Camping Newbie

[Lozcal01]

So...

I've never been camping before. Never, not even in childhood. So i just don't have clue. Its gonna be just me and my daughter (5).

I'm going to get a bell tent. What on earth do I take? Food? Oven? Tables? etc? Its so confusing!

Also, where do I cook? Do camping sites have showers and toilets or do i need to bring them to?

How does it all fit into my tiny car?

And what on earth do you do when camping? During the day and at night?

Please help?

[rideyourbike]

We go camping a lot and I always have. I take tent, sleeping bags, pjs, clothes I think we need plus a bit extra. Pillows, cups, plates, cutlery, bowl. Camping stove(these come in tiny ones up to big ones with a grill) kettle. 1 frying pan and 1 saucepan, wooden spoon. Wellies and normal shoes. We normally camp by the sea so spend our days at the beach but could go into towns, countryside walks, local towns or tourist sites like castles, adventure parks. At the campsite you usually get toilets and showers. Some campsites have free showers but some have a pay for a certain amount of time system. Usually washing up facilities available, just take sponge, tea towel, washing up bowl and liquid. Some have a laundry room, shop. Often u can pay a few pennies to hire those blue freeze block things to keep your cool box cool. You can check their website or call them to check facilities. We cook all sorts on our 2 ring camping stove. Scrambles eggs, sausages, fish, spaghetti bolognese, noodles with veg. Ooh, take a couple of torches, it's a real arse walking to the toilets in pitch darkness!

[rideyourbike]

We have fold up chairs and table but we could also sit on the floor if we had to!

[rideyourbike]

At night it takes longer than normal to do anything so rarely do the kids go to bed at normal time. Me and the husband normally have a beer or a brew and go to bed too. Some sites have a pub/restaurant which is nice.

[Thumbcat]

I'm not sure what size a bell tent packs down to, but I'm imagining it's pretty hefty. Something to think about if you have a tiny car.

Rather than buying a load of equipment, start off with what you'll need for sleeping and making simple meals (you can buy a gas powered one ring cooker thing from Go Outdoors quite cheaply to start you off) and go away for a weekend. That will give you an idea of what you really need for your next trip. Sleeping bags take up a lot less room in the car than duvets and blankets.

During the day we go out and about to local attractions and chill out at the campsite. If you choose a site with a playground and can pitch up in sight of it, you can chill out while your daughter plays. My DS is an only child and always manages to find others to play with at campsites.

I tend to camp with a friend, so after the kids are asleep we sit outside and drink wine and chat for a bit, and then go to bed fairly early.

[Lozcal01]

oo this is all good! Thank you.

My plan was to put the 2 back seats on my car down to make more space. My daughter like to sleep next to people so I was thinking of getting a double blow up bed and a double sleeping bag. Then putting a couple of fire thermal blanket things (the silver ones?) under the bed?

I will look into a cooker. do they take gas or electricity or do they all differ?

What kinds of clothes do yous take and what do you sleep in?

It all seems like so much to think of for the first time!!

[rideyourbike]

We sleep in pyjamas, usually keep socks and a jumper nearby incase it's cold. I have been known to sleep in a hat but that was before I co-bedded with my husband! During the day wear whatever clothes you normally wear, good if you take layering clothes though and no white clothes! Camping stoves normally take gas, or you can use a trangea which uses lighter fuel or something. Have a fun time, let us know how u get on

[Onykahonie]

As mentioned before, I would borrow or get things cheaply for your first trip in case you decide camping isn't for you. Most sites have showers and toilets, but we take a lidded bucket for night time emergencies.

Can you put up a bell tent by yourself? I can put up a small 4 man tunnel tent, but would struggle with anything heavier/bigger.

I would go for single sleeping bags and snuggle up next to each other. A double lets in a terrible draft between you! Don't forget a pump if you take an air bed!

We layer up at night with thermals, pjs and then a onesie/hoodie etc. depending on how cold it is.

HTH