What do i need to start camping?

Question

I need to start getting active in my life. I’m sick and tired of MOPING around the house and thinking about my unsuccessful relationship. So instead I want to go camping to get away from everyone and everything. START opening my eyes to the great out doors " get down and dirty with nature and earth". So I need to know. What do I need to start the wheels rolling. I need to know what’s a good brand and is it cost effective. I don’t want to sound cheap but I don’t want to buy expensive things that I don’t need. I need great quality and a great price. ANY TIPS. I want to buy things that I can use when I car camp, backpacking and base camping. I need the common things so I can do all 3

Answer 1

Tent.

Sleeping bag for each person in your party.

Canopy or screenroom for kitchen

Gas or propane stove

Folding chairs

Lantern or flashlights

Cooler

Dishes and flatware, durable and disposable

Water jugs and canteens



You can get most of the basics at Wal-Mart, for some really cool specialized stuff, check out Cabela's

Answer 2

Kelty is a good brand for a newbie if you want something that's a step up from Coleman and the usual big box stores. It's quality at a good price. Get a footprint for your tent (it's made to fit underneath your tent preciself) or a cheap tarp will do for car camping.



Depending on where you'll camp, a sleeping bag is important. Choose a down one if you know you'll be in NON-humid or rainy environment, otherwise choose synthetic (retains warmth even when wet). Definitely get a sleeping pad! You can grab a cheap sleeping pad just about anywhere, or check out places like backcountryoutlet.com and sierratradingpost.com for deals on better ones and you'll also be able to read reviews on these sites.



Buy a few good reusable water bottles -Nalgene's (the "cloudy" colored ones if you're concerned about leaching chemicals, or Klean Kanteen's are great if you're willing to shell out a bit more.



Rather than a flashlight, I tend to use just a headlamp - lets you do everything hands-free, including read at night & go to the bathroom. I recommend Petzl brand - they seem to be bright and have decent battery life.



Rather than ramble on and on... I'd also suggest going to your local library or bookstore and just looking through a book about camping - they likely won't recommend brands, but they'll guide you about what to bring along so you don't forget important things.



Good luck, have fun, be happy and remember the key to keeping places nice for all of us to enjoy is to always leave no trace (www.lnt.org)!

Answer 3

Start simple with a car camping situation -

- Tent - don't worry about getting the lightest and bestest - one of the 2-man 7'X7'X5' outfits will do you well for the first few. Available from discount stores for $30-$60

- Sleeping bag - I actually was more comfortable using the bag as a cushion and a second bag as a blanket. Again, don't sweat getting the lightest and most expensive: you'll be driving it and not carrying it. A ground cushion is nice, don't mess with the cheap inflatables, though.

- Cooler - Duh. It's nice to have ice. Save some room and trouble by freezing your bottled water, less sloshing that way.

- Cooking equipment. - Whatever you go with, make sure you know how to use it. A small campstove ($20) is handy in case it rains. I just pack some cheap used pots and pans I get at the thrift store. If they get ruined it's no big loss. Try to keep it simple, though; a teapot, saucepan and frying pan at most.

- Menu. If you're in your car and have a cooler you have lots of options, Try to keep everything simple, though. Don't pack loaves of bread as they get squished. Try taking pitas, soft tortillas and the like. Don't try and cook anything for the first time, practice on the grill at home.

- Snacks. Avoid chocolate - it melts. Pringles in the cans are quite handy.

- Dress - Sturdy cotton and wool only, please. Nothing tight-fitting. Pack a set of "camp shoes", flip-flops are acceptable.

- Most campgrounds do not allow you to collect local wood for fires. Bring in your own. If I'm car camping I like to cheat and buy some small bags of self-starting charcoal: just light the bag, toss on some sticks and then some wood and I've got a toasty fire in minutes.

- Miscellaneous - Spare tarp, some rope, bug repellant, first aid kit, extra lighters, spare medicine if needed, camp chairs, flashlight, BUG REPELLANT, Trash bags, ... and a few rolls of aluminum foil - very handy.

Answer 4

Being outside does wonders for one's physical and mental well being. The equipment you will need to buy will depend on your tolerances of comfort. I know some people who are happy as a mountain goat to sleep in the dirt with a small tarp for when it's raining. I know other people who opt for the 4" air mattress, down pillows, cold weather sleeping bags and huge tents.



For car camping, the Wal-Mart special will do just fine, but you will want lighter, more durable gear for backpacking. Lighter gear does tend to cost more money, but a lot of times you are paying for brand names like OR, MSR, or Marmot. REI makes a lot of gear that is very close to the expensive brands' in quality and design, for a fraction of the price. I know it's hard to fork out hundreds of dollars for camping supplies, however quality gear will last a lifetime whereas the cheaper stuff will most likely wear out with a few years of use. In the end you might end up spending more money on crappy gear.

http://www.rei.com/



The main things to keep in mind are food, water, shelter, fun, and safety/first-aid.

Answer 5

Here is my list of what I take when camping:Some of it i dont use,but I like to be prepared for any conditions.



