Camping for beginners
Discussion
With all thats going on just now we've decided to give camping a try... well hopefully
I did camping when i was a kid & Dad decided to go the caravan route afterwards, i've done the static caravan thing but gave up due to site fees
So i've just purchased the Berghaus Air 6XL.
Could the knowledgeable among you help me on my way ?
Holidays will consist of me, SWMBO & our 6 year old little boy
What is classed as essentials, hints & tips
I did camping when i was a kid & Dad decided to go the caravan route afterwards, i've done the static caravan thing but gave up due to site fees
So i've just purchased the Berghaus Air 6XL.
Could the knowledgeable among you help me on my way ?
Holidays will consist of me, SWMBO & our 6 year old little boy
What is classed as essentials, hints & tips
If going down the airbed route put an insulation mat underneath. Keeps the cold out, however I use a campbed these days as I find it more comfortable, consider a fridge it reduces lots of hassle on getting ice etc. Pitch within sight of the childrens play area, so you can watch your son, without needing to be there!
Go straight to getting a touring caravan or motorhome is my tip. Spent a fortune on camping stuff a few years ago, had all the comforts (electric hook up, TV, fridge etc) got used twice, the second wet August week in Cornwall was the killer with a then 7 year old and SWMBO decided never again ha ha!
shedweller said:
Sleep comfort beyond all else to begin with... Keep the bedroom areas as bedroom areas, nice Self inflating mattresses and a good double duvet bag before anything.
How long will your holidays be?
This. How long will your holidays be?
Do some research, spend some money on a decent, thick SIM & it’ll make the world of difference in comfort & warmth.
On a slightly more optimistic bent... we did it last year except i got an Air 8 buts thats because i have 5 kids.
Essentials?
- electric hookup. Usually a 15-20 metre cable with four sockets and some USBs. Killer when your kids & wife all want iPhones/pads charged.
- we also got a decent sized folding table that resides in the middle compartment.
- i bought the porch extension for our second trip as it means the bikes look semi secure.
I’ve friends who did the same but they dont do outdoor activities such as biking, surfing, kayaking. We do all of these and we’ll do the occasional bugger off at 4:30 on a Friday, boards on roof of the van. Pitch up somewhere get fish and chips for tea and be ready to surf first thing next day. Its been used for 4 weekend trips thus far. Will never replace a fortnight in France but our approach with the right attitude of it usually being an adventure weekend. So not lazing about.
Your kiddo will be your motivator. My youngest has demanded a trip for his 8th birthday next month.
Essentials?
- electric hookup. Usually a 15-20 metre cable with four sockets and some USBs. Killer when your kids & wife all want iPhones/pads charged.
- we also got a decent sized folding table that resides in the middle compartment.
- i bought the porch extension for our second trip as it means the bikes look semi secure.
I’ve friends who did the same but they dont do outdoor activities such as biking, surfing, kayaking. We do all of these and we’ll do the occasional bugger off at 4:30 on a Friday, boards on roof of the van. Pitch up somewhere get fish and chips for tea and be ready to surf first thing next day. Its been used for 4 weekend trips thus far. Will never replace a fortnight in France but our approach with the right attitude of it usually being an adventure weekend. So not lazing about.
Your kiddo will be your motivator. My youngest has demanded a trip for his 8th birthday next month.
If you're camping in the summer, pitch so you are shaded from the rising sun. A 40c tent and bright light at 4.30am doesn't give for a great night sleep.
As above, insulation under the air bed makes a huge difference. I tend to take a duvet rather than a sleeping bag nowadays.
I would invest in a £30 portaloo to save the night time trips.
As above, insulation under the air bed makes a huge difference. I tend to take a duvet rather than a sleeping bag nowadays.
I would invest in a £30 portaloo to save the night time trips.
Thanks everyone
Holidays will mostly be overnights, with a week in the summer this year.
I'm a big lad but not powerfully built so sleeping will be a big thing for me.
Whats the deal with airbeds vs sim's ? I struggle with a football injury from years ago so my hip gets sore lying on hard surfaces
I've ordered the cadac grill, some of the other bits i'm ordering i can keep when i eventually upgrade to a tourer
Really appreciate all the help
Holidays will mostly be overnights, with a week in the summer this year.
I'm a big lad but not powerfully built so sleeping will be a big thing for me.
Whats the deal with airbeds vs sim's ? I struggle with a football injury from years ago so my hip gets sore lying on hard surfaces
I've ordered the cadac grill, some of the other bits i'm ordering i can keep when i eventually upgrade to a tourer
Really appreciate all the help
Get a collapsible water container.
No one likes to be the one to walk to the other side of the campsite to refill the kettle.
I am more of a wildcamper but for warm insulation, put a foil backed mat (the type you put on your car windscreen or down the back of a radiator) under your sleeping mat.
No one likes to be the one to walk to the other side of the campsite to refill the kettle.
I am more of a wildcamper but for warm insulation, put a foil backed mat (the type you put on your car windscreen or down the back of a radiator) under your sleeping mat.
