I have found that in camping adventures, events arise that call for certain items, and those items seem to be a standby of what you should always bring on a camping trip. Now, those lists can go on and on and you can find them at other more camping-savvy websites, but for this girlie, I have put together a little “On the Go Kit” of some tiny necessities that happen to fit (barely!) in an Altoids box!

1. Hand Warmers (far left)- If you’re tiny like me, hand warmers are just another part of your body in the winter. But, they are always great to keep in your camping kit because unless you go in the middle of summer, it’s always colder when you go camping.

2. Tweezers (middle) – When I was a wee little happy camper, I had the unfortunate clumsiness to get a piece of pine cone stuck in my eye. Don’t ask me how it happened, it’s a long and ridiculous story (maybe another post in the future), but thank goodness for my dad’s friend who had tweezers; everyone’s fingers were too dirty and big to be smushing around my eye. Chopping firewood, playing with wood in general, being outdoors near things with stingers – tweezers are worth bringing.

3. Salt (it looks like coke, har har I didn’t have one of those fast food packets) – It makes a lot of meals taste that much better, yes. But, little did you know it also works well for cleaning your hair. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, “Jess, I like camping based on the fundamental that we don’t have to shower!” I know, I feel the same way. But if your hair gets all grody like mine, a little salt massaged into your scalp can do wonders for un-gunking (I believe that’s the scientific term) it. Finish it off with a brush-through of baking soda (which you can also use as toothpaste, little ones), and you’re ready to be belle of basecamp!

4. Marshmallow (bottom left) – Personally, I recommend you keep your marshmallows in an airtight container to keep them at the preferred marsh-ness, but this mallow has all kinds of “fun” uses. What we like to do is set them just inside our campfire ring, and see how long it takes for them to puff up from all the heat. it’s hilarious to see them go all Stay-Puf, but beware, one huge caveat: ANTS! So unless you plan on leaving that day, do not leave the marshmallows there. Just don’t do it. 

Well, there you have a perfectly sound little things to remember packet, and it won’t take up too much space in your gear! Happy trails!

Do you have anything you always bring on your camping trips?