Camping Essentials

This summer we have already taken our longest camping trip to date. 7 days and 6 nights sleeping in a tent. We’ve come a long way since we bought our tent just over a year ago.

We started with a one night stay at nearby Possum Kingdom Lake. Our next trip was for two nights at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Oklahoma. Then last summer we doubled our camping trip again and stayed four nights at Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas.

Thanks to tent camping 4 times over the past year, I have created my very own list of camping essentials.

1.Body wipes*

Amenities vary at each camp site, and daily (or even every other day) bathing isn’t always an option. But everyone can use body wipes to clean up at the end of each day. As a subcategory, makeup remover wipes. I don’t typically wear much makeup when we are camping (basically just mascara) but having facial/makeup remover wipes is always handy.

2. Dry shampoo*

This goes hand in hand with #1. Dry shampoo was my best friend on our trip this summer. It was humid and muggy and Littlest’s hair in particular would just stick to his head. The dry shampoo did a great job of keeping everyone’s hair looking clean.

3. Laundry refresher*

I haven’t done any laundry on our camping trips. I pack enough clothes for each person for the trip. (We do wear shorts more than once but clean shirts for each day.) However, that dirty laundry bag can really start to smell throughout the duration of the trip. A spritz of laundry refresher on the clothes as they go into the dirty laundry bag helps immensely.

4.LED glow stick*

Perfect if you have a kid who isn’t comfortable sleeping in the dark. And I prefer them over a flashlight after it gets dark. The bugs aren’t as attracted to them and it is easier for my eyes to adjust when I use them.

5. Deck of cards*

One small deck of cards, so many possibilities. Space is always a concern when packing for a trip. The kids always get to fill a tote bag with toys, books, and activities for the trip. And I always throw in a deck of cards. They hardly take up any room and they provide games that we can all play together.

6. Liquid water enhancer*

It hopefully goes without saying that you should drink plenty of water when camping. But I always bring a least one bottle of this as a treat for the kids for a couple of meals.

Are you a tent camper? Prefer glamping instead? Whichever your preference I’m sharing a summer treat tomorrow that everyone will enjoy!

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