Camping newbies

[hamsterwheel]

Hi, so, we have been invited to go camping with a group of friends, however we don't own any camping equipment! Can anyone recommend a good place to start looking and the kind of tent that is good for beginners. We are a family of 2 adults and 1 ds aged 6. Thank you!

Depends on what type of people you are, because one persons camping heaven is another's total deprevation. And your budget.

I'd look at vango as fairly sturdy, good value kit. A tunnel tent for 3/4 people with a porch that you can sit up on chairs is good and easy to put up even with the help of a 6year old.

Some people prefer a tent you can stand up in, these are harder to pitch well and more likely to get damaged in high winds etc.

You need sleeping mats a small the ground can be cold. After that you can use home pillows and quilts. Just take extra as it can be cold in a tent. Woolly hats are useful agaiant the cold.

Torches for going to the loo in the dark. Easy slip on shoes that can cope with mud for night time excursions.

Chairs to sit on I still think of as a luxury, but if you are trapped inside by bad weather, they are great.

Are you planning to cook or is there a cafe on site for the early morning cuppa? A basics camping stove ok if you are just doing teas and coffees. And we cooked for us three using a basis single ring stove...cook the pasta, keep it warm whilst you cook the sauce.
Portable barbecues are useful ... check because they need more care in these conditions.

If. You want something easy to put up and reliable we have a vango airbeam 500L which is fantastic. Go outdoors is good for cheap accessories.

I think I personally would priorities sleeps I'm rubbish without sleep so I would go for a decent air bed too .

I'm a bit more "budget" orientated but it will depend how practical you are. I don't think I'd spend £500+ on a first tent, not when you've also got the first-time expenses of sleeping kit, cooking kit, folding chairs, etc.

Aldi have a 4-berth pole tent for £79 with two sleeping compartments and centre porch with awning opening to the side. We've used ours once so far and it seems well made. It's our second tent and I'm used to pole tents. Whatever tent you get, make sure you do a practice pitch in the garden/park before you go.

Is there any chance of meeting up with your friends in advance to see their set-up so you can get an idea of what you think you will need? Maybe when they're doing a maintenance put-up of the tent?

Yip, the vango tents are also in region 100 ..no need to pay more.

And yes, see what you can share with your friends, especially around cooking. Or ask who can lend you stove. As with the tent, practise at home.

Waterproofs .insect repellent.

Lots of pairs of SOCKS and extra PJs for you all especially your DS

Fleece jackets and jumpers to wear in evening and early morning

Air tents are much more expensive than pole tents and a pole tent is not that hard to put up.

When choosing a tent I'd go for one that is a very uniform shape rather than one that has lots of different height bits on the corners because that way all the poles are the same length which makes pitching really straightforward. Our last two tents have been shaped like poly tunnels

Go for a tent that has a matching "footprint" groundsheet because you can lay that out first and see exactly where the tent will go. It also keeps tent cleaner on the bottom.

You need a table. If you don't have one all the stuff is kept on the floor and your child walks on it. You can get table and chair sets which all fold into one another and I'd recommend you get that as they are great for the beach/park/outdoor events too

If your friends have a stove then I would just take those disposable barbecues (check campsite allows them though!)

Unless you are hot drink fiends like us. Then you need a gas burner and kettle to make cups of tea.

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions! Lots of really helpful advice. I will look into all of your suggestions 😊

If they are campers I bet one of them has a spare tent.

Campers tend to amass tents. ( we have 4 )

And ask who has a spare chair etc.

Personally I must have a tent I can stand up in, doing everything on your knees is very wearing.