The camping paradox...and can it be solved?

[taybert]

Just back from camping. Loved it as usual despite pretty terrible weather at times but after packing up this morning I’m struck by how long it all takes and how much hassle it is.

Before we had kids we packed light with a small tent and we were happy to tolerate some discomfort for the fun. Now my tolerance for discomfort is much lower and I know we all have a worse time if we don’t sleep. Subsequently we have super comfy sleeping mats, good chairs to sit on which are comfy but lightweight and fold down. The kids need to be fed food they like and we need to be able to cook it so we have what feels like an elaborate cooking set up /kitchen and we take loads of food. Camping in a tent in the UK so take lots of spare clothes and shoes as we can’t easily dry things and we need layers for the cold. We have a full car and roof box and it took a good 2 hours to pack away today. I now have a mountain of washing to sort and equipment to clean and dry before packing it all away again for another year. We packed over a couple of days and it took several hours of planning.

So when I step back and look at it the problem is all the stuff we’ve got to make it better and more comfortable- foam roll mats would take seconds to put away, a disposable bbq and a single ring stove and kettle is hardly anything, we used to sit on some cheap camping chairs which fold in a second. But I know if we did that we’d be uncomfortable, not sleep well or eat well and it wouldn’t be as nice when we were there (though setting up and packing away would be soooo much easier).

So what’s the answer? Just accept that it’s like that and it’s something we can only do a couple of times a year because of the hassle? Or do we really need to accept that tent camping is no longer for us and think about a campervan? And does a campervan actually solve those problems? In my head the quicker bed set up, the kitchen already being in existence and the fact that the camping stuff could be left in the van could make all the difference, as well as the fact that some things might stay dry and wet things could dry off. But is it really like that? Or do you just create a different set of problems?

Answers on a postcard!

@BikerWife you’re telling me everything I want to hear and nothing my bank account does! That sounds perfect. We’ve hired one for Easter weekend and we’ll see how we get on but it think we might need to start saving 😬

We have camped for over 25 years and gone through all of this, although with 3 kids there's an extra body in the car so room for less stuff. It does get easier the older they are. Once our tent is up, ours have to empty the car and place items where they go, do the sleeping bags etc.

We camp a lot, 5-6 weeks a year so one solution is to go for longer, then the faff is diluted between more days.

I agree that less is more. Really really really think if you need it. One good quality chair per person is better than a cheap one and a sofa etc. Cut out the middle man, e.g, if you pack a suitcase, then build a cupboard, then put the clothes in the cupboard and store the suitcase, there's extra steps. We have really tried to make the travelling items into the storage items to cut that out. So kitchen stuff travels in a plastic box, on site I set up a kitchen stand and then the box goes underneath and I upend the plates. Job done, and still keeps a resemblance of organisation in the tent. We have bags for coats/hats, swim stuff, shoes, everything stays and is put back in these unless in use.

If you can, try to keep dedicated camping stuff altogether, so rather than having to remember and pack a tin opener, tea towels etc from you kitchen, have a basic kitchen ready to go.

I have a list on the computer, so print this off about a week before, add any bits for the particular trip and start to gather. When we get back I try to add in things we need for the next trip (more matches etc), or write a list where I know I will see it for the next trip.

I do washing on camp (if there's a machine) as we go along, you take less clothes that way and I try to do a wash either the day before or on pack up day. So much nicer to get home and place clean clothes away, and only having say towels etc to then do.

Get a supermarket delivery or click and collect. No need to pack food.

I would try a van but (and this is the downer for us), if you move the van you have to pack a lot away for that. I don't think you have as much space in a van either, so it really is horses for courses.

Having said all this, we now do have a trailer tent! I wouldn't say it was much quicker than our last set up of roof box, it's about 90 minutes to fully pitch or strike (an hour if we do quick set up for a stopover). But, it means a lot stays in it, and we just take 'soft' stuff- bedding, clothes, books, swim stuff etc, so I think it saves 1-2 hours each side at home not having to bring items in and store.

Personally, I think trailer tents are the best compromise if you want comfort and convenience in an easy to tow, easy to store package.

