Camping in rainy cold weather

[florentitia]

Ds' school are doing Bushcraft next week and the weather looks abysmal. They will be staying in large tents and sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor. Rain every day and night. minimum temp is 6, highest 14.

What clothes should he bring? We have no wellies but supposedly waterproof hiking shoes, which are old, hope the are still waterproof? How does he keep warm at night? Doe he need thermal something? I am tempted to send some portable hand warmers with batteries or something ridiculous like that, but he wouldn't use them.

PFB mummy of an 11 year old here, share your top tips for camping and miserable weather.

Definitely a hat for night time - you lose so much heat through your head.

The cold comes up from underneath (if they’ve packed enough kids into the tents then the air inside will actually be quite warm) so foam roll mat and extra blanket for under the sleeping bag.

Lots of dry socks to change in to. Damp feet are the worst. In fact maybe some small plastic bags to put inside the boots if they turn out not to be waterproof. Is there no way you can grab some wellies? Even in summer the early morning grass is soaking so it will be worse now.

I have one Guide mum who packs little plastic bags (like the ones you get from Shein etc) for each day - underwear, clean socks, clean tshirt etc - so that it’s all organised in the bag.

More plastic bags for damp clothes and dirty washing.

Label EVERYTHING!

Forgot to say, lots of layers. Thinner layers are better than thick chunky ones.

A wool hat for the night and thermals.
Many more pairs of socks than you need.

Thermarest mattress or similar. Long fleece hoody. Decent sleeping bag.

My DC is supposed to be going camping with Beavers for the first time, and the group leader said a 3 season sleeping bag is a must, to keep them properly warm.

I'd make sure your DC has waterproof shoes (get them to test whether theirs are still waterproof - walk through a puddle or something) plus obviously waterproof coat and ideally waterproof trousers too.

Layers for night time. Vest, long-sleeved PJs, warm socks.

You really need wellies. Can you get some in the morning?. The old hiking boots are v unlikely to cope with constant wet from morning grass/rain. Fleece tops/hoodies are warmer than cotton hoodies/tops. Fleece pyjamas. Beanie. Gloves. Layers. I wouldn’t worry about battery things.

Waterproof coat and trousers

That's very useful information to a non camping mum. I wouldn't have through of sending a hat and I'll get wellies too. Any heat pack, hand warmer, would they even be safe? Gloves? Extra sock definitely too.

Definitely wellies. Wet grass will soak the bottom of his trousers even if his shoes are still waterproof.

Also - head to toe waterproofs. Waterproof overtrousers as otherwise rain will just run off his jacket onto his trousers and he'll be drenched.

if you get the clothes right you won’t need heatpack/handwarmer

You can get heat packs for your gloves that you snap and they stay warm for a good while.
Leggings or thermals for under pj's.
Layer up on everything especially socks at night.
A decent sleeping bag in this weather too, get the best you can afford.

I'd buy some supermarket wellies for getting up in the night and going to the loo. Much easier than wrestling with muddy laced walking boots (which he will need as well for actual walking).

Cagoule and waterproof over- trousers.

Plenty of spare socks and trousers so always have spare dry ones.

A fleece hat and gloves will boost his warmth at night. Plus the close fitting thermal style pajamas.

Cheap thin fleeces and base layers from Decathlon, Mountain Warehouse, Go Outdoors for daytime. Even charity shops. Forget heavy hoodies and jeans, they get wet too easily and just won't dry out. Polyester jogging bottoms or the most basic Regatta walking trousers are much more practical

Are you sending the sleeping mat and sleeping mat or are they provided? Good mid- range ones aren't top pricey if you shop around, or try Gumtree for people selling their old D of E kit.

The school will probably make them run around and dispense lots of hot chocolate. I hope he has a whale of a time!

Such good info! 🙏
Where can I get a fleece hat and gloves at this time?

Are you sending the sleeping mat and sleeping mat or are they provided? G @Sunplanner

^ Sending

They asked to send dc with a large rucksack, which we will but that's never going to also fit his roll mast and sleeping bag. Not sure what to do about that.

