Camping Checklist
Setting out on a camping trip can start to look like a military expedition. Here's a checklist of essential equipment - so you don't forget the matches!
This list covers all kinds of camping: tailor it to your needs. If you are 'car camping', you can fill the back of your car (or your trailer) with everything you think you might need. Backpackers, who have to carry everything they need, are advised to strip this list down to the very bare minimum - then halve it.
Essentials
⇔ Tent
⇔ Mallet/hammer
⇔ Sleeping bags
⇔ Something to sleep on (camp bed/sleeping mat/inflatable mattress, with pump)
⇔ Pillow
⇔ Backpack
⇔ Water containers/bottles
⇔ Torch (flashlight)
Cooking and catering
⇔ Food
⇔ Cooking stove/BBQ
⇔ Fuel/charcoal
⇔ Matches/lighter
⇔ Cooking pans
⇔ Cooking oil
⇔ Cooking spatula/tongs
⇔ Kitchen knife
⇔ Cutting board
⇔ Can opener
⇔ Corkscrew/bottle opener
⇔ Crockery and cutlery
⇔ Washing-up bowl/bucket
⇔ Washing-up liquid
⇔ Dish towel
⇔ Paper towels
⇔ Cool box
⇔ Plastic food containers
⇔ Folding table
⇔ Chairs
Clothes and laundry
⇔ Shirts/blouses (one long-sleeve)
⇔ T-shirts
⇔ Trousers
⇔ Shorts
⇔ Skirts
⇔ Cardigan/jersey
⇔ Waterproof jacket/anorak
⇔ Socks
⇔ Underwear
⇔ Trainers
⇔ Hiking boots
⇔ Wellingtons
⇔ Pyjamas/nightdress
⇔ Sleepin-bag liners
⇔ Towels and beach towels
⇔ Plastic sandals/flip-flops (for going to the showers)
⇔ Swimwear
⇔ Sun hat/cap
Toiletries and medicines
⇔ Toothbrush
⇔ Toothpaste
⇔ Shaving kit
⇔ Hairbrush/comb
⇔ Nail clippers
⇔ Tweezers
⇔ Shampoo
⇔ Soap
⇔ Paper tissues
⇔ Toilet paper
⇔ Tampons/pads
⇔ Suntan lotion
⇔ Sun block
⇔ First aid kit
⇔ Mosquito repellent
⇔ Insect bite cream
⇔ Antiseptic cream
⇔ Sticking plasters
Other useful/essential kit
⇔ Spare ground sheets
⇔ Picnic rugs
⇔ Lamp/lantern
⇔ Spectacles/contact lenses
⇔ Sunglasses
⇔ Beach bag
⇔ Camera
⇔ Mobile phone
⇔ Solar charger (for iPods, phones etc)
⇔ Pens and writing materials
⇔ Address book
⇔ Books/reading materials
⇔ Playing cards/travel games
⇔ Maps
⇔ Binoculars
⇔ Spare batteries
⇔ Penknife
⇔ Travel sewing kit
⇔ Plastic bags (all sizes - for dirty laundry, keeping things dry, food, rubbish etc)
⇔ Shovel/trowel (essential for wild campers)
⇔ Penknife
⇔ Clothes-washing detergent
⇔ Clothes line
⇔ Clothes pegs
⇔ String
⇔ Umbrella