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Original poster

To say if your child is going to a Festival for the first time, do not, under any circumstances

192 replies

Eeepsh · 20/08/2024 13:43

Allow them to open the fucking tent in the living room to. "See what it's like"

It's a fucking tent and regardless of how many times you watch the fucking video, Part A might fold into Part B eventually but it certainly wont then fit in the fucking bag. Believe me.

Any other helpful (ha) tips for Festival Virgins?!!

Please, pretty please

OP posts:
tommika · 20/08/2024 22:19

PresidentBarklett · 20/08/2024 19:03

Same - Reading, Glastonbury, V. Mid to late 90s.

I don't believe I made any excuses for this behaviour. I clearly said it wasn't okay.

However, I do believe it's inaccurate to blame 'the youth of today" and get all "not in my day". People have always been pricks.

Edited to add, comments not aimed at you, @tommika but previous posters.

Edited
Show quote history

Regarding your edit …. Your post is taken fully as you intended

Another age old example I like to use when people complain about “all the litter today” is that ‘Keep Britain tidy’ is now 70 years old

PanettoneSoprano · 20/08/2024 21:23

Loving this thread! I have never, and will never, go to a festival. Big crowds, dirty toilets, no shower and sleeping on the ground is my idea of hell, but I enjoy hearing about it 😉

KatieB55 · 20/08/2024 19:58

Don't leave anything in the car. At one festival numerous cars had locks drilled out.

AlmostCutMyHairToday · 20/08/2024 19:53

Hand sanitiser.

CeruleanBelt · 20/08/2024 19:39

MargoLivebetter · 20/08/2024 14:20

Expect them to return really filthy with only the clothes they stand up in and their phone. Therefore, tell them under no circumstances should they take anything of any value and probably not even a change of clothes. If they do bring anything home, it should be taken straight to the tip!

If you do give them useful things like wet wipes, loo roll, snacks, paracetamol, sun cream etc these items will come back completely unused at the bottom of a bag that looks like it has been repeatedly trampled into the ground and smells of piss, poo or vomit or possibly all three.

(DS had to disrobe before entering the house, as he had definitely soiled his clothes in ways that none of us want to remember clearly.)

That's disgusting.

TheTripThatWasnt · 20/08/2024 19:33

Mama2many73 · 20/08/2024 19:24

My understanding is that the tents don't come back home! 😂😂

And that's hilarious because...??

Alalalalalongalalalalalonglonglilong · 20/08/2024 19:30

Do not take note where your tent is by plotting an exact spot between a particular distinctive flag and another landmark...and then during the headline act note the same flag being raised in the crowd.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 20/08/2024 19:26

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 20/08/2024 19:25

DS and his friends camped 5 days at download this year . They took one of those trolley things people use on the beach to transport all their stuff .

They took two tents, camping stove, chairs etc . All came back .

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 20/08/2024 19:25

DS and his friends camped 5 days at download this year . They took one of those trolley things people use on the beach to transport all their stuff .

Mama2many73 · 20/08/2024 19:24

My understanding is that the tents don't come back home! 😂😂

Newname71 · 20/08/2024 19:17

7wwkw · 20/08/2024 15:45

I am confused as to why anyone would go to something like this. We have schools, where any adult must be badged up and accompanied to enter. And then we let teens go to shit fests like this where tents are set on fire, stuff is stolen, drugs are taken - it’s dirty and so incredibly unpleasant. Why do they go? I have a 16yo and 18yo who don’t understand either!

It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but personally I love a festival. I’m 53 and have been taking DS1 to Download festival since he was 14, he’s 24 now. Me and DSis didn’t go this year so he went with his girlfriend instead. I had major festival envy so I’ve bought my ticket for next year already!
Edited to add I only do Download festival and haven’t witnessed the setting on fire of tents etc, I’m not saying it definitely doesn’t happen but I’ve never seen anything like that

Okbyethen · 20/08/2024 19:03

If rain's forecast, take wellies or other suitable waterproof footwear - the campsites and arenas get really boggy really quickly! 🤢🤢🤢

And savour every moment because the weekend will fly by! 🥺

PresidentBarklett · 20/08/2024 19:03

tommika · 20/08/2024 18:48

I also went to Reading & Glastonbury about 30 years ago, and tents were abandoned

There were also stalls specialising in second hand tents and wellies

I can’t recall exactly when, but some festivals added specific tent recovery to their clean up crews to gather them and pass on to charity

I do remember this being before the 2004 Tsunami as I dontated a number of my tents to the appeal following that, some of which were tents that I had ‘rescued’ from festivals

Some people took home their tents, some didn’t
Just the same as now

Show quote history

Same - Reading, Glastonbury, V. Mid to late 90s.

I don't believe I made any excuses for this behaviour. I clearly said it wasn't okay.

However, I do believe it's inaccurate to blame 'the youth of today" and get all "not in my day". People have always been pricks.

Edited to add, comments not aimed at you, @tommika but previous posters.

tommika · 20/08/2024 18:48

mydogisthebest · 20/08/2024 18:23

I have been to Reading in the past (about 30 years ago) and people packed up their tents and took them home so NO it has not always happened.

