Help me! I'm getting a weird urge to camp and it's clearly an insane idea because...

[Issymum]

we don't have a tent, DH is in a wheelchair, the DDs are only 4 and 5 and we have the budget to rent a cottage or whatever. But I'm just developing this weird notion that the DDs would think it the best adventure to go camping and it would be a 'fun family' thing to do. So, the questions are:

1. Would you still go camping if you could afford not to stay under canvas (I'm expecting a hearty 'yes' to this one)?

1. Is the wheelchair an insurmountable obstacle? It's self-propelled and DH is pretty nifty at getting in and out of it.

1. If we were absolutely total hot-weather. weekend-only campers, would we really need that much stuff and could we buy fairly low budget gear?

1. Beyond tent, airbeds and sleeping bags, what else would we need?

1. Any suggestions for a weekend campsite within easy striking distance of Guildford, I'm thinking perhaps the New Forest?

[Blandmum]

I would go for it.

We camp in part to save money, but also because we enjoy it. The kids love it, and have some 'real' freedom.

Contact the campsite and ask about accessability for the wheelchair. Modern sites have shower/toilet blocks that are adapted in line with the DDA. you'd have to make sure you didn't have problems with the soil being too soggy.

Cooking stuff, but most of that you can 'borrow' from home until you are sure it is your 'thing'.

In fact, borrow a rig.....or go to a UK site that has pre set up tents, there are a few in The NF, for a long weekend to see how it suits your family.....good advice for any would be camper IMHO

Ideas for a site, search UKcampsite and/or post and ask for help, they are a v helpful lot, and there are a few campers with disabilities that post on the site who could give you good advice.

[Pitchounette]

Message withdrawn

[Issymum]

Thanks MB and Pitchounette. A pre set-up tent is a good idea, as I'm not sure how easy it would be to pitch a tent single-handed or with a wheelchair. Although I suspect that if we arrived at the right sort of campsite at the right time and people saw us struggling, they may well help. This is persuading me that we should give it a go in the garden and then strike out ...oooh at least a couple of hours away. We will of course be objects of experienced campers' derision with our duvets and pillows, kitchen saucepans, brand new stove and general air of cluelessness. But what the hell!

[ernest]

1. we go camping because w love it. price isn't the issue for us.

we had our 1st camping holiday with kids in the summer (aged 6,5 & 2) and they LOVED it

1. No. As long as you choose site w. good disbled facilities.

1. We don't have that much, so shold be ok

1. again, stove, cool box, or some sites have fridges you can use, chairs and table

1. dunno sorry

[Issymum]

Chairs and table! Hadn't thought of that one. If it's just a day of two, I guess we could just use a couple of director's chairs and a picnic rug!

[Gingerbear]

Issy, come and join us this summer in the Forest of Dean

[dingdonglapinroseonhigh]

1. Oh yes definitely! We have taken DTs camping 4 or 5 times now, they're only 3, first camping holiday was when they were 8 months but we survived! It is a good way of having more than one holiday too.

1. Don't know really, depends how muddy the site gets I guess!

3&4 as poeple have mentioned really, there are some great websites for cut price stuff, will try to remember them...

1. Not familiar with that area, but the UKcampsite website is v useful

Have fun!

[DesperatelyUpset]

I don't think you're mad!

We took dd1 camping when she was 2, and she spent the whole time jumping up and down on the airbeds. It was freezing cold, windy and a nightmare for us.

But she really did love the adventure of it, and that kind of carried us through the hardship.

We are seasoned campers, and normally love it. We were defeated by putting up a tent in what felt like a Force 9 gale.

I would recommend getting there early to set the tent up, or asking if there is any assistance available to put the tent up when you book.

[nikkid21]

We are just down the road from you in Farnborough and I can vouch for the New Forrest for camping. Get a brochure from Forest Holidays as they have lots of campsites in the New Forrest. Best best for a wheelchair user is Holmsley which is on a disused airfield. It's flat, grassy rather than wooded and has disabled facilities (accessible shower and toilets). Also has a shop on site and is fairly central.
On a good run we can get down there in 1hr 20 min.

[Melaniec234]

Hi, ive a 4yr old autistic boy. I felt the same as you did last year about camping, but its great. A good cheap website for camping stuff is www.towsure.co.uk/ or com. GOOD LUCK

[divamumplus]

we went camping because dh is from very camping family, yes we can afford more holidays not under the canvas, but it soooooooo much fun. dd was 15m and she loved it. everything is so simple and so close to nature. you need good cooker, saucepans,fryingpan,bucket or something to was dishes, sleeping bag,towels,extra blankets,and etc.. i have somewhere whole list you for it girl, you and family will love it