Its all very well telling you that you should always make a camping checklist, but what actually goes onto the list. The best way to explain it is to work you through how I prepared my camping checklist when I went to North Devon earlier this year.

Ok so thinking about everything all at once is not going to help, its a sure fire way to end up forgetting something essential, like your toothbrush or the tent pegs! To begin with we break the check list down into subsections. These typically include:

*Sleeping Equipment
*Cooking Equipment
*Lighting
*Tent Stuff
*Food
*Activities Equipment
*Personal Hygiene
*Clothing
*Medication
*Personal Items

Next up is to work through each section individually as I do below. See, it already seems alot easier doesn't it!

Sleeping Equipment

Now this consists of the actual bedding that you will sleep on/in within your tent. Typically here you will include airbed/s or mats, sleeping bag/s, pillow/s, extra sheet/s. Basically all you need for a comfortable nights sleep.

Cooking Equipment

Anything you might need for cooking purposes goes here, this includes washing up stuff. For two people I generally work through the cooking process in my head. So first of all you have 2xsaucepans, 1xfrying pan, oil, double or single burner stove, matches/lighter, large wooden spoon, large draining spoon (the kind with holes in for scooping out and draining veg), 2xplates, 2xbowls, 2xspoons, 2xforks, 2xknifes, 1x sharp knife, 2xcups, 2xmugs, can opener, scissors, cling film, kitchen roll, food bags and ties, keep fresh tubs, a washing up bowl, washing up liquid, scrubber, drying up towel, KETTLE! (almost forgot, see how easy it is!), water carrier/container, spare gas for the stove.

Lighting

This deserves a separate section because it is important. Here you will include 1x small torch, 1x backup torch, 1x lantern, spare batteries.

Tent Stuff

This includes obviously the tent (both inner and outer), the pegs, the mallet, wind breaks. I also like to take a spare cloth to clean the tent before I pack it away so I don't have to get it out again at home!

Food

Anything you want to eat while you are there. Normally you can buy fresh meat on an 'as you want it' basis once you are there. Canned foods are a typical favourite of mine, packet rice is good too! Remember if you buy any fresh foods you need to keep them fresh so a coolbox and cool blocks will be essential. Include drink here as well.

Activities

Are you cycling, running, hiking, swimming, sun bathing, going to the beach and doing watersports. Write down all your activities and then under them write down everything you normally use for each one. Take an extra towel for the beach just incase one takes longer to dry than expected.

Personal Hygiene

Ladies this list will be large, men slightly shorter but still longer than you expect. Imagine yourself getting up in the morning and working your way through your early morning chores. Write down anything you would normally use to get yourself looking pretty! Include a towel here and flip flops for the shower (saves you getting nasty much on your feet!).

Clothing

Write down what you wear on a typical day and multiply it by the number of days you are going away. Then add on an extra entire outfit (incase one gets completely soaked!). Obviously you do not need 7 pairs of shoes (ladies!) but pack a pair of flip flops, a pair of trainers for casual wear, sports trainers and smart shoes. Think carefully about what you might do in the evenings (along the lines of a nice meal in the pub) when you might want more than a pair of shorts and a hoody!

Medication

Just in case, take a medical kit. Include diarrhea tablets/rehydration sachets just in case. Pack for most eventualities but remember its not like you are going to the far-east. If you need urgent medical help or even a pharmacy, you can generally find it!

Personal Items

This includes, wallet, money, phone, keys, ipod, chargers, sunglasses, books, reading glasses, cards, games etc.

Now as a final check go back through your entire list and think, do I really need this? Remember packing light is slightly easier in the long run. Also be careful not to overload your car!

For similar camping tips including UK campsite reviews and equipment reviews see http://www.gonecampinguk.com