Top tips for camping virgin (with someone I rather fancy)

[Incipit]

Haven't ever been proper camping, and now going this weekend, for 6 nights. The friend I was to share a tent with has had to pull out, but she's lending me her gear. I still want to go because it's with a friendship group which includes a man I've been lusting over and have had very few opportunities to spend time with. So I don't want to look a complete incapable eejit. specially as I've got to drop DC off for their far more exciting holiday with my parents first, so will be arriving way later than everyone else.

I'm collecting the tent etc this evening and will practice putting it up. What else can I do in advance?

The weather forecast is for 23 degrees most days, but thunderstorms some days. Usually I pack light for holidays but I'm guessing I need plenty of layers and getting things dry will be difficult? Does it get chilly at night? Do people go to the showers/toilets in a dressing gown or a coat?

Basically any top tips will be gratefully received, and don't assume anything is too basic to need to be stated

@Mountaingoatling

Bless you. In these circumstances I'd play up thr novice factor to the max. I camp loads and men love to "rescue you" (I don't need it!).

Take three times more clothes than you think. Hair bobbles. Torch. Flip flops for shower. Trainers. Obvs walking gear. Some pyjama type wear. Midge spray atm if anywhere near water. Battery pack. Adopt a laid back attitude rather than trying to 'ace' camping.

And deffo work the 'novice' thing of you like him and suspect he likes you back.

Also snacks...pulling out cool snacks always goes well.

This, every word. And KEEP US POSTED

What should I pack my clothes in if not a suitcase, @ReviewingTheSituation ?? Panicking now that I'm going to look like a townie twat wheeling it out of my car.

Take small bottles of shampoo, shower gel, soap... whatever. And make sure they go back in your washbag.
Some lucky camper had a brand new huge bottle of tresemme shampoo and conditioner when they were new and expensive.
Take something like ipod and speaker for quiet music. Might not be internet for streaming.
Take a craft or hobby? Knit? Draw? Paint?
Nice soft blanket is essential.
Wrap it round you in evening and lay on it for sleep. Even men like a soft blanket...
Use the bigger tent. It's worth the effort of putting it up.
Most tents have a small pocket away from the door. Lock valuables in your car. Pit the car key in the little pocket.
Leave at least 2 metres between tents. Not social distance, space for guy ropes.
With expected storms, use guy ropes.
Never cook inside the tent.
Never put "the last of the bbq" in the tent to warm it up. CO poison and fire risk.
Never walk too close to other tents on your way past. Guy ropes.
If you have a head torch, very useful, keeps hands free.
Keep the bug nets closed when you can.
And wait for the storm before you need "a rescue"
Take some kind of big water bottle. You have to fetch water for everything.

Oh God!! A rucksack! Or as pp mentioned series of sturdy bags for life.

Also must mention as a non mum...some of the duvet etc things...not v cool if he's proper into camping.

But...yeah be cute, be yourself. Wheel out a whole LV case...its the attitude that matters...laid back, chilled, sense of humour...

Could you sneak him a text asking for a recommendation? Builds the anticipation.

This is not an exam in camping and I can't imagine he'd find it much less than adorable if you do things your own way!

If it’s going to be dark upon your arrival, I’d ask him to take my tent with him to put up ready for your arrival then he may put your tents up next to each other

And for anybody with inflatable beds...
They probably dont leak. Just the air inside them contracts over night when it is cooler.
So you probably have to pump them up each night before bed.

@lachy

My golden camping rules

1. Camp hair, don't care: You're camping, a scruffy bun is fine.

2. You can never have too much alcohol

3. Don't get cold. Put your pyjamas on early and stick joggers on over the top.

4. There will be no sexy times happening in the tent...especially not when you're with the children!

5. Take the biggest mug you can fund for coffee/tea in the morning. You won't regret it.

Have fun. Do the washing up with him. saunter past with a tea towel, and say "you wash, I'll dry, come on!"

Love the rules. Definitely embracing them, especially as I have unruly hair at the best of times. No kids on this trip THANK GOD so can I switch number 4 to second base in the tent (if I should be so lucky) and third base if I can get him in one of our cars?! I'm NHS-worker lone parent so had a loooong pandemic dry-spell.

What's the best way of making decent coffee when camping? I was thinking my stovetop Italian espresso pot?

I just use a big Ikea bag. I do have packing cubes that I'd normally put in a suitcase on holiday, but I have been known to pack straight into an ikea bag. It just means you can root around and find things easily because it's open and has a large surface area.

I used to take a holdall/rucksack and keep them in the ikea bag, so the clothes were 'contained' in transit, but got unpacked into the ikea bag, but then cut out the middleman!

I think I'm probably in the minority, and most people just take the same kind of bag they'd take for any other short trip (although I don't think I've ever seen someone with a suitcase), but I just like being able to see everything easily, and lay my hands on what I want.

I do keep underwear and socks in their own drawstring bag (with another bag to put them in once worn) so they're easy to find.

I’d say no guitar but depends on the site I guess. A radio you can have quiet a guitar the whole site will hear and likely curse.

It gets cold fast once the sun goes down so as above take a good hoody/fluffy dressing gown.

Take books/word searches. Head torch. Pee bucket but that only works if you have the space for it really and tbh everyone will hear your pee hit the bowl. A light on in a tent means you are putting on a show for others so if you do get sexy or even changed once it’s dark out. Lights out.

