I have two homeschooling friends who recently shared their personal packing lists with our co-op groups.  Both lists are the result of years of camping experience (and forgetting items at home!)  So I wanted to share them with you in case you were feeling nervous about forgetting important items as you pack this week!  If you are not sure about camping click here to see other sleeping arrangements for non-campers.

This first one was created by Doreen Fisher, our PlayLand “Director” and Workshop
Presenter on Creating Peace through Family Meetings.  She made a beautiful spreadsheet that you can customize and then print out to check off items as you pack.

Click here for Doreen’s Spreadsheet

Jennifer Jones’ list below is a little less elaborate, but a good list nonetheless with a few different items from Doreen’s list.

I do have a couple of things to add two these two lists (that are totally optional, but you might want to include too.)  One that was super fun AND functional at our last camping trip was Christmas Lights!
Not only are these festive, but they provide nice ambient light around your campsite that’s not too bright after your eyes have adjusted to the dark.  Bring an extension cord and maybe a power strip if you have several other things to plug in at your site.  (I’m bringing my electric skillet to make breakfast prep quick and easy).  You can bring a hammer and some nails to hang the lights on the trees around your site in case there aren’t enough low hanging branches.  Also there are tall poles with hooks at each campsite (for hanging food up out of reach of wildlife) that you could wrap lights around.  You can put them on the outside of your tent, your canopy or
they can be used on the inside of the tent (never unattended though!)  If you want to get fancy, you can purchase lights that run on batteries.

One other fun list is this article on Camping “Hacks” that was floating around Facebook a while back.  Some of them are just silly, but many seem useful.  I will be using #1 on the list this trip!

Jones Family Camping Gear List

Two Coolers (one for frequent open, one for seldom open)
Ice
4 Camp Chairs
Tent & Tent Stakes
Mallet
Tent Pad (we use a large shipping blanket)
Air Mattress(es)
Air Pump
Lantern/Lantern Fuel or Batteries
Head Lamps/Flash Lights
4 Pillows
2 large blankets
1 fitted sheet
Sleeping Bags
Doormat
Extension Cord
Kettle
Camp Stove
Camp Stove Fuel
Pot with lid
Pan with lid
Hot pad/trivot
Plates, bowls, silverware for 4
Cups, mugs for 4
Serving spoon & Spatula
Large Bowl for serving
Large plate for serving
Paper towels
Foil
Zip-Lock bags
Dish Soap
Sponge/Scrubber
Dish Pan/Drainer
Tie Downs
Bikes
Bike Pump (& patch kit)
First Aid kit
Fire Wood
Marshmallow/Hot Dog pokers
Grill Spatula
Lighter/Matches
Firewood
Bottled Water
Trash Bags

*If Dog –
Leash
Food
Food & Water bowls

Clothing-
4 full outfits per person
2 extra pairs of socks per person
4 towels
4 jackets
4 hats
4 gloves (if cold)
Rain Gear

4 Bathroom Kits
-toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, soap/facewash, 2 face rags, travel size shampoo & conditioner, zip-lock bags, pain reliever, deoderant and any other personal items or medications

Books to read
Ukulele

*some people bring tent heaters & fans, we have never used them so they are not on our list.