Equipment | needed for | Useful information | Reusable? | store locations or at home |
pot | cooking | should bring an old pot, not the pot you use every day in the kitchen, since it will likely get dirty, sooty, maybe burned. | Y | @ home or part of a camp cooking bundle at Canadian Tire |
pan | cooking | should bring an old pan, not the pan you use every day in the kitchen, since it will likely get dirty, sooty, maybe burned. | y | @ home or part of a camp cooking bundle at Canadian Tire |
Camp stove | cooking | 1 or 2 burner, depending the group size. Propane stove is easiest usually. | y | Canadian Tire, Sail, Walmart |
stove fuel | for running the stove (maybe a lantern) | amount of fuel is dependent on the size. about one canister per day. little green cans are NOT recyclable. Find a drop off at the camp. | n | Canadian Tire, Sail, Walmart |
cutlery | | bring what's appropriate for your food | y | @ home |
paper plates or reusable plates | | watch for fire bans to help with decision.. | y | |
dish soap | | can be used for personal hyenine as well as dishes. | n | @ home |
matches | everything | use responsibly, bring more than you think you need | n | many locations |
firewood | cooking, marshmallows, | check with regulations.. may need to buy firewood on site. watch for firebans at camp sites | n | camp ground sell, sometimes even deliver! |
camp chair | | good for hanging out around the fire. | y | Canadian Tire, Sail, Walmart |
sleeping bag | staying warm, sleeping | buy for desired temperatures, 5c rated bag is good for summer | y | Canadian Tire, Sail, Walmart |
mattress | for staying comfortable | inflatable air mattress is comfortable. 4-5 cm (2"). one person wide | y | Canadian Tire, Costco, Sail |
tent | sleeping, hanging out, staying dry | comfort dictates if a tent says for 5 people, it's more comfortable for 4 (ie one less than rated..) | y | Canadian Tire, Sail, Walmart |
lantern | not always needed, but useful for evening lights | may not be needed. save energy or fuel by dimming or not using when you can still see | y | Canadian Tire, Sail, Walmart |
flashlights (headlights) | useful for the tent | don't forget extra batteries | y | Canadian Tire, Sail, Walmart |
tarp | rain... it's not always sunny at camp. | use for sun shelter too - and keeping things and people dry | y | Canadian Tire, Sail, Walmart |
water | | good to check the campsite for boil-water advisory. maybe need to bring water from home | n | @ home |
water filter | | so you don't have to bring water from home. may not be needed - most camps do not have water issues | n | Canadian Tire, Sail, Walmart |
food | healthy, and able to stay fresh. | choose food that have minimal dishes, and keeps well. simple foods always taste better at camp! | n | |
maple syrup | | need to put something on the marshmallows! (and pancakes) | | |
marshmallows | | what's camp without a fire and roasted marshmallows | n | |
appropriate clothing | | Don't forget jackets and long pants to fend off bugs! | y | |
towel | | can be used a blanket overnight if you get cold | y | |
binoculars | | spend time and enjoy nature | y | |
cards & games | | great to spend time, especially if it's raining | y | dollar store, walmart, Canadian Tire |
book | | great to spend time, especially if it's raining | y | |
bug repellant | | be aware of ticks and mosquitoes. use bugspray and get out and enjoy! | n | Canadian Tire, Sail, Walmart |
sunscreen | | | n | drug stores, Canadian Tire, Walmart |
1st aid kit | | extra bandaids are always useful | y | drug stores, Canadian Tire, Walmart |
access to emergency phone | | Provincial & National parks will have phones at their offices for emergency use | | |
knapsack | packing clothes and things in | not necessarily needed, duffle bag works too, and doesn't take up much room in the tent | y | Canadian Tire, Sail, Walmart |
friends | | Camping is always better with friends! | | |
common sense | | you gain it by asking questions, and through experience. Your first camp will be fun as you are learning. Your NEXT camps will be better than the last! | |