>>2833107Get a tent, appropriate for the weather and temperature you expect to be camping in. Your first tent won't matter that much. Don't get a giant one that takes too much effort to assemble.
Get a cheap tarp from a hardware store to use as your tent's footprint. It goes beneath your tent.
Get a foam pad with an appropriate R value. If you're backpacking, be very choosy when it comes to weight, shape and size of the foam pad.
Get an inflatable mat with an appropriate R value. What you need will depend on the temperature you expect to be sleeping in. The foam pad goes down first, the inflatable goes on top of that, your sleeping bag goes on top of that. Alternatively, if you're car camping, get two foam pads to set side by side, buy a cheap Walmart camping air mattress, and set the air mattress on top of the two foam pads.
Get a sleeping bag. If you're going to car camp, I'd recommend a flannel cloth bag, unless you live somewhere hot. Flannel bags are very comfy, fantastic for sleeping, except they are very warm.
Optional: if you're car camping, get one of those Columbia camping blankets from Costco (or buy it online) or a Rumpl blanket, or any other blanket. Sleep with your flannel bag open, and the blanket(s) on top of you for weight, warmth, and comfort.
Use your backpack as a pillow. If you're car camping, just bring your favorite pillow from your house.
You can sleep with your clothing on or off, it will depend on temperature.
Always put the rain fly on your tent when you're setting it up, because the one time you don't, it'll rain at 11pm when you're passed out.
Now you've got sleeping and shelter covered. You can figure out the rest from there. Food is up to you. Jetboil, Coleman stove, cooking on the fire, Camp Chef (if you're car camping for extended periods of time, buy one of these from Costco), eating all dry food, whatever. That's your choice.
Your gear + your food will depend on location/weather/temperature, and what you want to do.
