If you have never gone camping before, you should be very excited. This experience is one that everyone should have, it will guide you through the remainder of your life, shedding light on difficult situations. It will help you sort through the morally gray. It will cure cancer. Okay maybe not, but camping can be loads of fun, but the last thing you want to do is forget something super important. So I have made a short list of essentials.

1.Tent or Shelter

This is the last line of defense against the forces of nature, protecting yourself is necessary for a memorable camping experience. Don't forget to check for all the parts of your tent prior to leaving. Nothing like not having the stakes or missing a pole once you get to your destination.

2.Sleeping arrangements (bag and sleeping pad)

Sleeping well is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself. Particularly if you are outdoors doing lots of physical activity. There is no better way to assure you get a good night's sleep than to have a great sleeping bag like ones made by The North Face or Marmot.

3.Light (headlamp or flashlight)

Some people prefer the ease of hands free lighting, other like the versatility of hand held lights. Whatever your choice, make sure you bring it, forgetting your light can make finding anything after dark near impossible.

4.Clothes

While you might not plan on having a full change of clothes during your time in the woods, it is always a good idea to have a few pieces of clothing to help you adjust with the weather. Pack both men's clothing and women's clothing. If someone else in your group forgets something, you can always lend some clothes. Always be prepared for rain, sudden cold or heat.

5.Tools (knife or multi-tool)

This may not be a subject a lot of people like to talk about, but in almost any emergency situation having a blade and maybe a pair of pliers can make all the difference in the world. Everyone should have some kind of tool just in case.

6.Nutrition

You should plan your meals, and try to take just what you need, but remember that a lot of times you cannot predict your diet perfectly. Bring some extra energy bars and maybe one extra meal just in case you get really hungry.

7.Emergency contact (GPS, Cell phone, transponder)

Having one of these is really can help when you have an emergency. I had a friend take a fall when we were rock climbing and break his hand on the rocks. Believe me I was really glad we had a GPS and a cell phone, the GPS helped us get to the trail head super fast, and the cell phone got us an ambulance waiting right as we came out. It is always worth taking just in case.

8.Fire supplies or stove

It's not really camping without a little camp cooking. Weather it is a dehydrated meal from Mountain House, or a tin foil dinner that you made, you have to be able to start your heat source, forgetting matches or a lighter is a great way to bring the fun to an untimely demise.

9.Cookware

It is really hard to boil water in your hands or a plastic bottle, I won't say impossible but I will say inadvisable. Definitely however you plan on cooking, bring the necessary utensils. Food is very important.

10.Hydration (and purifier)

Bringing enough containers and a way to refill them should be self- explanatory, you need water, more than you even need food. This is one of the most important things to have.