It is always better to be safe than sorry. When it comes to camping, this could very easily mean that it is better to bring too much camping gear than it is to bring to little. The old cliché “It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it” is especially true when it comes to the vulnerable position you and your family will essentially be in during a camping trip. The more prepared you are, the less vulnerable you will be. For this reason, it is essential that you create a camping checklist for yourself before you ever step foot outside your home.

This article will discuss all of the benefits of creating (and adhering to) such a checklist, as well as some of the essential items that you should make absolutely certain to take along for the trip. If you ignore the information in this article, you do so at your own peril, as almost every case of major camping-related tragedies could have been avoided if only the campers had been better equipped.

The very best thing about creating a camping checklist far in advance of your trip is that it acts as a brain with a 100% retention rate. You can continue to add to the list as new items and actions come to mind. Then, before you and your family leave the house, you can literally pack each item and do each thing one by one, checking them off as they are handled. This will ensure that you don’t forget anything in one of those dreaded last-minute frenzies. You will have much better peace of mind as the result of doing this.

By taking care of this checklist well in advance, you are able to do all necessary shopping in advance, so that when the time comes for you to hit the campsite, there is no need for any lengthy trip to the sporting goods store or supermarket. Sure, you are always welcome to grab a few last minute snacks and such, but there need not be any heavy-duty shopping involved, as you will have already accounted for – and packed – all of the essential items you need to make your camping excursion a safe and memorable one (and for all the right reasons).

So what items should you include on your camping checklist? Well, before we get into the specifics, there are a few things you may wish to consider. First off, what kind of camping trip do you want to have? And secondly, do you want to be the one in charge of creating this list in the first place? If you want to “rough it,” sleeping in a tent, fishing and hunting, and essentially living off the land, then your checklist may differ considerably from that of a family looking to RV for a few days. And while you are certainly welcome to create a checklist of your own, there are many free online resources you can access where there are lists of essentials which have already been drawn up for you.

Of course, most people like to bring toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, etc.), warm clothing, towels, air mattresses, cookware and dining utensils, plenty of food, fishing gear, insect repellant, first aid kits, and many other items. It is highly advisable that you bring a good amount of “survival gear” along with you, as well. A map of the area, a compass, a sharp knife, and perhaps even a firearm with which to protect yourself and your family from a potential encounter with a dangerous animal are all really important items to include on your list.