I'm not sure whether I enjoyed camping.

[TreatTreat]

First of all, I felt so self conscious as the smallest tent. I can lie straight in it but that's about it.

When you return to camp at night what on earth do you do? I sat in my tent at 9pm and dreamed of being in a four or five star hotel down the road.

I fell asleep ok, but then woke to the inside of tent wet! It wasn't dripping or anything. It wasn't raining. I quickly realised this was condensation. Wtf.

I was warm enough all night and slept ok.

I felt self conscious using my camp hob there on the floor outside of my tent.

I had a chair, but I sat in my tent for a bit and must've looked like a knob to the couple sat outside their caravan across the field.

I really want to enjoy camping. I don't want to get a bigger tent yet as I want to get my money out of this one.

Where am I going wrong?

No one is judging you.

It’s also okay not to enjoy camping.

I'm not sure I'd go to an ordinary campsite solo like that. I have camped solo at festivals where there's activities going on from 6am till midnight and I just get myself back to my tent to sleep.

I will happily be in my solo tent as part of a larger group - my tent is officially a 4-person tent but at 2.5 m x 2.5 m it's the floor area of a very small single bedroom in a house and I wouldn't want to share it with anyone. In the rare circumstances where DP wants to camp too, we also own a larger 6-person rated tent that is the size of a double bedroom. You wouldn't get me into one of those coffin-sized 1-persom tents if you paid me.

No one care about what you are doing, no one is judging you, you are barely in their consciousness at all. Sit and read, enjoy the surroundings, cook your food and whatever you like. It's not a performance.

Condensation is definitely a big issue with poor quality tents. Good tents have numerous ventilation features to help the moist air you breathe out to escape. Once the sun is up each morning get the tent open so that the breezes can air it out

I went camping when in my early twenties with a BF who was ex military and very experienced. I just didn’t enjoy sleeping on the ground though I did enjoy the surroundings. We climbed a mountain on that trip, never went camping aging and stayed in nice hotels instead. We now have a Motorhome so I get those lovely surroundings in a comfy bed.

No one cares about your tent they are just getting on with their own holiday experience.

I'm normally more impressed by small tents! You're camping properly and enjoying nature. A tent as big as my living room with everything including the kitchen sink is cheating!

For me camping is about being forced to slow down and switch off. Sit on my bum and gaze at the sky. I feel like I should be up and doing something the first 2 days, then I relax into it. If it takes me half an hour to make my coffee (after trekking to the tap and waiting for the kettle) I'll enjoy it for half an hour, then start again! I don't much enjoy the mud and the damp, but switching off is worth it.

Definitely get a bigger tent. I've got a 2-man Vango where the fly sheet has rounded ends so you get a bit of a porch at the front and an area at the back of the tent to store your stuff. I've also got a piece of kind of woven matting - I think it is for caravan awning floors - which covers the whole floor inside and makes it less of a cold shock if you flop an arm or leg out during the night. I put my mattress into a cotton sleeping bag liner and have my sleeping bag open over the top of me like a duvet, so your feet don't get too hot and there's none of that struggling in and out to go for a midnight pee!

I don't understand people who go camping and then sit inside watching TV or glued to a tablet.

Every year I think I'm done with camping but always end up doing a little trip. We've been camping for years and part of the fun is working out how to "get it right" I usually forget something! So I suppose what I'm saying is even after countless trips I still have a kind of love/ hate relationship with it.
This year we are "glamping" in a Sheppards hut with a kitchen and bathroom, and um wood fired hot tub ( I know, sorry) but will also be going camping as my adult daughter still insists we go.
Definitely embrace the chatting to other campers. The posts on here have made me look forward to going again.

I’m off solo camping today in my tiny car with my tiny tent. I’ll probably go out during the day then sit outside with my kindle in the evening with a glass or two of red and enjoy the peace. Who cares if anyone judges me…I certainly don’t. Although in many years of camping, I don’t think I’ve ever met an unpleasant person. Everyone has always been really chatty and helpful.

@TreatTreat I bought a little caravan last year with the intention of going away on my own with the dog but haven't done yet due to adult children coming with me! I too am worried about what you've said and was thinking that people would think be weird for being on my own so thank you for starting this thread as the replies have comforted me a lot. I hope they have done you too
Hope you get away in your tent during this lovely weather!!!

@blobby10 I was camping recently and there was a woman near us with a tiny caravan and a dog. She looked to be having the loveliest peaceful time, walking and reading. There was another solo woman camper in a tiny tent who I chatted to, off in adventures all over the country all the time.
Much as I enjoy camping with DP, a bit of that peace definitely appeals too!

@TreatTreat

”Where am I going wrong?”

Not booking the 5 star hotel instead!

In my circles there is snootiness about being a minimalist camper, so you should be feeling smug ☺️

I am not a minimalist camper, but I respect them. I would have envied your tiny set up.

If you're a solo camper I'd recommend stellas solo adventures on Instagram - she's new to camping too.

Likewise - if camping isn't your cup of tea then that's okay too!

When one seen solo campers or those carrying smaller ones, I have felt a bit cosseted in my larger tent and like they were doing it properly. If that helps?!

