Here in beautiful North Idaho, one of the most common past times in the summer is camping! Whether you pull an RV or rough it with a tent, it’s a hobby most enjoy. Although the first camping trip of the year can be exciting, it may also seem a little overwhelming. It’s been months since your last trip and you have nothing prepared. We’ve got you covered! Below are checklists, tips, cooking ideas and more! 

Before Your First Trip

First thing on your to-do list in spring is to make sure your tent or RV and all gear is ready ready. Camping would not be very fun if you realized during your trip that something wasn’t working or missing and you weren’t fully prepared.   These things can ruin any  camping trip.

Tents are pretty easy, but still it is very important to make sure your tent is in top shape and ready to go. Here are a few things to remember when prepping you tent and gear:

1. Inspect your tent and tarps for any holes. Apply waterproof sealant where necessary.
2. Wash and fully dry all of your gear made of fabric, this includes any sleeping bags, pillows and blankets.
3. Check all your fasteners and ropes. Replace any broken or frayed ones.
4. Make sure all your tent poles and stakes are accounted for
5. Make sure you have a hammer for the stakes and a hatchet for wood
6. Be sure all your battery powered gear has new and fully charged batteries and works.
7. Wash, dry, inspect, and check that all camping equipment is acceptable working order.

Now, RV‘s are much more complex to prepare.  Although every RV is going to be a bit different, the items detailed below will fit most RV’s and will be need to be completed.  Always best to check the manual for the specifics on your RV.

1. Clean and inspect the inside and the outside of the RV.
2. If you winterized your RV in the fall, steps will need to be taken to de-winterize the trailer. This is typically flushing the lines with clean water.
3. Fill your water tank, run the water pump and check for leaks.
4. Be sure your dump hose is in good and working order, with no holes or tears.
5. Check all your fresh water, black and grey valves when at a dump station. Be sure they open and close property and these are no leaks.
6. Inspect the caulking, tires, towing equipment, awning, appliances, lights, batteries and A/C Unit.
7. Make sure all your safety equipment is on board along with a tool box with most often used items for small repairs

Things to Pack

Although everybody camps a little differently, there are several things we all need to bring on every camping trip. We’ll save you the trouble of writing your own list, because we did it for you. Here are just a few very important items to remember:

1. Bedding – includes pillows, blankets and sleeping bags

2. Clothes – Plan for all types of weather from swim suits to coats

3. Toiletries – includes soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, hairbrush, hair-ties, shaving items and deodorant

4. Lighting – lantern, flashlight and don’t forget the batteries or matches

5. Cook wear and utensils – Stove, dutch oven, griddle, coffee pot, knife, spatula and more

6. Don’t forget packing for your pups.  Leashes, food bowls, water bowls, dog bed, dog food

7. First Aid Kit, Stuff to Bug Bites,  Sunscreen, Ibuprofen etc.

That list is only scratching the surface. Need a more in depth list? Check out our Camping Checklist!

Cooking At Camp

Cooking while camping can seem like an overwhelming, difficult, and dreaded task. But, it can be easy and enjoyable if you follow some basic steps.

Step 1: Plan Ahead.

Seems a little obvious, but it is one of the most important steps. Creating a list of everything you’ll need, even the little things, will insure less forgotten items. Things to consider in this step: the space and weight the food will take up, how you plan to cook things (stove, dutch oven, cast iron skillet), and that you eat food that spoils first.

Step 2: Choose your Equipment.

This step will mostly depend on how you camp and the amount of work you’re willing to do. If you prefer not to have any work while camping, pre made meals and snacks would be your go to. That would mean more prep work before you went camping. If you’re willing to do a little cooking, foil meals would be a great idea, that would be a little less prep work before you left.  If you can manage the extra weight and the extra work, dutch oven or a cast iron skillet would be a great way to prepare your food.  Dutch ovens seem to be a popular choice in cookware these days. Check out a video about dutch oven cooking for beginners by clicking here!

Step 3: Know how to Store Food.

A little organization will help big time when storing your food. There is a science behind stocking a cooler or fridge to ensure no wasted space and easy access to items you will need most often. A few ideas would be to bring a separate cooler for drinks, remove items from bulky packages, pack ingredients you’ll be using last at the bottom, and fill every nook and cranny with ice. Others things to keep in mind in regards to storing food is to be sure to keep everything clean, never to leave food unattended, and be aware of the wildlife in the area you’re camping and plan accordingly. Example would be bear proofing.

Step 4: Clean Up. 

Proper clean up after your meal is also important, no matter how little we want to do it, as it prevents the spread of bacteria and the arrival of unwanted guests. Be prepared with items you’ll need: 2 dish tubs, dish cloth, drying towel and biodegradable soap. Thoroughly clean, dry and store your items. Store your unused food in airtight containers. Make sure all your trash has been picked up around your camp site and dispose of it properly. Either in the designated receptacle or pack it up and bring it out of the woods with you.  Remember, pack it in – pack it out.  Leave your camp spot or location better than when you arrived.

Have a great camping season! Be sure you’re prepared, have fun, and always be safe! 

Credit: Camping for Foodies, Camping with Gus, Chow Hound, National Park Service,