Therm-A-Rest ProLite Mattress Sleeping Pad Appraisal

My hubby and I just started tent camping with friends two years ago, and it took us a while to figure out everything we needed (btw, good start getting an air mattress!). Oh, and don’t forget to waterproof your tent BEFORE the trip with waterproofing spray sold at sporting goods stores!

Here’s my abbreviated packing list. You have some items already (obviously), but I’ve highlighted items you might still need to purchase:

SHELTER:

-Tent
-Tarp to Go Under Tent (should be the same size as tent base, not much bigger or you’ll have to fold it under. This keeps the tent bottom dry, and you don’t want rain collecting on the tarp and rolling under!)
-Air mattress
-Air mattress pump
-Sleeping Bags / Pillows
-Extra Blankets (1 per person in case of chilly weather)
-Beach Towel (for when you track mud all over your tent)
-Lantern (battery-operated) to hang in tent
-Foldable Chairs / Lawn Chairs (to sit around fire)
-Rope or Line to hang items to dry on – like wet towels

FOOD:

-Hand Axe (to chop fire wood)
-Long-reach lighters
-Fire-starting kindling twigs (buy them from camping supply stores – they’re wood chips soaked in some fire-starting chemical)
-Pie Irons (to cook food in over the fire – these are ESSENTIAL!)
-Campfire Fork (to roast weiners, marshmallows on)
-Food (should include basics like eggs, bread, peanut butter, deli meats, cheese, butter, hot dogs, s’mores makings, pop, juice, tea, coffee, ketchup, mustard, brownie mix, pizza sauce, pepperoni, potatoes, oatmeal, beef stew, trail snacks, chips, popcorn, etc.)
-Campfire Cooking Pot
-LARGE Cooler with ice
-Egg Holder Storage Case (designed for camping trips)
-Plastic Utensils, Cups, Paper Plates
-Garbage Bags
-Giant Ziploc Bags (to place singed pie irons in when packing to come home)
-Sharp Knife
-Rubbermaid Tote to wash dishes in
-Dish Soap
-5-6 Dish Towels
-Campfire Glove (heatproof gloves that allow you to pick up hot logs off the fire, or hot pans)
-Mugs (for coffee & tea)
-Kettle to boil water (should be campfire safe)
-Bottled water – large quantities
-Picnic Table Cloth (campsite picnic tables are dirrrrrty!)
-Can Opener
-Travel Cutting Board
-Aluminum Foil & Ziploc Bags
-Non-Stick Cooking Spray

CLOTHING / HYGIENE / SAFETY:

-Standard clothes
-Extra socks, 1 pair extra walking shoes
-Rain coat, poncho, or garbage bags
-Bug Spray
-Sunscreen
-Usual Hygiene Products (forget shampoo if it’s a short trip – you’re allowed to be dirty when tent camping!)
-First Aid items (bandaids, benadryl, calamine lotion, antiseptic cream, aspirin, immodium AD, etc.)
-Hand Soap
-Towels (in case you get soaked in rain)
-Hand Sanitizer

FUN / OTHER:

-Deck of Cards / Travel Boardgame
-Camera / Extra Batteries
-Flashlights / Extra Batteries
-Fishing Pole / Tackle Box
-Lots of Cash to buy firewood near campsite – it’s expensive!
-Wallet, ID, Cell Phone

Phew! It seems like a lot, but skip here and there and you’ll be wishing you had these items when you’re at the campsite. It’s worth filling up the car with Rubbermaid Bins filled with this stuff. Oh – don’t forget Rubbermaid Bins to put all this stuff in! You’ll need to keep your possession and food waterproof if it rains!

Have fun!

Why 2 car seats? You should have a changing station, a rocking chair, Sheets
Blankets
Changing Station
A radio with music for babies
Swing
Walker
Back pack or Carrier bags
Sponge Bathing
Bath Accessories
Washcloths & Towels
Crib Toys
Dressers & Armoires
Bassinets, Cradles & Portable Cribs
Hampers
Toddler Furniture
Toy Chests
Lamps & Shades
Rugs
Organizers
Wall Hangings
Wall Borders
Photo Frames
Growth Charts
Bibs, Burp Cloths & Lap Pads
Books
Breastfeeding Accessories
Breast Pumps & Accessories
Pillows
Bottles
Bottle Accessories
Warmers & Sterilizers
To start Toys: Birth-12 Months
Later Toys: 12-24 Months
Toys: 2 Years
Playard

Extra crib sheets
Sheet savers
Thermometer
Recieving blankets
Night light
Nail clippers
I’m sorry if I repeted something or if I missed something. Good luck and Congratulations.