If you are a seasoned camper, what would you recommend to a complete novice?

[AmbivalentCamper]

I'm very new to the 'great outdoors' thing. But my DH is very pro the idea of camping and wants the experience for the kids, and I'm happy to accommodate his desire, so I have agreed to a weekend where we go camping (providing it's not throwing it down.)

We have a tent, a stove and a kettle (given rather than bought, which is what's kicked off this whole episode.) . Cooking/eating apparatus, folding garden chairs and an air bed.

But as a camper, what would you recommend? (Either buying or adapting etc)

I feel like camping is probably one of those things where you upgrade and find your groove over time and experience, but I also would like to be prepared.

Any help gratefully appreciated 😁

SIM card that can hotspot so that you can book a hotel at 3am when you've not slept, are sick of being bitten and the butter has all melted into your clothes and the bread all got ants in it...etc etc....

Air beds get cold as the air circulates from the ground, so it's a good idea to put a picnic blanket or foil-backed blanket underneath, and a duvet spread out on top before you get in your sleeping bag.
Some kind of shelter to cook under is good, as obviously you can't cook in the tent and lighting a stove in the rain is no fun (even if you're lucky and it's just a shower).

Get warm clothes on in the evening before you're actually cold, as it's harder to heat up again than to stay warm. I usually change just before the evening meal if eating around 7.
Feet and legs are easier to dry than shoes, and the grass will be dewy in the morning even if it's dry, so take sandals or crocs etc to slip on with shorts.
No carrying hot water in wellies.
Be prepared for early nights and early mornings.

Get the best coolbox you can afford, and some big cool packs (Coleman make good ones).

Nothing worse than warm milk etc

I’d advise you to book a hotel and not bother

Plastic bags to keep wet stuff separate from dry stuff when it’s raining.

I always find the "don't do it posts" on these threads baffling - if camping isn't for you, you're not going to be able to give advice

Oo yes. More plastic bags than you think, because wet stuff + dry stuff = wet stuff.
Also double bag your clothes even in the tent in case of leaks.

Ear plugs and eye mask

Everyone always says about the cold, I am literally never cold camping and that's with a bog standard air bed on the ground and just some decent jammies and a good sleeping bag. We take extra blankets in case of cold but never needed them. Saying that, I don't go in April like some maniacs.

I always book with electric hookup as it's just easier for lights, we have a small travel kettle etc

Biggest recommendation is silicone ear plugs if you're a light sleeper, and an eye mask so the light doesn't wake you too early. But saying that, sitting with a cuppa on a quiet morning early, is blissful.

Oh and always take bacon - you'll regret it if you don't when everyone else is cooking theirs in the morning!

Get an electric hookup (from any hardware place/Go Outdoors) and always camp where you can book a pitch with electricity. That means you can take a camping heater, toaster, ordinary kettle, sandwich toaster, microwave... (yes really I do that!) plus hair dryer , laptop.

Trust me it makes camping SO much nicer... we leave a camping heater on low all night and the tent is nice and warm in the morning and no condensation.

Also a plug in coolbox.

I like the self inflating camping mats for myself but we also take a couple of camping beds..handy as you can shove stuff underneath.
We don't bother any more with camping wardrobes and shelves, just store stuff in crates. Plastic wine glasses and travel mugs are fine for drinks.

Old clothes... crocs for showers and wellies or decent footwear... even when it's lovely the grass is wet first thing.

Decent sleeping bags and I always take a hot water bottle! I'm NOT a natural camper but the kids love it and we still all go once a year, and with the above... it's fine.

A camping loo is also REALLY handy for when it's raining and you need to go in the middle of the night!

Although I'm not a big fan, there is something wonderful about waking in a tent, especially if it rains in the night and you listen to the sound.. have fun!

