That Feral Housewife

You thought it was going to be another top 5? Think again, camping is WAY more detailed than that. Even the most experienced campers have a top ten list and these ten are the things that are going to make your next camping trip feel easier and more streamlined. 

1. Make a kitchen bag. Get one of those huge tote bags from Amazon and stock it with everything – paper plates, silverware, cooking utensils, napkins, cleaning wipes, all of those food / kitchen related items. This bag can get restocked after every trip and then everyone knows where to look for those basic essentials. 
2. Make a dedicated bedding bag. Good thing those tote bags come in a pack of 6, we’re going to need another one for this. If you have dedicated camping bedding (which by now you should) then it’s an easy way to keep track of it and keep it organized during the off season. We have a great air mattress and we have a full set of bedding for it to keep ourselves as comfy and warm as possible during the cold nights. This bag holds pillows, blankets, sheets, sleeping bags and spare campfire blankets too. 
3. Make a junk drawer box. This may sound like an odd concept but don’t worry – we’ll label it later with a list of what’s actually in it. This box is for all the things you always need but end up losing or forgetting because of size. Things like batteries, lighters, a pocket knife, nail clippers, a spare hairbrush and hair ties, gum (for those mornings you forgot your toothbrush) spare spray deodorant, zip ties, even a battery bank so your speaker doesn’t die on you. All of these small things and more can go into this box so you have some spare supplies for when you inevitably forget something. 
4. Pack a hat and thermal underwear. If you’re going way up into the mountains like we do – it doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of August and you were sweating all day. 1 am in the mountains is COLD. Have the cold gear available – it’s better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it. 
5. Find a breakfast drink substitute in a can. Coffee is not always available for camping so find your substitute breakfast can drink of choice and have it on hand for those mornings where you need that little caffeine boost. I personally do V8 energy drinks as they’re small, compact and have the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee while still having all the good vitamins in them. 
6. Get some string lights. Yes, they’re pretty but at 9 pm when it’s dark and someone wants a snack they can be super helpful so you don’t have to hold a flashlight while digging through all your stuff.  
7. Get a dedicated canopy tent for the kitchen area. Not only will you now actually have a dedicated cooking space, it defines the rest of the camp, especially if you’re in a group. Plus it provides shade while you’re cooking and believe me, that’s a great bonus to have when it’s 90 degrees. 
8. Bring extra toilet paper. Don’t depend on the forest service to restock those camp bathrooms. While they do their best, I have run into more than one situation where they were just cleaned out and that’s not a great situation to be in without a backup. 
9. Speaking of camp bathrooms – bring cleaning wipes too – those don’t get cleaned as often as you think they do. Just don’t think about that fact too long or you’ll end up not going the whole trip and make yourself miserable. 
10. Bring a speaker! Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun music while you’re out in the woods. Plus the extra noise will help keep unwanted animals (and people) away from your campsite. Just download your playlist first so it’ll work without cell service. 

Hope this helps your next camp trip be a little easier and more fun. Get outside this year, it’s well worth it! 

TFH