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Summer means camping season in our house.
Whether you are planning an overnighter or a week long get out of town camping vacation I am sure it will be amazing.
This year we purchased a new instant set up tent and a new boat so our family is super excited to test out the new gear. In fact, I can foresee a father, son camping and fish trip in the near future simply to test out the new equipment.
You can’t go wrong with good, cost effective camping gear. Getting out and enjoying the outdoors is important. Before we bought our current tent we shopped around, asked questions and compared prices.
And prices they vary extremely depending on what you need and where you shop. Note to self a 4 man tent is never a 4 man tent when your husband is over 6 feet tall.
Camping basics, what you need.
Depending on where you camp you may need more gear. In our house we stock gear for backcountry winter camping and simple summer getting outdoors camping. The gear varies considerably.
The common camping items are:
What people always tend to forget.
When you are packing for a trip away people always remember the food, the clothes, the tent and the sleeping bag. It’s the little things people forget. Like garbage bags and toilet paper.
First aid kits are an important thing to remember add in bug spray and bug bite treatment. If you are going boating don’t forget your life jackets.
And sunscreen, this is the one thing my husband always forgets, or brings it and forgets to use it.
When you are planning or packing for your camping get away make a simple list of stuff to pack and possible activities including cooking and eating. This way you make a note of all the stuff you need.
Planning ahead means you won’t forget the toilet paper, soap, water bottle, water and air mattress.
Camping must haves.
You never know what you will encounter when you go camping. You may need to cut your own firewood. Is there a water supply where you camp or do you need to bring water?
Will you be cooking your own food or roasting hotdogs over the fire? Did you pack matches to start the fire? Or did you bring the camping stove, pots and pans to cook dinner?
What about blankets, did you bring enough blankets and pillows?
Is there things you should bring or shouldn’t bring? Below you will find a list of 7 frugal camping must haves. Things that serve multiple purposes, are cheap and cost effective. They will also make your camping trip a whole lot easier.
As far as the don’t bring things. Do not bring perfumes it will attract the bugs. Leave the expensive stuff at home. You don’t want to find things missing when you come back from a hike or a boat ride.
7 Frugal Camping Must Haves:
1. Tent
Like I mentioned earlier do not judge a tent by the person count labelled on the package. Purchase a tent that works size wise, check the measurements for the space you need.
We invested in an instant tent that sets up in minutes and it is amazing.
2. Tarp
Always, always pack a tarp. You don’t know when it will rain and you should always pack a tarp for under your tent to prevent moisture ingress and to keep it cleaner.
3. Stove
Where will you be cooking during your get away? Can you or is there a fire pit you can cook over? Is there a fire ban in effect where you camp? Camping stoves work great for cooking all your meals.
4. Cast Iron Frying Pan
Cast iron frying pans are great. You can cook over an open pit flame with them or on your camp stove. You can fry eggs or cook a steak or cook up some stew for dinner. They are multi-functional and can be used over and over again for years.
5. Battery Powered Lantern
Invest in lighting because it will get dark. Pack a flashlight and a battery powered lantern and make sure to bring backup batteries.
6. Matches
Always pack a fire source when you are camping. Even if they are just in your safety kit. You don’t know when you will need them. Matches are simple, easy and they don’t take up a lot of room.
7. Axe, Chainsaw, Hatchet
These are my husbands suggestion to the must have camping items. Will you need to cut firewood or clear the trail? You will always find a camping knife and either a chainsaw or hatchet in our camping gear. They serve multiple purposes.
The things we make sure to pack no matter where we camp.
When we go camping there is a list of items that must go no matter where we camp. This includes the tent, tarp, sleeping cots, bedding and pillows. My husband makes sure to bring his generator, lanterns, flashlights, compass, cooking stove, pots and pans.
We also make sure to bring clothes and extras just incase. Pack for the unexpected.
Food, you will need to pack all the items you intend to eat during your trip. This includes all the sauces for those burgers. Also if you are packing canned goods remember the can opener. Plates, cups and cutlery are a must.
As a mom I pack plastic storage bags and garbage bags when we go anywhere. Garbage bags can be used as a rain poncho in a pinch and to store dirty clothes or to pack out the garbage you made.
Plastic storage bags are great to waterproof items, store food leftovers and snacks for a hike.
Plan and be prepared.
Whether you are packing the seven frugal must haves or bringing along the lawn chairs and a hammock a little bit of planning can go a long way when you venture out camping.
Have an amazing day,
Cynthia
Saving & Simplicity
