Minimum Camping Requirements

[Tadpoletoatoad]

Hello oh wise ones.

So, you've helped me buy the tent, have great advice on SIMS/sleeping bags and a few other things along the way.

Due to a few things at work I've let the purchasing of items slide but really want to go camping in the summer holidays.

So I need to know what is the bare minimum we need. 2 adults and two DC (4&6).

I have -
DC sleeping bags and SIMS
2 x camp beds (which I picked up on eBay for £11 for two!)
Cooker
Table to eat at
Chairs
1 x light

I know I need to get -
2 x sleeping bags and SIMS for adults
Pans for cooking
Kettle
Some sort of cool box
Table for cooker
Plates & Cutlery
More lights

So what else is totally needed?

We will only be going for 3 nights Max and most likely with other people we know.

Self inflating mats.

Check if your aldi has any of the 5,cm ones left

A good book!

A deck of cards.

Small bottles for water to drink at night. Easier to put by the bed as won't spill if they fall over.

A nice bottle of red to crack open right after you've set up on the first day. Perfect reward!

Hot chocolate is a comforting evening drink if it's chilly.

Have you got all your meals sorted? We always did hot dogs out of a tin in rolls on one night and cold corned beef, warm tinned potatoes and baked beans on another. Sounds so unappetising now but we did it every holiday! The only time I ever eat tinned potatoes

Ahh I'm getting nostalgic for my camping days. Our dc are too young atm but I can't wait to get back into it.

Have an amazing time!

(lashings of tomato sauce with both the above meals!)

Wrt clothes-take plenty of 'bottoms' as they tend to get wet and muddy from damp /dewy grass and general play much quicker than they would at home. Also I always get caught out by how cool it can get in the evening so take couple of really warm jumpers

We have just been for the first time ever for four nights with similar aged children. Lovely and have booked to go later in the hols.

My extras would be

pop up wash basket for dirty clothes.

Chopping board and knife.

Cotton sleeping bag liners (sleeping bags seem to be absolute hell on earth to wash and dry and this might mean not doing them every trip)

I also bought a roll up futon instead of the SIM as I feared being uncomfortable and it was worth every penny.

What is a SIM?

I haven't washed my sleeping bag for 3 years

But in my defense we have never resorted to tinned potatoes with baked beans as a meal

You must be quite posh Blu

• def duct tape (for fixing leaky things)

no need for kettle if you have pot with lid for boiling water.

• lots of teatowels (double up as oven mitts when wet)
• a net (the kind you get with bath toys) for toiletries
• washing line

I always take a slow cooker.

Just throw mince, onions and dolmio in it before you go out in the morning and dinner is cooked and ready when you come back in the afternoon. There are so many easy thing you can cook and then you don't have to spend ages trying to cook in two tiny gas rings. I also take a toaster for breakfast. I really am that lazy.

We took;

Sims

Sleeping bags

Tent

A change of clothes each

Children's torches

We camped at high altitudes and hiked for food when necessary.

It was more than enough to carry, I think it's different if you drive a car.

wow crowder
that's impressive.
imo too many comfort things make camping unfun.

We have been know to take a TV just in case it rains and there is nothing to do

I can't even list my minimum requirements although have a lengthy spreadsheet. The way I feel about it is that I want camping to be as minimal yet comfortable as possible. Things like stove top espresso pot, campfire grill, good pans and my own tea mug are high priority. Oh, and wine

Sim - self inflating mattress.

Thanks Seven. That's a new one on me.

Agree with PitchFork about the fun element!! A TV in a tent??

We would take pillows next time.

I'm going to cut two of the children's old ones in half so just a wodge.

The sims are a pain to carry but well worth it for warmth and comfort.

I'm not resurrecting an old thread, just linking it, but to answer the question you need to work out what sort of camper you are first.

here