If you are planning your first camping trip, there are a few items that must be purchased or borrowed for the trip.

• Sleeping bag
• Tent
• Sleeping mat or inflatable mattress
• Ice chest
• Camp stove
• Lantern
• Flashlight
• Water
• Lighter
• Firewood (if fires are allowed and wood cannot be gathered in the campground)
• Basic cookware (stackable camping pots are available in the sports section of many stores)
• Fuel for camp stove and lantern
• Toilet paper
• Food (plan menu and keep in mind easy preparation)
• Something to use as a firestarter
• Games, cards, etc. to pass time
• First aid kit
• Cell phone

In addition to these items, I also recommenherd letting others know exactly where you will be, and your itinerary. If you are going to be hiking, also let people know where you are headed and when to expect you back. You can't be too careful when wandering about.

I would also suggest going with a seasoned camper to learn all of the tricks of camping successfully.

Tis the season for camping... enjoy every moment of it!