First time camping this summer, any pointers/advice?

[oneofthosedays]

We've been given a large Jamet Kingstone 8 man tent and plan to go away for a week in Devon this summer (but will probably go for a weekend away before this for a trial run ) . The site we're staying on is lovely and has a decent shower block with facilities like washers/dryers etc. We are a family of 4 and have opted for a basic pitch without EHU.

Can you kind mnetters please look at the kit we've got and let me know if there's anything missing? One thing we are conscious of is that we have a fairly small car (Nissan Note) so space is definitely at a premium.

So far we have;

Tent
Chairs x4
Airbeds for kids
Camp beds for DH and I
Gas cooker (1 burner)
Pan set
Sleeping bags
Cool bag/ice packs

Still to buy;

Lantern
Couple of torches
Small table/s
Set of crockery

We'll be taking basic cooking/eating utensils from the kitchen, towels, clothes, raincoats, jumpers for cool evenings, basic toiletries, footwear.

My parents are also staying on the site in their caravan and my sister and her family in a tent so if we do forget anything we should be able to muddle through together hopefully!!

DH and the kids are very excited but I think I'm getting bogged down in the details and probably over thinking how much we actually need.

Honestly, I think you will struggle to get it all in your car. How big is the tent? I have a Note and even with the seats pushed fully forward I can't really get everything in the boot for camping
We do have a handirack and handiholdall which has made this easier, but there is literally no space to move even with that!
Otherwise it sounds like you are making a good start

How old are your kids?

Wimpy - just watched the YouTube video for Handirack and Handiholdall and I am very tempted. We can only just fit our camping stuff in our car and would love some extra space but have nowhere to store a roof box. Would you recommend one?

I think you will struggle to fit all that in your car. How much of the boot does the tent take up?

I think you need to put your tent in the boots, then assess how much space you have left!

When we've camped, we've had to take a roof box to fit everything in (which we bought specially - it's not huge, but big enough to fit in a large tent and a few other camping essentials).

Thanks for your replies, not really tried fitting everything in the car yet, could be interesting .

The kids are 11 and 7.

My parents can take stuff down in their car/caravan if we're really struggling as we just want to test the waters this year and not start spending on tow bar/trailer or roof rack/box just yet. We have looked into hiring roof racks and a box but was quoted £90 for a week's hire which we thought was a bit steep.

The tent also needs a bit of tlc, poles all need new elastic cord, a couple of holes to patch and as it's been out of action for so long we will have a bash at re-proofing it too. We put the tent up in the garden for the week last summer and it withstood a couple of heavy showers, leaking in from a couple of holes. Keep swaying between buying a new tent and making do with the freebie, think I'll have a better idea of what to do after a short trip in it, I hope

MissWimpy - will look into the handirack/handiholdall further, looks like it could be ideal for us, thanks!

We camped for the first time last year, it was fab and I never thought I would say that!

One tip we will be using this year is to lay a blanket under the airbed as even on a red hot day it gets really cold at night and apparently that helps massively.

The bad news is, we have a big estate and that was rather full with tent, 3 airbeds, bedding and clothes, the camp was catered (scouts) so we didn't need much for the weekend.

The handirack and holdall thing is by no means perfect but it definitely does the job!

We've been down to France with it so it's safe and secure and waterproof too. It's a bit of a pain to load, but you do get the hang of it and if there are 4 of us in the car it's the only way we can get the gear in. The tent goes in it and pay of the softer bulky stuff leaving the boot for the heavy bits. Ideally you need something to stand on to load it but it's ok if there are two of you.
So yes! I recommend it! We have no space to store a roof box and this thing rolls up into a tiny ball

A friend gave me a good tip. Don't pack clothed, towels etc in a bag but wedge them in gaps between all the stuff you have packed in the car, saves loads of space and stops things rattling.
We also take food and cutlery etc in a large plastic container with a lid. It keeps insects out of your food and doubles as a table/preparation surface.
We freeze something like chilli and take it on the first night, it defrosts on the way and then you don't have to cook when you have put the tent up.
We didn't realise we'd need a washing up bowl the first time we camped!

DH has just bought this www.amazon.com/Rightline-Gear-100B90-Cargo-Saddlebag/dp/B0009NWQWI from the US. It is for our Zafira (and we have a roof box too - where does all the stuff come from?).

Anyway, just a thought in case you decide against a handirack holdall thing. I will review it once we have received it (tomorrow - excited) and tested it at Easter.

If they are that age, you won't need so many clothes (and check if there's a washer at the campsite). If it's warm I get my kids to wear shorts- much easier to clean legs than trousers.

You could lay sleeping bags out on the seats and have kids sit on them (maybe not if they get travel sick....) Sometimes they are easier to pack if out of the sausage shapes.

Make the most of space under the seats. Also think about getting a food shop delivered to site or doing click and collect (but take enough provisions for the first night/brekkie)

Thanks for your tips!

Been thinking a lot about what food we will be eating, I'm going to get a meal plan together and a shopping list before we go. We're fairly near a supermarket as well as pubs and sandwich shops so I think we should muddle through ok with food .

I'm also going to start compiling lists of what we need to take. I've warned DH that he can't take his usual haul of clothes and thankfully there are washer/dryers on site if we really need them.

Swinging between being really excited and slightly terrified at the amount of organisation needed!

We have always opted for shorts or 3/4 trousers with water proof trousers over the top if it rains or is muddy.

You can buy packaway waterproofs very cheaply Regatta are a good brand.

They help keep kids clothes clean and dry and they can still play out!

Take crocs instead of wellies and dont let the kids wear socks, less washing and feet dry quickly

Oh and forgot to say, take large shopping bags for storage and for putting clothes in while you are in the shower.

I hope you love it

Pack loads of carrier bags for rubbish, dirty washing etc. You can also use them to sit on if you need to eat a picnic on wet ground.

Lots of wine. Don't forget the wine

Oh yes, wine was the first thing on my list .

We've decided to ditch the second hand tent in favour of one with a sewn in groundsheet - got a vango Avington 600 with porch, footprint and carpet for £380. Worth it for less draughts and bugs. Can't wait for our test run when it starts to warm up, looking at sites in Yorkshire for the first outing.