What Camping equipment does a first time camper need?

tents for camping 10 person image

Andy

What equipment do I need if I want to go camping for the first time? Four of us are planning to go including 2 children under 10. We plan to camp for a couple of days.

Answer
Clothing:
- Short Sleeve Shirts (3 per person)
-Long Sleeve Shirts (1 per person)
-Long Pants (2 per person)
-Short Pants (2 per person)
-Underwear (5 per person)
-Bra (2 per female)
-Socks (5 pairs per person)
-Tennis Shoes (2 pairs per person)
-Sandals (2 pairs per person- one for the showers)
-Night clothes (2 pairs per person)
-Jackets (1 per person)
-Hat (1 per person)
-Swim Suit (1 per person)
-Kid's clothing (pack multiples)
Supplies:
Can opener
Food (beans,soup,bread,ect)
Utensils
Tongs
Plastic Wrap
Foil
Plates/Bowls/Cups
BBQ
Wood
Swiss Army Knife
Small hatchet
Mace (optional)
Water
Water purifier
Marshmallow/Smores Supplies
Pens/Paper/Pencil
Vitamins
Medication
Deodorant
Shampoo
Conditioner
Comb
Brush
Mirror
Scissors
Zip Lock Bags
Shopping bags for dirty clothes
Backpack
Floatable Bag
Rafts
Pots/Pans
Rope
Bungee Cords
Bottles (for the kids?)
Bug Repellent
Comfort Toys for the kids
Playpins (for young kids)
Diapers (for young kids)
Tent
Tarps
Broom
Doormat
Bed Sheets
Sleeping Bags
Pillows
Extra Blankets
Flash lights
Compass
Batteries
Camera
iPod
Cell Phone
Walkie Talkies
Paper Towels
Towels
Washcloths
Wet Wipes
Matches
Fire Starters
Eye Wash
Tweezers
Glow sticks
Hiking Guide
Lysol
Hand Sanitizer
Soap


These are your basics - you can add what you wish! Have a fantastic first trip!

What do you advise for a good four person tent?

bruar02

I don't want anything too heavy or bulky, our apartment is small. We have a two person tent, sierra designs lightning. It's too small for two adults, two smaller dogs and our stuff. I was looking at the mutha hubba 3 person tent, it seems nice but I don't want to outgrow it (what if we have kids) so now I'm thinking about a four person tent.

Answer
Depends on how much you want to spend. You have already mentioned two high priced tents of which are really no better the the colman brands or eureka and kelty brands. All three of these tent makers make quality family size tents that fold up into nice convenient size packages. Of these I recommend the Colman sundome series these are nice three season tents that come with a stay dry guarantee that the other three tent makers don't have. And the prices are a third of those high end tents you mentioned.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2000001976&categoryid=11020&brand=

In the high end category where price is no object I recommend the REI base camp 6 it is a really strong three season maybe four season, pending on where your camping, multi pole and full rain fly tent. Room enough to stand up in, yet an aero dynamic design for windy weather. Its highly rated for multi use and great for base camps.

http://www.rei.com/product/777755

Now for the Taj Mahaul of family size tents where room is of the utmost importance and yet the price is still affordable I go back to Colman tents. I prefer the WeatherMaster 10 its their biggest tent and again the stay dry guarantee.

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/detail.asp?CategoryID=11020&product_id=2000001598

Bottom line you can spend a lot and get just as much if not more for a lot less. so shop around

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