Don't make excuses for the lazy not giving a fuck about the planet festival goers now

Show quote history

I also went to Reading & Glastonbury about 30 years ago, and tents were abandoned

There were also stalls specialising in second hand tents and wellies

I can’t recall exactly when, but some festivals added specific tent recovery to their clean up crews to gather them and pass on to charity

I do remember this being before the 2004 Tsunami as I dontated a number of my tents to the appeal following that, some of which were tents that I had ‘rescued’ from festivals

Some people took home their tents, some didn’t
Just the same as now

mydogisthebest · 20/08/2024 18:29

Cyclebabble · 20/08/2024 15:39

Thanks for your reply. I did not say it was great behaviour but quite normal yes. I have expressed concerns where my DC have done this but lazy and ashamed is far too strong. Perhaps you need to get out a little but more and take some calming exercise?

Show quote history

Well if it is supposedly "normal" it bloody well shouldn't be. Why is it just accepted that some people have no care for the planet and, presumably, have more money than sense to buy items and then just leave them.

They don't even most of the time bother to even take down the tents. If that is not lazy then I don't know what is.

I would be ashamed if my son or daughter acted in that way, but obviously you don't care either. I would hope that I had brought them up better than that.

mydogisthebest · 20/08/2024 18:23

PresidentBarklett · 20/08/2024 16:33

This has been a thing since I was going to festivals as an older millennial 25 years ago. It's not okay, but it's not exclusively a Gen Z thing.

Show quote history

I have been to Reading in the past (about 30 years ago) and people packed up their tents and took them home so NO it has not always happened.

Don't make excuses for the lazy not giving a fuck about the planet festival goers now

PointsSouth · 20/08/2024 18:22

altmember · 20/08/2024 14:59

I wouldn't let a child go to a festival alone if they can't pack their tent back in it's bag. Disgusting the amount of waste left at festivals these days. Just lazy gen z'ers who are too selfish and inconsiderate to take their shit home with them and reuse it. Instead they treat everything as disposable. And these youngsters are supposed to be the environmentally enlightened, climate considerate ones. Planet is fucked.

...what exactly are you the alternative to, @altmember? Cheerfulness?

windsorlily · 20/08/2024 17:58

Ha ha! Happy memories! We sneakily encouraged our festival going child to go home with a friend and stay over "to talk it all over, and prolong the fun." When he turned up at home the next day he was properly hygienic again. We still had to decontaminate the belongings, but that was done at leisure, mainly at the bottom of the garden with the hosepipe 😀

Purrer · 20/08/2024 17:42

7wwkw · 20/08/2024 15:45

I am confused as to why anyone would go to something like this. We have schools, where any adult must be badged up and accompanied to enter. And then we let teens go to shit fests like this where tents are set on fire, stuff is stolen, drugs are taken - it’s dirty and so incredibly unpleasant. Why do they go? I have a 16yo and 18yo who don’t understand either!

The atmosphere at festivals can be really lovely, I remember my first festivals as a teenager so fondly. I haven’t been to one for years and I’m always jealous of my friends who go and share pictures on Facebook- I’d love to take my kids when they’re a bit older. Personally I’ve never had anything stolen or seen tents being set on fire. Aye drugs are a thing, but they’re not mandatory!

(And of course, seeing bands/artists you like is great!)

Bodeganights · 20/08/2024 17:41

MabelMaybe · 20/08/2024 15:01

Practice dismantling the tent and sleeping bags, and getting them back into their bags. Same applies if you have a pop-up travel cot (took 3 adults and a Youtube video to get it back in its bag).

Edited

I got a little pop up tent for my dog over the fireworks weeks, pop it up, lob a thick blanket over it, he can hide. Can I ever put it back down. Only after watching a YouTube video 16 times.

For the festival goers, try a long pole with something identifying on top. A flag, a funny wind sock, a thin towel, an old tour tshirt, a standout sock, a wind spinner an old scarf in pretty colours, anything but different to everyone else. ie dont get the first cheapest windsock off Amazon. Stick item on pole next to or near to your tent.

Purrer · 20/08/2024 17:32

altmember · 20/08/2024 14:59

I wouldn't let a child go to a festival alone if they can't pack their tent back in it's bag. Disgusting the amount of waste left at festivals these days. Just lazy gen z'ers who are too selfish and inconsiderate to take their shit home with them and reuse it. Instead they treat everything as disposable. And these youngsters are supposed to be the environmentally enlightened, climate considerate ones. Planet is fucked.

Relax 😂 tents are notoriously difficult to stuff back in their wee bags, I used to take a big black bag to put mine in when I took it down!

OnthePisteAgain · 20/08/2024 17:20

My son is 17 and camping for the weekend at Reading. I know for challenge 25 they have to provide original ID but to actually get on site, does he still need passport/driving licence etc? I'm convinced he will lose it if he takes on of them! Tried contacting customer services but they just said he may need ID, no details. He has photos of both forms of ID on his phone

Wideskye · 20/08/2024 16:47

Don't leave your boots in the porch of the tent!
DS did this after his GCSEs. Live a train ride away from Reading. He brought several people home for a shower on the Saturday!

NameChangePoP · 20/08/2024 16:42

For all those with young people heading to Reading this week, please let them know about the Street Pastor tents.

We have one in Orange camp and one in Brown. They are open 24/7, and offer tea / coffee / hot water for pot noodles / sofas / somewhere warm to sit / and someone to talk to & help if needed.

I also live 200m from the site, and have stayed with many a young person until their parent arrives (in public) - so please do PM me if I can be of any help.