Edited by MonkeyBusiness on Saturday 13th February 21:27
Practice putting the tent up in your garden before you go, to make sure you’ve got all the bits and you know what goes where!
When you pack the car, put the bits you’ll need first (tent, groundsheet, pegs, mallet etc) in last, so you don’t have to unpack the whole car to put the tent up.
Try and pick somewhere flat on the campsite to pitch the tent, or, if you can’t, make sure you sleep with your head at the highest point. It might not seem much of a slope, but it gives me a headache worse than a hangover if I don’t.
Don’t expect to get the tent up in 5 minutes. Even with an air tent, it takes us an hour or so to get sorted, there always seems to be lots of faffing about, things to tension etc.
For the first night, take dinner you can just heat up, rather than cook. And wine, lots of wine!
When you pack the car, put the bits you’ll need first (tent, groundsheet, pegs, mallet etc) in last, so you don’t have to unpack the whole car to put the tent up.
Try and pick somewhere flat on the campsite to pitch the tent, or, if you can’t, make sure you sleep with your head at the highest point. It might not seem much of a slope, but it gives me a headache worse than a hangover if I don’t.
Don’t expect to get the tent up in 5 minutes. Even with an air tent, it takes us an hour or so to get sorted, there always seems to be lots of faffing about, things to tension etc.
For the first night, take dinner you can just heat up, rather than cook. And wine, lots of wine!
CubanPete said:
If you're camping in the summer, pitch so you are shaded from the rising sun. A 40c tent and bright light at 4.30am doesn't give for a great night sleep.
As above, insulation under the air bed makes a huge difference. I tend to take a duvet rather than a sleeping bag nowadays.
I would invest in a £30 portaloo to save the night time trips.
Very good adviceAs above, insulation under the air bed makes a huge difference. I tend to take a duvet rather than a sleeping bag nowadays.
I would invest in a £30 portaloo to save the night time trips.
Stay warm and get comfortable beds. A cold uncomfortable night means everyone starts to get tired and tempers fray. A decent night's kip and you can deal with most stuff tbh.
Pick a decent weekend to do your first lot of camping. I'm a fair weather camper and not afraid to admit it. Rain everyday for a week+ is crap. If your first time away is a washout, you'll likely struggle to get motivation to do it again.
Don't limit yourself to pitches/sites with power. The lack of internet/tablets/phones is what enables campers to get away from everything that surrounds them on a daily basis. We regularly camp on a site with no power and no mobile WiFi. We deal with it by talking to each other and other families, a lot of friendships struck up this way.
Kids deal with it and start climbing trees./jumping in rivers/making friends in parks. So many parents we have met who found that they have rediscovered their kids and that family life does not mean everyday been in seperate rooms glued to a screen.
Don't buy too much kit. Buy enough to make you comfortable, but you don't want too much that you dread every single setup and pack up.
I've been camping for 41 years from 6 months old. I love the going back to basics. We do have a gas powered fridge, purely for keeping beers cold you understand.
Pick a decent weekend to do your first lot of camping. I'm a fair weather camper and not afraid to admit it. Rain everyday for a week+ is crap. If your first time away is a washout, you'll likely struggle to get motivation to do it again.
Don't limit yourself to pitches/sites with power. The lack of internet/tablets/phones is what enables campers to get away from everything that surrounds them on a daily basis. We regularly camp on a site with no power and no mobile WiFi. We deal with it by talking to each other and other families, a lot of friendships struck up this way.
Kids deal with it and start climbing trees./jumping in rivers/making friends in parks. So many parents we have met who found that they have rediscovered their kids and that family life does not mean everyday been in seperate rooms glued to a screen.
Don't buy too much kit. Buy enough to make you comfortable, but you don't want too much that you dread every single setup and pack up.
I've been camping for 41 years from 6 months old. I love the going back to basics. We do have a gas powered fridge, purely for keeping beers cold you understand.
SimpleSimonSays said:
For the first night, take dinner you can just heat up, rather than cook. And wine, lots of wine!
We quite often pre cook BBQ type food, wrap it in foil, then reheat it on a disposable BBQ when we get there (assuming the campsite allows them).
If not, it's a big pot of pre cooked chilli, and boil in the bag rice
Uggers said:
Stay warm and get comfortable beds. A cold uncomfortable night means everyone starts to get tired and tempers fray. A decent night's kip and you can deal with most stuff tbh.
Pick a decent weekend to do your first lot of camping. I'm a fair weather camper and not afraid to admit it. Rain everyday for a week+ is crap. If your first time away is a washout, you'll likely struggle to get motivation to do it again.
Don't limit yourself to pitches/sites with power. The lack of internet/tablets/phones is what enables campers to get away from everything that surrounds them on a daily basis. We regularly camp on a site with no power and no mobile WiFi. We deal with it by talking to each other and other families, a lot of friendships struck up this way.
Kids deal with it and start climbing trees./jumping in rivers/making friends in parks. So many parents we have met who found that they have rediscovered their kids and that family life does not mean everyday been in seperate rooms glued to a screen.
