No matter if you’re a real life wilderness girl or you’re heading on your first camping expedition and plan on camping inches from your car (incase of yeti attacks), you’re going to need some gear. For everyone from the badge-covered Girl Scout to the serious glamper, we have camping essentials (and non-essentials that are just plain awesome) that will get you itching to hop in your car and go on an adventure.
1. REI Half Dome 2 Plus Tent ($219): Alright, let’s start off with the basics — a highly efficient, totally spacious two person tent for a weekend getaway in the woods.
2. JakPak ($249): Short jacket? Long jacket? Sleeping bag? The JakPak knows no bounds of functionality. It might be the gear you need for camping and hiking.
3. Sexy Hotness Sleeping Bag ($170): The sexy hotness sleeping bag was designed to keep you warm every month of the year. Just kidding, it was designed for… well… how do we put this? It was designed so you and your partner could get hot and heavy underneath the stars.
4. Two-Person Sleeping Sack ($170): Or get a little romantic without the awkwardness in this two person sleeping bag.
5. PakMat Airbed ($115): Quick and easy — that’s how we like things to function when it comes to our blow-up mattresses. ‘Cause at the end of a long day of hiking, ain’t nobody got energy for huffing and puffing.
6. ENO Double Nest Hammock ($70): Relaxing weekend in the Redwoods, anyone? This travel hammock has you covered… literally. You can wrap yourself in it!
7. Flint Rucksack ($275): Rustic yet hip, this rucksack just screams wilderness chic (it’s a thing). We envision it packed with dehydrated fruit and dry shampoo.
8. Bootlegger Modular Pack System ($200): Like your bags a little more high tech? These modular (and breathable) back panels let you swap from pack to pack with ease, depending on what activity you’re tackling. Who says you can’t have a wardrobe change out in the wild?
9. Little America Backpack ($90): All right, this might be more of a fashion backpack then a functional backpack. This is for the car campers of the world. It’s time to ditch the wheelie suitcase.
10. Glamping With Mary Jane ($9): Buy this book before you go. Learn about the modern-day luxury that, according to Mary Jane, is involved in glamping. We think necessities include a large supply of red wine, wide-brimmed hats and skin-protecting tanning oil ;)
11. Glacier Stainless Nesting Wine Glass ($14): Though glamping lets you enjoy the wilderness in a less rugged way, you still wouldn’t want to bring your best crystal out with you. So snag some stainless steel glasses that will survive the campfire.
12. Govino Shatterproof Wine Glasses ($13): These stemless (PLASTIC! HUZZAH!) wine glasses are foolproof. And we’re fairly certain they’ll fit right into the cup holder of your camping chair.
13. Wine Travel Carrier and Cooler Bag ($20): But how do you get the wine there and keep it cold?! This wine travel carrier holds two bottles, comes with a bottle opener and is simple (enough) to carry.
14. BioLite CampStove System ($224): This nifty all-in-one stove lets you grill, boil, cook and charge your phone all at once. No need to leave the electronics or your beef bourguignon recipe at home.
15. Jetboil Sumo Cooking System with Bowl Set ($145): Whether you need to melt snow or simmer water for pasta, this stove does it all. And, the bowls are both measuring cups and the perfect single serving size for coffee, soup or oatmeal. Genius.
16. MSR Flex 4 System ($160): This cookware system is great when you’re entertaining all your closest friends in your campsite. It literally has everything you need in one compact place, making it perfect for conserving precious space without skimping on the quality of the meal.
17. Rome’s Square Pie Iron ($20): While not necessarily an essential, this pie iron fits right into the fire to make perfect grilled cheeses, pies or really anything you’re interested in eating hot and gooey. Yeah, okay, we changed our mind. It IS an essential.
18. Snow Peak Titanium Cafe Press ($56): You wouldn’t dream of drinking instant coffee IRL, so why would you settle when camping? You can easily make your coffee from your very own portable French press. Really, there is no reason not to have fresh, hot coffee while having an outdoor adventure.
19. Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink ($20): You need a way to wash all your nifty kitchen supplies, and this easily stored portable sink provides all your water needs.
20. Table in a Bag ($49): Just in case your campsite doesn’t have a picnic table, this roll out table is here for you.
21. Mantis Chair ($120): With this lightweight chair, you can park yourself anywhere — halfway in the water or just outside of your tent while you watch the early morning rays and enjoy a warm cup of coffee.
22. MYFC PowerTrekk ($110): You’re going to want to hear this: This device charges your phone for you… without electricity! It just uses water and a little salt. The powers of invention never cease to amaze us.
23. Petzl Tikkina Headlamp ($20): Sexy is redefined when you have this bright, bold light clamped on your head.
24. Orion Star Target ($14): Snuggle up to your honey and check out the gorgeous night sky while you star gaze and match constellations. Seriously, how often do you get away from all those city lights?
25. Hot Jugz, Portable Outdoor Shower ($50): In this case, hot jugs means a warm container of water. And when you’re salty after an ocean swim or filthy after a week of backpacking, a warm container of water has never sounded so satisfying.
26. Coleman Zephyr LED Tent Light and Fan ($22): While not the most glamorous of camping items, this light and fan is a must have for any seasoned summer camper who finds themselves in need of a light while simultaneously sweating.
27. LED Fairy Lights ($15): Class up the joint a bit with some twinkle LED lights. You’ll be the hit of the campground.
Anything we’re forgetting that has just changed your camping life? Let us know in the comments section!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.