What to pack when camping

The trick is to bring enough items that stand in for traditional home-bound amenities while still reinforcing the pleasures of being outdoors. To ensure this, bring enough outdoor toys (soccer balls, footballs, Frisbees—the list is endless), never let anyone retreat to the mini-van DVD player, and, most important, take a page from the backpacker's philosophy: Leave No Trace—pack out what you pack in, keep the trash far away from the fires, and leave the place the way you found it. Not only is that the environmentally savvy thing to do, but it also bestows the right message to your young ones and be sure to pack enough fruit and other snack items to stave off hunger between meals. ~By Toby Gohn

A Suggested Packing List of Useful Items

Shelter and Sleeping

Ground tarp/cloth(s)

Tent(s)

Sleeping pads for everyone

Camping Chairs for everyone

Sleeping bag (rated to 20 to 50F)

Hand warmers for the morning and at night to put in sleeping bag

Pillows

Trash bag for dirty clothes

MESS KIT

-Plate

-Bowl

-Drinking Cup

-Silverware

-Mesh Drying Bag

Light Sources

Lantern

Headlamps for all

Toiletries

Bath towels and washcloths

Soap

Hand sanitizer

Toothbrushes/toothpaste

Deodorant

Sunscreen

Lip balm

Baby wipes (very handy for campsite cleanup)

Family Medical Kit

Bandages

Benadryl

Poison ivy treatment such as CORTAID® Treatment Kit

Antibiotic ointment/wipes

Burn ointment

Thermometer

Bug repellent

Aspirin

Tweezers (good for removing splinters and ticks)

Moleskin

Clothing for All

Minimum - 2 changes of clothes for all.

Trail-running shoes or hiking boots (broken in and waterproofed)

Rain/wind jacket and pants

Pajamas

Sunglasses

Day Pack

Cub Scout SIx Essentials

Flash Light

Water Bottle

Trail Food

Personal First Aid Kit

Sunscreen

Whistle