Camping Tips

reevaluate the tent.

loool

I still have my sister's tent in my basement, should I return it or would it entice her to rejoin the debaucherous world of camping?

Resurrecting...

We - me (40yo dad), E (36yo mum), N (4yo daughter), and C (17mo son) - are going to camp this weekend as a dry-run for Green Man, where we are going in August.

Apart from one abandoned (after one night) trip to Cornwall (inclement weather) when N was about 2, we've not done this before (E and I camped for about 4 nights in Ibiza once when we were younger, but no kids, tiny tent, years ago = doesn't really count compared to life as it is now).

We are playing it safe by not going too far, and by camping near to where E's dad owns a restaurant (so we can eat out for free!), as we are V New to this.

We have a big new bell tent, inflatable sleeping matts, sleeping bags, and that's about it. We'll be in North Devon. Please give bespoke advice for our situation!

camp in your garden first

Garden's not big enough to put the tent up in, sadly. Bloody garage. This is the closest we can do to that though, I reckon.

Just expect to make mistakes, chiefly forgetting to bring some item that turns out to be greatly missed. It happens to all first time campers. Try imagining the phases of the day and various sorts of weather and make lists of what you think you may need. You'll still forget something, but fewer of them.

As I said in my first response to this thread, staying warm enough is urgent and key, while staying dry is only urgent and key to the degree is impedes staying warm enough. Small kids get cold, overheated, or dehydrated much quicker than adults, so if there is a chance of any of these happening keep a close eye on your tykes.

Being wet and cold in windy conditions is very bad and should be avoided at any cost. Strong shivering should be viewed as a red flag and dealt with immediately by any means at your disposal!

thread covers most things but some essentials: take torches, insect repellent, make sure you pick some nice dry ground and ensure your head is higher than your feet

Advice I have received thus far (from here, Facebook, and my office):

Camping tips!
• Freeze some bacon
• Freeze some milk
o Keep them in your coolbox
o Defrosted the next day!
• Box of white wine
o Remove bladder from box
o Freeze the bladder of wine
o Keep in the coolbox!
• Take leftovers to heat up on the first night
• Clear plastic box with all stuff in
o Pots and pans, torch etc
o One for each family member rather than a bag – easier to find stuff
• Don’t forget cooking oil
• Camping chairs
• Pillows – take real ones!
• Blankets
• Hat
• Hoodie
• Plastic wine glasses
• Washing up stuff – including a bowl
• Earplugs – bio ears, silicone
• Toilet paper
• Warm clothes
• Camping kettle
• Camping mugs
• Headtorch / Torch
• Barbecue
• Tinfoil
• Blankets – extra blankets for Green Man
• Dutch oven
• Washing line
• Insect repellent