How can I make camping fun for DH? Advice please!

[mangohedgehog]

After 12 years I have finally persuaded DH to go camping this summer. I used to go as a child, hence for me the nostalgia factor is strong. Plus I like nature and the outdoors in general. DH on the other hand enjoys his creature comforts and would rather be sitting in Costa Coffee than in a blustery field any day.

He does have a big sense of fun though, and loves lazing round and spending time with the kids. He isn't too attached to his electronic gear or the TV and is in his element whiling away an evening reading and drinking wine.

On the other hand, he is quite skinny and really feels the cold!

I am really hoping he will enjoy it this summer, and that it will lead to lots more camping in years to come esp in France.

So - any tips on how to introduce him to it gently?? I am thinking that we should invest in a nice big tent that's not too difficult to put up, and a really comfy airbed. How do I keep him warm though?

Can anyone help me with any other ideas please? thank you!

[N0tinmylife]

Yes Quenelle it was Red Shoot. We went early in the season when it was really cold, and I could have happily moved into the toilet block!

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

It is one of THE funniest theme parks ever and great for per teens as they can go on all the rides. Also the forest is so peaceful.

The shepherds wagons are also great (NB I had to book the tree house 6 months in advance - there are only 5 of them), we've stayed in them on two occasions - you have to used a separate shower/toilet block but my god, it takes Glamping to a new level - think oversized copper shower heads, soap stone wash fonts, deer decals hiding the toilets.

They have a huge communal fire pit with a roof and you are free to use the forest wood and cook your food there. We also like to make S'mores and have hot choc on the picnic table infront of your wagon/treehouse.

For breakfast you have to walk not the woodland where there is a tradional wooden farmhouse restaurant and in summer you can sit and eat outside in the woods.

It's bliss

[Mondrian]

Wow, DCs will love it there ... Looks like a summer plan. Thanks Wally

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

No Easter it was in Germany.

tripsdrill.de/en/accommodation/tree-houses/

It was immense and I wanted to live there, like a witch in a fairy story.

[EasterHoliday]

Wally was that at Chewton Glen by any chance? we got a voucher for a night in one of those in a goody bag, can't wait (though terrified there's a three night minimum or something as won't be able to afford to top it up!)

[overmydeadbody]

Lots of layers for keeping warm, I love camping and am skinny and feel the cold, but have many tricks for keeping warm, like thermals put on under clothes in the evning.

What are you going to do during the day? Camping is boring if you just stay in the campsite all day, you have to treat it like you would a hotel on holiday, you wouldn't stay there all day.

We usually get back to the campsite after a day's climbing between 6 and 7pm, when I have a shower and put on thermals, several layers of tight long sleeved t-shirts, pj bottoms and then jeans or thick tracky-bums, then hoodie and I'm ready for an evening cooking and drinking outoodrs. I have cloves, hat and down jacket ready to put on as the evening gets colder, but before I loose too much body heat.

Night time is fine as DP and I sleep together under a nice thick duvet, on top of rollmats with our sleeping bags opened up and paid on top. It is very very warm hugging up to DP all night.

Also, have you considered going to France for his first camping experience? The campsites there are much nicer than here I think.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

I stayed in a treehouse on Good Friday that had underfloor heating in the shower room.

I found DS lying in there at one point...

[Quenelle]

NOtinmylife was that site in the New Forest by any chance? Red Shoot has underfloor heating. Proper luxury it was.

[Mondrian]

N0tinmylife ... love the idea of underfloor heating in the toilets, it sums up my idea of luxury camping.

[Sunnysummer]

I third the fire! Also agree with air bed (self-inflating) and an easy tent, then all you need is a grill and some sausages to burn / marshmallows to melt and everyone will feel all outdoorsy and competent and basically just like Bear Grylls

[N0tinmylife]

The best bits of camping are that the kids get so much more freedom than most other times. Ours can be let off in a field to do pretty much whatever they like as long as they don't bother other people. Its a lovely break for everyone from having to constantly do as they are told. Then after the kids are thoroughly worn out, and happy to fall into bed, the adults get to sit around a camp fire/BBQ drink wine and chat. I am usually sat in my sleeping bag at that point, as I hate the cold, but it is lovely!

Take loads of warm kit, or camp somewhere where the weather is reliable. In the UK I find camping near a pub is always a good idea so you can eat there and warm up if necessary. It is also worth choosing a camp site with a decent toilet/shower block. I went to one once that had underfloor heating in the toilets, that was lovely! I hope your DH has a good time and it is the first trip of many!

[EasterHoliday]

book him a hotel.

[HarrietSchulenberg]

Yes to fire, warms the hardest of souls and an evening spent watching flames flicker in the night air brings out the primeval spirit in all of us! But you're a bit buggered if it's belting down and you have a pile of soggy wood.

[hillbilly]

Ah yes Mondrian, glamping, good idea. I forgot to mention previously that before our disastrous and wet first time, we went to Featherdown for a weekend in April (cheapest one they offered at the time!) and although it was bloody freezing at night, the days were glorious and it was an easy introduction.

[Mondrian]

Poking anything makes a man feel more manly.

[Quenelle]

I seem to have just subscribed to six months of Camping magazine. Not sure how that happened. I'm not going to tell DH. I want to see his face when it arrives on the doormat.

I agree with everyone's comments, particularly staying warm, taking plenty of alcohol and the fact that poking a fire makes a man feel more manly.

[Mondrian]

How about Glamping or the promise of once he has graduated your school of camping?

domegarden.co.uk/dome_garden.php
pencukefarm.co.uk/luxury-yurts-cornwall.html
www.jollydaysluxurycamping.co.uk/luxury-tents

[headlesslambrini]

tunnel tents are easier to put up than bell tents. Our old 8 man tunnel tent only had 5 poles and they don't cross over in the middle so are much easier. We could put ours up in 20 mins. Also, make sure you get one with a sewn in ground sheet, quicker to put up but they stop the wind and rain from coming in under the tent IYSWIM and are much much warmer.

How big is your car? You may need to invest in a roof box otherwise you'll be packed in like sardines.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

Love it! I think I will try and download digitally tonight. (I live overseas)

Do they review European campsites aswell?

What a relaxing read.

[hillbilly]

I know, how sad am I? Here it is.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

Ooooo Camping Magazine.

Tell me more......

[NotMostPeople]

My family realised that the only way to get me to camp regularly was to ensure that I had all creature comforts. Honestly I'm not a princess at all. We have a biggish tent, Outwell Wolfsomething and putting it up isn't an issue. Self inflating beds are much more comfortable than airbeds even though they don't look it. A good sleeping bag that doesn't russel, hot water bottle, find a site that lets you have fires if you can. Booze essential.

[VerySmallSqueak]

He might surprise you!

I second Wally with the fire.

Excellent tip, miss with the pop up tent.

Would a night walk to a nearby pub inspire him?

[Floralnomad]

I agree with queen ,we are a non camping family and when I was a cub leader and hence had to camp I persuaded my husband that we should try it . We bought a lovely tent , went away on a baking hot weekend and loathed every minute of it !