Camping novice- what do I NEED and what stuff would you recommend?

[4pmwinetimebebeh]

DH and I were not campers growing up but lots of our friends go camping, are starting to go as a group and we have massive FOMO and want to join in. We have booked a 'test' camping trip mid July with some friends, some other friends are loaning us their stuff as it seems a big outlay initially.

What stuff do we need? A tent, mattress/rollmat? 4 x sleeping bags? (me, DH, kids 9 and 5). Do we need a gas stove? Do we need to take 4 chairs, do we need a table?

I've only ever camped at festivals and barely spent any time there and used the cheapest crappest stuff borrowed off people as we were students!

Thanks

We started years ago just like you, loved it, got hooked
We now have a self converted campervan

My tip is don't get cold...I have been known to put on my pj's under my clothes when sitting round a campfire

Pack the tent last so it's the first thing you get put of the car as well

Don’t go, is my advice.

Camping is holidaying in conditions you wouldn’t tolerate at home.

Insect repellent, antihistamine
Insect repellent, antihistamine
Insect repellent, antihistamine
Insect repellent, antihistamine
Poncho to keep warm around the campfire
More Insect repellent, antihistamine
(Mozzies love me and I get huge blisters)
Practice putting up and putting away the tent in your garden before you go.

Blankets to wrap around yourself when sitting in camping chairs at night - it’s very easy to become cold and then it’s hard to warm yourself up again. Warm socks. Cosy hats to wear in the evening/in bed if it’s cold.

Can you tell I feel the cold??

Agree, re duvets, hot water bottles, crocs, blow up chairs, fleece blankets, even when it's warm during the day it's always cold at night. Also a light tracksuit /cotton pull on trousers long sleeve t shirt, plus an oversized hoodie you will be slobbing around, going to the loos etc. and it's much easier to walk around in this type of get up than pj's. Also I like my mug for tea, can't abide plastic eugh, oh and of course the kettle, stove, tea bags milk sugar etc. a brew is essential! Oh and lanterns/ torches something decent to sleep on. If you're comfy in bed it'll be OK 😂we also bought a chemical toilet and a privacy tent, wasn't that expensive and it was a godsend in the night.

Travel board games, jigsaw puzzles and a good book. I go with my daughter and I’m often the first up in the morning so I sit with my cup of tea reading a book enjoying the birds singing.

I’ve always been a sleeping bag person when camping (along with silk and fleece sleeping bag liners), as I really feel the cold, but I’m looking at the idea of a duvet instead (not sure yet). Not sure if it would be as warm as my down sleeping bag!!

I think the basics have been covered here, but make sure you take layers with you. So important to stay warm. A first aid kit, some gaffer tape and spare batteries also great. I use a flask for keeping hot water ready for drinks. SIMS are bloody brilliant (I have Thermarest Mondo Kings).

I camped all my life but started to do it with the DC when I realised that the cost of a half term trip to butlins (we’d never been and I thought it might be a good laugh) was running into close to ££££s. I spent the money on camping gear after we had a couple of trial camping trips. :)

Have a look through the Camping board!

Everyone finds their own style of camping.

I have never used EHU, I prefer the ‘wilder’ style of campsite where you pitch where you like and tents are much further away from each other.

Sleeping comfort is also highly personal, I have never used a camp bed and like a SIM.

If using duvets put a fleece blanket or similar and then a sheet on top of your air bed, roll mat or SIM so that you aren’t on a plasticky sweaty surface. If using sleeping bags the underside of the bag does this job.

Think through your day and what you will need.

e.g washing up bowl, sponge, liquid.

You can take a small pan from home before investing in a kettle to go on your stove.

Buy a 5l bottle of water from your supermarket and then continue using the container as your water container.

I don’t like the metal folding camp beds because I sleep on my side and they aren’t wide enough. I have one of these and it’s great, albeit bulky when rolled up.

https://newquaycampingshop.com/products/vango-comfort-10-grande-self-inflating-mat

I have a box with all my crockery etc and just take normal kitchen pans, knives etc. A washing up bowl is very useful a) for carrying stuff to and fro but b) also because there isn’t always a plug in the sink.

I’m camping this weekend and love it! I’ve camped since I was a baby but I still forget something every time 🙄

Ahhhh, you see if you don't get it you don't get it.

The freedom to be a bit wild, happy chats at the water point, sitting with a coffee outside the tent in the morning, sun rising, absolute peace. Early evening - swimming cossies drying on the line, BBQ sizzling away, kids in tiger onesies dancing around the field, making new friends and playing pit pat ball, dog snoozing after a swim in the sea, sun going down, a glass of wine, fire pit and your cosy bed there under the stars waiting all snug for you.

That’s camping on a good day.

It’s still not my cup of tea.

Like I always say to my son: we’re all different.

I have been going camping with the kids recently for the same reason as a PP, it's a super cheap way to give the kids a bit of a holiday and feels like an adventure.

I agree with all the basics everyone has mentioned. I would recommend taking a travel mug for your morning coffee, on a cool morning coffee can go cold disappointingly quickly.

I would suggest taking a phone power bank of some sort, especially if you're going to be there a couple of days and you're not doing electrical hook up. One camp site I stayed on recently charged a pound a go to charge up phones and they happily charged up my power bank for me for the same cost.

I would also recommend pitchup.com as a good way to find places you'd like to camp. I've booked several sites through it and it lets you filter by the kind of facilities you want, accessibility, whether dogs are allowed, etc etc. And there are reviews so you can see if the site is good for you.