Well, you will need a sleeping bag, clothing, a hatchet (with a hammer on one side is my preference) A camp-shovel, a good camping knife. knife some cooking gear, water containers, fire starting material, lantern and or flashlights, a drop cloth, optional air mattress. bug spray, first aid kit, maps of the area and compass, food and perhaps water, toiletries, something to do in the tent if it rains (a book, game, or deck of cards). Optional rain gear. Radio and cell phone. Optional firearm.

Remember to tell someone where you are going and when you will be back, particularly if you are in a remote area.

Much of this you can get from Walmart or on line, but a realy fun place to shop is Army Surplus Stores. They even have "MRE's" which either stands for Meals Ready to Eat, or Meals Refused by Everybody, depending on who you talk to.

Here is an instructional video aimed at a family going in a car. If you plan to backpack overnight or several nights, you should be able to find a video about that, but the best help will be someone who has gone before (take them with you).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqcNp-Ykt0Y

For me, I don't like carrying too much item especially heavy items on my backpack when camping so I just go for sleeping bag instead of carrying a whole tent with me. Although it depends on who you are with like for example, if you are with your family then it is probably the best idea to set up a tent for the whole family to be accommodated but if you are camping with maybe one or two persons then a double sleeping bag would be just right.

http://www.doublesleepingbagshop.com