10 Camp Comfort Essentials [CAMPCATION EDITION]

There are lots of different types of campers out there, all with differing (and strong) opinions about how you should go about camping. A few of those include:

The Survivalist: Welcome to the show! These folks would never step foot in a store to buy supplies. They fashion their abodes from palm fronds and carry any essentials (that they have gathered from the land) in a bag made from the leather they have cured themselves (after they have taken down the animal with their bare hands).

The Minimalist: Those that believe that the ONLY thing called camping is when you can hike in with a backpack holding all of your gear and set up camp in the most remote wilderness available. “Comfortable” is defined as a blow-up camp pillow, and even then, that just might be too much.

The Glamper: They advocate that driving out in the million-dollar RV or heading over to that sweet little teepee set up they found on Instagram is the best way to experience the outdoors and camping. Must-haves include a queen size bed, at least two pillows (plus a body pillow and 3-4 throw pillows), full electricity, and lastly, charcuterie and crudité plates (in layman’s terms, that would be cold cut meats and raw veggies).

The Weekend Warrior: These are the in between-ers. They like a few creature comforts, like a cooler with ice, filled with fresh food AND sleeping in a tent under the stars. They may sleep on air mattresses to avoid waking up with a locked-up neck and back but also cook over an open fire.

It is time to talk about making camp more comfortable. Enter in the concept of Campcation. With everything happening, it is time to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE and into the backyard for a camping adventure! We have put together our top 10 essentials that will take your backyard camp out to the next level.

10 Top Picks

1. GCI Pod Rocker: IT IS SO COMFORTABLE. And bonus, packs easily into a little compact carrying case so that it won’t take up the entire back of your vehicle! Because what could be better than rocking beside a campfire with s’mores in hand?
2. 6-Person Tent: Go big here. Give yourself some space to move around. It is amazing not to have to crawl over someone to get into your bed!
3. Air Mattress: Get one. Period. End of story. And while you’re at it, get a set of camping sheets and a camping pillow! (A real one. We are talking about camp comfort here!)
4. Power Kit: Let yourself have a simple electronic luxury, whether that is a fan running at night, or plugging in your self-inflating air mattress (moms and dads with the back problems, that one’s for you). My suggestion: pick one luxury, so that you are actually disconnecting and getting more rugged than your everyday life (duh)!
5. Pop Up Fire Pit: This thing is epic. It is an all-encompassing fire pit, so you can pop it up anywhere! Small backyard? Great. Side yard only? Awesome. No yard and only patio? No problem. Pop this fire pit up and get to cooking those s'mores, hot dogs, and anything else you want. And what I love about this? It breaks down easily when you are done and can store away wherever you store your camping gear! Done and DONE.
6. Thermacell: Ever feel like you are getting eaten alive by mosquitoes? And that you are basically turning into one big itchy welt? Yeah, me too. Until I discovered this invention. These ground-breaking contraptions keep those skeeters away so you can have fun without worrying about getting bit! I hook one to myself or my camp chair and then keep one hooked close to the door of my tent at all times.
7. Scouting America Hammock with straps: Time to turn your backyard into an oasis. This hammock is awesome - super affordable AND it comes with straps to help hang it as well! And if you are looking for a more festive addition to your set up... snag these twinkle lights... because everyone loves twinkle lights.
8. Dutch Oven and Accessories: Dutch Ovens have Campcation written all over them. Not only are there absolutely countless ways to use them and recipes to cook in them, but they also have so many different accessories that make them even more fun! If you are looking to break in your Dutch Oven and need some new recipes, be sure to check out our Scout Chef Kitchen episodes.
9. Coffee Maker: If you drink coffee, then you know that there is NOTHING better than that first cup in the morning. Plus getting to have it outside while you are unplugged? The best feeling in the world. This French Press style coffee maker is easy to use and makes two cups of coffee on the go!
10. Backpack Tumbling Tower: Give yourself some FUN. You have the full set up that will make your neighbors jealous... the lights, the cooking set up... the fire pit... now it is time to sit back and relax with a family game! This game plays like Jenga, but has an additional element of fun - you can use the included dice to add some challenge.

Camping is what you make of it, just like anything in life. Here's to making adventure happen even when we are at home (and only at home). Create the best memories with your family by going on a Campcation!

Be sure to tag us in all of your Campcation adventures and use #BSAcampcation for your chance to be featured on our social channels.