Title says it all. What’s something you’ve had occasion to say “thank God I brought it”, what usually ends up being deadweight, and what items that most people wouldn’t think of turned out to be good ideas?
It does depend on what kind of ‘camping’ you are doing. Car camping? driving to a campsite? KOA campground with an RV?j Backpacking? Canoeing?
generally for my kind of camping overnight, here is my list in order of priority
pack or something to carry the rest of it in
tent
sleeping bag
sleeping pad
warm enough clothes
rain gear
means to secure water
food
cooking stove and utensils
THings that are overrated, but not in any particular order
Hatchet…leave it, its not worth it
beer…nice to have, but to much to carry unless you are ‘car camping’
smores ingredients
any food thats wrapped in foil with the intent of ‘putting it in the fire to cook’
by the way, fires are overrated as well, there is no need for them unless you are bored and looking for something to do. THey are great for car camping and organized campsites, but too much trouble when going into woods for serious camping
THings that
I would add bug spray, and flash light to must have list.
got blasted on edit time out
Bug spray is an item I forgot…thanks for reminding me…flashlight is good to especially since they are small, lightweight and last forever now.
But…THIS!!! take more warm clothes than you think you will need. Virtually every single time, I just through in some extra clothes…just because. Every single time, I’ve been thankful that I brought them. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. So take that extra hat and gloves. Bring the long underwear. If its predicted to be 70 at night, assume it will drop to 50. 8 hours of night time at 65 degrees when you are dressed for sunny and 70 will be colder than you think
One thing to ask is whether a vehicle will be close by or will this be miles (or km) in the bush. The reason being is if a storm comes up, there can be a temporary retreat to the vehicle
Some sort of Multi-tool can be very useful as well as toilet paper.
Also, a good sleeping pad is great, as mentioned.
Of note, if an air mattress is used, remember that the air mattress has to be filled up with air and it is a lot harder to fill up with air with lungs that you would think.
Be warned, taking an air pump or compressor adds to the weight carried if hiking for miles.
Times sure have changed. When I backpacked, fire was used for cooking. No need to carry a ‘stove’ or fuel for it.
But back to the OP. You will never miss having an extra flashlight. Or, if it was me, another ‘bic’ lighter. Matches suck, no mater how dry, or ‘technical’ they are.
No one said a first aid kit, toilet paper should be packed in a plastic bag . You don’t need to bring the whole roll of TP , that is one thing I wish I had remembered to take when I went camping . Some matches packed in a plastic bag too.
File this under “Curious latrine habits - best not to inquire”.
Or indeed, yards.
One of those rain ponchos that you can buy for a dollar, never regretted carrying one of those, even if no rain is forecast.
I’ve signed up for a camping trip sponsored by my church for this July. The situation is sort of half and half: we’ll be driving to a parking area at the end of a dirt road, then walking a little less than 2 miles on a trail around a lake to a semi-prepared area (outhouse, firepit). Volunteers (i.e. the young and strong) will make round trips to the parking area for the food and water needed, but it’s up to us to bring tents, sleeping bags, any personal effects, snacks, etc. They do advise that you should not bring more weight than you’re comfortable with carrying that distance.
I think that most backcountry camping requires a spade for digging catholes (I also think that most people just kick a hole with the heel of their boot.)
Useful - water purification tabs are light cheap insurance, even if you have a filter or enough water.
Not useful - a stove (but if someone’s a really good cook this goes into the useful bin!)
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Nothing bizarre was intended:dubious: It was just the order of thinking when I was typing it in.
I hate those ponchos for backpacking with the wind of a thousand storms, but this anorak and the accompanying rain chaps are the best rain protection system I’ve ever used, allowing you to get plenty of ventilation while keeping you as dry as a full oilskin bib and jacket, and you can fit the hip belt right through the side slots.
There are plenty of things that you absolutely should carry for a safe and comfortable hike, but the most important (after good fitting boots and a comfortable pack, of course) are a good knife and/or small tomahawk or light hatchet suitable for splitting kindling and other camp chores, at least two forms of reliable fire making, water purification (filter and tablets as a backup), and
a folding hand trowel for latrine duty and some baby wipes for cleaning the nether regions (I don’t mind being smelly up top but a few days collection of unbathed schmeer below is inviting all kinds of problems). A waterproof headlamp is highly desirable, especially when hiking late or early in the year when daylight is limited, and a more powerful wide beam helps to throw some light on some of the more ominous noises in the middle of the night.
You can’t and shouldn’t build campfires everywhere you go, and yes, they do take additional effort to forage for sustainable fuel and to make sure they are safely banked and suppressed, but after a long hike in cold weather when you are sweaty, freezing, and your feet are soaked, there is no greater morale boost than a warm fire and a cup of hot chocolate with a dash of Irish whiskey, in that order. I’m not that big a fan of cooking over fires, except for grilling kabobs and throwing some potatoes in the coals, but a fire provides warmth and discourages most creatures who aren’t habituated to people. However, fires do leave permanent traces and consume natural nutrients, so it is important to be responsible, using existing fire rings whenever possible, digging and spreading the cold ashes so the nutrients can be recovered by vegetation, and only collecting dead wood that is not host to other animals; no chopping down green trees or demolishing beaver dams for fuel.
You don’t need the most advanced tent or the lightest sleeping bag, and unless you are sleeping on snow or bare rock you can dispense with a sleeping pad. And for cooked food, ditch the boiling water in a bag dehydrated meals (which are generally terrible in both taste and nutrition) and carry a bag of white rice or quinoa, some foil packaged salmon, tuna, or chicken, and some seasoning, all at a fraction of the cost of those overpriced bag meals. Some hard cheese or chocolate makes a good fat source.
Stranger
For once, I actually have a point to disagree with Stranger
A sleeping pad (or some sort of cushioning beneath a sleeping bag is very desirable. I have spent more than a few nights on solid ground and I was always looking for something to put underneath the sleeping bag for additional cushioning. (even if it was only a coat or more clothes)
If cramped for space, one can get away without a pillow by using a coat and some other clothes as a substitute
Also, it looks like he is going with a church group which often means a lot of youngsters/children. Ear muffs might be quite useful:D
More booze. Pack an extra flask. Unless you’re camping with Baptists.
Then pack 2 extra. 
Socks. Good socks, with plenty extra packed to stay dry.
I don’t disagree with wanting cushining, but you can make do without a pad in most circumstances, either by using items from your pack or natural padding. I’ve spent nights lying on bare dirt with a few fire heated rocks buried a few inches under and been perfectly warm and reasonably comfortable.
Those Baptists really know how to drink another man’s whiskey.
I missed this one. You can make do with one set of layers, but spare boxers and two extra pairs of socks (one to wear, one to dry, one as spare) is a must. Wet feet are the fucking worst.
Stranger
A self-inflating mattress is a godsend, and no matter how many towels you pack you will never have enough.
Gum-boots for kids (regardless of the weather forecast).
A serious antihistamine pill or two for nasty bitey things. Vinegar for same.
A single burner butane cooker for when you can’t cook over a campfire, or when you’re too hungover in the morning to get the fire started for the kettle for coffee.
LEAST useful? Solar shower setups. You’re camping, you’re meant to stink.
Fork! Is there any causal relationship between his hair and the anorak??? Actually, you know what, it doesn’t even matter - I can’t take the chance. 
Sleeping pads add significant warmth, because the bottom of your sleeping bag will be compressed by your weight and not be of much use (there are even “quilts” now that have no bottom because why pay for down/insulation that does no good)
Brian