Camping is also necessary for more serious intentions. Researchers and scientists, for example, set up camps near a volcano to study its geology. Soldiers set up a field camp during a prolonged mission.

Whatever the purpose is, before heading out to a campsite, it is best to have a checklist of camping supplies. It's important to ensure that what you need is within your grasp. Remember that you may be out in a remote place, far from any convenience store or supply center. Imagine how frustrating would it be when you want to build a nice, warm campfire only to find out that the campsite you chose is devoid of dry twigs that can be used for fuel!

Aside from your camping equipment, you would need to carry along the following camping supplies:

1. Matches ? Doing it the prehistoric way, striking flint and stone, can definitely be done, but lighting a campfire with a match is so much easier. Make sure that you purchase waterproof matches. If, for some reason, you can't obtain waterproof matches, then bring standard matches but store them in a waterproof container. You can also carry a butane lighter as an alternative.

2. Firewood ? You are never guaranteed that you can get good firewood when you arrive at a campsite. Woods, twigs, and other sources of fuel might be damp or, worse, unavailable. Many campers usually bring a few dry logs for this purpose. You can keep the wood dry by covering it with a piece of tarp.

3. Drinking water ? Bring along safe, clean bottled water. This is actually one of the most important camping supplies you should have with you. Bodies of water found in the wild are relatively clean and can be used for washing or bathing. They are not safe for drinking, however. If it is somehow impractical to bring bottled water during your camping, acquire a portable water purifier or pack some water purifier tablets.

4. Food ? Food should be part of your camping supply pack. Unless if you are deliberately hunting game as camp food, bring along ready-to-eat and easy to prepare meals such as instant noodles and preserved goods. A good alternative is to bring MREs or Meals, Ready-to-Eat. Used by soldiers in the field, MREs are self-contained, individual field rations. They are available in many flavors. Each packed meal, which contains around 1,200 calories include a main course; a starchy side dish; crackers; a spread such as cheese or peanut butter; a dessert; a powdered beverage mix; an accessory packet that contains a plastic spoon, a beverage bag, moist napkins, coffee, and sugar; and a flameless heater to warm up the meal.

5. Utensils and tools ? Camping involves a lot of cutting, skinning, shaving, and crushing. For this purpose, utensils and tools should also be part of camping supplies. Utensils include forks, spoon, knives, and the like. Tools to bring include a survival knife, a multipurpose pocket knife, a flathead and phillips screwdriver, a bottle opener, a can opener, scissors, tweezers, an awl, sharp razor blades, a small hammer, and pliers.

These are your basic camping supplies. Other supplies will probably be needed, depending on the condition and the requirements of your camping trip.