Camping check lists make every trip much more
enjoyable in several ways:
First, the whole family gets involved
together in making out your camping check list. Everyone's
excitement and anticipation will increase. Making out your check
list months ahead is one way of really starting your vacation
early.
Second, check lists help you organize and
pack your camping gear. The check list reminds you what to bring,
and where to pack it. When you are getting ready to go, you can
easily see what errands you need to run in order to pick up those
last few items.
Third, check lists help you remember
to take everything with you. No one likes to get to camp and find
out they forgot some important item.
Fourth, check
lists help you remember what not to bring next time. Every trip is
a little different, so make notes on your check list about what
camping gear you used, what you didn't, and what you wished you
had taken. This lets you plan to make your next camping trip even
better.
Finally, good check lists change
continually. As your experience grows you will want different items.
For instance, you might decide that a propane stove is better for
your next trip than cooking over a fire. Other times, you might
leave the stove at home and bring a dutch oven to use over the
fire.
These check lists are excellent starting points for
your trip. Print them out, and then add or delete gear from the list
as you plan your trip.
The
car camping check list is for when you camp next to your car, or
only a short distance from the car.
Car camping is typical
for most visitors at state and national parks. Car camping is also
for when you are traveling, and stop at a commercial campground for
the night.
Because you have a car, you get to carry extra
gear for all your fun activities. You can also leave some things
home, like spare batteries, since you can generally ride to a store.
See Car
Camping Check Lists
The
canoe camping check lists have some extra gear since you are camped
far from your car. You may also need to bring some basic repair kits
for the canoe, and other camping gear.
Canoe camping is great
fun. It offers more privacy and solitude. Many times, you get to see
more wildlife. You also enjoy a sense of adventure, and a feeling of
accomplishment as you travel from one campsite to another. See Canoe
Camping Check Lists
The
day pack check list covers the items you might need while away from
your base camp. You can only carry just so much, yet you must be a
little prepared for what might happen until you return to
camp.
The actual items you carry will depend a great deal on
what you might be doing during the day. If you like to take
photographs, you would certainly need to take your camera, film, and
perhaps some different lenses. If you are in an area where rain
might be of concern, you should have along a rain coat. If you are
in a hot and drier area, you would want to carry extra water. And
then don't forget those snacks. See Day Pack
Check List
The
first aid kit check list is one of your most important. It helps you
prepare for those minor mishaps that happen frequently, so your fun
can continue without delays.
The first aid kit check list
also reminds you to pack all those important personal medications
you might forget. You don't want to rush home or call your doctor
because you forgot something as important as this.
There are
two first aid kit check lists.
A personal first aid kit is
for carrying with you everywhere. It covers the most common problems
like cuts, blisters, burns and scrapes.
A family first aid
kit is generally left in your car or at base camp. It is a bit more
complete than a personal first aid kit, and is therefore used for
more serious, or more persistent, troubles. See First Aid
Kit Check Lists
A
survival kit is like insurance. You have it, but you plan on never
needing it.
Having a basic survival kit can mean the
difference between having a frustrating day, or having a disastrous
day.
In more populated areas, like when camping at a
commercial campground, you probably won't need much. Maybe just a
little extra sunscreen and water. But in more remote, wooded or
mountainous areas, everyone in your family should carry a basic
survival kit when venturing away from camp. See Survival
Kit Check List
You won't
want to forget all those toys to play with.
Games for kids;
music; field guides or novels; games for a rainy day; or just a game
to spend a relaxing hour with one child. See Fun and
Games Check List
Taking
your car, SUV or pickup truck off the highway and into the back
country involves some special planning.
Most times, this
means driving on gravel roads. This is very demanding on your
vehicle. The tires and suspension get a real workout, so you need to
prepare for trouble. You can't always rely on the auto club to come
help. See Off
Highway Vehicle Check List
