Group Gear

Small, easy to set up tent. When sleeping under the stars, tent-free may sound attractive, but dew, dust, rodents and creepy crawlers are reason enough to carry a tent. Lightweight ones can be found at REI for around $100. Most fit two people.

Portable stove. Make sure someone has a light, compact camp stove that runs on white gas.

First-aid kit. Besides the usual suspects, get a product called Zanfel, an over-the-counter lotion for skin exposed to poison ivy and poison oak, just in case you or one of your girlfriends accidentally rubs up against one of these nasty plants. Also, throw in a pair of tweezers to help remove splinters or bee stingers.

Newspaper or pieces of scrap paper to help build a fire.

Camping Tip #3 - Test your gear.
It’s important to test your gear days before everyone caravans to the destination. Make sure at least one of you knows how to set up the tent and that someone has lit your stove to make sure it works. Check your headlamp and make sure the bulb isn’t burnt out. Also, make it a point to try your backpack around your neighborhood—pack it full and walk around for 30 minutes through a park and uphill. You’ll get a better feel for what you can handle on the trail.