@NotMeNoNo

I think there is a sort of lifecycle of camping.

People who like the outdoors have enjoyed lightweight camping with a handful of gear.

Then you have kids and work out its a cheap holiday, and get a slightly bigger tent and some chairs.

You notice other people on the campsites with a giant tent, table sofa, beds etc seem to be more comfortable and you start improving your set up. You might get a trailer, roof box or bigger car. (DH work van in our case!)

You have some brilliant holidays but gradually realise the packing and unpacking is becoming so much faff that it outweighs the enjoyment of going away.

You sell the tent and get a caravan/motorhome/give up

We had a huge set up and some memorable holidays, but also a smaller weekend tent. When the DC got old enough to want their own little tents, we realised we much preferred the smaller tent.

We've started moving back to a smaller, smarter set up. Its still most of a day to prep for a big holiday but I'm working on it. To be honest I think family camps will be over soon and with just 2 of us it will be much less fuss, hopefully.

This is totally us. We are now at the stage where its such a faff to set up and take down we cant be bothered going.

Plus our 14 yo is really not into camping anymore and that added to the mix doesn't make it an attractive option anymore.

Shame really as we spent years and a small fortune getting all the kit together including a car which can lug it all about, and are slowly realising that it just isn't worth the hassle.

We mooted the possibility of a camping trip next year to the south of France, virus permitting, and got a sigh and rolled eyes....

Maybe we will go again when the eldest no longer wants to come with us. Maybe.....

In the meantime an apartment somewhere hot seems to suit all of us

I know exactly what you mean. We normally only camp for 2 days for a cheap change of scenery and token campfire but it's still a lot of faff and you would pack the same if you went for 2 weeks other than a bit more underwear.

I read this book after I downsized my car and needed to significantly reduced what we took and it really helped. The packing list is my bible. I do normally have EHU though so bring the cable + electric kettle + gadget chargers, as well as camping table and chairs set. www.minimalistfamilycamping.com/the-book

What works for us is having a weekend tent that only takes 15 mins to put up and down and I only bring breakfast stuff plus the first nights dinner. The rest of the food is bought daily. Lunch is picnic stuff from the local co-op type place and dinner is a takeaway o

I've started doing one night adventures with my little one while my big one is at scout camp and bought a small decathlon pop up tent which was so much easier. I'm looking to buy the big one a backpacking tent so we can try it with all of us.

It does get easier as they get older. This year was the first year we didn't need a potty!

^dinner is a takeaway or BBQ.

I do think it's easier as the DC get older and can actually be useful fetching and carrying.

We have a lot of camping kit but can now pitch in just under an hour from arrival to 'glass of wine'.

It helps having space to store everything so that the preparation doesn't take too long. I keep everything together in one cupboard at home - the only things I need to add are the cool box and contents and clothes. I have a list of groceries based on breakfasts, an easy dinner for the first night and some snacks. I used to take far too much food and just bring it back again. Now we'll buy things out if we need them or get a takeaway.

We use a supermarket shopping bag with clothes, towel and wash bag for each person. Nothing gets unpacked as such so it's fairly tidy to pack back up again.

Kitchen stuff is in a box including tea towels, coffee/teabags and washing up kit. I have another box with first aid kit, matches, torches, lamps, bin bags. citronella sticks and other random useful stuff.

I do try to weed out additional stuff that doesn't get used - over the years the inflatable sofa, several saucepans, portable BBQ, spare chairs, spare stove, toaster, and spare air beds (yes, really! 🤭) have all been dumped.

The really hard bit is coming home with a wet tent and wet gear. I hate having to put it up again and dry it all out

The minimal camping list linked below is almost exactly our set right down to the 3 boxes.
We do have the thick SIMs for adults and I would add some foam mats under them if needed. I've developed a reasonably quick way of rolling them back up (use knees). Our chairs are mid range not supermarket cheapies. The best thing is a genius Wild Country lightweight 4 bed tent with only 2 poles . You just have to cultivate a bit of how light is my kit snobbery. Hang out on some backpacking forums should help.

