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Living in cities, working for 8-9 hours, returning home hoping to rest at peace, looking for a vacation to enjoy the days, if this is you, we have an option for you. One best way to get all this is tenting a camp.
Yes, people love camping, and it is one of the best ways to connect and relish nature to get some peace from your hectic work schedule.
Camping has increased over the past years by 72%. Studies have shown that camping out in nature helps you improve your mood and has various health benefits.
So, if there is one thing that can help your family connect the dots, it is camping. Since 2014, the camping industry has thrived by 72%, and these people camp more than three times a year.
Of these, 56% of campers are youngsters, and 34% travel just because they enjoy outdoor adventure. So if you have been camping for a while now or want to go on your first or next camping trip, here is a list of things you must carry in your travel bag.
The Ultimate Camping Checklist for Your Next Camping Trips:
Most camping sites will have a picnic table, a spot to park your vehicle, and a tent place. However, there are other camping things you need.
1. Checklist for Shelter and Comfort
1.1 Sleeping Bags
The sleeping bag is one of the primary things to carry as a camper because it acts as your bed deep in the woods. It helps you sleep peacefully, especially on nights, without letting you become a victim of harmful activities like bug bites.
1.2 First Aid Kit:
A first aid kit is a lifesaver in every aspect of camping. Ensure that your camping first aid kit contains tweezers, antibiotics, safety pins, a bandage, antiseptic, a safety pin, scissors, a band-aid, sunscreen, sanitizer, medical tape, a thermometer, and such basic medical equipment. Going camping without a first aid kit is like jumping into a pool without knowing swimming.
1.3 Table and Camping Chairs:
It is always advisable to carry your own set of tables, although most camping areas provide the same. If you do not own one, you can always rent it. And you can always swap it with the other comforts like a camp table set (if there is no picnic table). These sets make you feel more at home, sitting in one of those chairs, sipping your cup of tea, and enjoying nature on a cool breezy morning.
1.4 Tent:
Of course, your camping wishes never come true without a tent. Ensure you always carry all the tent essentials, such as nails, tent stakes, mallets, and other products. And make no mistake while selecting the best tent.
1.5 Headlights and Flashlights:
Camping is not just about a day. It is about staying for a couple of days in nature. Hence, you will need things that emit light to serve you at night. Also, carry extra batteries to be on the safe side.
1.6 Plastic Bags:
Plastic bags or Ziploc bags are a great way to keep everything hygienic. They serve by storing dirty clothes and food in coolers.
Also, the other things you can carry are:
- sunscreens and sunglasses for sun and bug protection
- sleeping pad
- picnic tables
- biodegradable soap (if possible)
- firewood from nearby and the thing you feel like carrying.
2. Camping Essentials for Food
The camp kitchen essentials include multiple things you use in a regular kitchen to make food. However, these kitchen campsite essentials are smaller in size. Some of them are:
2.1 Camp Stove:
A camp stove is a tinier stove easy to carry. Using this equipment, you make food, heat food, and every other main cooking stuff.
2.2 Cooking Utensils:
Carrying kitchen utensils like mugs to drink, spoons to eat, frying pans to fry, and other requisites that depend on your food interests are necessary.
2.3 Cooler:
If you are someone who cooks food excessively, then consider taking a cooler with you. Not just to keep food safe, but also you can use it as a coolant for water and other drinks.
2.4 Trash Bags:
The campsite you chose will see hundreds and thousands of people. So, it is not just you. To ensure a clean and green moment, carry trash bags to dump all the waste you produce.
These are just the basics. However, the other things you can carry as extras are:
√ charcoal to make fire pits
√ bottle opener
√ cook pots
√ eating utensils
√ dishwasher
√ pot scrubber, measuring cups, and others.
These are the basic things you need to have the best camping experience. However, you need not worry if a few things are unavailable.
3. The Top 10 Essentials You Need to Enjoy Your Trip:
3.1 Navigation:
It depends on how remote your campsite is. If it is near, you do not need it. But if it is far, you need a stable navigation system to navigate the roads and the ecosystem around you.
We highly recommend not trusting electronic devices like you always do, exceptionally in these times. Sometimes, there might be an internet issue, your phone might die, or you might even lose it. And you can do nothing in such situations. So, always carry a physical map and compass.
3.2 Headlamp
Staying in the woods is not an easy chore. It is uncertain when you go out of your tent to gather the essentials or if it is cooking at night. Most travelers prefer head flashes over regular flashlights. It is because headlamps leave your hands free by sticking to your head. So, it will let you do chores using both hands, while a regular flashlight needs you to hold it.
3.3 Sun Protection:
Camping means getting exposed to the boiling sun during the day. Exposition to the sun results in sunburn, skin aging, developing acne, and more. So, to avoid all health hazards the sun causes, carry sunglasses, sunscreen, and sun protection clothes with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) rating. Also, only wear clothes with light colors as they reflect the light.
The Icy Canada team talked to Andrew Grella, CEO and Founder of Formen Makeup, about protecting your skin from UV rays while enjoying outdoor activities in Canada. Here is what he said:
“To protect their skin effectively from UV rays during outdoor activities in Canada, individuals need to ensure they properly apply sunscreen sticks. Firstly, the sunscreen stick should be applied generously and uniformly on all exposed skin surfaces.
