Making camping fun

[Ginismyfriend]

In a couple of weeks I’m camping with my family at a festival for five nights, which is five nights more than I’d choose to camp usually. I have old lady hips and I like to be clean. Beyond the tent/air beds/chairs, what can I take that will make it better? All tips welcome!

Aldis have self inflating mattresses for £12

Ear plugs and eye masks for sleeping. Wet wipes if there’s no showers. I wouldn’t bother with your own cooking facilities at a festival, just take snacks and buy food there. Lots of layers to carry round with you, and a packable Mac. Otherwise-embrace and enjoy! It’s never going to be that comfy but it’s part of the experience

A tent you can stand up in not a shitty little dome thing
Self inflating mattress
Kettle and gas stove for hot water
Collapsible bucket / washing up bowl for a stand up strip wash in tent
Picnic rug or tent carpet
Doormat for tent entrance
Bags for life or foldable ikea Kallax boxes to store clothes in
'S' hooks
Coat hangers to hang from S hooks

One of these so you don't need to use their showers. We have one for ordinary camping and they work really well
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/pressure-solar-camping-shower-10-litres//R-p-334665?mc=8650729&utm_term=8650729-4341688&&iv=iv_p_1_g_123442810736_c_525604954948_w_aud-1291573007729:pla-309168562543_n_g_d_m_v__l__t__r_x_pla_y_15177021_f_online_o_8650729-4341688_z_GB_i_en_j_309168562543_s__e__h_1006688_ii__vi&gclid=CjwKCAjwgqejBhBAEiwAuWHioFcSQbBOcGHkY1eXFSBsBU1JhgagcPo2beF29jLpmkICNnejuxjGBRoCNRkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Is it Download?

Yes it’s Download! I really am very excited because this has been a long time coming (we were last supposed to go in 2020). I’m just not a good camper and don’t want to be a grinch at my family when I’m there. There are excellent tips on this thread which will definitely help, thanks so much.

I am going too I would go very basic, it's a walk from the car park. Eye mask/ ear plugs/ lots of pants/travel mug and water bottle are some of mine.

Oh good to know. I’ve only been as a day ticket in the past and it’s hard to gauge distance from the site map! Although I have heard you can hire wheelbarrows😆

Sorry OP, but reading this has just confirmed everything I ever feared about camping. Curdled milk, bobble hats in bed and weeing in a bucket? They would have to be recreating the line up of Woodstock '69 and I still wouldn't be tempted.

I always get cold overnight when camping. I'd take a zip up hooded fleece to keep by the bed that you can put on if cold, and some warm bedsocks, and maybe a pair of leggings to wear under pyjamas. A sleeping bag liner (or single duvet cover for the same job) is good.

Also FRUIT - I always find that camping is fun until the beer and the sun and the lack of decent toilets and ability to poo in a leisurely fashion give me horrible uncomfortable constipation. Taking fruit (fresh or dried) keeps you regular and gives you cheap snacks so you're not always forking out for expensive festival stuff.

Bag for dirty laundry. Plenty of carrier or ziplock bags for food/socks/who knows what. A rag or flag or something to make your tent identifiable in a sea of other tents.

If you can't afford a self inflating mat (preferably a really thick chunky one rather than and Aldi version then a good trick is to take a cheap duvet to put under you for insulation between your sleeping bag and the airbed. Also single airbed rather than a double if there is any weight difference between you and the person you are sharing with! Oh and do take a pillow you actually like.

Also see if someone you know has a folding trolley thing like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/PORTAL-Folding-Collapsible-Portable-Transport/dp/B08RN9M4GV/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=folding+garden+trolley&qid=1684747618&sprefix=folding+garden+trol%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-9
so you can get your stuff easily from the car park to your campsite.

Don't camp near the toilets if you can avoid it. I would bother with your own toilet simply because disposal is likely to be tricky. But I find a flannel, plus a small stove to heat water on and a tiny bottle of Dr Bronners soap is a good alternative to baby wipes...just don't use the same pot to make your tea / coffee

Line your 'bucket' with a bin liner and a couple of cheap nappies for absorbency. Then tie up and bin.

get a SIM from Amazon, they tend to be a bit cheaper there and a good sleeping bag that is 3 season so you want be cold.
take a flannel for a quick wash if you don’t fancy the showers every day.

Don't bother with uht or trying to keep milk in a cool box.

Use Baileys instead.

How far away from home are you?

Because if the weather is super hot, I'd find five days a perfect length to take a break in the middle - proper shower, restock food, and back to business.

Or on the last day, consider packing up after breakfast, then driving home after the last band.

It's a bit miserable traipsing through the glut of people leaving, whereas waking up with a clear head, in your own bed, after a nice lie in feels like you've unlocked a cheat code.

Comfy and warm sleeping arrangements are key. Airbeds are cold to sleep on. I have a futon and bring real duvets and pillows (horse blanket bags are a good way to contain these for transport), which is heavenly. If that isn't an option for you, then at least bring a duvet or extra sleeping bag to go underneath you on the airbed.

Sadly too far away to break it up with a trip home, but can see there’s a lot to be said for heading home on the last night. Thanks so much for all the great tips.

How did you get on @Ginismyfriend ? I am broken 😂