Don't buy too much kit. Buy enough to make you comfortable, but you don't want too much that you dread every single setup and pack up.
I've been camping for 41 years from 6 months old. I love the going back to basics. We do have a gas powered fridge, purely for keeping beers cold you understand.
I agree with all this. I don't even have a fridge - filtered milk and bacon in a cold bag, beer prechilled and stored surrounded by ice cubes.Pick a decent weekend to do your first lot of camping. I'm a fair weather camper and not afraid to admit it. Rain everyday for a week+ is crap. If your first time away is a washout, you'll likely struggle to get motivation to do it again.
Don't limit yourself to pitches/sites with power. The lack of internet/tablets/phones is what enables campers to get away from everything that surrounds them on a daily basis. We regularly camp on a site with no power and no mobile WiFi. We deal with it by talking to each other and other families, a lot of friendships struck up this way.
Kids deal with it and start climbing trees./jumping in rivers/making friends in parks. So many parents we have met who found that they have rediscovered their kids and that family life does not mean everyday been in seperate rooms glued to a screen.
Don't buy too much kit. Buy enough to make you comfortable, but you don't want too much that you dread every single setup and pack up.
I've been camping for 41 years from 6 months old. I love the going back to basics. We do have a gas powered fridge, purely for keeping beers cold you understand.
Cosy sleeping bag, decent torch and penknife, spare warm clothes and a simple cooker to boil warm water goes a long way. Then a map, a pack of cards, a book, a note pad, and a camera.
ComStrike said:
Thanks everyone
Holidays will mostly be overnights, with a week in the summer this year.
I'm a big lad but not powerfully built so sleeping will be a big thing for me.
Whats the deal with airbeds vs sim's ? I struggle with a football injury from years ago so my hip gets sore lying on hard surfaces
I've ordered the cadac grill, some of the other bits i'm ordering i can keep when i eventually upgrade to a tourer
Really appreciate all the help
SIM Vs AirbedHolidays will mostly be overnights, with a week in the summer this year.
I'm a big lad but not powerfully built so sleeping will be a big thing for me.
Whats the deal with airbeds vs sim's ? I struggle with a football injury from years ago so my hip gets sore lying on hard surfaces
I've ordered the cadac grill, some of the other bits i'm ordering i can keep when i eventually upgrade to a tourer
Really appreciate all the help
Airbed contains much more air under pressure so its conducts heat transfer much easier. They pack up a lot smaller but generally will also need a seperate pump.
SIM is foam so take a while to return to shape but provides better support and allows you to move without your other half bouncing. They can be a bit of a pig to roll back up and put away.
Airbed can be punctured, if this happens you're on the ground, do the same to a SIM and you'll still be able to sleep relatively comfortably but might struggle to put it away as it will keep allowing air back in.
Personally I'd get a raised camp bed and put a self inflating mattress on top, when I camp in a tent its normally at bike rally so the solution is drink enough not to care about comfort!
My biggest general camping tip;
Don't waste money on cheap coolboxes, they're nothing more than 2 plastic shells and a bit of polystyrene sheet. Buy a good quality coolbox or bag, freeze a pack of small water bottles and pack them rather than ice blocks, you'll want the water anyway so saves you buying bottled while out and about. I have one of these, which is great and will keep things nice and cool for a full weekend: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arctic-Zone-Freeze-Rollin... I didnt pay anywhere near that much as it was from costco.
We generally do did kid friendly festival camping and there are a few tips that I would have.
Yes to duvets and blow up mats to insulate the floor. Take pillows.
Decent coolbox, frozen water, don't open it often and you can keep things cold for ~5 days.
A must have is a table. For festivals, we take a wallpaper pasting table - for ~£10, it's big and it gets you off the floor.
Nothing beats bacon and eggs (and a can of cider) in the sunshine in front of a tent.......
Yes to duvets and blow up mats to insulate the floor. Take pillows.
Decent coolbox, frozen water, don't open it often and you can keep things cold for ~5 days.
A must have is a table. For festivals, we take a wallpaper pasting table - for ~£10, it's big and it gets you off the floor.
Nothing beats bacon and eggs (and a can of cider) in the sunshine in front of a tent.......
If you watch YouTube I suggest you look out for a guy called Paul Messner. He's massively into camping, wild camping, hiking, etc. but he does a lot of reviews on tents, camping stoves and all the gear. He's not one of these influencer types but just a bloke who loves camping. His content is full of enthusiasm for all things camping but his knowledge and experience can help beginners and his product reviews seem pretty honest. I'm not affiliated in any way, i just enjoy his stuff as I do a lot of hiking and will be starting a bit of wild camping when we can.
A good camping stove is a must as waiting for 20 minutes for a kettle to boil is a pain. When camping we had a Cadac Carri Chef as it was big enough to cook a full English breakfast for the whole family. Also great for big paellas or curries. You can also buy a pizza stone for it and it works pretty well.
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