Packing list & suggestions:

• Tent:

  • If you're buying a tent:

    • Remember that you should double the number of people who will be sleeping in it. For example if 3 or 4 people are gong to sleep in a tent, look for a 6 or 8-person tent.

    • Both Walmart and Amazon sell good tents at decent price points. Don't feel like you need to go spend hundreds of dollars on one at a fancy outdoors store.

    • When camping in Florida, ventilation is key. Look for a tent with a good amount of mesh that allows for air flow.

  • Tarp to go under the tent floor. This protects the tent floor and prevents moisture from coming up through the ground. Make sure when putting down the tarp that you fold the excess under the tent floor. If the tarp is sticking out and it rains, you could end up with a big pool of water between the tarp and tent floor, like the worst waterbed imaginable.

  • Some extras to bring:

    • Cheap doormat (the dollar store has these usually) to go in front of the tent flap. Gives you a clean place to stand and take off your shoes before going in the tent

    • Cheap broom to sweep out the tent floor

• Air mattresses:

  • Again, you can get air mattresses at Walmart or Amazon for 1/10th the price of what you can buy at REI.

• Sleeping bags & pillows:

  • If you're buying these, Walmart has really good options. Just remember that you probably don't need thick, heavy bags for Florida camping.

• Camp chairs

• Cooking gear:

  • Stove:

    • If you're buying one, Coleman camp stoves are pretty dependable.

  • Propane:

    • Depending on how much you're cooking, you'll probably need 2 of the little green bottles. If you're boiling big pots of water every meal count on using a lot of propane.

  • Pots & pans:

    • You can probably get by with 1 of each. If you have nice pots & pans in your kitchen don't bring them camping. A good place to find cheap pots & pans is the thrift store.

  • Reusable plates, cups, & utensils.

  • Extendable marshmallow sticks.

  • Coffee percolator / french press (if you're a coffee addict like Sam)

  • Water container:

    • At some sites there is just one water source. Having a water container you can fill up only once or twice per day is very convenient.

• Cooler:

  • If you're buying a cooler, this is where spending a little extra can go a long way. But you can get a high-quality cooler without buying one named after the Indomitable Snowman for the price of a car payment.

  • Things to look for in a cooler:

    • Thick walls

    • A lid that closes tightly

    • Some way to keep critters (raccoons) from getting into it at night. This could be some kind of lock, or if it doesn't have a lock, you can also use a tie-down strap to keep the lid closed. If you think they could get in, make sure to just put the cooler in your trunk at night.

• Flashlights / headlamps / lanterns

• Bug spray / insect repellent

• Optional equipment (that might be helpful):

  • Collapsable awning

  • Folding table

  • Battery-powered fan

  • Water container