Any tips for a first time camper

angie_baby

Ok, I have the tent, stove, sleeping bags and air beds. What else will i need? I was thinking of getting one of those fold up picnic tables for us to eat off, but what else. Also have any tips? Its just me and my 5 year old going.

Thanks
Angie

julie8314dave

Hi Angie,
Welcome to the world of camping, i am sure you and your 5 year old will love it. the only thing i think you will definatly need is an electric hook up, you can buy these quite cheap from camping shops, or sometimes electrical shops can sometimes make you one up, i think you will need it especially with a five year old as it gets very dark at night, also useful if you want to take hairdryer etc.
anyway hope you enjoy yourselves, where are you going?
julie x
any other questions just send back.

bestyman

Hi,
Well I could write a book about camping but I will just leave a few tips here. I`m sure others will help also https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk is a great camping website with friendly forums.


For the 5 year old take things to play ( anything from a ball to a psp), plenty of food. A basic first aid kit ( calpol) etc would be good.
Take plenty of blankets, waterproof clothes even if it is a summers day .
Cool bags and lots to drink( alcoholic & otherwise)is important.
Torches/lights are important.( spare batteries)
Portable tele or radio, or maybee just books.
Easy to cook food. Paper plates /cups ( if you are lazy like me)
Dont forget shampoo/ toothbrush .
Wet wipes are really usefull.
Remember pump for airbeds , mallet and pegs for tent .
Bottled water ( cold or even better slightly frozen) is a must

Choose a nice site that will cater for kids. Maybee one with a club so you can go there and break the night up a bit if thats your sort of thing .

How long are you going for, how bigs the tent, how are you getting there ,have you camped before , Are you looking for expensive theme parks or just a nice peacefull field??? Let me know and will try help

Im sure you`ll have a great time.


Mark

angie_baby

Never camped before. I bought a tent 2 years ago, had the plan of going with my dad, bf, and Joe but never bothered. Please dont laugh but for 2 people we have a 3 bedroom with living area tent!!! Its huge, bigger than my flat prob, but i did think that in theory if it rains then at least the table and chairs would fit inside and then at least we could play games, ect.
Was thinking of going anywhere in Dorset, but i do like the look of the camp sites in Swange, i love that area anyway, the beaches are just so safe for little ones. Ideally a nice quiet site would be good, local pub that serves food, but i dont want to end up freaking myself out at night, so not to quiet!!

bestyman

Hi,
The tent may be a problem . I used to have a big tent but even with 2 experienced adults ( and no kids) putting it up wasn`t my idea of fun , We have since sold the big tent and now have a small one. Less time putting tent up= more time drinking.

I really think that you will be struggling on your own with such a large tent and a kid to keep an eye on . Other campers may be willing to help but IMO its a non starter.
I would sell the tent on ebay and buy a smaller tent. One of our tents is a self erecting tent that takes less than a minute to put up ( cost around £30, even tesco sell em) . No worries about it falling down and with good weather and light nights the tents only for sleeping in anyhow. If it rains like you say .....do plan B go to the pub.
Sorry I dont know anything about Dorset but uk campsite has a great review / find a site section forum where you will find somewhere to meet your needs. They also have rallies where all the members meet up occasionally( I went to one) , not sure if this is your thing?
Back to the big tent, If you dont mind spending hours putting it up and taking it down then don`t let me put you off but at least have a dummy run in your garden or park before you go.

HTH

Mrs_Thrify

Hi Angie, well done you for deciding on a holiday :cool:
My tip would be - as soon as you arive at the camp site, take the time to have a look around, before thinking of unpacking.
In other words sus out just how far it is from your chosen pitch to the toilets/ washing dishes area is. Think of the frequent trips before camping at the other end of the field :rolleyes:

A small disposible barbaque is always nice to cook on in the evening.
Save large squash/milk containers to carry water in. Throw away at home time.

Have a great time.... Julie

lfc4eva

Nice thick socks for sitting out in the evening and for sleeping in, dont know why but my ankles and feet always feel the cold, also some insect repellent and sun lotions.

mobilecat

It probably sounds stupid but carrier bags and sandwich bags. We used to go alot and you always neen them for things whether it be dirty washing, toothbrushes, wet clothes, leftover food etc. You can use them for allsorts.

angie_baby

bestyman wrote: »

Hi,
The tent may be a problem . I used to have a big tent but even with 2 experienced adults ( and no kids) putting it up wasn`t my idea of fun , We have since sold the big tent and now have a small one. Less time putting tent up= more time drinking.

I really think that you will be struggling on your own with such a large tent and a kid to keep an eye on . Other campers may be willing to help but IMO its a non starter.
I would sell the tent on ebay and buy a smaller tent. One of our tents is a self erecting tent that takes less than a minute to put up ( cost around £30, even tesco sell em) . No worries about it falling down and with good weather and light nights the tents only for sleeping in anyhow. If it rains like you say .....do plan B go to the pub.
Sorry I dont know anything about Dorset but uk campsite has a great review / find a site section forum where you will find somewhere to meet your needs. They also have rallies where all the members meet up occasionally( I went to one) , not sure if this is your thing?
Back to the big tent, If you dont mind spending hours putting it up and taking it down then don`t let me put you off but at least have a dummy run in your garden or park before you go.

HTH

Hi,

I am quite lucky that as i dont drive my dad will be taking me to wherever i decide to go. He will also help put the tent up as i really am bad at these things.

If i dont get on with the tent this sunday when we have our trail run then it will be going on ebay. They are going for an ok price at the moment.

lfc4eva

ooh.......something else ive just remembered.........pegs, we peg our damp towels to the guide ropes and also use them as clamps for food packaging etc

Alikay

Take some old towels that are ready to be binned,and when you take the tent down, clean and dry the groundsheet thoroughly as you roll it up. Saves your tent getting damp and mildewed while its stored.

If you put everyones undies in different carrier bags, it saves all that digging about in holdalls for each child's own socks. Oh, and take extra socks as the ground is very damp in the mornings.