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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

Original poster

DD first time camping trip advice re kit

18 replies

amidawish · 29/07/2016 19:13

DD is off on a school camping trip in a couple of weeks. She has never been camping. i have only ever done one night camping with full air bed, duvets, pillows etc Blush.

she needs to bring a sleeping bag, personal ground sheet plus other general camping stuff eg torch, crockery etc. Tents provided.
it is in UK in August BUT they warn first time campers it will be much colder at night than they expect.

Any advice on what to buy her re sleeping bag, ground sheet, (bed mat too?). Happy to pay for what she needs as i assume this won't be a one off and she will do DofE etc.

Any other tips re what to bring gratefully received - going by minibus so luggage needs to be minimal. (no duvets etc!)

TIA.

OP posts:
titchy · 29/07/2016 19:15

3 seasons sleeping bag and a lightweight self inflating rollmat with pillow built in. Decent rucksack (60 litres or so).

Spottyladybird · 29/07/2016 19:23

I'd suggest warm things to sleep in- long sleeve t shirt, jogging bottoms, warm sweatshirt and thick socks, she can always take off layers if needed. I'd take a fleece blanket too to pop over herself in the evening as they're likely to sit out chatting.

A good camping mug for hot chocolate is always a good idea and a pair of flip flops for around the site/in the tent.

Original poster
amidawish · 29/07/2016 20:00

thank you!
any particular 3 seasons sleeping bag? or will anyone do?
love the idea of self inflating airbed with pillow.

i do have a roll out bedmat from the futon company - would that be suitable?

OP posts:
Original poster
amidawish · 29/07/2016 20:01

she has a cosy onesie? could she wear that over pjs or too sweaty?
great idea re fleece blanket, we have some ikea £3 cheapies.
she has crocs for the site/tent
will look out for a good camping mug.

OP posts:
titchy · 29/07/2016 21:21

Any three seasons will be fine. Not sure what the futon roll out is but if she intends doing DofE she will need something that is both lightweight and packs very small.

Onesie sounds ok, but she may get too hot esp if sharing a tent so I'd suggest thermals under PJs, and remove PJs if needed.

PotteringAlong · 29/07/2016 21:27

I sleep in a onesie over my pj's but I'm nesh Blush

I also have a fleece liner in my sleeping bag and am toasty warm like that.

Spottyladybird · 29/07/2016 21:36

I'd get a lightweight foam camping bedmat tbh. Worthwhile in the long run. The best ones have foil on one side.

A binbag for wet clothes might be a good idea too and don't forget spare socks!

Original poster
amidawish · 30/07/2016 09:47

thanks so much, great suggestions

OP posts:
Pengweng · 01/08/2016 10:27

How many nights is she going for? I suggest 3 pairs of socks per day as they get wet/sweaty/muddy/lose them etc and cold and wet feet are horrible.

Agree with a lightweight roll mat/sim, 3-4 season sleeping bag, ground sheet (can get little ones that pack down really small for about £5). Pillow if she needs one. I use the DTs old toddler pillows as they are the perfect size and squish down nicely.

Does she need it all to fit in a back pack?
Does she need cooking equipment or just plate/mug/spork?
I would also get her a decent sturdy metal water bottle. The plastic ones are too easy to crack.

Get her a head torch! Then there is no trying to hold a torch while having a wee or looking for the loo roll.

Pengweng · 01/08/2016 10:29

www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vango-starlight-self-inflating-sleeping-mat-p321972

This mat is decent enough for kids and my DH, I need a bit more support for my dodgy back though.

BiddyPop · 02/08/2016 12:32

Does she have thermals? (I know its not the depths of winter - but for sleeping in!). A pair of legs and a long sleeved top under PJs are a great extra layer - and she certainly wants at least 2 layers in the sleeping bag. A pair of warm socks too.

I find the nights I put my PJs on early in the evening under clothes for the night activities means that I don't freeze at bedtime and sleep a lot better - just taking off the outer layer of clothes and not putting cold pjs on over cold body. It's MUCH easier to sleep when warm, and much harder to get warm at that hour of the day.

A couple of pocket packs of tissues - tell her to keep one in her pocket at all times, and they are invaluable for getting caught short in the wilderness or for toilet blocks that have been busy and not restocked.

I tend to pack my clothes (and DD's) for camping trips into Ziploc bags - 1 full outfit per bag. It means that they have a better chance of staying dry if the rucksacks get wet for some reason (you have no idea how many times that young people are told to keep tent doors closed in rain - and 1 leaves it open for half a dozen rucksacks to get wet!!). It also means that it's very easy to grab a bag for getting changed - or bringing to toilet block for showers etc. The big blue ones from IKEA work well, or the largest size in supermarket. And a couple of black bags for wet/dirty clothes (and depending on activities - I would advise having 1 for "wet" and another for "dirty but dry", and if necessary, a 3rd for "wet and dirty" - we have a muddy activity on most camping weekends but also just shower or swimming "clean wet" type gear).

Plenty of socks - comfortable for the shoes/boots that she'll use (and don't wear brand new hiking boots without breaking them in and bringing a spare pair of footwear) and at least 2 spare pairs. Nothing makes kids miserable faster than wet feet for some reason!

Original poster
amidawish · 07/08/2016 10:26

thank you all so much! will dig out as many socks as i can!
wish i still had the toddler pillows...

she is going for 7 nights. 7 !!!
kit is going down in a minibus, so though need to keep it compact she doesn't have to carry it

i am just willing her period to come asap - so it is over before she goes. arghhh

am thinking of shelling out for this groundmat outwell

this sleeping bag here

OP posts:
Original poster
amidawish · 07/08/2016 10:27

head torch, this? she needs to bring a torch so this seems good value

OP posts:
Original poster
amidawish · 07/08/2016 10:29

great ideas re ziplock bags, wet/dry/muddy bags... feel an ikea trip coming up!

OP posts:
Original poster
amidawish · 07/08/2016 10:30

i think they are sleeping in big tents - all provided.

what to put it all in? kit bag/frame pack is recommended... ?? she will only have to carry it from minibus to tent

OP posts:
budgiegirl · 07/08/2016 10:34

Walking trousers are great for camping, if they get wet, they dry out much faster than joggers or jeans. You can get fairly reasonable trousers in Sports Direct or Go Outdoors.

Decent waterproofs, including trousers and shoes. Stay as dry and warm as possible !

Pengweng · 07/08/2016 13:35

That is the exact head torch i have and I keep one small torch in the car and one in my handbag even if DH laughs at me

I use cheap wet bags when camping (the ones used for cloth nappies)
Like these www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Waterproof-Zip-Wet-Dry-Bag-for-Baby-Infant-Cloth-Diaper-Nappy-Pouch-Reusable-/222047914119?var=&hash=item33b3164887:m:m6i7KbNoQVOMJJO8Eqsq3xQ

You can get them much cheap from china but they take a few weeks to arrive.

Get her a decent back pack so that she can stick it on her back and then has free hands for her sleeping bag and roll mat etc.

Pengweng · 07/08/2016 13:36

This is probably ok if she is just carrying from bus to tent

www.gooutdoors.co.uk/hi-gear-trekker-35-rucksack-p322296

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