Multiple passes may be needed to ensure proper coverage. Secondly, reapplication is crucial because UV filters degrade over time. So, aim to reapply the sunscreen stick every two hours, or immediately after heavy perspiration or swimming.
When it comes to choosing the right sunscreen stick, the first key factor to consider is the sun protection factor (SPF). Choose a product with an SPF of at least 30 to protect against UVB rays.
Also, the product should offer broad-spectrum protection to shield the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Secondly, verify the ingredients for the presence of any allergens or substances you may be sensitive to, and choose a product that agrees with your skin type.
Lastly, consider the portability and ease of application of the sunscreen stick; ideally, it should be compact and easily usable on the go.”
We interviewed Alex Ginovski, Head of Product and Engineering at Enhancv, on this. Here is what he had to say:
“When it comes to using sunscreen sticks efficiently in Canada, I’ve discovered a unique method that maximizes both protection and convenience.
Before going out for outdoor activity, I apply sunscreen not just to exposed parts but also to less evident locations such as the tops of my ears, scalp, and even the backs of my hands.
To get complete coverage, I apply the sunscreen stick in a gentle, circular motion, ensuring that the product is properly dispersed on my skin. This approach helps to form a protective barrier against harmful UV rays, lowering the likelihood of sunburn and long-term skin damage.
When choosing a sunscreen stick, I look for brands that provide not just sun protection but also other skincare benefits.
For example, I seek sticks enriched with antioxidants such as vitamin E or green tea extract, which help to neutralize free radicals and reduce the oxidative stress on the skin caused by sun exposure.”
3.4 First Aid:
A first aid kit is an essential part of your camping checklist. In situations like scratches due to a fall or falling sick during the camp, only first aid will help you out. Knowing how to use first aid is more important than carrying the kit without knowing how to operate the medicine.
3.5 Knives:
Apart from tenting(also includes), everything you do in the woods will have work to do with a sharp knife. To collect wood, cut branches, cut the food packets you brought, and clear your hiking way, you need a sharp knife.
Also, carrying a repair kit will help you a lot during your stay. The fundamental repair kit essentials are:
√ multi-tool
√ duct tape
√ matters repair kit
√ hammer
√ a broom and a dustpan
√ an axe
√ extra cord
√ tent pole repair sleeve
3.6 Fire:
Fire plays a significant role during camping. If you are a group of people camping, you need to build a campfire, or if you are a group of one or two, you need to ignite flames to stay warm at night. Cooking food needs fire. In such conditions, you need a source that provides fire.
So carry the best fire igniter, like a disposable butane lighter. Also, a matchbox would work as long as it is stored in a waterproof container.
3.7 Emergency Shelter:
An emergency shelter protects you from winds and rains if you are stranded on your trail. In such cases, the emergency shelter provides you with a roof over yours. Remember, you cannot carry your tent everywhere you go. Even a trash bag can work if you forget to carry one.
3.8 Extra Food:
Sometimes, the trip may not go as planned. There might be a day delay in returning for reasons like poor climate or sickness. Pack a day or two of extra food to survive the delayed time. An additional energy bar, dry fruits, and nuts can do good.
3.9 Extra Water:
Drinking water depends upon your day, whether you go on a trek, how heavy the trip is, or how sunny the day is. You can measure the amount of food you eat, but you cannot measure the quantity of water you drink. So, you cannot carry gallons of water, but you can bring something that purifies the water. Carry a water purifier or extra gas to drink the boiled water.
3.10 Extra Pair of Clothes:
Carry an extra pair of clothes for unexpected conditions. The climate can sometimes go against the weather forecast. If you carry clothes for a 6-day stay, pack for seven days instead.
These are the top ten essentials you need when planning camping. Primarily, ensure whether you have packed these or not, then move for other things.
4. Best camping sites in Canada:
Here are some of the top camping sites around the Canada.
4.1 Yosemite National Park
The glacier point offers some of the best views of this park. The lush green flora, fauna, tall mountains, cool morning breezes, and fog make Yosemite a campsite. It is an ideal site for people looking to cut social media noises out, as this place does not encourage mobile signals. Being a national park, it has so much to offer, the rivers, waterfalls, and everything you wish from nature.
4.2 Boya Lake Provincial Park, Canada
If you are noticing to spice up your camping trip, look no further than this place. Because it offers you to go fishing, swim in crystal clear water, and hike as mountains surround the area.
Other than this, you can explore the islands and lakes nearby. The Canadian people believe this park is one of the best places to camp in Canada, whether for a ton of people or a small group.
4.3 Jasper National Park, Canada
One cannot avoid this place if you are merely looking for an international camping site. Jasper is an ideal destination for many young campers because of the features it has to offer travelers. Visiting this place does not only leave you camping, but it has something more.
It stands for camping, swimming, skiing, fishing, and kayaking. Besides, nature with sparkling crystal clear lakes, waterfalls, glaciers and hot springs will leave you amazed.
Above all, these natural beauties made it to the UNESCO world heritage sites. So, if you are planning for an international campsite or looking to explore Canada, ensure that this one particular place is on your bucket list.
Closing Thoughts
Camping is something that everyone enjoys, irrespective of age. However, to have a good camping experience, you should be sure to carry every essential camping gear you need to stay safe and enjoy nature.
It does not matter how well you are packed if your campsite is not vibrant with the camping atmosphere. So, carrying the essential things to camp at the best campsite is crucial.
Guest Author: Saket Kumar
Last Updated on by Saket Kumar