Hello, new and about to embark on first family camping trip

[hedgiemum63]

Hi all,

My name is Yvonne and I just want to say that I've enjoyed reading through the threads; I've gleaned some useful advice here.
Next week, my hubby and I are taking our 6 children ( well, one is an adult) camping in North Wales and, while I have some reservations, I'm looking forward to it. We got a second hand 8 berth tent, made by Sunncamp, called the Kansas 8. It'll do us for the first time around; we got a few extras with it, for a good price (£280).
I did want to ask what everyone thinks aboutthe bare minimum you need for a comfy night's sleep. I don't have sleeping bags, just duvets, so would that be alright? This may sound like a daft question, but would using a couple of duvets on top of an insulated picnic rug be alright as a mattress? I can't really afford to go out and buy a load of self-inflating mats at the moment,but I do have fairness ( which I do not trust,given that my daughter slept on one the other night and it was half flat by morning!).
Many thanks!

Ugh, predictive text again...I meant 'airbeds' instead of 'fairness'.

We have just come back from camping, as a minimum I think you need a sleeping bag each, a mat (picnic rug would do in this weather). Duvets are bulky and you still need something underneath you. Also a torch or other lighting for night time. Are you planning to cook?

Hi, I see your point about the bulk with the duvets, although we have a roomy minibus so it may not be a problem. I'm going to keep things simple with food, and just do soup, hotdogs, bacon and eggs, falafel in Pitta, sandwiches to go out etc.
I could see how we go with the fairness we have, and get some sleeping bags. Thanks!

Airbeds, not fairness...got to figure out switching off predictive text on my Kindle fire.

Ermm, do you (or anyone you know) have a yoga matt/mats? Couple of these would help soften the bumpy ground a bit. Or borrow a futon mattress from someone (sounds like you have plenty of room...) Being comfy at night can make or break camping IMHO..

I would say don't bother with sleeping bags. Air beds are fairly cheap these days even if they only last one or 2 camping trips. Put cardboard under the air beds for extra warmth. We take duvets and throw blankets on top which double up for use around the campfire at night. We always take our fluffy mattress protectors for extra warmth. It's lovely to sleep in a 'proper' bed with lovely crisp sheets!!

Remember that it can get VERY cold at night in August (I've been known to sleep with a wooly hat on!!)