I kept a great article from the Guardian years ago about a guy who camped with kids and almost nothing but a trangia, opinel knife, spork and picnic blanket.

I came up with the perfect solution to this as we were packing up this year....!!!

A camping concierge.

They come to your house day before camping with a MASSIVE van. So you can take everything you want and need without any worries about space.

They drive to site early next day and set up / unpack. Then they go to Click and Collect food / booze for you.

You wake late, pack an overnight back and swan onto the pitch just after a lovely pub lunch and crack open the tea / Prosecco / beer

Ok @FusionChefGeoff awesome! DH would be great at that.

We have a campervan (me and 2 teen DD’s) and a awning. We came back from camping a few days ago and I’m still sorting camping stuff out, drying the awning and ground sheet. We pack quite light, just a single stove, table, clothes and bedding. We buy food when we get there but don’t cook much. Takes me about a hour to pack everything up before we leave and about 3 days to sort it out once we get home 🤣

We have a motor home, so a bit bigger, and less mobile, than what you’re looking for, but having it all there, ready to go, makes it so easy to travel with the dc.
I keep a weekend’s worth of dedicated clothes in it, with no whites or blacks so it can all be chucked in the one wash when I get home, dried, folded and put straight back in.
I have a checklist that I run through of what’s needed that takes about ten minutes.
I have a set menu of 6 dinners, and I keep a simple store cupboard there so I just fill the fridge before I go.
We still occasionally camp for fun, and when we do, it’s very basic. But it’s an adventure so that’s ok.
Camping just becomes untenable when you’re trying to balance family needs, imo, but I have huge admiration for those who can make it work!
We travel a lot. There’s literally no reason not to most of the time.

We have had a caravan of some sort for the past 20 years. All our boys have grown up doing lots of caravanning. We don't bother with an awning and everything is stashed within so you just need a bag of clothes and a bag of food and you're good to go.

Last year we downgraded to a smaller caravan and bought a VW campervan as well. We tow the caravan with the campervan. Great for trips to the beach in the day, older boys can split off and camp separately if they want etc.

We have 2 plastic containers with lids which contain everything we need for a week including plates, cups, cutlery, 2 one ring camping cookers, toaster and lights (and loads of other things I can't remember)

The only other things we take are 2 double air beds (the type that are as tall as a normal bed), tent, table and fridge/cool box and bedding.

It makes packing and unpacking really easy as we grab the boxes etc and know we have everything.

I would pay money for someone to put up our caravan awning each time we go somewhere! I reckon some enterprising students could make a fortune doing this in the summer months.

Our game changer with camping this summer has been to take two cars- we didn’t really have any choice as had changed cars since we last went Camping from a big hatchback boot to smaller cars so would never had fitted everything in. It meant one car had all the kids and a full boot but no cramped foot wells , cool boxes in laps like with one car and the other had back seat down and all the gear meant we had space for duvets, proper camp beds etc. Made it much quicker packing up as weren’t having to play boot tetris with all the equipment
Really like the service wash and click and collect ideas on here

Yup, you need a van, it's a total game changer. So much of the gear just stays on board. There's gonna be some loading and unloading when you've got kids for sure, but when you're leaving, you just drive away.

We have just bought a vw caravelle, and although not a camper specifically, they can be slept in (rear seats fold flat to make a bed) you can buy a kitchen pod for the boot which slides out with a hob and sink in, but still allows you to have a huge family car for days out etc. The rear rows of seats turn to face each other and have a pop up table, so its basicly a picnic area in the back.
We are going camping for it for the first time next week, plan to sleep in the awning as the kids are still young (2yrs and 3months) but eventually the kids can have the awning and we will sleep in the van.
We were looking at campers to start with, but for a daily used vehicle they seemed too much of a compromise for us, so started looking at caravelles.

We had the same issue this year, plus the five of us and bikes barely fit in the car (bikes on the back).

Our solution is going to be a camping trailer (not a trailer tent). We can’t really justify the expense of another vehicle or caravan, plus we like the flexibility of going wild camping or at no-frills campsites.