Elbow grease washing liquid is the must have for us for camping eats though the breakfast grease a wonder. Get solar fairy lights for outside the tent cheap and tacky yes but can help show the entrance in the dark without blinding people.

Flip flops 100% shower floors are not for bare feet. Take your own toilet roll so your not wiping with sand paper.

If it’s hot tents get very very hot very very fast. Are you going with electric?

Microfibre towels are great, no hanging about wet. Aldi have good ones in just now.
Take a few clothes pegs so can attach to guy lined for drying.
Take a plastic bowl for your washing up.
Put pegs in at 45degree angle and I’d Amazon prime some rock pegs.
With baked ground much easier than useless ones that come with tents.
Line up guys lines with the seams.

@AOwlAOwlAOwl

Hope you have fun OP. I'm sure you will.

Take layers for the evenings - those camping chairs are not very insulating so you will get cold sitting for long periods. Long sleeve top, hoody, coat. Definitely take a knitted hat if you have one. Cosy warm socks to sleep in are my top tip.

Lots of good tips here already. Agree that a supply of snacks will make you v popular and (sorry to generalise but) men like to be useful and will be super keen to help with your tent if you're not confident so don't worry about that part. Don't forget the pump for your air bed!

Lots of layers, lots of blankets now on the list.

I'm going to do lots of baking as soon as the temperature drops. At least then I can console myself with cake if I've misread his signals.

And yes to the bigger tent. Also we don’t take a duvet we take sleeping bags and good blankets.

@SweatyBetty20

Other tips from me (we are camping this weekend):

Take the bigger tent - you end up taking more stuff than you think and porches or living areas are fab for storage or sitting if it’s raining.
Early summer mornings and tent fabric = a very early wake up so take an eye mask if you want to sleep in.
Don’t forget a bottle opener and tin opener - even if you don’t need them someone else will.
Shoes off at the tent door - it’s only a little thing but you won’t be picking grass out of your stuff in four days time.
Plenty of matches and firefighters if you have access to a fire pit. Burning bay leaves or sage keeps the midges away.
If you’re car camping rather than wild camping I’d take a proper towel.
Sweats and a hoodie are great at the end of the day if it’s chilly.
Take a folding chair - lots of sitting around means a numb bum.
No need for a double air bed - me and the other half just scooch our air beds together if we snuggle.

And have a great time!

Brilliant, thanks for all this.

Condoms?
Good luck OP

Alternista, LOL, I'll try!

Travel Johns if there's time for an Amazon delivery. Then you can pee in your porch if you wake up beyond desperate. Pop it in a carrier bag and then in the bin.

Put one outfit in a waterproof bag and leave in the car. Worse case scenario you have one dry outfit.

Def not a pop up tent

Agree men like to help with tents. Ask him to help you pitch it and ask for advice about guide ropes. Even men who don't fancy me like to correct my tent pitching.

Flip flops for shower. The showers can get steamy so its hard to get dry in them so a light dress to throw on to go back to the tent and dry and you walk

Head torch. Never ever forget it.

I've camped loads (even though I swore I never would). I take everything and I mean EVERYTHING. Last time I even took a tv/dvd combo, inflatable settee and my laptop. Most memorable trip was when a friend and I took our five children and three dogs between us in my 8 man tent. In February! The dogs' water bowl was frozen every day but I did pack an electric heater. Ah yes, make sure you book a pitch with electric hookup, perfect for fans, lights, TVs, hairdryers and curlers! Enjoy!

Flip flops are a must for the showers even better if they are the kind you can get wet as the floors are mank usually.
Wet wipes galore.
Ear plugs for the birds.
A hair wrap towel if you have one.
Hot choc and marshmallows
Twister...or any other board game

Pee behind your tent at night, dont faff about with buckets or nappies

@Mountaingoatling

Oh God!! A rucksack! Or as pp mentioned series of sturdy bags for life.

Also must mention as a non mum...some of the duvet etc things...not v cool if he's proper into camping.

But...yeah be cute, be yourself. Wheel out a whole LV case...its the attitude that matters...laid back, chilled, sense of humour...

Could you sneak him a text asking for a recommendation? Builds the anticipation.

This is not an exam in camping and I can't imagine he'd find it much less than adorable if you do things your own way!

It's a battered old suitcase but now I feel like I need a rucksack. Aye, he's properly into outdoorsy things whereas I haven't been much beyond my garden in a long time. So no way I'll seem cool in any way shape and form. I'm just aspiring for not pathetic nor appearing too desperate. Arrgh!

Yes to a big fluffy blanket to snuggle under outside. Also agree with duvet rather than sleeping bag. Another thought would be a pack of wet wipes for a quick freshen up in all areas at anytime. Also maybe a really big bottle of water that you can top up, with some plastic glasses. Some great suggestions on here! I might even camp again

Booking.com app so you can book an hotel or air bnb.

@Xiomara22

If it’s going to be dark upon your arrival, I’d ask him to take my tent with him to put up ready for your arrival then he may put your tents up next to each other

I won't see him before then. I like the thought of having our tents next to each other though. My friend just worked out that we'll be the only two in our own tents... everyone else are at least in twos, so it would make sense, right?

Bring loads of booze, wet wipes, painkillers and chocolate