One thing I have discovered is that people become overwhelmed by the amount of “stuff” that they think they need to go camping. I have seen so many people camping with so much of what I consider to be unnecessary gear that it is no wonder that people get turned off from camping with the kids. For me it is about simplicity, the least amount of gear as possible because lets be honest when it is just me and the kids I don’t want to be having to do more then I have to!
Recently we went on a one night camp to Munmorah State Conservation area and so I took the opportunity to record what we took….. so here it is!
All our gear for a one night camp
Tent/water/camp mats:
Of course if you are camping you need a tent! Over the years we have been through a lot of tents but now we are happily set on our Kathmandu Boreas ( check out our blog post on it here… and our YouTube Video on it here!), in fact we are so happy that we have plans to purchase the 2 person version of it. I always have the poles and pegs packed inside the tent bag as I have learnt my lesson after leaving poles behind in the past! We always take a Jerry can of water (sometimes two!) even if we are going to an established Caravan park. It makes it so easy to always have water on hand rather then going back and forth to a tap and sometimes were we camp where there is no suitable drinking water. We also take Camp mats because they are handy for so many reasons. They form a barrier under the tent, are great to step out onto and are a awesome substitute for camp chairs to sit on. It is very rare that we take chairs or a table, especially on an overnight. We sit on the ground or find ourselves hanging out at the camp kitchen or sitting at a picnic table…and the boxes that our gear is stored in also work well as tables.
Kathmandu Tent, Camping mats and Jerry can of water.
Kitchen Box:
We have a box permanently set up with all our kitchen supplies. We have all our cutlery, plates cups etc sitting in a wash up tub inside the large box. In the box we also have our Trangia cooker, matches and its fuel (check out video here) which is so compact but efficient for those times we are not cooking either on a Barbeque or in the camp kitchen. This box also contains our head lamps (don’t need large lanterns) and travel towels (compact towels) as well as a tea towel, wash liquid and sandwich bags to carry lunches while out and about. We also carry around an old telephone book….so we are always prepared to start a campfire!
Food Box:
The food box is another large plastic box which obviously contains our food! This is semi permanent with some long life items always in there. Tea, sugar, long life milk, cocoa, soup, cordial, noodles, Wheet bix, oats, stock, popcorn kernels,oil, Vegemite, honey, tomato sauce are staples in the box and are always packed and from there we put in what extras we want to take. For an overnight (and often for longer) we take a small cooler bag and ice packs which often fits inside this box as well. Also when there is camp kitchens you will find a fridge so I don’t find that I often need a big Esky. In the picture there is also our wash/bathroom bag… this is also always packed with all our essentials, mostly in travel size, ready to go at any time. Its is not always in our food box but generally in our clothing bag.
Sleeping Gear:
Our sleeping gear is basically a sleeping bag each, sleeping mat and pillow. That’s it. Since our tent is a hiking tent it doesn’t allow room for stretchers so we either sleep on mats (mine is a self inflating one form Kathmandu) or sometimes.. but very rarely, two single air beds pushed together for three people. We do have blow up pillows that sometimes are used and we also have been known to use rolled up clothes (or clothes in packing cube) for under our heads, but otherwise we just grab a pillow from our beds. The sleeping bags we have do their job well, although if we could get our hands on smaller sleeping bags that have a decent temperature rating (possibly from Kathmandu…. hint, hint!) I would be much more happier!
Clothing bag:
Well this is pretty explanatory….in this bag we have our clothes! This overnight we used a (red) environmental bag but most of the time we will use our Kathmandu packing cubes, sometimes with our clothes all together and sometimes individual depending on the length of time we are going. Packing too much clothes is also a killer… I am slowly learning how to pack simplistically and down size our clothes packing… camping means that you can get away with wearing the same clothes a few times so its pretty easy to only carry a small amount! Sorry I have no picture to show but I’m sure you get this part!!!
So that’s that folks!!! …How we pack simplistically for camping!!
If you have any questions about this…. ask away below in the comments!
When you pack for camping do you take everything including the kitchen sink…. or do you downsize?
Safe Travels
Kerrie
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I love the idea of the semi-permanently packed boxes. I love wandering through stores such as BCF checking out the accessories, but you’d need a trailer to carry it all! #TeamLovinLife
The boxes that are basically always or semi packed make camping so much easier!
Ummm…. I don’t camp. I stayed in a caravan once. Though that was 1982 and I was in my early teens and didn’t mind trudging to the loo in the middle of the night!
I like the minimalist thing but hate the idea of not having easy access to a bathroom (loo most specifically). Also am very phobic re snakes so anything I stay in would have to zip up tightly!
And yes… am way too precious!
#teamlovinlife
I always say… you either love camping or are just not into it!!! I’m guessing you are definitely the later!
I’m not a camper (though thinking it will be the most affordable way to get away!) but I’m pretty minimalistic on my kitchen stuff anyway. We don’t like owning heaps of all the things.
Yeah I also love minimalism as a whole… and you are right camping is the most economical way to travel!
I’ve only camped once in my life and it didn’t go too well. It was a two man tent so very cramped and it rained and the tent leaked. I’m not against camping though I like my creature comforts! BUT I love nature and the great outdoors so I’m open to camping and would very much like to try again … but next time in a big tent that I can stand up and walk around in. Great packing tips here! #TeamLovinLife
Yes.. the tent can make or break the camping experience! Go for a bigger tent next time for sure!
When we used to camp years ago when our kids were little we took so much gear camping – it was ridiculous. These days we keep it very simple, but we do take camping chairs as I don’t like to sit on the ground. This is a great guide for those setting off on their first camping trip. #TeamLovinLife
Thanks for your feedback, simple is definitely the key for camping so you don’t get too overwhelmed.
This made me laugh because I went camping for the first time in 40 years earlier this year and the car was so full we could barely get in it! I have learnt a lesson there and will be taking your advice on board x
I’m definitely not a camper. Not even a little bit. But I do like the “less is more” concept when it comes to travel. #teamlovinlife
Yes it is a great practice for all types of travel!
Love it. So easy. My kids are starting to get a bit bigger now and I would love to start taking them camping. You make it look very easy. #lovin’lifelinky
It is easy and you will find your way as you go!
Not a camper here … but it seems pretty straight forward to me. But then there are always going to be those that get carried away and have to have all the latest bells and whistles!
Yes! that’s what I see all the time…. people who think that need everything!!!
We went camping last weekend with my water polo team and their families. It was interesting to see how they all camped! One family bought a gas heater, solar panels, circular saw etc etc and we were only there for 2 nights!
It sometimes amazes me what people bring for such a short stay!
We try to take as little as possible. The simpler the better!
less to pack up!
We’re planning an overnight trek into Wilsons Prom. We need to downsize big time as we have to carry everything in and everything out. The views will be worth every step though.
That will be an awesome hike! Good luck!