Calling all camping experts!

[stellar]

Hi there!

I am thinking of booking a eurotent holiday in Cornwall this July for me and my family (DH, and 3 kids aged 6, 5 and 2 1/2 years).

We are total camping virgins, the closest we've been to camping is a static caravan!! I think it will be an adventure but DH needs some convincing. His main concerns are security and toilet arrangements! Can anyone set our minds at rest and offer any tips/advice?

thanks in advance

Stella x

When I was growing up EVERY family holiday was camping until I was about 10. Put simply they were fantastic holidays and we are now going start buying camping equipment for our young family to go on camping adventures.
I can understand your DH concerns about security but whenever we went on camping holidays there was never a problem. Before we had children my DH and I went camping a few times and found that security was fine. All the campers seem to look out for any unrulely characters so sort of keep watch over each others stuff. Abit like neighbours watch at home I suppose.
Now the toilet issue...obviously if you need to go in the middle of the night it can be abit of a nightmare but I always found that all this was part of the fun in the camping life.
Go for it you'll all have brilliant time and the children will LOVE it.

Stella

I'm really glad this has come up as we have been thinking going camping this year. My DH is very keen,I'm worried DS will run off whilst we are putting up the tent or something?!

Before our DS (now 2.5 yrs)we used to go camping
several times a year. It was Fantastic!! The trick is to buy/borrow/find internet site, a GOOD listing of camp sites in the area you want to go.

We went to places in Dorset, North & South Devon and The Lake District. The security on all of these sites was good. Don't leave valubles in your tent, put them in the boot of your car when you go out.

The facilities vary from site to site - that's why an up-to-date book listing everything is good.
Everywhere we have stayed was good/fair. The more organised/larger sites seemed to have slightly better facilities. (But that was 3 years ago now!)

Good luck - let us know how you get on.

There are some fantastic sites out there. My advice would be to look at tourist information sites on the area that you are going to stay in. They always have lots of camping sites on their sites! Sites vary though, from just a field to the more up market with shower?toilet blocks and washing up facilities, you can even get electric hook up points for an extra small fee. As others have said though, if you have to take anything valuable with you, keep it with you.

Hi Stellar - we went camping with Eurotent last year (in France) but have to admit we upgraded to a mobile home after the first week - it was easier with our DS who was 18 months at the time, but as your's are older it shouldn't be a problem. We have done a lot of camping & never had a problem with security. Re: toilets - in my experience they are always well maintained & clean but some people just don't like using 'communal' facilities do they (but after years of scout & cub camps where we had to dig pits, campsite toilets are a luxury!!).

My real concern if we went again would be noise levels - understandly children go to bed quite late and teenagers etc can be noisy at night!! (not just teenagers!) Campsites are meant to have a 'quiet time' policy from about 10.30pm but IMO this is rarely enforced.

keep expensive stuff in the car (camera etc). get a cooking stove. v essential if your partical to a cuppa in the morning! toilets and washing facilities vary from site to site, but i think that toilets are a nessecity for being open as a campsite. washing machines are sometimes available or you can always go to a local launderette.

we go camping often and we live in cornwall. beautiful!

Stella - as I understand it Eurotent holidays are at the most civilised end of camping. Isn't it one of those where the tent is already pitched for you and you get electricity point, fridge etc? If so this might be a good introduction to see if camping is for you before you invest in the equipment etc.