Camping - I think I hate it….

[Nik2015]

I've just come home from camping and I just don’t get it.

I find it really hard work and uncomfortable no matter what I do.

I’d love to know what I’m doing wrong?..

So thought we could have a (lighthearted) vote so I could get an idea if it’s just me -

YABU = I love camping
YANBU = I dislike camping

It was my favourite kind of holiday in good weather. Miserable if it’s windy and wet. My camping days are over now but I have such lovely memories of camping in Europe. The sound of mosquitoes on the walk back to the tent at night. Seeing the stars at night and unzipping the tent door in the morning to a besutful view. And the freedom the children have and the friends they make. It’s magical (in good weather).

I like camping so much that I go camping alone with my 2 year old and have done since she was 6 months.

But it is not unreasonable to dislike camping because it's basically a pain in the arse, and it only becomes fun once you're quite competent at it, and, even then, is still a pain in the arse.

I’ve always loved camping, and got back into it a few years back after I saw the prices of Center Parts and even Butlins (I’d thought about doing an impromptu half term break for the family). The cost was hundreds!!

Anyway, we trialled family camping in a tent that I had had (I wanted to see how my DC and DSS would be with it). They loved it, so I invested in an 8man air tent, then decent SIMs, and slowly upgraded the kit we had. The cost of the tent, porch and upgraded gear was the same as a week at CP! We used the tent for 5yrs, going all around UK, so it paid itself back. I gave the tent to my DB and DSIL (they have DC) and downsized to a slightly smaller air tent.

For us, it’s a way that we can enjoy a holiday away but not spend so much. Handy as I’m now a single mum with 2 DC. We tend to have the basic gear (but it’s top notch): tent, SIMs, sleeping bags, chairs, Cobb stove and a Trangia. I take boardgames, cards, the iPad for occasional screen time and books. I love some of the elaborate and fancy set ups that other campers have, but I don’t have the space in my car for that! We go to sites that have clean WC and shower facilities. It’s lovely seeing the kids having a good time in the outdoors :)

the only things I hate about camping:
-packing away when it’s pissing down (massive ball ache as you then have to make sure tent is taken out and dried before putting it away properly).
-inconsiderate people (but then again, they’re all over the place, and not just camping!)

I always enjoyed it. Only ever did max 3 nights, have a large stand up tent, decent beds and duvets not bags. Wouldn't take it over a goid hotel though but at the time it was camping or nothing.

YABU camping is awesome! I lived in a tent for 3 months it was one of the best times of my life. Going to bed and getting up with the sun. Best I’ve ever felt.

Went a couple of times as a child and hated it. I then went twice as an adult, second time i vowed never again.
My dh goes camping on his own, he phoned this evening and sounds thoroughly miserable as he didn't sleep well last night so is coming back home tomorrow.

Camping sucks..

It's cold
It's wet
The toilets/showers are often awful

I like being outside, but I do not like sleeping outside. We have houses for a reason.

YABU/YANBU Love it in good weather, hate it in bad weather.
My DH loves to go wild camping. Euocamp, mentioned earlier in the thread is like staying at The Ritz in comparison!

Two or three nights, the right gear, sunshine and friends - perfect. In a field right now by the sea having a last glass of wine and feeling sad about going home tomorrow. We've got it down to a fine art and the DC are older and need no looking after. Was less fun when they were small and it was cold.

I hate camping. All childhood holidays were camping and I didn’t even enjoy it then. DH loves camping but I would rather stay home.

I should hate it. I hate being cold, am not particularly outdoorsy, like a bit of luxury and am rarely without make up but I love camping! I do have conditions though. 3 nights max, and campsite must have electric hook up so I can warm up the tent before I get in. I love sitting around the fire pit having a drink while the kids run round playing with no electronic devices in sight. I even love the sound of the rain on the tent. We usually go as a group, with several families and have the best fun.

Personal aim to never camp again. It’s a real shame DH went out and bought all the fancy gear I guess he’ll just have to go without me…

I’ve tent camped and loved it. I enjoy the fresh air, the freedom, the fun, the difference, no housework, living outside, cooking and eating outside, just all of it.

