It’s that time again! Brush off the dust and get your camping gear packed and ready to go! Here is a quick packing list to help you out. Here we list items for the die-hard, and items for those who prefer to camp with some creature comforts:
Shelter
- Tent
- Ground cloth/tarp
- Extra stakes
- Shade tarp/poles/rope/stakes
- Axe or hammer
- Mat for tent entrance
- Dust pan & small broom
- Truck bed (best for viewing the stars on a clear night!)
Bedding
- Sleeping bag
- Sheets/blankets
- Pillow
- Air mattress/sleeping pad/cot/tarp
- Air pump
- Repair kit for air mattress
- Utility bags for storage
- 12v vehicle adapter
Cooking
- Large water jug & water bucket
- Coolers/ice
- Thermos
- Stove with fuel/propane
- Matches/lighter
- Charcoal/firewood
- Dutch oven/tin can stove/box oven
- Grill
- Igniter fluid
- Newspaper
- Tablecloth, thumb tacks, clips
- Paper plates & bowl
- Silverware
- Measuring cups
- Heavy-duty aluminum foil
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
- Dish soap
- Clothes pins
- Cooking oil/spray
- Containers for food storage
- Potholders/oven mitts
- Pots and frying pans w/lids
- Dish soap
- Cook utensils-spatula, knife, spoon
- Tongs
- Skewers/grill forks
- Can opener & bottle opener
- Folding table
- Dutch oven
- Pie irons
- Mugs & Red Solo Cups (or blue if that’s your preference)
- Mixing bowl
- Cutting board
- Storage bags
- Napkins
- Dish pan
- Dish rag & towels
- Scrub/brillo pad
- Spices, sugar, ketchup, mustard, relish, mayo
- Veggie peeler
Clothes
- Shoes, muck boots, sandals
- Jeans, belt
- Shorts
- T-shirts
- Socks (bring extra)
- Hat
- Bandanna
- Sweatshirt/jacket
- Underwear
- Sleep clothes
- Rain gear
- Swim suit/towel
- Laundry bag
Personal
- Shower shoes
- Towels & washcloth
- Soap & plastic carry case/shampoo
- Tooth brush & tooth paste
- Deodorant
- Comb or brush
- Razor
- Feminine products
- TP
- Shower bag or 5 gallon bucket
- Camping shower & shower pump
- Personal medications – bring extra!
Miscellaneous
- Sunscreen
- Chapstick
- Lantern with fuel, mantles, wicks
- Extra batteries & bulbs
- Compass or GPS
- Bug repellant
- Candles
- Whistle
- Water filters/purification/treatment
- Camera/battery/film/video
- Books/magazines
- Maps and clear directions
- Backpack or Camelback (works best and carries much needed water!)
- Fishing gear/license/bait
- Radio
- Musical instruments
- Camp chairs
- Sunglasses
- Hammock
- Tissues
- Saw & axe
- Park map/guidebooks/trail maps
- Lantern pole or hanger
- Collapsible drying rack
- Popcorn
- Marshmallows, graham crackers, Hershey bars (for s’mores)
- Flashlight & batteries
- Pocket knife
- Plastic grocery bags
- Binoculars
- Rope & clothes line
- Canteen/water bottle/coffee pot
- Bungie cords & straps
- Cards, games, toys
- Duct tape & electrical tape
- Notepad & pen
- Reservations info. for campground and confirmation #
- Cell phone, charger & 2-way radios or walkie-talkies
- Small shovel
- Safety pins
- Money/ID/credit card/quarters
- Bikes & helmets
- Travel alarm clock
- Work gloves
- Umbrella
- Sanitary (flushable) wipes
- Drinks & snacks (especially important if camping with kids!)
- Small sewing kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Hot chocolate, tea bags, coffee
- Scissors
- Watch
ALWAYS tell someone of your plans – give details of where you are going and when you expect to return, give directions and possible alternative routes that you may take, provide cell phone numbers, vehicle description and license plate numbers, hand-held radio channel and codes that you will use, and provide local authority phone numbers (State Police, Game & Fish Commission, Sheriff Dept, etc.) for the county or area that you will be in. It is very easy to become lost in the Maine woods if you are not well prepared!
First Aid Kit
- Roll bandages
- Adhesive tape
- Antiseptic wipes
- Sterile gauze pads
- Cotton swabs
- Tweezers
- Safety pins
- Scissors
- Bee sting kit
- Sinus medications
- Tissues
- Bug repellant
- Sunscreen
- Sterile compresses
- Splinting materials
- Personal information & contact person
- Feminine products
- Ipecac
- Razor blades
- Plastic bags
- Small bottle of water
- Emergency blanket
- Small mirror
- Triangular bandages
- Misc. Band Aides/bandages
- Ant-acids (Tums, Rolaides)
- Triple antibiotic cream
- Aspirin/Ibuprofen/Tylenol/Naproxin
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Ace bandages
- Sunburn lotion or aloe
- Eye drops (best to get the kind that works for contacts)
- Poison ivy cream & cleansers
- Hot & cold compress packs
- Small flashlight
- Latex gloves
- Antibacterial soap
- Thermometer
- Antibiotic soap
- Butterfly bandages
- Twine
- Mole skin for blisters (priceless if hiking- a must have!)
- Flares
- First aid manual
- Nail clippers
It never hurts to:
- Take a First Aid class and a CPR class before camping & hiking in the Maine woods
- Keep supplies in a well marked, durable, waterproof container
- Keep the contents organized
- Know how to use everything in your first aid kit
- Inspect content often, re-supply expired items as needed
- Keep readily available at all times