The best advice someone can give about camping has to be “Be Prepared.” If you’re prepared it can be a glorious, adventurous dream. If you’re not, that can make a great trip into a miserable one. The way to be prepared is to make sure you have a fully stocked personal camping kit. This will be filled with all of the things you will need for day-to-day camp life, as well as items that could make a huge difference should an emergency situation come up. Here’s the list: (Note: It also wouldn’t be a bad idea to make a checklist so you can mark things off once they are packed.)

1) You will want, and need, a compass. This is the most basic camping necessity and should not be overlooked, no matter how well you are at reading nature’s navigation signs. The compass is the only way to be sure of where you are and where you are going, so you don’t get lost. Even if you have a map, it’s no good without a compass!

2) Map is the second thing you’ve got to have, and as was just stated, pairs beautifully with the compass. Even if you have a smart phone and GPS and all of that, it won’t do you any good if the power runs out. Navigation is key to not getting lost, and not getting lost is key to having a fun time while camping. Take a map.

3) Flashlights are also going to be something you won’t want to camp without. Yes, you can make a fire, but if it rains, you want something that will shed a little light on the situation. Be sure to bring extra batteries in a zip loc baggie, or if you can find the hand-crank flashlights that’s even better. Also large lanterns can really come in handy to make things brighter at night, as well as scare off potentially dangerous animals.

4) Swiss Army Knives are easily looked over or forgotten, but you won’t realize how useful it is until you’re out there. Bring one, and you’ll be glad you did, especially if you can find one with the scissors, fork, spoon, and saw features.

5) Food and Drink; not only do you want to make sure to bring them, you want to make sure you have everything you need to prepare them. Hot food requires a fire starter, or matches, not to mention cups, plates, and bowls. Bottled water is also a must, and lots of it. You don’t want to get dehydrated, and the water out in nature can look clear but is teeming with bacteria.

Be sure to bring this things, and always be over prepared rather than under, and you will have a great camping experience!

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