Camping is the best. Being outdoors and sleeping under the stars is an incredible feeling. Not to mention - beers by the campfire, eating outside and s'mores... Everything combined makes for a completely relaxing weekend.
What they don't tell you is that the least relaxing part about camping is the preparation beforehand. Now granted, not everyone is as crazy organized as I try to be, so perhaps they don't feel the same level as stress...But...I've found that to try and get all the little details together is can be more work than planning a trip overseas...
I've gone camping since I was 2, but the past two summers I've been going with friends. It's a whole other ball game when you are planning it on your own. I have no idea how my parents did it almost every summer weekend with two kids. My friends and I have done a pretty good job at arranging the food and gear, but it took some serious effort to get it organized.
(Note: We also camp a bit more comfortably than the average bear, so not all items may be needed, especially if you are back country camping. We cook baked brie over the fire. For reals. For now, all I have been able to muster the courage to do is car-camping.)
Here is what I learned to pack so far.
Gear
Tent
Air Mattress (with pump)
Sleeping Bag
Sheet for Air Mattress
Pillows (funny enough, these are easy to forget)
Tarp (or two, depending on how big and ambitious your campsite is)
Ropes
Camp Chairs (1 per person)
Axe for cutting wood
Knife
Flashlight
Lantern (I love my rechargeable one, it's usually good for the entire weekend on one charge)
Lighter
Fire starters if you are really worried about starting a fire (but c'mon...)
S'mores/hot dog sticks if you have them
Rope & Clothes pins for clothesline
Clothes for all weather possibilities (don't forget about rain and cold temperatures)
Small Broom (for tidying up the picnic tables and the inside of your tent when you are packing up)
$$ for ice and firewood from the camp store
Canoe/Paddles/Lifejackets
Fishing Rods/Tackle-boxes
Kitchen Gear
Kitchen Tent
Cooler (with Ice)
Stove with Propane
Small BBQ with Propane if you have one
Water Jug (pre-filled if water taps are far away)
Pots & Pans
Dishes (Plates, Cups, Bowls)
Utensils
Kitchen Items: Wooden Spoons, Slotted Spoons
Knives (good ones, not the crappy ones your mother has been using for 30 years)
Mixing Bowls
ZIPLOC BAGS (in multiple sizes, these are great for leftovers and random occurrences, I swear by these)
Foil (the heavy duty stuff so you can cook over the fire)
Saran Wrap
Plastic egg containers
Garbage Bags
Wash Basins
Jay cloths
Biodegradable soap
Dish Towels (for drying)
Food
Salt & Pepper
Oil
Table cloth (or two, one for each picnic table, cause the dirt is real)
I am hoping to get some sample menus up as well soon!
What else do you bring with you when you are camping?