My first camping trip.

[peanut]

Don't worry Karen you will be alright. I am off at the end of the month camping with the Boy's Brigade company that I am an officer with to Corfe Castle in Dorset. Should be fun as I don't think any of the boys going this year went last year so we will have to see.

Yeah I second that well done.

Some of my best memories as a kid was the scout camps we went on. Then there was the boat we rented for a week one Easter . The scout master left us in charge of steering and went below to cook. BIG mistake

The damage to the bridge support and the racing skiffs wasn't too bad really.... but the boat was a write off.

 

[surfgurl]

Make sure you have access to money in the form of credit/debit cards. That way if you forget something big or things turn out really bad and you need to stay a night in a B and B you can pay for it.
Take some woolly hats. It can get cold at night, but you will be warm if you go to bed wearing a hat.
And of course pack the essentials for any British summer holiday. Suncream, lightweight summer clothes, rain coat, umbrella etc!

 

[MickL]

Kitchen Towels, with kids its a must have !! good luck and enjoy the time, Ive given my wifes family the camping bug, they love it just as much as I do :-)

 

[karen.488walker]

Kitchen Towels, with kids its a must have !! good luck and enjoy the time, Ive given my wifes family the camping bug, they love it just as much as I do :-)

Is it anything like swine flu?

 

[Amanda P]

Pack a head torch. Much better than any other kind of light to see what you're doing at night.

 

[summerdays]

Pitch next to someone who looks like they have been tenting to years.

Yep - people who've been through being a novice appreciate having some entertainment laid on watching other campers struggle to put up their tent.

Pack a head torch. Much better than any other kind of light to see what you're doing at night.

Millets sell a small collapsible wind up light that seems to give out a reasonable amount of light for general lighting (not to read by). Torch for each kid and fleeces (easy to wash/dry), clothing that is dark/old, footware for the wet- flip flops/crocs/wellies. Football/kites for kiddie entertainment - wine for you (that can help with noise issues too).

As for noise we once stayed on one campsite and awoke to the noise of bangs - at first though it was fireworks or ship in distress only to realise that it was a stolen care on fire exploding multiple times. We were able to hear the fire engine coming from Swansea for quite some time etc. Kids slept through it as did half the campsite such as our friends. But remember if the tent next door kept you awake beyond what was reasonable then get your kids out playing football the next morning just by their tent

Most campers are very friendly and if you forget something they might be able to lend you it.

 

[fossyant]

We're off to Group camp next weekend - Beavers, Cubs and Scouts from same pack. I'm a parent helper with the Beavers - we've got 13 Beavers (30-35 kids total) going, and just me and one of the leaders (my mate) are looking after the Beavers. Beavers do one night, but I'm going up the night before to help with the Cubs (2 nights). Got to knock up Lasagne for 30 people some time next week though..... my mate's MIL is knocking up Shepherds Pie. Breakfasts etc. will be all hand's on deck. We have about 30-35 kids, and 8 or so leaders/helpers.....should be great, practice for camping with friends the week later.

 

[Wolf04]

wine for you (that can help with noise issues too).

Corkscrew!!!!!

 

[summerdays]

Corkscrew!!!!!

Yep we have forgotten that one before now... so we have taken steps to prevent re-occurance... penknife with corkscrew on it, and more importantly ... buy a screw top bottle... then you can put the lid back on easily to stop the kids (or yourself) knocking it over before you have had time to drink it all

 

[MickL]

It's certainly more expensive...

And last a lot longer.

We have a Outwell montana 6 tent, great tent for family camping.

 

[Wolf04]

Yep we have forgotten that one before now... so we have taken steps to prevent re-occurance... penknife with corkscrew on it, and more importantly ... buy a screw top bottle... then you can put the lid back on easily to stop the kids (or yourself) knocking it over before you have had time to drink it all

So true, not that I've ever spilt wine before

 

[karen.488walker]

I think I've got the wrong end of the stick with this mularky. Have ordered everything down to a hanging pendant lamp. it looks very smart but it all arrived today and I don't know how it will all fit in the car and I drive a volvo XC 90!

 

[domd1979]

Tescos are flogging rechargeable lanterns (9W fluorescent tube variety) for £13 at the moment. Bought one earlier this week and seems pretty reasonable for the money.

Millets sell a small collapsible wind up light that seems to give out a reasonable amount of light for general lighting (not to read by).

 

[fossyant]

4x4 alert !

 

[karen.488walker]

4x4 alert !

I need my 4X4. It spends alot of time in snow up a mountain with snow tyres on! + now it's needed to cart camping equip. + it's petrol and now worthless so we can't afford to replace it! (petrol doesn't freeze). + it blends nicely in the school car park and we often use at least 3 of the 7 seats.