going camping and what do i bring?

sounds like just you....

camelback

tent

Sleeping system (pad,bag,pillow)

duct tape

first aid kit

knife

fire starter (magnesium stick, fuel)

food

iPod and/or book

......you're done!

only one bike?  got to keep your options open so better make that the TT bike for a good long ride and a mountain bike for some good fun

if it's me and my backpack... leatherman, water filter, stove, white fuel, garden trowel, TP, ziploc, tent, bear bag and nylon chord, compass, and the likes

If it's me and the family in the trailer... well, while loading up just now I found a swim cap and a cow bell in the "dark hole" by the couch.

But always at some point you can NOT forget... the... BEER!!!!

oh... and a camera

My list:

Tent
Air mattress
Air pump - check batteries
Pillow
Sleeping bag + snuggie
Camp chair
Lantern - check batteries
Bug spray/Citronella candles
Cooler with ice, water, beer, fruit, cheese, prepped food
Dry food bag with misc foods - nuts, energy bars, smores ingredients, etc.
Playing cards
Clothes/toiletries 
Garbage bags/paper towels
 

actually i'm bringing 2 dogs......oh yeah and my wife

Everything else has been pretty much covered but I am a firm believer in head lamps. They make it so much easier to find crap when you are digging around in your tent while in your bag. But I could never forget beer.

None of you bring tp when you go camping?  What do you plan to wipe your tuckas with?  You animals you!

Apologies to Chris - he had it listed.

Duct tape    shovel     rope    chainsaw    gasoline

Wait why are you going into the woods again?

Easy Survivorman.

Seriously though...  Most important things about camping:

1. Where are you going?  What are the rules for where you're camping (no pit fires? camping restrictions, trash rules, facilities, etc).
2. What types of wildlife are in the area and how do you deal with it?  Bear bags for food?  Pepper spray?  Snakes?  Mountain lions?  Know where you're going and what you could be dealing with.
3. Do you plan to be isolated and alone or do you expect to encounter other people.  Do you expect these other people to be friendly or not so friendly.  What if not so friendly?
4. What's the weather supposed to be and what could it be for the area during that time of year?  Pack and dress accordingly.
5. Do you know the area?  How deep "into country" do you plan to go?  What's the risk of getting lost?  Is there cell phone reception in the area?  What means of communication do you have?
6. Whom have you told that you're going and when you're expected back?  Does this individual know what to do if you don't report back to them on time?  DO they know how to contact a parks service or ranger station?
7. Do you have medicinal needs or severe allergies?  What you need in your everday life, you need while camping, and doubling up in seperate carrying spots is wise.  If one bag is lost and your meds are gone with it - you're stuck.
8. Your means of transportation, getting in and then out - Do you have a ways to fix it and stay mobile or could you get stranded in one place?
9. These are the three things in order that sould "hurt" you when camping:  1) injury  2) exposure  3) lack of water  4)  lack of food.  Hypothermia and even an extreme sunburn will take you down much faster than starving to death, so pack accordingly.
10. Know where you're going and let people know where you're going and when you'll be back!!!

I know this is extreme, but...  I actually hate the movie 127 Hours and the story of Aron Ralston - the hiker who got his arm caught under a boulder and had to cut it off to survive.  Why?  Because first, he went out on his own into country that could be dangerous.  And second and more importantly, he didn't tell anyone he was going, where and when he should be back.  For days he was trapped and no one knew any better!

These lessons I take not just from camping, but blue-water, oceanic sailing as well.  I've done New York to Bermuda three times.

He said "camping", not "zombie apocolypse". 

Those chairs came in very handy as I seem to recall, so I don't care if we were the first people to bring them in... it was worth it!

Oh, remember to bring the supplies for s'mores!  Definitely a necessity in my book!

Bear repellent and Beer replenishment are both MUST HAVES.