A Basic Spring Camping Checklist

Break out the camouflage pants and get ready for warmer temperatures (that are already here!) because it’s time to gear up for spring camping.

Even if you don’t trout fish or hunt turkeys (the true joys of spring) this is a great time to get outside because the earth is waking up. The insects and birds will be singing soon and the wildflowers will be in bloom.

So, let’s get to it. Here are some of the main things you won’t want to forget for a car camping trip.

• Tent, tarp, and stakes: Make sure your tent is big enough for your crew, and get savvy to the fact that manufacturers are sneaks. Many “3-person” tents are scarcely big enough for one person. Go up a size if you have any doubts at all. Also, you need a tarp, stakes, and guy lines.
• Sleeping pad and sleeping bag: Bring a warmer sleeping bag than you think you’ll need. Spring can be hot, but it can also be frigid, especially here in Northeast Pennsylvania. It can freeze hard well into May up here. You can always get out of a sleeping bag, but you’ll regret not bringing one warm enough. Also, make sure you bring a liner (for extra warmth) as well as an appropriate ground pag.
• Appropriate clothing: The camouflage pants and shirt are great. Make sure you also bring a few spare base layers and socks for extra warmth, along with a jacket that’s more than adequate for the temperatures you expect. Many army jackets are a great option. Always keep a hat and gloves in the trunk, too, for unexpectedly cold days.
• Warm clothing as a backup: See above. You will need warm clothes as a backup. If you’re car camping, there’s no excuse not to be prepared. It may be spring, but prepare like it’s January just to be safe.
• Waterproof gear: It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Always bring a spare poncho and some changes of clothing, just in case. Waterproof footwear is also a must.
• A waterproof bag: This one is a definite must for all of your sensitive electronic gear. A dry bag or dry box can save your phone, tablet, computer, speakers or other electronics in a punch. Again, better to have it and not need it.
• Fire starting equipment: Always be prepared with redundant fire starting A lighter, some matches, and some tinder are all you really need to have but bring along any other tricks you think you might need. A ferrocerium rod as a backup never hurt anyone so you can save your lighter and matches for emergencies.
• A cooking grate: Some campsites will have these prepared, and you can also jury-rig a cooking system with some sticks and lashings (and some basic carving skills) but for a few dollars you can just be ready with a cooking grate. Your call.

                   

• Cooking equipment and food prep: You’ll need at minimum a cutting board, knife, a pot and a pan, along with anything else specialized you’ll need for whatever you plan on cooking.
• Mess kits/mealtime essentials: Bring along enough utensils and plates, as well as paper towels, for everyone you’ll be feeding.
• Seating: Not an absolute essential and some people take pride in their ability to craft camp furniture with their carving and lashing skills, but others would rather pack a folding camp chair. The choice is yours.
• Some salt and pepper: This one is optional but it is amazing what you can do to camp cooking with just a little salt and pepper for flavoring.
• A cooler: Make sure you bring a cooler large enough for all of your perishable items. Also, make sure it fits in the trunk as this is where you will want to store it if you are camping anywhere there are bears around. If you camp early enough they won’t be awake, but it’s always best to keep to the safe side.
• Food: Bring whatever you want to cook - just don’t forget it!
• Water (reusable, collapsible jugs are great): Lots of people bring bottles of water but our suggestion is to get one of those one or two gallon collapsible jugs (or bigger) that are also reusable. They are affordable, less wasteful, and highly convenient. Plus you can carry-in and carry-out with them.
• Towels: Bring paper towels or camp towels, it doesn’t really matter as long as you have enough. Also, if you use paper towels, you can burn them in the fire to reduce waste.
• Flashlights and batteries: Bring several flashlights and spare batteries to make sure you have enough light at night time. One is none and two is one.
• Sunscreen and bug repellent: It may be spring, but the spring sun can be hot. Also, if you’re in a wet area you might have to contend with bugs so it’s good to be prepared with these essentials.
• First aid: Some bandages, athletic tape, and general disinfectant should be all you really need but you do need to have it.
• Entertainment (this one’s on you!): Bring whatever you think you’ll need. A radio, a bluetooth speaker, a projector, some cards or board games, washers, horseshoes - there are lots of ways to have a good time in the woods.
• Tools: You will want, at minimum, a knife, an ax, a hatchet, a saw, and a multitool. These you will need to set up and break down camp, make tools, and prepare food - though they have a million and one other uses as well.
• Paracord and duct tape: Both paracord and duct tape have a plethora of uses and can be used to repair things that have broken at a moment’s notice. Make sure you have some in your pack even if you don’t intend to use them.

                            

Gear Up for Spring Camping Here

Here at Fatigues Army Navy, we carry everything you need for a successful camping trip and then some, from camouflage pants to camp stoves. Check out the links we posted here as well as our prepper supplies so you can be sure you’re prepared for your upcoming spring camping trip, and get in touch with us beforehand if you have any questions.