Camping 101

[modelesque]

I've started another thread http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1455715-Holiday-help-please?msgid=31333468#31333468 and had some feedback that camping may be a good option for holidaying on a shoe string.

So, as a camping virgin I need to know what basics I would need to go for a couple of nights away with dh and our 2 and 4yo dc. We have nothing and know nothing :)

Other than a tent, bed & bedding - definitely a cool box with ice blocks - or you could freeze a two ltr bottle of water which should stay frozen for a day or so - if you are not going for an electric hook up. small gas cooker. obvious, pot pans utensils cups plates bowls and cutlery. something for water. a light, several torches. carrier bags - to use as a bin, put wet stuff in etc. wet wear - just in case. sounds minging but a bucket - if the kids wake up for a wee in the night it will be a godsend - can clean with disinfectant. If you are near a poundland shop they have some great bargain camping kit. :)

Thank you for the help. How much do you think a basic camping start-up would cost and how much is an average pitch price??

to be honest we got most of our original kit second hand and then added to it or replaced it when we could afford to. Is there anyone you could borrow from first to see if you like it? Go Outdoors or towsure are quite good stockists and reasonable. I forgot chairs before. You can pay anything from about ten pounds a night (or less) to over thirty - depends on the site and facilities.

I would have a look at some of the 'bundles' you get at Halfords and other places. Tent, sleeping bags, mats, lanterns all in one bag and very reasonably priced. Most other stuff you can take from home, your pans, use paper plates and cups if you don't have picnic plates etc. A folding chair or stool for each person, a folding table is good, and something to cook on. That's it.

Thank you all for the tips, sorry its taken me a while to come back to the thread but quite excited as our 5 man tent arrived today. BNIB bargain off ebay as apparently its a manufacturers second?? Looks perfect to us. Sewn in groundsheet, 2 doors with awning poles and inner bedroom pod. :)