Unfortunately this!
We tried for years with the kids because it's 'an experience' for them, it rained/was bloody freezing every time - even in August!!
We just don't have reliable enough weather in the UK, personally I would sell the camping gear and put the money towards a hotel room🤷‍♀️

Crocs for everyone!
Proper camping fridge not a cool box.. Flexi tubs for clothes /shoes... One at the entrance for dirty shoes... Mat.. And dustpan and brush.
Camping cupboard - zipped ones are great.
Tablet with downloaded films for emergencies.. Like sleet... Ime.
Meal plan at home. And shop before the day. Do not waste hours of your first day shopping.

I’d actually recommend everyone, camper or not to buy one of these- a few euro in decathlon, is a light and its light fills the whole tent, but in the storms this winter it was a godsend too!!

I have no problem with anyone loving the camping life, and have done it myself (once lol).

My biggest fear when camping (the one and only time) was the possibility of some psycho maniac ripping through the tent with a massive cleaver and killing us all. I just felt so vulnerable with only tent material between me and the madman (or woman!).

I can see the attraction though in good weather, and campers are a kind of fraternity. I've no suggestions since I don't camp anymore and go away with a mahoosive padlock for my hotel bedroom door, just in case. Joking.

Effective insect repellent, sun cream and a good torch (with spare batteries).

Ps warm pyjamas and a hat too!

1. pitch the tent in your garden to make sure you can put it up.
2. Leave it up in the rain to check it is water tight
3. use decent airbeds and take twice as much bedding than you think you need even during a heat wave it can be bloody cold sleeping under canvas. Sleeping bags and a duvet to put under you.
4. decent pump to pump up airbeds
5. chairs and tables
6. really good torch/lantern that can be hung up. As big as you can get so it’s easy to find. Also lots of little LED torches so everyone can go to the loo at night
7. crocs for everyone, they are brilliant particularly if you step on a tent peg.
8. black bin bags to throw everything into when you go home
9. and probably the most important bit of kit 2 lighters to light the gas stove. Matches go soggy.

I love camping and some of my earliest memories are camping in Cornwall and the Lakedistrict.
I married a man who was also a camping veteran so it has always been great fun.
We haven’t camped for a while ( too old) but we are seriously considering buying a camper van.

Some of the best sites are the very basic ones, the National Trust has some good ones sites. I’m always a bit disappointed when it’s a home from home.

i really recommend getting one of these, v lightweight, easy to inflate and you sleep so well on them: https://alpkit.com/products/cloud-base?variant=40689877057641

always put items you might look for in the dark in the same place in your tent, like a torch, your phone or whatever. You don’t want to be rummaging in the dark.

it’s often colder than you expect at night - I never camp without taking a beanie

Just don't get undressed/dressed whilst your tent is illuminated unless you want to give all your fellow campers a show.

As to your main question op, I think it depends where you are camping and what you are doing during the day.

It's a different scenario if you're going to basic or wild sites in a national park and hiking during the day versus packing up half your house into the car and trying to have a home-away-from home under a tent instead.

Crocs. You don't have to like them, but they are invaluable for going back and forth to the shower/loo blocks without having to stop for 5 minutes to lace or buckle up your shoes/boots, then take them off again when you go back into your tent or caravan.

Can’t remember what they are called but you can get like LED lights for the tent guide ropes. The amount of times I’ve been to the toilet in the night and fallen over the guide ropes on the way back.

And best one - if you have dc get into the habit of closing the tent with the zip at the very top. Assurance your dc won't be able to sneak out while you sleep. Ds has been drummed into him over his 9 years he never leaves for a wee alone during the night.. Wake me up always... Easy even as a adult to get turned around on a dark campsite...

I love camping 😀

I recommend getting a flexi tub big enough to allow plates to lie flat so you can carry to and from the washing up station, with your sponge and washing liquid inside it. Just plonk it in the sink, fill to wash up, wash bucket then carry back with everything cleaned. Super easy! 🪣

Particularly good if the facilities are a bit grim too.

This from IKEA would also be handy, though the diameter could be a bit bigger at the base https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/pepprig-wash-tub-foldable-yellow-60567721/

We only camped as a family once but I camped for years as a cub leader and it’s just not something I’d endure on what is supposed to be a holiday .