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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.

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Original poster

Making weekend camping easy and stress-free

20 replies

4fingerKitKat · 07/06/2021 08:06

I love a weekend camping but the hassle factor of packing and pitching just for a couple of nights can be off-putting.

I think I’ve things fairly optimised but any tips gratefully received as it still seems like a lot of work!

We have a a couple of plastic storage boxes with all the bits and bobs we need - cups, cutlery, lamps, washing up liquid, t-towels etc that live together permanently and can just be lifted out of the garage and plonked in the car.

So really the only fussy things I need to pack are clothes and food. For a weekend I keep it food simple as possible (cereal and jam sarnies for breakfast, hot dogs for dinner etc).

We have a fairly easy to pitch 5 man tent for 4 people. 2 double air beds, drag the duvets and pillows off our beds. Have camping chairs, a little table for the stove and that’s about it.

Try to camp in simple sites around an hour from home do we can leave after school and be pitched in time for dinner.

Have I got this as optimised as possible? I can’t think of how else to simplify it but it still feels like effort!

OP posts:

UpTheJunktion · 07/06/2021 09:01

I prefer SIMS to air beds as they require no pumping up.

Also sleeping bags can be left ready to pack.

Just keeping a handle on the amount of stuff is the main thing. No elaborate furniture, fairy lights, carpets, etc

MirandaMarple · 07/06/2021 09:34

It sounds like you have it organised, but it IS a faff. There's no getting round it.

Perhaps look at sleeping bags and sims so you're not dragging bedding off and then having to make beds when you get home. That way it will all be packed away together and ready to go next time.

I still go, because I love it. If you enjoy it after the faff then it's worth it. I always think 'fun doesn't come without a bit of a price'

Original poster

4fingerKitKat · 07/06/2021 12:06

We do have sleeping bags but I find duvets less faff and more comfortable, providing we have space in the car. Might have a look at SIMs - we do have a very lightweight one for back packing purposes which is still a bit too much like sleeping on the floor for my liking.

My other revelation on a recent trip was brining some really big open basket/bag type things - made it much easier to keep the tent organised (I had one for chucking shoes in, one for the kids toys, etc) and also made packing back up a breeze.

I think the other optimisation I need is perfecting my master packing list so I don’t have to re-invent it every time.

OP posts:

rbe78 · 07/06/2021 12:14

I have a camping list on the reminders app on my phone, which I've been perfecting for years now! I like the check buttons so I can tick things off each time.

Keep all your camping stuff in the same place. Always put it back clean and ready to be used. That way, Friday evening all you need to do is go to one place, load it all it into the car, and you're ready to go.

(Or buy a camper van, which is what we did...)

Original poster

4fingerKitKat · 07/06/2021 13:44

Yes I think this is a mistake I’ve made before - I end up having to audit my two big boxes of ‘stuff’ (have I actually got matches? Did I refill the bottle of washing up liquid) before every trip. I need to invest the time after the trip leaving it clean and tidy and make sure it’s complete.

OP posts:

JustMarriedBecca · 07/06/2021 16:53

We should have a master camping list. Does anyone have one?!

Fivemoreminutes1 · 07/06/2021 17:59

Get your food shopping delivered to the campsite

thelegohooverer · 07/06/2021 18:13

We don’t camp but have a motor home and have dedicated clothes, none white or black so they can all be thrown in the same wash and put away for the next trip. I buy slightly bigger t shirts for the dc and let them wear them until they don’t fit.

We have a checklist that I go through after each trip and refill anything that’s needed. And also a checklist for the day we go so I don’t forget to pause the milk delivery and make sure that the dc are wearing sensible footwear.

I rotate through a fixed menu so we don’t eat the same meals on every trip, but I don’t have to think too hard either. I keep a basic store cupboard so it’s only fresh food that needs to come.

taybert · 09/06/2021 20:51

It’s tricky. I love camping but for a couple of nights it is hard work, and for longer in the UK it’s a bit risky in terms of the weather. There’s always a trade off- make something more comfortable or so it’s easier to manage when you get there and you end up with bigger pack sizes, loss of car space, more hassle and more messing. This is exactly the reason we’ve just bought a campervan….

SnoopyMcLoopy · 10/06/2021 17:33

@Fivemoreminutes1 ditto we always have shopping delivered to the campsite. Game changer 😊

Namechangeforthis88 · 12/06/2021 07:07

Bags for life feature heavily for us. There will be a couple on the go in the tent with kitchen stuff and another couple for clothes. Packing up to go home you can just fling stuff in till it's full then ram in it in a space in the car.

Nowthereistwo · 12/06/2021 07:15

Always ask the campsite if they'res any chance of a late exit. We go to a local caravan and camping site and let you stay till 4 for a donation as long as no one needs your pitch.

Fruityfriday · 12/06/2021 07:16

Gin

languagelover96 · 13/06/2021 09:27

This is a idea, make a list of activities etc
A spreadsheet for expenses is recommended along with extra money and a positive mindset. Also take lots of food and drink plus a torch and first aid box in case.

Northernsoullover · 13/06/2021 09:45

I'm going glamping for the first time as I felt it would be less hassle. It really isn't . The addition of the tent, sleeping bags and beds is the most straightforward part. It's the clothes. The bloody clothes. Will it be cold ? Will it be hot? I'm currently charging a million power banks. I just wish I could pack a suitcase full of summer shit and jump on a plane to Spain.

30degreesandmeltinghere · 13/06/2021 09:50

I make a batch of pancake mix and pour it in a 4 pint milk carton. We have a camping fridge - best camping accessory we bought. Dc have them for supper the first night!

Jasmine11 · 13/06/2021 21:50

@4fingerKitKat

I think the other optimisation I need is perfecting my master packing list so I don’t have to re-invent it every time.

Do you vacuum pack your duvets? We have these bags and they have made such a massive difference in trying to ram everything into the car.

Biking0077 · 17/06/2021 20:34

I was just coming on to say after years of camping we used vacuum bags on our half term trip was brill way to take duvets and pillows. Used the hoover at home and the air bed pump to come home and re-seal them. We only did it because the dog (on her first trip) took up so much room!

ODFOx · 17/06/2021 20:48

If you really want to simplify: breakfast: cereal bars, pepperamis and juice boxes. Lunch out. Dinner tinned spuds, tinned stewed beef and veggies, or corned beef hash with tinned spuds, onions and corned beef or just do a disposable or small barbecue and a bag of salad.
Just make it super simple.

Biking0077 · 17/06/2021 20:58

I make chilli in advance and freeze it to take in the cool box plus I cook sausages then freeze them we have sausage sarnies for breakfast as I warm them in a pan. The chilli I just reheat and have with wraps & Doritos. I freeze milk in a water bottle in the cool box as well so it lasts 48hrs. I even take pre-cooked pasta the kids like it cold for lunch or tea.

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