Ooh no. It's not for me at all - I like feeling clean and I like my mod cons. I'm not v outdoorsy anyway.

We are going to Eurocamp with the kids this year (cabin) and that's as close as we're getting!

I hate camping. Really wanted to enjoy it as the DC love it but it is not for me (have been 4 times and never again)!

Can I heartily recommend to you “Premping” which we have perfected on our son’s class family camping trips.

It can be summarised as follows.

Spend the day on the campsite, enjoy the barbecues/al fresco drinks, kids get to run around.

At 9pm retire to the nearest Premier Inn for the luxury of a proper bed, walls and a watertight ceiling, a toilet and shower that are not a muddy field away (and are not a SheWee moreover!!) not being woken up by the sunrise/other peoples children at 5am, someone else cooking breakfast and washing up!!!

You’re welcome.

PS I think Premping cost us about 1/4 of the price of those who chose the glamping option.

Win. Win.

I hate the sleeping on a thin mattress no matter how comfortable they say they are they just aren't, the too hot rooms at the crack of dawn and the sharing of communal showers and loos, but I LOVE sitting outside early in the morning with a cup of tea listening to the day wake up, the cooking of breakfast and chilling in the afternoon or evening after dinner with some drinks. Mainly I love the view of the sea as we usually go to seaside campsites

Love camping. Love the outdoors. Love wild camping. Grew-up on a farm so have no problem coping with wellies and weather. I ride regularly, all year round, and have owned a Land Rover for ages.

Fair to say my family do not share my enthusiasm so whenever I get a free weekend I throw my camping stuff, boots, and camera into Landie and head off for a mini-adventure. Good to get away and rely on my own resources. I've met some lovely people and taken some awesome photographs. I work long hours trying to keep people alive so I just have to get out and about , can't breathe otherwise.

Helps to have a husband who understands and is happy to hold the fort, feed and water kids ( 19, 16, 14 ) and animals. And have a warm welcome for me when I get back. Best thing I did was to marry that man.

I totally agree. I've been camping once in my life and never ever again. Why any sensible person would choose to leave their warm comfortable house and live in a tent is beyond me. It is not logical.

I like it at a festival, or somewhere v remote in the highlands, for a couple days, with a blow up mattress (I need the mattress). But a campsite my idea of hell.

I fucking hate camping, it literally has no redeeming features for me and is more of a punishment than a holiday. My one exception is festivals, where I get posh camping and it is acceptable to crack open the vodka at 9am

Came to say the same thing.

Camping in England feels like a post-apocalyptic situation, where you're all sharing toilets and making the best of it, and there are always some noisy tossers dominating the place and keeping you up all night. Also, hygiene is poor enough that you might just get cholera.

English people then say campervans are better, but if it's got plumbing and electricity then it really isn't camping.

Wild camping is a whole different world, so much better.

I won't stay anywhere that hasn't got hard walls,electricity and plumbing.
A static is my bare minimum.

Yanbu, I've done "properly camping " twice, once with guides, very very basic, had to dig latrines and walk about a mile to collect water! Once in early twenties, better ( had shower block) but would only want to go for a night or two max .
Then I've been to eurocamp in a caravan, fab weather, great campsite, comfortable caravan and I've been glamping in this country in safari tent with proper beds and ensuite bathroom in wooden cabin attached to tent, which was also great.
Kids were keen to try out camping when they were younger but its really expensive to buy a good tent , airbeds, sleeping bags, camping chairs, gas cooker etc etc so managed to talk DH out if it. Got one of them tent for their birthday and they used to camp in the garden with their friends.

i have just started a thread on how much i long to camp and i am 48. My DH wont come with me and i am feeling pangs in tent stores the way people might feel if they wanted a baby!
I envy you!
I want to roll in mud and clim trees and wash in a stream. Sadly no noe in my life shares this interest and I feel like cutting loose and buying a new identity

But seriously, we are all so very different.