1.A tent

2.a sleeping bag

3.A propane stove,pot to cook with and cans of food

4.a set of warm weather clothes

5.a set of cold weather clothes

6.a stocking cap/baseball cap.

7.a lantern(I use 2)

8.a 5 day cooler with ice.

9.some fire starters...you can make these free by dripping candle wax to cover dryer lint about 50%

10.something to keep your lighter or matches dry.

11.a pocket knife

12.a hatchet(for your firewood)

13.a rope///many uses you will find

14.if you can afford it get a power inverter...then you can use anything electric by plugging it into your car....makes making coffee much easier and there are less grounds to contend with.

15.Must have marshmallows to cook over the fire.They taste like crap,but its a tradition.

16.Something to do if the weather turns to crap(a deck of cards,a board game that kinda thing)

17/If youre going near water take some fishing stuff...you might regret leaving it at home..I know i have.

18.I collect extra condiments from fast food places for camping trips....they dont spoil and you dont need to refrigerate them.

19.I would also get a battery operated lantern for inside the tent,dont wanna be commiting suicide by fumes.

20.Beer-if you are so inclined.



Most important remember that in the mountains and many other places in nature it gets very cold at night...even if its 100 during the day.Bring a coat.

The place I go every summer is about 90-100 duru=ing the day,but about 35-40 at night.Sometimes it even freezes in July.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

hi there, i love camping i usually go every year, its a pretty big thing here in australia. first, you need a decent tent, i have a 6-man tent. its a comfortable size, you need to buy a large tarpouline to put over the tent so its protected, and one for underneath, usually round 30-80 buks, you need to buy an esky, take a bag of ice with you, drinking water, blow-up mattress, and thats about it really, i would probably stay in a camping ground for the first trip so you get the feel of setting up. have a look at other peoples tent-set-up aswell, you might find ideas there too.



hope this helps you !! happy camping!!

Answer 7

Campmor has reasonable prices on outdoor gear...

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1



Some items to get things started:

1. Good pair of hiking boots with ankle support

2. Sleeping bag

3. Internal or external frame back pack

4. Tent

5. Cookware and eating utensils

6. Canteen or similar storage device for potable/drinking water

7. Magnesium fire starter or waterproof matches

8. First aid kit

9. Handheld GPS device or compass

10. Lantern

11. Flashlight



Alot of the gear (ie. tent, sleeping bag, and lantern) you will be fine with Coleman, but for the back pack, I would highly recommend spending a little more money. Kelty is a great choice; they offer reliable and affordable products.



Most of the camping gear my wife and I use was bought at Target -- ie. Greatland tent, Eddie Bauer sleeping bags, Coleman lantern.

Answer 8

A 4-season tent is outfitted to stand up to extensive snow and wind storms. there's a extensive fee distinction between 3- and four-season tents. you will not detect a genuine 4-season tent on your funds. do purely not camp in a typhoon :) Eureka is a sturdy fee at a less costly element. extra high priced tents weigh much less, it truly is nice while you're backpacking.

Answer 9

I do believe Pookie said it best, but you need to make a trip to a few local sporting good stores and see what is available. See what you think you may need compare prices and quality before you get off to deep, as it can get very expensive real quick. Decide just how rough you want it to be and if its in your budget. You just might be surprised what is available

Answer 10

To start backpacking, you will need:



>Tent. Keep it under 6 lbs.

>Backpack. Bass Pro Shops has a good selection. Approx $90 - $110.

>Food. High-calorie/protein.

>1st aid kit.

>Water filter.

>Stove.



There are websites out there on this very question.



Check your local library for backpacking books. They even have books at my library that is nowhere near good backpacking country.

Answer 11

DON'T GO TO A PARK AND START CUTTING DOWN TREES, YOUR CAMPING EXPERIENCE WILL BE IN JAIL, FIND A NEARBY CAMPGROUND AND START SMALL, DON'T NEED MUCH MORE THAN A TENT, SLEEPING BAG, COOLER FOR BEER, AN OLD OVEN RACK TO SET OVER COALS OF A FIRE IS EFFECTIVE WAY TO COOK, LESS IS MORE

Answer 12

mosquitos will ruin a good trip. wear light colored clothes and bring some repellant. also DUCT TAPE. snakes aren't usually a threat, put I like to carry a .38 pistol with rat shot in the chamber. also there are some bad people in the world who would rob a camper and leave him stranded, so I would just end his problems for him right there.

Answer 13

Tent, sleeping bag, lantern, good woman, beer, tooth brush,

food, LOL actually go to REI.com they have all you need at the best prices.

Answer 14

www.towsure.co.uk.have everything you will ever need for camping and to get you started,sorry you havent stated what part of the world you are from,hope this helps

Answer 15

A tent and a flash light..... Colemen is also a good brand. Remember you get what you pay for.

Answer 16

Drive down to the near-by park.

Set up your tent.

Cut down bushes and trees for firewood.

Hang your clothes on the trees.

Use the near-by toilet for washing clothes.

Freaking great quality, and its free.

Answer 17

Nothing... Just you and the Bears.