I don’t know many places that will let you take an ax or a hatchet. It they supply firewood and have fireplaces for you already, you use them. If not, you use a small stove or maybe you go and buy sandwiches at a nearby eatery… It depends what will be there.

Likewise, a map and compass are no use at all if you haven’t been trained how to use them. So if you had been, like in Boy Scouts, you wouldn’t be asking this question.

Tin openers are no use unless you plan on opening canned food. And many cans today have pull tops anyhow. Of course, it is a real bummer to have tinned food and not have an opener. Early pioneers would use an ax or a knife to open the can. (Tin openers as we know them weren’t invented until years later!) But do take along a pocket knife. The Swiss Army knives by Victorianox are especially good. Don’t buy a cheap made-in-China copy of one!

Most organized camp grounds will have toilets – with toilet paper. Although a small roll, for emergencies, never goes astray. The campsite will hopefully have hot showers as well, so bring your own soap, toothbrush – and possibly shampoo and shaving kit.

You will also find the camp shop will have a lot of items you might need.

Ladies, bring your own feminine hygiene stuff with you as well; and please dispose of tampons or pads only in the proper containers.

A box of matches and/or a cigarette lighter are important. A small candle is useful both for illumination in your tent — BUT DONT SET IT ON FIRE — but also to get a wood fire started.

When I was a kid in Scouts, I always carried a First Aid Kit, because all the books I read told me to do so. In reality I have found the only things I need to have are some cheap and simple plastic Band Aid type plasters. Just washing any small wound in clean tap water, bottled water and a little soap is enough to kill surface germs. Anything more serious, like burns or fractures, you’ll need to stabilize and either drive to hospital for or call the paramedics.

It certainly helps to have a basic understanding of 1st Aid principles, in case there is nobody else to help you. The First Aid kits are less important. In any case, you aren’t Daniel Boone and you don’t really expect to be treating gunshot traumas!

I’d suggest you stick to established campgrounds where there are other people, at least until you get some camping experience under your own belt.
References :
http://www.all-camping-supplies.com

Just remember, for first timers it’s better to borrow or rent equipment than buy brand new if at all possible, because it’ll be a learning experience, and you may either not like it at all, or discover how little you really need to be comfortable, or decide you want a lot more comfort, or decide to try backpacking in the wilderness.
References :

Camping Items;
1. Tent with rain fly
2. ground sheet for under the tent
3. sleeping bag and pillow
4. bear bell for food storage
5. radio or c.d. player for entertainment
6. flash lights with extra batteries
7. extra cloths (plan for the weather)
8. camp stove or metal grill for fire pit
9. cooking utensils and spices
10. folding camping chairs (better than sitting on a stump)
11. hammock for relaxing on
12. cell phone with spare batteries
13. board games to pass the time
14. bio-degradable dish soap
15. solar shower and privacy tarp
16. binoculars for bird watching

This list could go on and on but just use some common sence and remember leave nothing behind so bring garbage bags to take you trash with you.

Have a fun camping trip.
References :

- Clothing for the weather and location.
- Cookware ( pans, pots, stove?, silverware, water to wash them).
- Overnight gear ( Tent, undermat, tarp or footprint for tent, sleeping bag, flash light or lantern).
- Food (Plan your meals)
- Other gear ( mallet, hatchet to gather wood for a fire, bug spary, multitool with knife, can opener, twizers).
- First Aid kit ( this is a must, things always happen)
- Depending on your interests I take sometimes field guides to identify birds, fungus, flowers, Sky maps it’s always cool to identify constellations and the list can go and go.

You need to figure out first what kind of camping are you doing. If this is your first camping experience you should consider Car camping, where you go to established campgrounds and park next to your site.

If you are considering backpacking and remote camping you need to consider as well the seize and weight of your gear. You will need pretty much the same stuff but it has to be smaller and lighter.
References :

tent, tarps for the rain!!!, sleeping bag, bug spray, flashlights, toilet paper, matches, food, water, utensils, fishing pole/gear, cell phone (or some other form of communication in an emergency), knife, hatchet, liesure items (deck of cards), first aid kit, little extra rope never hurt anyone

marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers!!!!
References :