Essential Camping Gear by Seattle Outdoor Travel Examiner, Chrissy Pierce, examiner.com, April 20, 2009: Tent, air matress, air pump, sleeping bag, flashlight and spare batteries, lantern, fuel or batteries for lantern, matches or butane lighter, cooler, hand axe, rubber mallet, first aid kit, tarp, extra lantern mantles, rope, pocket knife, propane stove, skillet and/or grill. cooking dishes and utensils, food storage containers, bowls, cutting board, canteen or water container, knife, paper or reusable tableware (plates, cups, bowls, silverware) compass and/or GPS and map.