way)
__ Ground tarp (Pro tip: Put a trap under your tent when you pitch it, keeps the bottom clean)
__ Hammer (You can use a rock if forget)
__ Sleeping Bag
__ Air Mattress
__ Pump For Air Mattress
__ Pillow (Pro camping tip: if space is a concern try out an inflatable pillow)
__ Chairs (Forget these and camping just isn't as much fun)
__ Fridge (Changing to a powered "car fridge" has COMPLETELY revolutionised camping)
__ Head lamp
__ Wind up torch (I hate, hate, hate batteries it's good to have a backup)
__ Water bottle
__ Bog roll
__ Fire lighter(striker)
__ Leatherman (This is a must have for camping, this could save lives)
__ Portable audio (I hook up my iphone to a portable speaker)
__ Rope
__ Racing tape, Duct Tape - There is nothing racing tape can't fix!
__ Compass, map or GPS !!!
__ Bug repellant - obvious right!!!! but I've forgotten it
__ Camera - It's a bit easier to remember now with smart phones
__ i'thing' power pack or recharger - You need to keep juice in your i'thing'
__ Maps of where you're going
__ Sunnies
__ iPad for book reading - Who reads paper books these days :-p
__ First aid kit - This is CRITICAL accidents happen even if you're cool
__ Rubbish bags (keep pur camping sites clean and rubbish free)

Cooking:
Food is an obvious thing to take camping, however I've forgotten it in the mad rush to fill the fridge with beer instead. So I won't list food here other than to say "remember food".
Here are some things you might want to remember however;

__ Spork - The only utensil you need!
__ Cooking Utensils (You could use the Leatherman if you get into a bind)
__ Coffee
__ Coffee maker - goes without saying!
__ Washing up bowl
__ Towel
__ Bowls to eat out of (Pro Camping tip - Get a set that fit inside each other to save space)

Personal:
Personal hygiene can go out the window when a group of guys go camping and motorbike riding for a weekend, however if your doing a nice family friendly trip you'll want to take the following things

__ Soap
__ Toothbrush
__ Dedorant
__ Bag to keep this stuff in
__ Clothes
__ Sunscreen/chapstick