For a while now, I’ve wanted to put together a dedicated camping box—a stash of essentials I can count on summer after summer. As I started assembling it, I realized it could double as my GTFO/Bug Out Bag.
I’m not aiming for high-end, REI-level gear here. What I needed was a quick, budget-friendly solution. That’s when I turned to the local dollar store.
Now, not everything at a dollar store is worth grabbing. In some cases, you’ll get more bang for your buck by shopping at wholesalers like Costco, especially for bulk items. But let’s be real—I’m not building a doomsday bunker. This kit is designed for short-term emergencies and weekend escapes.
Your mileage may vary, but here’s what worked for me.
- Plastic Cups
- Re-usable To-Go Cups
- Sponges & Dish Soap
- Antibacterial Wipes
- Super Glue
- Match Box
- Ziplock Bags (Various Sizes)
- Zip Ties
- Disposable Utensils
- Re-usable Utensils
- Disposable Plates
- 2x Ceramic Plates/bowls
- Steak Knife Sets
- Tongs
- Batteries
- Lighter
- Corkscrew/bottle opener
- Cutting Mat/board
- Scissors
- Aluminum Foil
- Grill Tray
- Hand Sanitizer
- LED Lights
- Solar Powered Lights
- Heavy Duty Gloves
- Latex Gloves
- Irish Spring Soap Bar
- Body/Face Wipes
- Paper Towels
- Cotton Towels
- Toilet Paper
- Petroleum Jelly
- Tooth Brushes/Paste and Floss
- Alcohol Wipes
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Burner Cans/Food Warmers
- Liquid Skin Glue
- Antibiotic Cream
- Shaving Items
- Deodorant
- Drink Straws
- Rope
- Duct Tape and Clear Tape
- First Aid Kits
- Cold Medicine
- Eye Drops
- Pain Relief Meds (Various)
- Allergy Meds (Various)
- 3x Tuna
- Protein Shakes
- 2x Large Tarps
- Canned Beans
- Canned Fruit
This list doesn’t include camping staples I already own—like my tent, sleeping bag, LifeStraw, blankets, sunscreen, bug spray, and so on. It also doesn’t cover the emergency MRE-style food tub I have stored, which contains 150 servings. Consider those items part of your baseline. You should always plan for clean water, essential medications, and any pet-related needs. In my case, pet supplies live in my car since our hiking trips/outings often run longer than expected.
Again, not everything is worth picking up from the dollar store. Spend wisely on quality where it matters—like flashlights, water purification solutions, and portable power for your devices.
Make sure all your gear is stored in a secure, accessible container—like a plastic storage bin. I keep mine next to the car in the garage so it’s ready to go in an emergency.
Don’t forget to check expiration dates. Most of my items expire within a year, which conveniently lines up with when I typically start prepping for next summer’s camping season.
Lastly, don’t forget the paperwork! Keep copies of key documents—license, passport, medical info, emergency contacts, even paper maps. Consider uploading them to a secure cloud storage for easy access when it counts.
Stay safe out there.
