Camping

Staying in nature it is a totally different from being in a city and staying in a hotel. If you are going to a national park (such as Yosemite, Sequoia or Lassen) you have to be very well prepared, the forgotten things could ruin a night or cause some difficulties during the day.What are the most important things to bring with you?

Special things for camping

• tent
• hammer (to drive stakes into the hard ground)
• footprint (to put under the tent)
• sleeping pad

• sleeping bag - If the temperature could sink under 32F make sure that the comfort rating of the bag is under 32F.

• small pillow
• flashlight
• bigger light to put on the dining table, maybe candles

(music instrument if you can play)

• portable gas stove
• firewood and kindling
• matches
• foldable water tank
• travel dining set
• travel utensils
• 1 roll of paper towel (could be good for a lot of things)
• table cloth
• 1 small dish soap, sponge, dish cloth
• strong rope
• camping chair
• food for breakfast, dinner, lunch
• insect repellant

If you already made some trips to national parks, don’t forget to bring your membership card.

Personal stuff

• sunblock
• sunglasses
• tissues
• very warm clothes for the night and for the chilly mornings  (hat, gloves, warm sweater)
• blanket
• clothes which you like. Funkcional, not stylish. Good hiking clothes are recommended!
• hiking shoes, slippers, sport shoes
• hat to protect yourself from the sun
• rain coat
• backpack
• water bottle

Special stuff for a baby or a toddler

• baby carrier. I like Baby Ergo, but we have a REI Piggyback backpack as well.
• baby travel high chair
• food, if she/he not just breastfeeding.
• formula + bottles
• sippy cup, bib, small fork or spoon
• fever reducer (just in case)
• medical and first aid supplies
• toothpaste and toothbrush
• potty, if she/he is on the way to be potty trained
• diapers, wipes and cream if you use against the diaper rashes
• pacifier if the baby uses it. Then pack 3 or more.
• toys - not the heaviest toys. Our girls’ favorite is Lego, because
• books -  picture books and storybooks.
• sand toys - to play on the ground, to collect stones, pine cones and some kind of treasures
• ball
• stuffed animal - in our case, Sophie has a favorite bunny, Lili has a hedgehog.
• sunglasses for baby
• hat
• clothes