by Alexandre Muise

Created on: June 14, 2008   Last Updated: July 06, 2009

Before considering what to take a few factors need to be looked at. These factors include, location, length of time, method of travel, as well as the question of tent/cabin. Best memories growing up was camping with dad & my brother at my grandfather's cabin in the middle of the woods. This cabin has simply two rooms; the bedroom and the kitchen/dining room, outhouse not far away. The cabin was a half-hour drive through the woods and by the lake, so we could also get there by canoing from the lumber mill and sometimes stay at the cabin all week.

Things to bring include:
TOILET PAPER! Regardless of where you go, nature does call and nobody can hold it in indefinitely and remain healthy.

Food! This is another necessity; unless of course you plan on eating exclusively what you hunt and gather, you'll need to bring your own food for the stay... This can be anything you like to eat. I always bring a bunch of marshmallows and hot dogs for the campfire, as well as chips and of course actual meals.

In addition to food, consider how much is bio-degradable (such as apples and bananas). If something you eat is bio-degradable, then you can simply throw it in the forest and let mother nature take care of it. However, do bring a few garbage bags for your trash such as your bag of chips, can of pepsi or things that someone else left there before you. Remember, the "zero-impact" attitude is always the one that the forests appreciate most.

Matches to start the campfire, as well as a bucket for the water to kill the fire.

You will also need flashlights and spare batteries if you don't have disposable flashlights. Artificial lights are essential because we don't necessarily sleep soundly from sunset to sunrise.

Now then, if you're going to a cabin, there might be a bed with blankets; if not, you will need a sleeping bag and pillow. If there is no cabin, then you will definitely need a tent for shelter. Sure, a lot of people love sleeping under the stars, but there's no guarantee that there won't be a sudden downpour of rain in the middle of the night (ask anyone who was at World Youth Day in Toronto 2002).

Speaking of rain, bring lots of extra clothes in case there's a sudden downpour while your outside, especially socks (or if you accidentally roll the canoe and fall in the lake or river). Also be sure to bring a good raincoat or poncho, in case you must stay in the rain for a while.

My all time favorite type of sleeping bag is definitely the "mummy

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