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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Went camping for first time! Im40. Never again lol

195 replies

TheOpalFox · 22/08/2025 13:38

I went camping in a tent in the middle of nowhere with a friend
she suggested it and she’s a pro. Im40. Never been camping but never agajn
im not the best sleeper at home . But thought with walking miles a day and being near the sea would help me? How wrong was I
i loved relaxing and being away from home but cooking was a nightmare,
basic food that you have to make sure you cook properly ,
I was freezing !!! Even tho we had camp beds and sleeping bags I woke up froze!!!! And I have been hit by some many midges my legs are covered in bites :( sooo painful. We went for 3 nights
never again but glad I tried it lol

OP posts:
unconditionalpurelove · 22/08/2025 13:40

I know. I hate it too but am doing it for my kids. I always say it's the last time but here I am again 😭

Original poster
TheOpalFox · 22/08/2025 13:41

unconditionalpurelove · 22/08/2025 13:40

I know. I hate it too but am doing it for my kids. I always say it's the last time but here I am again 😭

Can I ask why you hate it too plz

OP posts:
StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 22/08/2025 13:44

I like being outdoors, but I just don't sleep particularly well. I wake up several times through the night and never feel comfortable. I'm ok with glamping, but not really anything else because it just drains me. After 4 nights at guide camp (as a leader) I slept 14 hours straight and then had a 3 hour nap in the afternoon.

Original poster
TheOpalFox · 22/08/2025 13:47

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 22/08/2025 13:44

I like being outdoors, but I just don't sleep particularly well. I wake up several times through the night and never feel comfortable. I'm ok with glamping, but not really anything else because it just drains me. After 4 nights at guide camp (as a leader) I slept 14 hours straight and then had a 3 hour nap in the afternoon.

I am full of bites too!!!!

OP posts:
unconditionalpurelove · 22/08/2025 13:48

TheOpalFox · 22/08/2025 13:41

Can I ask why you hate it too plz

Show quote history

It just always feels like really hard work and shattering. It's crap if it rains and it gets all messy in the tent. Cold at night etc. Our tent is pretty small though and not much room. I'm also a very light sleeper and struggle to sleep when I can hear lots of sound around me.
Kids have a great time though.

HelloGreen · 22/08/2025 13:49

Do you think you would have preferred it if you had prepared differently. ie now you know it’s cold at nights would you go again if you took thermals, a layer for underneath you, etc?

RentRaft · 22/08/2025 13:49

My kids love it.

I find it very hard work!

DashboardConfession · 22/08/2025 13:51

I got drenched by a leaky tent in Guides 30 years ago. I have never been again. As far as cost goes I'd rather 2 nights in a Travelodge than a week camping. The amount of stuff you need is unbelievable and I feel like I'm going to get murdered like in Blair Witch.

DelilahMy · 22/08/2025 13:51

I love camping and would choose it over any holiday but it is no fun if you are cold or wet. One of my best investments was a good sleeping bag.

Original poster
TheOpalFox · 22/08/2025 13:51

HelloGreen · 22/08/2025 13:49

Do you think you would have preferred it if you had prepared differently. ie now you know it’s cold at nights would you go again if you took thermals, a layer for underneath you, etc?

Yeah defo but what would of stopped the midge bites please? Also I prefer a caravan instead of a tent

Went camping for first time! Im40. Never again lol
OP posts:
HoldingTheDoor · 22/08/2025 13:52

I’d rather go without a holiday for the rest of my life than go camping again. I’ve only done it once(For several nights) and thought it might be fun but it was utterly shit and I’m never doing it willingly again. I don’t know why I thought it might be fun because a childhood friend’s Father was a Scout Master and regularly camped with his family and I was offered the chance to join them but I knew that I’d hate it so no idea why I thought it’d be an improvement as an adult.

Original poster
TheOpalFox · 22/08/2025 13:53

HoldingTheDoor · 22/08/2025 13:52

I’d rather go without a holiday for the rest of my life than go camping again. I’ve only done it once(For several nights) and thought it might be fun but it was utterly shit and I’m never doing it willingly again. I don’t know why I thought it might be fun because a childhood friend’s Father was a Scout Master and regularly camped with his family and I was offered the chance to join them but I knew that I’d hate it so no idea why I thought it’d be an improvement as an adult.