The plus side of a trailer is that it can be left, packed, in the garage. We will have the option to swap out our big tent for a smaller overnight one. It will have all the kitchen stuff, bedding etc and we will put clothes and food in the car. Bikes on the trailer on a roof fixing. That way the trailer won’t need unpacking when we get home, everything that needs washing or sorting will be in the car just, like a cottage holiday.

My parents had a trailer when we camped as kids and we used it as a kitchen. If we have a lid it should be mouse-proof too.

That is the plan at least. Should only cost us a few hundred quid and then we will find it easier to go on spontaneous weekend camps.....

Nothing we can do about the washing though.

Not sure I’ll help but anyway!

We have a 5m canvas bell tent and an estate car and 2dc.

Each DC has a backpack with all their crap - torch, books, water bottle etc and their own pillow and wear crocs. That’s in the backseat. Under the DC on the seat are two rag rugs for the tent.

I have a backpack with chargers, me and DH water bottles, battery packs, medical supplies,
Kindles, torches, wipes, tissues and phones.

In the boot is the tent, tarp, windbreak, camping chairs, 4 camp beds, folding table, 4 sims, 4 sleeping bags, a camping cooker, gas canisters, a box with all the cutlery, 2 pans, plates, 2 mugs, string, pegs, solar lights, a bag with waterproof coats, tealights, pop up shoe baskets, clothes, wellies, and the Coleman extreme with food in. We also pack another food bag with cereal, bread, squash etc.

It’s a squidge but we manage!

If i could afford a small camper i would get one, just the easier cooking set up appeals as well as a comfy bed. We do have a small tent for 1 night trips and a big one for longer which makes a quick night away slightly easier

I’ve made it sound like our camping set up is extravagant but when I see what some people take it really isn’t- we don’t have things like blow up sofas. It’s more the assembly if everything that takes time. We’ve already done most of the tips on this thread (save for the service wash one, great idea but we live in the middle of nowhere so would probably be more difficult than just doing the washing for us!) Everything is already dedicated and packed in drawers ready to go and we have a cupboard of camping things at home so not too much looking around for stuff. To be honest the packing is a bit of a red herring, that took longer this year because it was on the only/first trip of the year, I know subsequent trips are quicker, it’s really the setup on site and packing up if it’s raining that causes problems. Also the fact that we knew the forecast was bad and we couldn’t dry anything so took loads of shoes and spare clothes (which we needed or we’d have been in wet things all week). We can never arrive late anywhere because set up takes too long and it isn’t worth going for one night so if we’re camping I have to take a Friday off work and in the summer holidays when there’s always someone else in my role off then I can’t do that, so we don’t camp. And we really like to camp! I guess I feel like we’ve optimised the set up and struck the balance between size/packability and comfort but at the expense of the time it all takes. But there’s nowhere else to go with that without losing something we really value.
I’m excited to try a campervan and I think to be honest it could really suit our lifestyle.

My issue now we have kids and a dog is you need the same amount of STUFF for one night as you do two weeks. Gone are the days of jumping on a train with a backpack and a two man tent.

Definitely try living in a campervan for a week before you take the plunge! The living/kitchen area is TINY! If it's wet and you have no awning, everyone has to stay still, you can't move around as there's no room! We have a campervan and there's only the two of us now so it's perfect. Set up takes 10 minutes on site, when we get home we transfer stuff from the camper fridge to the home fridge and throw the clothes and bedding in the washing machine and just make sure the van is clean and tidy for next time. Such a game changer from tenting or caravanning. While you still have a family if you decide to change I would go for a trailer tent. Bags more room than a caravan or camper and with a camping 'feel' to it still.

For longer trips I’d envisage having a drive away awning and I appreciate the set up of that is similar to pitching a tent but for a long trip that’s fine. I guess part of what I’m hoping is that if we turn up and it’s really wet or windy, we can manage without pitching anything and that even if it’s a bit cramped we can eat and set up the beds. We’ll see anyway, we’ve booked the one for Easter and we won’t be buying anything if it doesn’t do what we want it to.