By: Katelyn Marnoch

Camping is the quintessential North American experience, whether you sleep in a tent, RV or hammock its reconnecting with Nature that lies at the heart of all outdoor enthusiasts. The start of camping season marks the true start of summer; it is cottage trips, smokey BBQ’s, cold beers by the lake, fireside stories under the stars and the sweet escapism of heading up North.

But before the good times roll, you’ve got to dig out all of last year’s gear, assemble the troops, pack the coolers and pray you don’t forget anything. Which is why we are sharing our Ultimate Packing List! Reuse it, add to it, share it, and enjoy your next outdoor adventure knowing you’ve got it all under control. Cheers to that!

Basic Gear:

1. Tent/Hammock + extra pegs & rope

2. Sleeping bag

3. Sleeping pad/air mattress + pump

4. Tarp + line

5. Axe *make sure its sharpened.

6. Matches (store in a waterproof & damp proof container) or fire starters

7. Utility knife/multi-tool

8. Flash light or head lamp *put fresh batteries in and test them before leaving

9. Lanterns

10. Extra rope and clothes pegs (for laundry)

11. Compass

12. Dry sack

13. First aid kit

14. Mosquito coils

Cooking Gear:

1. Aeropress *We LOVE our Aeropress; compact, lightweight and easy to use, this beauty makes creamy, delicious coffee no matter how rugged you are camping. Great for road trips and travel in general!

2. Cooler

3. Food barrel (unless car or RV camping)

4. Collapsible water bag or jug

5. Camping burner + fuel

6. Cast iron frying pan

7. Fire safe pot

8. BBQ metal clad utensil set

9. Grill rack *some camp grounds already have them onsite.

10. Small cutting board

11. Cooking knife ex: chef’s knife for chopping vegetables and trimming meat.

12. Light weight plates, cups & cutlery set *Packing light? Use your frying pan or pot as your plate.

13. Water purification *only needed when backpacking or camping where clean water isn’t provided.

14. Reusable water bottles

15. Aluminum foil

16. Tupperware containers

17. Biodegradable soap and sponge

18. Bin for washing dishes in. Tip: Rubbermaid bins are great for this.

19. Quick dry dish towel

20. Trash & recycling bags.

Personal Essentials:

1. Bug spray

2. Sunscreen

3. Swim wear

4. Warmer clothes to change into at night, pants and long sleeves also help prevent bug bites!

5. Quick dry towel

6. Sunglasses

7. Hat

8. Flip flops, not just for the beach, we wear them when using public showers as well.

9. Rain coat

10. Hiking shoes

Toiletries:

1. Toothbrush + Toothpaste

2. Lip balm

3. Hairbrush

4. After bite

5. Shampoo, conditioner + soap

6. Lotion

7. Aloe gel, this stuff works miracles on sunburns and soothes itchy bug bites!

8. Any prescription medication

9. Nail clippers

10. Tweezers (some multi tools come with this great feature!)

11. Allergy meds for those who suffer from seasonal allergies.

Please remember to leave nature as you found it, pack sustainably, enjoy responsibly and to stop, smell & see the true beauty surrounding you in the Great Outdoors!