Edited

Same, my friend wants me to go again as she loved it! But I said it’s not for me sorry

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOpalFox · 22/08/2025 13:55

DelilahMy · 22/08/2025 13:51

I love camping and would choose it over any holiday but it is no fun if you are cold or wet. One of my best investments was a good sleeping bag.

My friend said hers were good and borrowed me one but I was froze !!!!

OP posts:
murasaki · 22/08/2025 13:55

I hold strong to my principle that you should never stay somewhere on holiday that is worse than your own house. Camping is therefore a straight no.

Laiste · 22/08/2025 13:56

The closest i get to camping is caravaning. And after a week even that feels too basic.

Luckily none of my kids or DH has ever really hankered for proper camping.

I watch loads and loads of camping vids on youtube though! Sometimes i catch myself feeling like i'd like to do the sitting round the fire bit, before getting in the tent with DH and zipping ourselves in together ...

But then i snap out of it and remember i'd prob be bitten by midges, stink of smoke, be hysterical about bugs, be really hot or really cold, have to leave the tent do a wild wee and end up with pee on my feet ... 🤪

Laiste · 22/08/2025 13:56

Oh yes and of course it would rain!

wominzy · 22/08/2025 13:58

Some really love it and I envy them their ability to see joy in camping. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I couldn't do it now, not because I would absolutely hate it, I'm always up for a laugh (and cry and bites and and...) but honestly I might get into a camp bed and be toasty and all that, but there's no way I'd be able to get out of a low bed like that without a hoist (due respect to those who need one).

So there we are. Avoid if you don't want to or can't, enjoy if you (must), do.😊

Catsandcannedbeans · 22/08/2025 13:59

My dad would take us and he would stay in a hotel near by and make us sleep in a tent. Every time without fail when we pulled into the driveway he would say “I bet you appreciate that we live in a house and not a tent now”. I don’t take our kids camping, DH takes them - it a man job.

NomoneyNoprospects · 22/08/2025 14:07

I did it once after A Levels and HATED it. Freezing cold in mid August, rubbish campsite chosen by a friend where they charged you extra for absolutely everything (including hot water!)

There is something so depressing about being cold during the day from swimming, sitting on a windy beach etc and then remembering there's nowhere to go inside and warm up at the end of the day and make yourself a cuppa or a hot meal without endless faffing on a gas stove. You go to bed cold and wake up even colder.

In hindsight we didn't have even half of the right gear but even so, never ever again!

citychick · 22/08/2025 14:11

I also hate camping. I'd rather stay at home.

Jom222 · 22/08/2025 14:17

H and I used to love camping. Then one year in my mid 30's I woke up so stiff and sore thinking thank god tonight I sleep in our bed at home.

H confessed he thought the same thing that last morning. We sold all our camping gear cheap to a young person who can survive sleeping on the hard ground.

I did enjoy the nature and cooking wasn't a big issue but that ground sure was hard on the body.

My late mother used to say roughing it is a motel with black & white tv and no room service, she was right!

ns87 · 22/08/2025 14:18

I would never, ever camp unless I had an amazing tent set-up and someone to cook 😄

bumbaloo · 22/08/2025 14:25

murasaki · 22/08/2025 13:55

I hold strong to my principle that you should never stay somewhere on holiday that is worse than your own house. Camping is therefore a straight no.

I think it depends on the holiday. Some 4 day city breaks I’ll stay in something nice and functional because I’m booking on the basis of location and convenience and won’t be spending time in the room.

A resort holiday in want luxury.

camping is an opportunity to be one with nature so obviously it’s not going to have the comforts of home. So I understand that
is attractive to some people.

just not me

dottiedodah · 22/08/2025 14:28

I would honestly rather stay home and go out for days! Liked caravaning when DC were small.Tents just No from me .damp, cold and I need a proper bed these days .Went with the School one year my friend was a whizz at putting up the tent!

wakemeupwhenseptembercomes · 22/08/2025 14:31

I had a camper van, electric, toilet etc etc and still hated it so yanbu op!