To be fair I’ve never enjoyed it after the experience at 16 of having 2 rats greeting me one morning in one of those bigger pre set up tents you get in France. It freaked me out and I’ve never felt the same- I do like the vibe though on those bigger Eurocamp sites but have always had something with doors and walls!!

OP, I promise you: every time I see someone with a small tent eg a one-person tent, maybe a fold up chair, a little gas stove… I think “wow, I wish I could do minimalist camping, they must be a pro” and imagine they’re the sort to just pack up and go wild camping every weekend because they’re Very Cool and Free.

Compared to our car rammed full of gear, huge cool boxes, various large supermarket totes, etc. despite us saying we’re only bringing the basics!

We went camping for the first time this year and enjoyed it, the kids were feral but that’s the whole point. Everyone friendly, honestly nobody is thinking you’re a nob! Everyone is camping, no one gives a shit !!

I also want to like camping but I've come to the conclusion that I just don't.

I am OK camping if it's part of an adventure, e.g. some sort of hiking or biking trip, where the only way to bed down at night is in a tent... but apart from that, I just don't like it. I hate all the schlepping of stuff, the unpacking, packing up, setting up, putting away. I hate the damp. I get grumpy because of the noise of the other campers. I don't sleep well on the ground or on any camp bed/mat I've come across yet. And I especially don't like the communal washing and toilet facilities.

I've accepted that I'm a probably just a grumpy old anti-camper. 😄But, you don't have to like it. Some people aren't programmed that way... I'm rather jealous of people who do enjoy it - but I know I'm never going to be part of the happy camper brigade!

We camp a lot. We love it. However, if you feel self conscious maybe a wind break would give you some feeling of privacy? We have one and on a crowded campsite it does help (also helps set boundaries for the children etc). They are often quite cheap. We picked one up in a seaside place for about £15.

If I know anything about campers, they are looking at your tent and thinking 'ooh perhaps I need one that size for one nighters'.

I love a wander round to look at people's set ups in the evening. Not in a negative way but in a 'i like the windows in that one, 'that's a good size porch', 'setting up the tarp that way works really well ' manner.

Because campers love equipment!

You need to open the vents up in your tent to avoid condensation.

There are always single people on campsites.

And some of the small technical tents are waay more expensive than large family tents.

Always best to have a bigger tent and a good one!

My early days of camping I used small ones amd learnt bigger is better.

No one cares on a campsite, I've seen solo travellers in a wraparound sleeping bag with belongings outside in waterproof bags, the serious hikers, much respect! Then others with full shabang awnings and outdoor bbqs.

These days a large dome tent, whether on my own or with family and friends, it's worth the investment.

Not that I go as often, it isn't for the faint hearted and I'm becoming more in need of my comforts now older lol 😆

I feel a bit the same as you OP. Very self conscious but I’m like that anyway. I love the idea of camping because I love being away but can’t afford hotels many times a year and my kids love being outdoors.

The evening time is probably the worst when it’s not time to be out and about doing things but too early to go in to bed. We’re not ones for sitting in the pub.

I am definitely going to buy some windbreaks and wine for next time!! Everything is less awkward after a couple of glasses of wine.

If it wasn’t for the toilet situation I’d probably prefer to wild camp.

I am camping solo now.

In my lovely cotton canvas tent, no condensation in canvas tents, BUT they are a complete pain, heavy, and you have to be obsessive about not packing them up even a tiny bit damp. So half the time I have swathes of canvas draped over my banisters.

But I love it so much.

I camp as far away as possible from anyone else and apart from quick chats in passing I keep myself to myself in peace.

This evening I have read my kindle, sent a few messages, had a stroll round the site noseying at other people’s set up from a polite distance. They range from a solo male cycle camper in a tiny tent, two young women in an even tinier tent, no camping chairs etc (big car though), huge bungalows of polyester with reclining chairs, hammocks, kitchen ranges, and some Dutch people in black canvas cone shaped tents held up on big wooden poles lashed together!

Then eating a few squares of chocolate took a while, and now I am drinking wine, watching people criss crossing the site and gazing at the horizon.

Currently camping and thinking about turning in. Sitting outside on my phone and listening to the peace and quiet. Can't beat it.

I think camping might be one of those things you love or hate.

I love it, but that's because I love being outdoors, can't beat it. I love getting up in the morning into cool, damp air, and treading on dew. I love the nature sounds like birdsong, water running and wind blowing through trees.

I also enjoy what I'd describe as essentially "adult den-building", its like playing at life.

The fact that everything is a bit more awkward makes it fun. I like the bizarre lack of convenience, having to think about stuff that you normally take for granted like making a coffee or washing up.

For me there's something mindful or zen about it all.

I like the long days, which start at dawn and end whenever you get to sleep.

I like having to make a fire then sitting round it telling stories. Roasting marshmallows then putting them in smores. Marvelling at the stars in the night sky.

Whichever way you slice it, its the outdoors in summer.

I have to say that rain does not help matters. Relentless wind and rain makes camping hard work and miserable, although the odd shower keeps it interesting.

Here we all are, round our MN Campfire 🔥