All the camping must-haves you’ll wish you packed for your next outdoor adventure

It’s camping season in Toronto, and with plenty of campsites to take advantage of around Ontario, now’s the time to escape the city and reconnect with nature.

But, if you’re a camping novice or haven’t ventured into the wilderness in a while, it’s easy to forget about the small but crucial items that can make your trip more comfortable. 

Preparation is everything when it comes to camping, so here’s a checklist of the essentials you’ll need to have a successful wilderness adventure — plus one smart device that’s quietly becoming a campsite must-have.

Level-up your campsite

Thermacell

Outside of your change of clothes and personal essentials, there are a few things that will help you stay comfortable out in the wilderness.

It might seem counter-intuitive, but having a dustpan and doormat to help keep your tent clear of dirt will bring some peace-of-mind knowing that your sleeping area is clean and relaxing.

Your kitchen gear should take priority when you’re off-grid, but keep your items simple and sturdy. Packing a foldable prep table will help you organize your cooking and eating spaces — so you won’t have to rely on the campsite picnic bench for everything.

Remember that cast iron, flat top grills are essential for getting a big cooking surface and keeping things efficient. Pro tip: your pots can heat up what’s on top of them, so you can boil water while cooking or steaming another ingredient.

Morning coffee? Stainless steel French presses are easy to use, compact, and durable, making them the best tool to brew your morning pick-me-up.

Repelling mosquitoes

Thermacell

If you’ve ever forgotten bug spray on a camping trip, you know how quickly mosquitoes can ruin the fun! While sprays are common, they’re not always ideal — especially when you’re around food or getting active around the campsite.

A real set-it-and-forget-it solution that’s gaining popularity is the new Thermacell E65 Zone Mosquito Repeller, which offer a scent-free, wide-ranging area of effect that gives you invisible mosquito defence.

With up to 20 feet (six metres) of scent-free mosquito repellency, the E65 comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 6.5 hours, 36 hours of repellent that kicks in within 15 minutes of turning on, and the fast-charging dock has it fully charged in just 2 hours.

You can grab the Thermacell E65 at Canadian Tire for yourself. With Father’s Day coming up, it’s also a solid gift for outdoor dads.

Bright ideas for camping

Thermacell

Lastly, think about how you’ll see once the sun sets. Flashlights are great in a pinch, but headlamps are a real lifesaver for hands-free lighting while cooking or making that late-night trip to the outhouse — don’t forget the spare batteries!

There are also solar-powered string lights you can easily hang around your campsite for extra visibility. If you’re planning on making a fire, and space or weight isn’t an issue, a set of fireplace tools (like a poker, shovel, tongs, etc.) can help you keep your fire under control without fear of burns.

You’re going to want to have ample lighting options for all the fun games you definitely didn’t forget to bring. Low storage games are best, think Bananagrams or Uno, so you’re not stuck playing hours of “I Spy” when the weather gets unexpectedly bad.