One of the most important (and yet, least frequently used) pieces of My Master Camping Checklist is a thorough First Aid Kit stocked with the essential medical supplies I might need on a road trip or a camping excursion.

My First Aid Kit is stored on the top of my Big Blue Camping Bin so it’s easy to access. Here is the list of essential First Aid Kit supplies I keep with my camping gear:

• First Aid Manual
• Adhesive tape (waterproof)
• Sanitary pads & tampons
• Instant cold packs
• Sterile gauze pads
• Elastic bandages
• Call Police flag
• Bug spray
• Calamine lotion
• Sunscreen
• Ethyl alcohol
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Road flares
• Hand warmers
• Antibiotic ointment
• Epi pen
• Eye drops
• Cotton balls/pads, Q-tips
• Waterproof matches
• Razor blades
• Whistle
• Sewing kit (needle & thread)
• CPR shield
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Safety pins
• Water purification tablets
• Ammonia inhalants
• Plastic doggie bags
• Antiseptic wipes
• Band-aids, butterfly bandages
• Burn gel
• Sterile eye pad
• Ibuprofen
• Plastic gloves (latex-free)
• Compass

 What else do you keep in your First Aid Kit?

Read more about Fresh Domestic camping here.

When I decide to go camping, it’s usually a spontaneous, last-minute idea. To make it easier to take off on an outdoorsy trek as soon as nature calls – without forgetting any essentials – I keep a big plastic storage container packed with most of my camping supplies ready to grab and go.

What to pack in a camping bin? Here are the contents of my Big Blue Camping Bin:

Here is the list of supplies inside my Big Blue Camping Bin (starting in the upper left-hand corner and going clockwise):

• Plastic tarp
• Tools: ax, 10-inch folding saw, 6-inch survival knife, pocket knife
• Rope: 100-foot paracord, extra rope, extra tent stakes
• Light: lantern, flashlights, extra batteries, fireproof matches, flint, citronella candle
• Cooking: aluminum foil, spatula, cooking spray, oven mitts, hot pads, cutting board, teapot, cast iron skillet (*utensils stored separately in small container – see below)
• Eating: plates, cups (*utensils stored separately in small container – see below)
• Washing: collapsible sink, eco-friendly dish soap, dish rag, hand sanitizer
• Tape: electrical and duct tape
• Toiletries: sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, towels, washcloths, lotion
  • TIP: Store bottles of liquid in Ziplock bags! I learned this the hard way after camping in higher altitudes.
    • I use a gallon-sized Ziplock bag to store the “liquid” half of my First Aid Kit (click to read my full list of First Aid supplies), and a sandwich bag for travel-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion for showering.
• Entertainment: playing cards, Left Center Right dice game, books, crossword puzzles, trivia cards, drawstring backpack for hiking
• Solar/battery/crank-powered portable radio with USB chargers
• Air mattress pump

To keep smaller items easily accessible so they don’t get lost in the bottom of the bin, I added a small, plastic, shoe box-sized container that stays near the top of the big bin.

Here’s a better look at everything packed into the small bin:

And a list of contents:

• Coffee: ground coffee, filters, rubber bands, teabags, packets of sugar/cream/stirrers
  • TIP: How to make camping coffee: Spoon coffee grounds into a heap in the center of a coffee filter, then secure it shut with a rubber band. Throw the bag in teapot full of water, place on grill over fire until water boils, periodically stirring and squeezing the bag to assist brewing.
  • TIP: Hotels often have convenient single-serving packets of coffee, sugar, creamer, etc., often packaged together.
• Cleaning: paper towels, dish rag, dish soap, hand sanitizer, plastic doggie bags
• Utensils: can opener, tongs, spatula, chef’s knife
  • TIP: Store sharp kitchen knives inside a roll of paper towels.
• Silverware: forks, spoons, knives (stored in Ziplock bag)
• Light: small LED flashlight, fireproof matches
• Spices: salt, pepper, garlic powder, seasoned salt (I use Coleman’s set of two 2-sided spice containers)
• Fun: water balloons, playing cards, glow sticks

Of course, the Big Blue Camping Bin is just one part of my packing list for camping preparedness. Here is the Master Camping Checklist I use to make sure I pack everything I need before I hit the road.

Happy Camping! What survival essentials do you keep in your camping bin?

Read more about Fresh Domestic camping here.

Here is my Master Camping Checklist I use when packing for a camping trip.

Sleeping:

• Tent
• Tarp and rug
• Sleeping bags, blankets, pillows
• Air mattress and pump

Surviving:

• I bring a Big Blue Camping Bin, which contains most of my survival gear (tools, rope, knives, cooking and eating supplies) already packed, ready to grab and go. Click here to see a full list of supplies in my Big Blue Camping Bin.
• A First Aid Kit is essential! Click here to see a full list of supplies in my First Aid Kit.

Bathroom:

• Toilet paper
• Towels and washcloths
• Shower toiletries (shampoo, soap)
• Hand sanitizer
• Baby wipes

Cooking:

• Collapsible “sink” for washing dishes
• Eco-friendly dish soap and dish rag
• Roasting sticks / Pudgie pie irons
• Paper towels
• Oven mitts and hot pads
• Cooking utensils: tongs/spatulas/knives
• Plates/cups/silverware
• Cast iron skillet
  

  A makeshift kitchen in the woods

• Pot with lid
• Coffee pot
• Firewood
• Matches
• Trash bags

Chilling:

• Picnic blanket
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Chairs
• Flashlights/lanterns
• Rope
• Radio
• Hammock
• Playing cards, games, books

Dogs:

• Food and treats
• Dishes for food and water
• Toys (bright colors that won’t get lost in the woods)
• Leashes

What else is on your list of essential camping gear to pack?

 Read more about Fresh Domestic camping here.