by Blair Bordelon

Created on: July 06, 2009

It all depends on your definition of "camping."

There are those who would take their $30,000 RVs with satellite powered, flat screen TVs, central heating, built-in bathrooms, microwave ovens and dishwashers, park them in the middle of the woods, take a deep breath and say, "Aaaah, the great outdoors."

And then there are those who sleep with rocks pocking at their backs through the bottom of a 30-year old tent passed down from grand-paw, listening to the crickets chirp and batting mosquitoes off their legs, thinking irritably (but with a hint of pride), "Aaah, the great outdoors."

For the first definition camper, all you really need to bring with you is whatever your RV does not already supply. If your RV is bit less fancy then the one mentioned above, you probally will have to do without the dishwasher and the microwave and maybe even without the bathroom.

Luckily for you, most camp sights come equipped with running water, a BBQ pit and even public bathrooms (though often you must be prepared to take a little hike to use them).

To make the best out of the experience with the little you are given, make sure you bring enough clothes to last you through the trip, (because very few people know how to properly hand-wash clothes anymore), have only disposable dishes and utensils, bring whatever tools and ingredients you will need for good, grilled meals, and always, always, be sure to bring toilet paper.

Now, if you are more inclined to sleep under the stars and experience the true wonders of nature . . . pack your house.

'Oh, no!' you say. "This is cheating. If I'm going camping in the woods, I want to do it right!"....Forget it. You'll be changing your mind the minute you start setting up your tent and realize the zipper on the door doesn't close all the way.

Inevitably, something will go wrong. And you will HATE yourself for not packing more. If you wish to persevere despite this, by all means, go ahead. (And good luck). However, if after reading this, you are finding yourself (reasonably) hesitant, you might want to think about follow this list:

1-Bug Spray - Without it, your life will suck, and your camping trip will offer no good memories whatsoever.

2-Toilet Paper - A good campground will take care to keep the bathrooms stocked. Very few of these campgrounds exist

3-Soap, Shampoo, Toothpaste - because no, the campground doesn't supply these

4-A blow up mattress - The ground is not your friend. It does not enjoy holding up your weight, and it

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