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Original poster

Camping when rain is forecast

28 replies

TimeSlipMushroom · 18/07/2023 08:56

Due to go camping with DC and with friends and DC from Friday for a week in UK and the forecast does not look good. Rain is forecast every day. 5 hour drive so not just round the corner. Would you go?

OP posts:
Beamur · 18/07/2023 08:57

Honestly? No I wouldn't. I do camp quite a lot and would just find this utterly miserable.

Beamur · 18/07/2023 08:58

Maybe find somewhere nearer home and go for a couple of nights and just be prepared for being soggy.

CurlewKate · 18/07/2023 09:03

My children still remember a camping trip where we went to the nearest town, bought a ton of books and blankets from charity shops and a lot of snacks, then made a nest in the tent and read for a long weekend! But our tent was big and very waterproof....

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Camping Weather
TheModHatter · 18/07/2023 09:03

I think so because lots of days recently that have been forecast as rainy and windy have been mostly nice, but with heavy showers.

Good waterproofs. Wellies. Easy shoes to kick off as you enter the tent (take a big mat for your doorway). Bucket with lid / camping loo to avoid nighttime walks to the toilet in the rain.

Plans for wet days: visit indoor attractions, bowling, swimming pool, museums, cinema etc. Take good waterproofs and just go out in it!

I avoid camping in very high winds though.

Original poster
TimeSlipMushroom · 18/07/2023 09:04

Beamur · 18/07/2023 08:58

Maybe find somewhere nearer home and go for a couple of nights and just be prepared for being soggy.

This would be without friends though as they wouldn't be travelling to near us so would defeat the point of the trip. I'm a single parent so don't especially want to camp with DC on my own

OP posts:
Original poster
TimeSlipMushroom · 18/07/2023 09:05

I like all the positive tips!

Just realised DC has outgrown their waterproof shoes

OP posts:
AppleKatie · 18/07/2023 09:05

If you love these friends and they are prepared to do it with you I’d go for the adventure.

lower your expectations though and be prepared for lots of reading/scrabble in the tent.

Annaisatwat · 18/07/2023 09:05

There’s not a chance I would willing go and spend a week in a soggy tent. I actually could think of a more miserable holiday.

TheModHatter · 18/07/2023 09:06

How old are your kids?

Is your tent big enough to all sit in?

Beamur · 18/07/2023 09:06

Given your update, I would say go. Be prepared and if it's awful come home early.

Original poster
TimeSlipMushroom · 18/07/2023 09:07

Big tent.

Tween/teenager

OP posts:
TheModHatter · 18/07/2023 09:14

Do your kids enjoy time with friends kids?

It is easier to jolly smaller children through wet days than teens but if they are happy to hang out listening to music etc , or if they are still ‘up for it’ wrt days out or outdoor stuff you will be fine.

With tweens we have had them sitting under the tent canopy playing various ‘aiming ‘ games at targets outside. Pine cones into a bucket / potato gun / whatever.

Uno. Etc.

Beamur · 18/07/2023 09:16

TimeSlipMushroom · 18/07/2023 09:07

Big tent.

Tween/teenager

Yeah, give it a go.
My DD is a very hardy camper and wouldn't turn a hair at the weather and would love hunkering down with a book or games.
I'd be in the corner crying quietly into my gin..

CatsSnore · 18/07/2023 09:36

Even if it's a disaster it will be a funny story for you and dc. My dc still laugh about the time we were camping and a storm came in. It was a disaster holiday but very funny now.

BogRollBOGOF · 18/07/2023 09:58

The current and forecast wet weather isn't relentless washouts. The days are still mild and useable although with the risk of a random drenching. I'd still go, but possibly be more flexible about coming home early and making use of a window of drier weather if applicable.

Bringing back 30 Cornish slugs in a sodden 8 man tent was a bit of a mission to clean up after...

coffeetofunction · 18/07/2023 10:00

If you're confident your tent is completely water proof I would definitely go.

If you have ehu take a little heater, so nice blankets and lots of games. We've been known to take a TV and have film nights.

A gazebo for you all to sit in together is also great fun.

YallaYallaaa · 18/07/2023 10:03

CurlewKate · 18/07/2023 09:03

My children still remember a camping trip where we went to the nearest town, bought a ton of books and blankets from charity shops and a lot of snacks, then made a nest in the tent and read for a long weekend! But our tent was big and very waterproof....

This sounds like a perfect holiday

Maddy70 · 18/07/2023 10:21

I pro a ly would bit I waould change sites and go somewhere nearer home so if it gets too much you can come home easily

BlushBlue · 18/07/2023 10:23

I would, yes.

Calmdown14 · 18/07/2023 10:29

I'd go. If you are putting the tent up in the rain go in shorts and something lightweight. It's easier to dry off skin!

Leave the kids in the car with a tablet or something to amuse them while you do it. If you have a footprint make sure is is tucked in (not showing anywhere under tent) otherwise water can pool between it and the tent.

Just try and get out everyday. Rain always sounds worse in the tent.

If you have a big brolly it's useful to stick in ground outside tent door and use for the toilet dash rather than have soggy raincoats every time. Crocs or flip flops are better in the rain for walking across the site rather than getting shoes wet.

Take a set of old clothes for the kids and stick them in those to go to the play park. Mine love playing out in the rain. Just accept they will be ruined and stick them back on every time they want to play out!

TheModHatter · 18/07/2023 10:46

Does the site allow fire pits? Tweets and teens love building a fire and all that goes with it, and they are fine in light rain.

OP: there is a Camping board on MN….

Lonelycrab · 18/07/2023 10:53

Well I may well be playing this game too in a couple of weeks as ds and I are booked for north Wales at the start of August.

I think it depends on how much is forecast. If it’s intermittent then I’ll probably still go. If it’s solid with wind too, probably not.

One thing I have that helps sometimes if it’s not too heavy is take a tarp. You can either pitch it separately to the tent, or my preferred option is to attach it to the top of the tent and have a sort of covered area next to the opening. Obviously depends on the type of tent but it works ok with my 3 man done.

VenusClapTrap · 18/07/2023 10:58

Nope. But then I barely tolerate camping when the weather is perfect. I can’t wait till the kids are too old to want to go. All that tramping across a field in the middle of the night to go to a communal toilet block that smells of bleach. Oof.

Karrpt · 18/07/2023 11:00

Mate, don't ask on here. Someone just cancelled their summer holiday because their friend came back from Spain and said it was too hot 🤪

Yes I would go, the forecast won't be right and it's unlikely to be torrential. You'll have fun. Take a plastic crate or box for wet shoes and another for wet clothes as well as those plastic outdoor rugs for changing on, that way the tent stays dry.

Lots of games that you can all play and a plan for indoor places to go just in case

Iheartmysmart · 18/07/2023 11:11

I went camping in north Devon a couple of weeks ago. It was a bit blustery and wet but the rain wasn’t constant so I just went out as planned each day and stopped in a cafe when the rain got too bad.
Downloaded a few films on my iPad and retired to my cosy bed with a glass of red in the late evening. Had a lovely time.