What should you take on a camping trip? It depends on where you are going to camp, how long you plan to stay, how many people are in your party, and the specific wants and needs of each member of your group.

For starters, the assumption here is that you are actually going to camp. Parking your RV at a KOA and spending your nights watching satellite television with the air conditioner on high is not camping. Camping in the mountains is different from camping on the lakeshore, which is different from camping on the beach. My personal preference is camping on the beach, which is easy to do in Texas. So here we go.

The first item you need is a shovel. The beach means sand, and getting stuck in the sand is normal. It is no big deal if you have a shovel. It can be a tremendous hassle and even cause you to lay out some cash for a tow if you cannot dig yourself out. Bring a shovel and put it first on your list.

You will need an ice chest or two or three. These are wonderful items to have. They not only keep beverages cold and prevent food from spoiling rapidly; they are also furniture. Never mind Styrofoam chests. They are cheap, but they damage easily and they cannot support your weight if you want to sit on them. By all means bring some lawn chairs if you are so inclined and have room for them, but a sturdy ice chest is a handy substitute.

You will want a supply of toilet paper. Paper towels are also useful, but they are optional. Toilet paper is a necessity. When you must go behind the dunes to "do your business", take the shovel with you. Dig a hole, use it, and then cover it up.

Dry clothes are a necessity. Change into dry clothes only when you are sure you are not going to get wet again any time soon. Change too often and pretty soon everything is wet.

Take a first aid kit. A basic kit can be obtained for about ten dollars, and if you never need it, that is great. If you need it and neglected to bring one, however, you may have big trouble.

Bring lots of ice. You can never have too much. Keep your beverages cold and be sure to bring lots of water. If you have more than one ice chest, use one for food items.

Which brings us to food. Never mind worries about dieting and eating only low-calorie foods. You are going to burn a lot of calories, so take whatever you are inclined to eat. Any kind of pre-packaged foods will be fine. Chips and such are handy for snacks. If you plan to cook (I do) bring a Coleman stove. Cooking over an

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