Just recently, my 8-year-old daughter woke up crying because she wanted to go camping again. I totally get it—it’s been months since our last. My husband and I welcomed it as a break from our busy schedules, so we stopped by the grocery to grab some liempo and veggies for dinner, trusted the gear that we had, and off we went camping to Lucia’s Tagaytay!

When you see camping photos from friends and family, your initial reaction probably is, “Wow, I want to try it too, but how?” Camping may look overwhelming, but worry not! You can start little by little and before you know it, you’ll already feel like a pro camper!

We’re not exactly master campers yet, but after three years of doing this, we’ve come to realize that we don’t really need much to enjoy camping. We started with the most basic gear, then slowly upgraded to the fancy ones, only to realize that we don’t need all those.

So, here’s what got us through a very unplanned camping trip (aka the gear you’ll actually use), and some tips on how you can enjoy your first!

One of the most exciting parts of camping is pitching your tent and making sure you have a place to sleep in. I remember having to pitch our tent for the first time – I was clueless and I had to ask from help from my husband and friends. Fast forward to today, I can pitch it on my own, fast and easy. I also got familiarized with many equipment and tools that would make our “home” comfortable and safe.

Here’s what you need to set up your outdoor home:

• Tent. The most obvious thing you need when camping is a tent, but do you know there’s more to it than just being a “tent”? Consider the following when choosing one: first, capacity and size: make sure all your family members fit in! We’re three in the family, and we always go for a 3-4 person tent so we have extra space for our stuff. Second, weather resistance: your tent should protect you from both heat and rain. We’ve experienced both, and I can’t stress enough how thankful we are for investing in a truly waterproof tent. Third, type of tent. There are different kinds like Dome, Pop-ups, and Cabin Tents. Choose what works best for you and what you can easily set up. And lastly, ventilation: this is a non-negotiable, especially with our weather. Your tent has to be comfortable, especially for the kids. It’s always nice to sleep in a well-ventilated shelter. I don’t usually recommend brands, but when it comes to tents, I always say—invest in a good one. If you’re looking for options, check out Naturehike, Mobi Garden, Blackdog, Quechua, and Coleman—these are our trusted and tested brands.
• Groundsheet is also a must. It helps protect your tent from water, dirt, and sharp objects that could damage it. This doesn’t have to be branded—you can use any tarpaulin as long as it matches your tent size.
• Tarp shelter. If the groundsheet protects the bottom of your tent, this one helps cover the top. It’s a waterproof material you can attach to trees or poles. It’s not always needed, but definitely nice to have, especially for extra shade during extreme heat or added protection when it rains. All these should be made sturdy and durable by pegs and guy lines as these provide stability to the whole tent setup.
• Sleeping mat or sleeping bed. You can use an airbed or any mat that would serve as your “bed” outside. We have tried a self-inflate bed and a mat and both are good for family camping. Sometimes we bring pillows, but most of the time we just create a make-shift pillow out of bags, clothes just so we can save space in the car! Don’t forget some blanket, too!

You can opt to bring cooked meals, but the fun lies in preparing and cooking food in a campsite! There’s really something about doing the same “chores” you do at home in an outdoor setting – it just feels better.

Pack these things to ensure you’ll never go hungry!

• Camping Stove/Portable Stove: Make sure it’s gas-fueled as most campsites have no access to electricity.
• Pots and Pans/Dinnerware and Utensils: The best ones are the portable ones – compact and light.
• Canned goods and instant noodles for food: They’re easier to prepare and you don’t need much – just oil and some seasonings! Of course you can add some fruits and chips, too!
• Drinking Water and Cooler: It’s very important to bring drinking water. Make sure you bring more than enough as you can use it to wash your hands, the your utensils, or your food. As for the cooler, it’s best to have one so you can keep the drinks and food safe to consume.
• Trash Bags: Never forget this as some campsites don’t provide trash cans and you’ll have to bring your own trash home.

Safety is our priority especially when outdoors. To make the most out of our outdoor experience, we would always choose campsites that are semi-raw, meaning, not much amenities. It enhanced our ability to find solutions and enjoy the simple things. With that, we make sure we are covered with safety measures such as the following:

• Lighting: It’s a must to have lanterns, flashlights, rechargeable light during a camping trip. As mentioned above, most campsites don’t have electricity and it could get really pitch black so for safety, your camp area has to be well-lit. You can also bring a lighter or igniter or matches for cooking or bonfire setup!
• First Aid Kit: You never know what’s going to happen outdoors. There could be a kid who falls and scrapes his knee, or an adult who gets a finger cut because of food preparation, or a family member who suddenly feels under the weather. Make sure you’re prepared for any or all of these!
• Toolbox: My husband always brings his mini tool box and it comes handy either for protection or for immediate fixing of tent or any equipment you have.
• Insect Repellent: Aside from wearing appropriate clothing and footwear (raingear, hat, sunglasses, etc), bringing and applying your insect repellent is a must when you go outdoors!

To make the experience more fun, you can add some extras to make sure you feel like you want to do it again. Because truth to be told, it is tiring to pack, set-up, then break camp. So you have to bring these to make the “hard” a little easier:

• Tables and Chairs. What’s a “home” without tables and chairs, right? Any type is okay as long as they fit the vehicle you will use. Camping tables and chairs are usually light, sturdy, and foldable. We tried almost all types and they all work the same. The only thing that differentiates one from another is the “aesthetic” or “theme.”
• Portable Fans: Comfort is key! Bring one or two fans especially if you have kids.
• Camera, Cards, Board Games: Need I explain more?
• Storage Boxes. We actually tried a lot. Name it – from eco bags, to boxes, to regular storage boxes, and more. They work just fine, I can say. However, for durability, stability, and utility, I would recommend getting Thor storage boxes. It’s a worthy investment. It’s heavy duty, weather-proof, and can be used as a table or chair. We even put it on our roof rack!

You don’t really need much to enjoy camping. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting and buying fancy gear, it’s also okay to just go with what you can afford. As long as it serves its purpose, keeps you and your family safe outdoors, and, most importantly, makes you happy—that’s already enough. So if you’re thinking about trying this as a family bonding experience, go for it! I support you. There’s nothing like waking up to dancing trees, listening to the humming wind, and gazing at a sparkling night sky at the campsite.