• Camping is an enjoyable outdoor experience if the camper knows what equipment to use and how to use it.camping image by BOOJOO from Fotolia.com
  
  Camping is an enjoyable summer activity. The brilliant blanket of stars, the fresh air, outdoor activities and the beauty of nature lure millions of people to campgrounds each year. Campers must make a checklist of equipment necessary for a successful camping trip that includes cooking pans and stove, plates and utensils, campside lighting, tools for erecting the tent and last but not least, equipment for making delicious campfire smores.
  
  

Camping Stove and Pans

• Unless your campground is situated adjacent to a restaurant, you will need to eat. Preparing easy to cook meals (e.g., casseroles) before the trip and freezing them is a good way to make cooking easy. Unless you're camping in an RV, you'll need a small, portable camping stove to cook meals. In terms of a cooking pan, you can purchase a tall camping pot to heat up pre-made casseroles, or simply fry burgers in a frying pan. You'll also need matches to light the gas burners. Another way to cook meals is over a portable gas, charcoal or electric grill if your campsite has electrical hookups. Using the grill, you can cook hamburgers, hot dogs, steaks, fish (wrapped in aluminum foil) and vegetables including eggplant and zucchini.
  
  

Plates and Utensils

• Because you'll need to eat during your camping experience, you'll need plates and utensils. You can purchase these at your local retail sports or camping outlet, or simply bring paper plates and plastic utensils. Remember to bring dishwashing soap, a sponge and dish towels--you will need to wash your pots and dishes using the tap at or near your campsite. To have even more fun while camping, don't adhere to your normal schedule of eating lunch at 11:30 and dinner at 6:00. Eat when you feel like it, or when you get back from recreational activities such as canoeing, fishing or hiking.
  
  

Campside Lighting

• During your camping excursion, you'll need a light for your campsite. Traditional gas camping lanterns use two delicate wicks that must be carefully lit with a match. These burn bright, but tend to attract bugs. Placing the lantern further away from the camping table or hanging it on a tree branch keeps the bugs away. However, you can also purchase a battery or even solar-powered lantern; just make sure batteries are fully charged.
  
  

Hammer and Stakes for Tent

• If you're tent camping, you'll need to anchor your tent into the ground for support. Remember to bring tent stakes and a hammer to drive them into the ground as tightly as possible, being careful not to tear the tent material. If the ground is particularly rocky, clear rocks as best as you can or find another spot to erect your tent.
  
  

Food and Equipment for Smores

• Smores, those tasty graham cracker, chocolate and marshmallow treats cooked over an open fire, are essential to every camping trip. Unless you're adventurous enough to search for fallen twigs for your marshmallows, purchase long skewers at your local retail sports or camping store. Bring plenty of matches to light the fire. Another piece of camping equipment that produces delicious treats and satisfied tummies is a campside apple pie maker. Simply place two pieces of bread in the cast iron plates with some canned apple pie filling, clasp together, and cook for a few minutes over an open campfire.