Any time you are planning a camping trip, selecting the right type and quantity of food to pack is an important decision. Avoid finding yourself scrambling to put together a meal at your campsite by planning ahead and using a shopping list to help you pull together the basic foods and ingredients that can be cooked and eaten while camping.
Printable Shopping List
Use the printable shopping list provided here to help you plan for the meals you'll be making while you're away. It's organized by meal and food group to help you get everything you need to make your trip a success. The list is an editable PDF, so you can easily personalize it before you print and head to the store.
Click on the image to be taken to a PDF, then save it to your computer. Once you have it saved and open, customize it so it includes only the items you wish to bring:
- Click the small red minus sign to the right of any item to delete that item from the list if it's something you don't need.
- Click on the small green plus sign to the right of any item to add additional, blank text lines to the list to add any additional items.
- Click within any text field to edit the existing text. For example, you can change English Muffins to include the brand or flavor you desire.
- Save and print the list to bring it with you to the store. Check off items as you purchase them in the box to the left of each item.
If you need help downloading the printable list, check out these helpful tips.
Tips for Using Your List
Once you have created a list customized to your needs, review it carefully to make sure that you have chosen enough items to provide sufficient variety for each person in your group to enjoy three meals every day during the time you will be gone.
Meal Planning
Use the shopping list as a basis for a basic meal plan for the week. Break your trip down into number of days, and determine how many breakfasts, lunches and dinners you will need to prepare. Come up with a menu for each day, multiplied times how many people you have coming.
Purchase food for each meal ahead of time, and either group it together ahead of time so you know where everything is and that you have enough, or cook your meals ahead of time to freeze and bring with you.
For example:
Breakfast One
- Two eggs per person
- Two slices of bacon per person
- Two slices of toast, plus butter, jelly, etc per person
- Coffee, juice, milk
Lunch One
- Two to four slices of sandwich bread per person
- 4 ounces of luncheon meat per person
- Two slices of cheese per person
- Assorted fresh veggies, fruit and chips
Storing
Before finalizing the list, think about how the items you have chosen will need to be stored during transport and when you arrive at your destination to be sure that it's possible to accommodate your selections safely. Be sure that you have everything you need to prepare any items that require cooking and take along the containers you will need to safely store leftovers.
Cooking
Remember when you go shopping to account for any cooking you may have to do, from heating things up to preparing full meals. If you don't have proper cooking equipment, either purchase them, plan on eating more pre-prepared and ready-made foods or find alternative cooking methods.
Plan Ahead
By planning ahead and making use of tools like this downloadable shopping list, you'll be sure to be well prepared for your trip. Take the time to shop carefully and enjoy a more carefree camping experience.
