What We Forgot Our First Trip (And Won’t Forget Again)

Our first camping trip wasn’t a disaster… but it definitely could’ve gone smoother. We brought a lot of great gear — and forgot some really basic stuff. This post isn’t a checklist, it’s a look back at the simple mistakes we made (so hopefully, you don’t make the same ones).

Trash Bags

We packed snacks. We packed drinks. We didn’t pack trash bags.
Ended up stuffing wrappers in grocery sacks and chasing them around in the wind.
Now we always bring a couple big ones — one for trash, one for gear.

A Good Light (Lantern or Headlamp)

Once it’s dark, even simple stuff like finding a fork or heading to the bathroom becomes a challenge.
Having a solid light makes a huge difference when you’re trying to navigate in the dark or find something you dropped.

Firewood & Firestarter

We had big plans for a fire — just no wood and no way to start one.
Now I save toilet paper rolls, fill them with dryer lint, wood scraps from my shop, whatever I’ve got, and wrap them in a paper towel with a little glue. Toss one under a few sticks and you’re good to go.

Personal Care Items

Never crossed our minds. No idea why.
That ride home? Smelled like regret. Don’t forget the basics: toothbrush, wipes, deodorant — especially if you’re in a site with no showers.

A Way to Cook

We figured we’d just wing it. Turns out, not all sites have a grill grate.
Foil’s handy, but only if you have something to cook it on. Check the site ahead of time — and either bring a stove, a grate, or at least food that doesn’t need cooking.