First Time Campers - What are the essentials needed?

eamon

Its strange how addictive camping can become. This year I've been to 4 music festivals and that equates to 15 nights under canvas. Of course at music festivals you don't usually need to worry about food (unless you are on a strict budget/diet) and cooking/eating utensils. But even still I take stuff that never gets used.

Just make sure that you remain open minded. Don't worry about looking ridiculous. Don't take stuff that you can't afford to lose. Take baby wipes. Remember to wash. If there is a shower on site use it and make sure that your other half guards your stuff & vice versa. Don't worry about the weather, bring appropriate clothing. Don't forget your camera and your sense of humour.

In 2008 I stayed here, posh camping!
http://www.shielingholidays.co.uk/shieling.htm

Have a great time.

cavework

We had our first camping holiday this year OH is 61 and I'm 50 . We bought a Coleman waterfall big enough for 5 people because you can stand up in it.
We took a one burner gas stove but I found a small BBQ in the skip on the way to the loos.OH was horrified but I like skips.:D
I cleaned it up and we used it nearly every day for 2 weeks and brought it home
Had to pump the airbed up a couple of times and OH nearly bounced out of the tent when I flopped into bed.:eek:
I,m now a camping convert ... I loved it

bambinaUK

socks_uk wrote: »

I think I'm going to buy the base seconds full today. Gosh, I'm getting so excited about going camping now!

I own two of these. I bought the sleeping liner for one and a groundsheet for the other and use it as my 'boutique' tent .

It has survived numerous outings and awful weather and I love it.

If you find you hate camping, the base seconds makes an excellent portable pop-up gazebo.

misscoupon

Winky,_The_House_Elf wrote: »

Watch the video on the Quechua site on how to put the tent away! Try it a few times as there is a bit of a knack, and the last thing you want when your are packing up is to be so fustrated, you seriously consider throwing the damn thing away!...Don't ask me how I know... Once you can do it it's a doddle though.

This is my essentials list which I when I started, I listed everything I took, then crossed off what I didn't use for next time. (All probally mentioned by now)

• Sharp knife

• Tin opener

• Plates, cups & cutlery

• Matches

• Torch

• Mallet

• Stove, pots & pans
• Water carrier - Any large bottle will do to start off with.

• Air Mattress-Put a couple of layers under you, on top as they get cold. We put an old duvet under, and secure with a fitted sheet. We just sleep under our normal duvet, and its really snug!

• Washing up bowl- Easy to carry dirty dishes to wash in, and bring back

• Washing up liquid & cloth

• tea towel

• Plastic bags- Variety of uses from rubbish to keeping wet clothes seperate!

• Towel

• Wash Bag

• Clothes- Take layers, you can put more on if you are chilly and it keeps you better insullated

• Chopping board- More handy than you think!

• Cool Box – Don't forget to freeze the blocks before hand

Oh and and I have a plastic storage box in which I fill at the last minute chucking bits from the kitchen to save me the bother & expense of getting once I am there- Stuff like salt, pepper, ketchup, mustard, sugar, tea bags, coffee - I soon learnt it could be an expensive trip if I have to buy these everytime.

These are non-essentials we take with us

• Lantern
• Chairs
• Table
• BBQ, charcoal, lighters
• Picnic Blanket
• Wind break- Gives us some privacy
• Gas fire (small portable one- only for use in our 6 man tent, not safe in the pop-up)
• Oil filled radiator (Only in Winter)
• Electric hook-up -Depending on site and season
• Cafetier
• Kettle

Phew off for a cuppa!:p

Hope that helps!

Winky x

Thanks for this list Winky, first time camper here (we're going early September) so I noticed a few things we haven't sourced yet.

malnik

We are new campers this year. Went to Cornwall....and i guess form what i see above we are the poor relation in the camping area! We took just the basics. I mean chairs, sleeping bags all round, air beds. We have 2 of those little portable stoves that use aerosols for gas. Threw in a saucepan and frypan. Grabbed a few foody bits from home, like tea bags, cooking oil and some old utensils. Got a picnic set for plates and mugs.
Had a great time....only draw back was as said above, it was cold at night. Well i wasnt to cold, we have a double airbed and double sleeping bag . But my lovely wife decided it was freezing. Socks, nightie, pullover, fleece, track pants.....could have had a single sleeping bag......as it was mission impossible after a few wines and the lovely stars. ....... Which brings me to my next point. Those experienced amongst us will have spotted my mistake. I never thought to take a light!!!! And get one that runs from the car as AA batteries cost a fortune. I bought a little light from somewhere down there and used a set of 4 AA each evening.
So...lights. Camera....no action!
But we are off again...we loved it.

FiFi_Mad_Mum

malnik wrote: »

But my lovely wife decided it was freezing.......as it was mission impossible after a few wines and the lovely stars. ....... So...lights. Camera....no action!

:rotfl:
FiFi