#plus it will allow you a place to decompress in quiet and solitude if you have Side Effects etc

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Camping checklist for people who don’t like the outdoors all that much but want to Get Into It:

THINGS TO STICK IN A STORAGE BIN, READY TO LOAD UP WHENEVER

- [ ] Tent. I have a ‘two person’ (LOL) backpacking tent that I can put up myself: just four corners and two poles in an X. I do recommend practicing at home first before your first time, because lord knows sometimes you don’t get to your spot til after dark

- [ ] Air mattress

- [ ] Blower + extra batteries for it

- [ ] Sleeping bag

- [ ] Pillow

- [ ] Battery packs for your phone

- [ ] Hammock AND STRAPS

- [ ] Lawn chair

- [ ] Bug spray

- [ ] Sunscreen

- [ ] Shower stuff

- [ ] Towel

- [ ] Cook pot

- [ ] utensils (FOR BOTH COOKING AND EATING)

- [ ] plates that don’t break

- [ ] Oven mitt

- [ ] French press

- [ ] SALT AND PEPPER

- [ ] Raincoat/poncho thing

- [ ] Headlamp + extra batteries for that

- [ ] LIGHTER

- [ ] Starting material (like, I adore the little pre-made ketchup cups stuffed with wood shavings and melted wax. One of those has never failed me yet!

THINGS TO PREP THE DAY OF:

- [ ] Cooler and ice packs:

- [ ] Eggs

- [ ] Coffee grounds, oat milk, and syrup

- [ ] Shelf-stable pancake mix

- [ ] Food of your choice that can fit in your cooler

- [ ] Snacks of your choice

- [ ] Two jugs of water

- [ ] Hiking shoes and socks

- [ ] Contacts and solution

- [ ] Cash to buy firewood (seriously, don’t transport firewood. Invasive and destructive pests spread that way). In MN it’s currently $6 per load at a state park campground. Local gas stations often sell them if you’re going Rustic.

- [ ] If you’re not going completely off the grid about it: download the Avenza app. This is a VERY HELPFUL MAP for people who 1) don’t know how to navigate and 2) don’t necessarily have cell service. The national forest system has maps that you can download into the app (MN state parks and rec areas also, not sure about every state) and it will show you a real time dot of where you are on the map. Do note that if you are in a place where you don’t have cell service (or even if the signal is Weak!) turn airplane mode on, and turn cellular date + WiFi OFF. Seeking a signal will Kill that phone really quickly. On that same note: so will cold temps. When I hike in the cold, I keep my phone next to skin or I put a hand warmer in the pocket. I’ve honestly observed this even at temps in the 20°Fs (aka NOT COLD dammit, but my loser iPhone begs to differ). If you aren’t interested in Hiking(tm), you can disregard this step. If not, bring a paper map. Check the local USFS offices for a paper map. But do NOT disregard the risk of getting lost. I love my wilderness, and I love my local rescue squad, but holy shit yall SOOOO many people get lost. If you don’t know how to navigate, park your butt in that camp spot and enjoy the view from your hammock.