Car Camping guide for the first timers!

Car camping can be intimidating, specially when you didn't even know that "Car Camping" was a term. But if you know some basics, you can give your family an amazing outdoor time which they will remember for a long time. 

Introduction

In this blog, I will be trying to make things easy for the first time car campers. Car camping in our context mean a camping trip where you can take car full of things to your pre-booked camp ground and stay for a day or two. This blog is assuming that one of your friends have already booked a camping site and have invited you to join them soon. Now is that time to understand is car camping for you? What do you need before you leave for the trip and how to make it a pleasant experience for you and your family.

Basic amenities camping site will already provide *:

• You will get a patch of land to put your tent. Usually in California two tents can easily fit in this space.
• Adjacent car parking slot 
• You will also get a picnic table for cooking and eating with friends
• A fire pit with grill will also be available
• A food storage cubby - to prevent food from animals
• A water source is usually available on a short walk
• A clean flushable toilet with showers are also available in many cases. Showers need quarters for use.

* Although common not every campsite may have these and so please check their website to confirm.

Gear needed for camping

Always handy in a carry bag

• Offline map
• Sun protection: Sun glasses, Sun screen, Hats/Caps
• Dramamine might be needed for winding roads
• Insect repellent
• Swiss army knife
• Head lights / torch
• Hand cream
• Nuts
• Bars

Sleeping

• Tent (If you are three person family get at-least a four person tent as they run smaller)
• We liked this one https://www.rei.com/product/204311/the-north-face-wawona-6-tent
• Many other options:  
• The 7 BEST 6-Person Tents (Bought & Tested, NOT Sponsored!)
• Top 13 Tents - How to Choose a Tent & Tent Reviews
• Hammer for stakes
• Sleeping pad: Comfortable bedding
• We liked this one https://www.rei.com/product/186711/nemo-roamer-sleeping-pad-xl-wide
• Many other options:
• The BEST and WORST Sleeping Pads of 2023
• The BEST and WORST sleeping pads of 2023
• Sleeping bag: For keeping warm on cold nights
• We liked
• https://www.rei.com/product/199932/nemo-jazz-30-sleeping-bag
• https://zenbivy.com/collections/light-beds/products/light-bed-10
• Many other options:
• The TOP sleeping bags of 2022 (and one you can afford)
• The REAL difference between sleeping bags and quilts
• Pillows: (Bring your own pillows for cozy night)
• [Optional] Extra blankets for extra coziness
• [Optional] Foldable rake for cleaning debris from the tent site
• [Optional] Small stool to sit outside the tent for taking off/on shoes
• [Optional] Small stool for stuff inside
• [Optional] Books for reading
• [Optional] Padding/Yoga Mat for padding in tent

Drinking

• A water tank for general water use
• Personal water bottles / Cups
• [Optional] Insulated water bottles for each as water can get cold

Cooking

• Two burner stove
• Coleman Matchlight 10,000 BTU 2-Burner Propane Stove
• https://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Even-Temp-3-Burner-Propane-Camp-Stove/43195699 
• Propane tank
• Lighter
• Pot with lid
• Pan
• Spatula
• Knife
• Chopping board
• Towel for handing hot items

Eating (Depends on the menu)

• Cooler: Some food might need cooling for a couple of days, cooler work well for them
• Pre-cooked meals
• Juices
• Milk
• Butter/Jam
• Frozen paranthe
• Fruits
• Bread
• Marinated barbecue items
• etc
• Non Cooler food:
• Snacks
• Veggies
• Tea
• Smores/Chocolate/Graham cracker
• Dry food which can be hydrated/cooked
• Daal
• Rice
• etc
• Utensils
• Plates, Bowls, Cups, Sporkes
• Cleaning
• Bounty
• Wipes
• Trash bags
• Dishwashing soap and brush

Bathroom

• Toilet seat cover
• Hand soap
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Deodorant/Perfume
• Comb
• Towels/washcloth
• Nail clippers
• Slippers
• [Optional] Flushable wipes
• [Optional] Kid’s potty seat

Outdoors

• Chairs
• Fire wood or alternative
• Fire starter

Health

• Tylenol
• Thermometer
• Heat/cold packs
• Antibiotic cream
• Burn ointment
• Bandages

Clothing

• Tops and bottoms
• Underwear top and bottom
• Socks keep extra for sleeping
• Jacket for colder temperatures
• For winter: Caps, neck gator, gloves
• [Optional] Eye mask for those who like it
• [Optional] Hand warmers for cold nights

Power

• Power bank
• Phone/Watch charger
• Tent light
• [Optional] Inflation pump for sleeping pad
• [Optional] Ultrasonic insect repellent

Make your family feel like home away from home

• Bring your own pillows
• Yes you can buy camping pillows but at-least for the first night, your own pillow is the number one thing which will instantly make you feel like home
• Bring cozy slippers
• You can keep wearing and taking off shoes but having your slippers is just nicer
• Keep a small foldable table outside the tent to make shoe taking off and on easier
• Even though you can blow air into your sleeping pad, bring an inflation pump for quicker and easier job
• Grab a hammock for enjoying those lazy day times
• Get insulated water bottles for each as water can get cold at night
• Flushable wipes for bathroom can be useful for some
• Kid's potty seat can be a big win for kids
• Ultrasonic insect repellent can help keep bugs away

Have fun camping!