Arrive at 4pm, tents up before dinner, breakfast easy on morning two. This list assumes you're car camping with a picnic table and a fire ring.
- Shelter
Tent (check poles before leaving)
Footprint / tarp under tent
Sleeping bags × 4
Sleeping pads × 4
The kids will sleep fine. You won't, without one.
Pillows (or stuff-sacks with fleece)
- Cooking
Two-burner stove + propane
Cast iron or one nonstick pan
Pot for boiling water
Lighter + backup matches
Cooler with drinks, hot dogs, eggs, fruit
Coffee setup
Pour-over + grounds. Instant is fine if you're not precious.
- Light / misc
Headlamp per person
Spare batteries
Bug spray + sunscreen
First-aid kit
One trash bag per day, plus one
If you forget something, the drive home is fine. Don't spiral over one missing item.