is buying all the stuff for camping worth it

[Sarah510]

soooo, am thinking about holidays, kids are 12 and 16, and I'm wondering would camping be a good 'bonding' experience for us. I just feel we are becoming a bit isolated - I know this happens as they get older, but it feels like it's gone by so fast, so quick! It's just me and the kids, and since lockdown we've spent a lot of time separate in our rooms with our different screens, it's hard to get them to come on days out. But the initial outlay for camping seems quite a lot - is it worth it. Also, I've turned 50 and need to pee a lot in the night... Also should I get 2 tents - a separate one for me as I snore..... Grateful for helpful hints on camping for beginners....

I think camping when it's slightly chilly and drizzly is quite nice and cosy. Lots of cups of tea and listening to the rain. The absolute worst is camping in a shitting heatwave. I once went to a festival and it was 30 degrees or so all weekend. It was too hot to sleep and being in a tent was like suffocating.

Our local Facebook marketplace is packed with second hand camping stuff. We got one of those huge tents with two separate sleeping compartments for £20. When we got it home to inspect, it still had the tags on it. Car boots have also been great for outdoors gear.

I think camping when it's slightly chilly and drizzly is quite nice and cosy.

No it isn't. It really isn't. I have camped in all weathers and wet and chilly weather is miserable.

No! I did think that if I ever went again, I wouldn't get loads of stuff or a big tent. We had a big tent and went a few times, with all the crap that we thought we needed. It was hard hard hard work, no where near a holiday. Still traumatised by two particular trips now! However, my son has since been diagnosed as autistic and he has never done well on holiday, but it was 20 times worse in a tent without a door you could lock and all he wanted to do was run away! For a whole week! There are many dreadful examples I could give! I won't go on!

get basics (borrow if you can) and try it

I love camping but my 16 and almost 18 year old don't come with me any more - 12 year old does and often brings a mate!

I have lots of tens from 10 man mega tent to a very basic one for festivals (cost £70) - I prefer tunnel tents as easier to put up.

Now I am old I tend to glamp a bit with electric, a heater, kettle and toaster, DVD player etc

recently got a self inflating mat after one to many middle of the night airbed collapses but I'm not totally convinced by it.

I don't mind rain and cold but having to go in and out of your tent in it is a bit shit

It’s a very good question! What ever you do don’t add up all your camping kit!!! One of the biggest pluses for us is the ability to b spontaneous (not so much this year) coz the elements,weather,winds and surf reports etc Can totally change your experience from paradise to moon landing. No one knows accept you what set up u like or what you need to sleep and feel good Etc we camp all the time but love comforts too so have multiple set ups weather a caravan in a Festi or a Bell in garden or campa van for a few nights or an airy tent for the med. Avoid the fashions go for what works for you and just begin somehow you’ll soon be hooked like the rest of us!!!