Packing Lists

By category, plus a per-family checklist so nobody double-packs (or forgets the tent poles).

How to Use This
Shelter & Sleep (🟦 per family)
Camp Comfort
Camp Kitchen
Clothing (🟦 per person)
1. Kids — extra
Water & Beach
Bikes
Fishing
Bug, Sun & First Aid
Dogs (Older Smiths)
Tools, Documents & Extras
Entertainment
Per-Family Quick Checklist

How to Use This

Some things every family brings for itself (clothes, sleep gear, toiletries). Other big items only need one or two for the whole group (canopies, water jugs, group first-aid). Nothing here is pre-assigned — this is the full list, and each family brings what it already has. Skim the 🟩 items, claim what you own in the group chat (so we don’t show up with four canopies and zero water jugs), and flag any gap nobody can cover.

🟦 = bring your own · 🟩 = group item (only need 1–2 — claim it if you’ve got one)

Shelter & Sleep (🟦 per family)

Tent + stakes + poles (check the bag!) and a footprint/tarp, or camper/RV
Sleeping bags or bedding (summer-weight; a light blanket for cooler nights)
Sleeping pads / air mattress + pump
Pillows
Extra tarp + paracord (rain fly, ground cover, shade)
Mallet for stakes
Headlamp/flashlight per person

Camp Comfort

🟦 Camp chairs (one+ per person)
🟩 Canopy / shade shelter (1–2 for the group HQ site)
🟩 Folding tables (2–3 shared)
🟩 Outdoor rug / mat
🟦 Hammock
🟩 String/lantern lights for the group area
🟦 Battery packs + charging cables
🟩 Box fans — a must (one per sleeping space if you can; July is hot)
🟩 Kiddie pool for kids + dogs to cool off (dump daily)
🟦 Stiff broom + dustpan for the arrival site sweep (why)
🟦 Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) + cinnamon/peppermint (eco pest control)

Camp Kitchen

Our appliances (bring these specific ones)

🟦 Electric griddles ×2 — Younger Smiths & Older Smiths
🟦 Air-fryers ×2 — Younger Smiths & Older Smiths
🟦 Butane grills + butane canisters — Younger Smiths (pod galley)
🟦 RV propane (stove/oven) + spare tank — Older Smiths
🟩 Group camp stove(s) + propane for Group HQ

Shared (🟩 split across families)

Griddle and/or cast-iron skillet, large pot, tongs/spatula/ladle
🟩 Big water cooler / jug (5–7 gal) + drink dispenser
Coolers (plan 3–4 total: one for drinks, one+ for food, one “day cooler” for packed lunches)
Dish tubs (2: wash + rinse), biodegradable soap, sponges, dish towels, drying rack
Trash bags + a few extra (heavy duty)
Foil (heavy duty), zip bags, plastic wrap, paper towels
Cutting boards (separate for raw meat), sharp knife, can opener
Lighter/matches, fire gloves
Coffee maker (percolator or pour-over) + pre-measured grounds — coffee station

Per family (🟦)

Plates, bowls, cups/mugs, utensils
Reusable water bottles (one+ per person)
Personal snacks and drinks (see Food Plan)

See Camp Cooking and the Meal Prep guide.

Clothing (🟦 per person)

Missouri July = hot, humid days; warm nights; afternoon thunderstorms.

T-shirts / tanks (one per day + spares)
1–2 long-sleeve shirts (sun, bugs, cool evenings)
Shorts + 1 pair long pants (trails, bugs, campfire)
Swimsuit (×2 — one’s always drying) + quick-dry towel
Light rain jacket or poncho
Light hoodie/fleece for evenings
Underwear & socks (one per day + spares)
Sun hat / ball cap
Closed-toe shoes for trails + water shoes/sandals for the beach and creek
Sleepwear

Kids — extra

Extra full outfits (creek + mud + spills = guaranteed)
Water shoes that stay on (creek bottoms are rocky)
A warm layer for the little ones at night

Water & Beach

🟦 Kayaks / canoes (we’re bringing our own) + paddles
🟦 PFDs / life jackets — required for kids on any boat; one that fits each child
Dry bag for phone/keys/wallet
Beach towels, sand toys for the little kids
Goggles
🟩 Floating cooler or beach shade (optional)

Bikes

🟦 Bikes (we’re bringing our own) + helmets for everyone
Basic repair: pump, spare tube, multi-tool, patch kit
Bike lights if riding at dusk

Fishing

🟦 Rods & reels (one per angler; kid rods for the little ones)
Tackle: hooks, bobbers, split shot, small jigs/spinners
Bait (worms/nightcrawlers; pick up locally) — see Fishing
Pliers/hook remover, line clippers, small net
Missouri fishing permits (adults — buy before the trip)
Bucket/stringer, small cooler for any keepers

Bug, Sun & First Aid

🟦 Insect repellent (DEET or picaridin) + permethrin for clothing
🟦 Sunscreen SPF 50+ and lip balm with SPF
Aloe / after-sun
🟩 Group first-aid kit: bandages, gauze, tape, antiseptic, antibiotic ointment, tweezers (ticks/splinters), moleskin, ibuprofen/acetaminophen, antihistamine (Benadryl), hydrocortisone, anti-diarrheal, antacid, electrolyte packets, thermometer
🟦 Personal meds + any EpiPens/inhalers (tell the group where they are)
Hand sanitizer & baby wipes (everyone uses these)
Tick-removal tool

Dogs (Older Smiths)

🟦 Leashes (10-ft max), a shaded tie-out or x-pen, stakes
🟦 Food + bowls; a water bowl that stays full in the heat
🟦 Poop bags (lots) — pack out every time
🟦 Dog beds/crate; a towel for muddy paws
🟦 Tick prevention + nightly tick checks; current vaccination records & tags
🟦 Any meds; a calming option for fireworks night
See Dogs at Camp for the rules (leashed/attended, not on the beach)

Tools, Documents & Extras

🟩 Multi-tool, duct tape, zip ties, work gloves, small tool kit
🟩 Broom/whisk + dustpan (camper floors), leveling blocks (RV)
Waterproof pouch with: IDs, reservation confirmations, insurance, fishing permits, emergency contacts, some cash
Paper park map (signal can be spotty)
Trash/recycling bags, clothesline + clips
Star app + plant/animal ID apps downloaded offline

Entertainment

Cards & travel board games
Binoculars (wildlife, stargazing)
Soccer ball / frisbee / football
Books, journals, sketchpads
🟦 Kids’ stuff: scavenger-hunt sheets, bug catcher, glow sticks, camp craft supplies — print the Kids at Camp packet before you leave!

Per-Family Quick Checklist

Print this and tape it inside a cabinet or cooler lid:

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