Lots of layers for night time. Really lots... more than you think you'd need. You can be wrapped in multiple jumpers and still be cold camping

Beanie hat for night time

I would get wellies if you have a chance as cold wet feet are miserable! As someone else said even if it isn't raining, dewy ground in the morning can make other shoes wet very quickly

Thick socks for sleeping in at night. Fingerless gloves

Hot water bottle if he gets a chance to fill it up

Old towels to mop up any rain that gets in the tent

It will be character building if nothing else!!

Go with fleece items if possible for sleeping in. Avoid cotton as it wicks moisture in the air and makes you cold

They asked to send dc with a large rucksack, which we will but that's never going to also fit his roll mast and sleeping bag. Not sure what to do about that.
Roll the sleeping bag inside the roll mat and attach it to the bottom of the rucksack (on the outside), they usually have straps you can do this with.
Also, get a mat with a reflective side (looks like foil) they're warmer.

Really wouldn't bother with handwarmers at all. Just lots of fleecy or close fitting thin layers,, gloves, hat and they'll be fine. Get a few pairs of thicker socks to wear with the wellies and boots. If you can get him to tuck his trousers into them all the better.

Outdoor shops often sell torches and quick-dry travel towels half price by their tills. The towels are great, but don't be surprised if it comes back unused.

Pack everything in plastic bags within the holdall or suitcase or even the dry clothes will get damp before he wears them. Ask him to keep his bag zipped up.

As someone has already said, the large zip lock freezer bags are great for a set of clothes for each day. Keeps everything dry and easy to find.

If you send a bag to put dirty laundry in, sharpie his name on the front. Black bin bag is the obvious thing, but a green garden refuse bag or big department store bag is much less likely to get mixed up with the actual rubbish.

I've packed for so many beaver/cub/scout/guide/cadet camps/ DofE and endless school trips. DC all grown up now and this is making me very wistful!

You can usually strap the roll mat to the outside of the rucksack - when it’s rolled up. wrap it in a couple of bin bags to keep it dry if it’s being carried along. I’d try to squash the sleeping bag in too, but if it won’t, wrap it in bags as well and he can carry it.

Hats and gloves and don’t expect him to change his pants. Tell him to keep extra layers under his pillow so he can put them on in the night if he gets cold. And also lots more dry socks as they always get wet.

Sleeping bag will pack down tight, put into rucksack first and then pack around it. Attach the roll mat to the top of the rucksack if it's a foam one. At night, wear thermals, then pjs/trackies, plus fleece plus hat. Dry socks. Then get him to wrap a thin fleece blanket around his legs (like a sarong) and get into his sleeping bag wrapped up. I was in a camp the other week and this is what I did. Lay coat over the top. To be honest if it's rainy he won't be that cold due to the cloud cover.

Unlikely you can buy one on a Sunday night unless a local petrol station sells the 'Thinsulate' hats and gloves. They very often do in winter. Can you text any few friends/cousins with slightly older children and borrow something? Is there a school WhatsApp group to ask on? Have you got black/grey/navy ones yourself that might fit him?

Otherwise check supermarket opening times hear ypu. Morrisons where I live sells clothes, thermal socks, hats, gloves and opens at 6am. Be careful with Asda - if they have clothes on an upper floor they sometimes don't open that part as early as the main shop. Good luck!

Are they leaving tomorrow? I agree on wellies, waterproof everything, fleece everything as it doesn't hold on to water, thermal everything you can, lots of socks, extra coat/jacket and extra shoes

Decent sleeping bag (rated to zero degrees) sleeping bag liner, thermorest, joggers, t shirt, fleece and hat to sleep in. Possibly ski underwear too (mine is from mountain warehouse). We usually go from March to October including in frosty conditions, the trick is that you have the right gear.

Oh and waterproofs that actually are waterproof (look for the hydrostatic rating) including trousers. Water proof gloves are good if likely to be soaking wet, eg gardening ones over woollen ones.

Supermarkets may have them in and open earlier than regular stores, Lidl definitely did have them here