by Louisa Cadwell

Created on: July 23, 2008

Aside from a heart open to adventure and a mind open to "roughing it", there are essential basics that every camper should have on hand when preparing for a camping trip. Some people prefer the experience of lying bare under the stars to sleeping on a prefabricated foam mattress in a camper. Others would rather die than live without their electronic doodads, let alone running water. What I offer is an outline of particular things beneficial to preparing for whichever sort of camping trip you are planning for.

Cabin Camping

The first necessity that I suggest bringing for cabin camping is your check book. Cabins are the most expensive form of camping. Depending on the sort of campground you are staying in, a cabin rental can run anywhere from the typical rate you would pay for a basic hotel room to the extravagant rate you would pay for a luxury suite depending on the square footage and amenities included.
Basic cabins can vary, but are often void of linens or silver wear. To be on the safe side, I suggest bringing either sleeping bags or calling ahead to see which size sheet is appropriate for the bed(s) in the cabin. If you are environmentally cautious, take advantage of the kitchenette provided by cabin living and bring your own silver wear, dish soap, and dish towel. If you refuse to do dishes on vacation, opt for plastic silver wear. Just be sure to bring an extra garbage bag or two in case there aren't any provided.
Luxury cabins can include electricity, air conditioning, microwaves, coffee-makers, and TVs. So, pack up accordingly. If you're going to hash out the cash, you might as well experience it all. A place to plug in your I-pod dock, pop popcorn without burning your hand, and make filtered gourmet coffee are just a few of the luxuries cabin camping can afford you versus your standard tent camping experience.

RV Camping

When you invest in a camper, you are investing in a permanent camping source that not only provides you the necessity of sturdy shelter, but also offers you some of the comforts of home when you're on the road. An RV allows you to personalize your temporary living space with photos, magnets, blankets, non-perishable foods, and games that can remain in the camper long after the trip is over to await their use on your next excursion. In other words, if you are someone who can get homesick during long vacations, an RV might be a valuable option in curbing that tendency.
RVs also make it easier to bring family pets along for the ride. Just be

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