we use the bags for life for clothes aswell i dont worry bout using these with spiders etc as we have a camping wardrobe we put our clothes into when we arrive i hate living out of bags and then it is easy to put dirty clothes into the bags for life then husband throws them in the roof box when full with dirty clothes cuts down on packing aswell at the end of your hols
We got suitcase stoves on our first trip and we are still using it and added another one to it and find these absolutely fine to cook a varitey of food on. We did buy a cheap picnic table with chairs attached which was rubbish and would not recommend this is the only thing in two yr we need to purchase still as last yr we got the new tent, canopy and carpet with kitchen storage, i brought quite a few extras i sold some unwanted stuff on ebay then brought stuff for our camping trip from ebay iyswim. We invested in an outwell tent last yr after having two previously that didnt suit our needs so i would reccommend seeing how you get on and take pen and paper to write down what you would wish for and what you didnt really use i did this first trip and found it a godsend, although i would say i am an impulsive buyer as i am still not happy with the sleeping area in our outwell utah but love the rest of the tent but you cant have it all i suppose lol
We just take duvets and lots of blankets for underneath airbeds but hoping to upgrade to self inflating mats this yr
Hope you have a lovely time on your first camping trip
------------- none booked yet hoping for an august break and a weekend in september
We keep the tubs that our takeaway meals come in and store things like teabags, coffee etc (anything that might get damp!). I'd also make up a packed lunch/dinner/picnic for when you arrive - just incase putting the tent up takes longer than you realised, it means no late night trips to the nearest chippy or supermarket.
My best advice to you would be to go out there and do it. You will find out that you need this and that every trip. After nearly 30 years of camping (20 of them being family camping), we are still finding new bits and bobs that we "need" to take.
Good luck and dont forget to let us all know how you get on.
------------- Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on
Cool campers use Delta Pegs.
The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have
Take a pad and pen, and jot down things that you really could do with, or without - makes it easier next time. I keep my lists of stuff on the computer that - I have three versions, week/weekend/few days. Each trip I adjust the list to suit the season, where we are going - say knocking the swimming gear off the weekend list if I know that it will not be needed, It has even contained obvious things, like a buggy/raincover when the kids were younger just to jog my memory, when being a bit demeted trying to pack, with two kids helping, and a useless lump of a husband. The time he decided HE didn't need stupid lists we ended up with no towels. Fortunately we were camping near my sister who came to our rescue.
As someone else suggested earlier in the thread, try and get away for a weekend or even just overnight somewhere local before embarking on a holiday. Treat it as a trial run, better to discover things you need/don't need/don't work on an overnight trip then you can adjust your stuff for your main holiday.
My friend is new to camping and I'm helping her set up a basic list that she can then add to as money becomes available.
Just wanted to wish you luck, I loved camping when my kids were younger, they were so happy running about a campsite/play area with new friends and very little else is the way of entertainment. However, it's still great fun now it's must me, hubby and the dog, we go to relax and get away from it all.
what happened to "Trial & Error" to become an expert in NOT forgetting stuff or using all guylines because you got wet on the first night? Or check for stones and left pegs under the SIG when you wake up on a flat airbed in the middle of the night? Why ask for expertise when half the fun is exploring for yourself? I do hope you chew your own food without asking what cutlery you should use...
It seems that today's New Camper needs a list to mould his/her camping trips into an foolproof experience by asking the obvious from people who accumulated their "knowledge" over years, sometimes over decades. Their's nothing wrong with asking for some advice but don't expect others to be able to fill your basket of requirements as everybody has their own special way of going camping.
What a fantastic amount of info , The one thing i would allways recomend to a first timer is bug spray and toilet roll, It seems silly i know however if its youre first time the chances are you might encounter a few more bugs than normal, Pluss the loos can be a bit hit and miss so bring youre loo rolls,
Theres been a great load of advice! Dont forget the mallet! As freebird has said you will learn from experience. I love trawling the shops to get my little bargains! Part of the fun is having a good nosey at everyone elses set up and thinking Ooo thats I good idea I need one of them etc etc! I always collect an extra sugar or a little salt and pepper sachet for my camping box from the cafes.
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Windy jo
Best keep off the baked beans
This is a most interesting and informative post. I thought that I must add my most important bit!!! ...
which is... EAR PLUGS!
Camp sites are sometimes noisy and the worst offenders are snorers! I soon lost sleep and became the champion grumpy camper! Ear plugs solved it for me - I also take my dog so feel very protected and looked after by him! Not afraid to cut out the noise and sound that would keep me awake!
Hope you enjoy your camping trips; there really is nothng like it!
Quote: Originally posted by Kayjay1809 on 14/2/2010
We bought a tent and some self inflatables at the end of the season, what is the basic equipment we will need to make a fun experience? We have little money so please be budget conscious when recommending stuff!
Thanks for any advice for newbies :)
Okay, you have sleeping bags (I think). So, you need pillows, maybe a cheap duvet (if not summer camping). Chairs (foldable), a single ring stove, a radio, camping cutlery, pots, plates and cups. A pump for inflatables. You can also go for a mini cooler that runs off the car cigarette lighter, spare fibre glass poles, the list is endless.
I've revisited this thread as we are (finally) going to go camping in June. So the next couple of weeks will be spent on buying a few bits and bobs, thanks to everyone who has given me advice and tips, they're brill :)
A Sense of adventure.
And...nah, if you got the sense of adventure you are good to go. :)
An extension to the 'A sense of adventure' is 'don't give up first time around'. NOBODY gets it right the first time. Everybody forgets something & the weather in this country has a remarkable talent for ballsing up even the best plans. Go away: get cold, wet & miserable an in doing so work out what you need to change to be comfortable the second time. After the first, each trip just gets more and more fun as you get better at it!
It helps to have:
Clothes. They get wet & muddy at a surprising rate, an a clear sky can get quite cold at night. Unless you are backpacking, just take as many as you can pack and work from there.
A tent. But if you pick a nice warm summer weekend you can get away with just hanging a tarp off a tree/car for some shade.
Boots & waterproofs. Being cold & wet is pretty much going to ruin your mood whatever happens. The opposite is also true - if you are warm and dry then the devil can come knocking on your camp and you will just invite him over for a cup of tea.
I can go on for pages, but that is the essentials I recon.
My opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it, and your milage may vary.
Quote: Originally posted by Kayjay1809 on 16/5/2010
I've revisited this thread as we are (finally) going to go camping in June. So the next couple of weeks will be spent on buying a few bits and bobs, thanks to everyone who has given me advice and tips, they're brill :)
Hope you have a fab time
we only started camping last yr,and like many just bought basics, eg cheapy one ring stove etc,pans from home
adding to the list for this yr are : tent extension,tent carpet,kitchen stand with wind shield,heater,flat toaster thingy,fleece matress toppers,and most definitely earplugs!!! lol
You might find a cheap rechargeable lantern or two helpful - useful for playing games or reading in the tent after the light has faded, although for reading headlights are better as it's a targetted light. I'll second the suggestion of Poundland being good for some stuff as well - they have some excellent one-person picnic blankets in at the moment, plus wind up torches and the ubiquitous plastic plates, bowls and fairly sturdy plastic cutlery. They also have mallets in that were heavy enough to meet with the approval of my OH for the purpose of banging in pegs!
------------- If you go camping to "get away from it all" - why take it all with you?
what you didn't use ( usually gets it own thread at least once a year )
Only advice is camp close to home for first trip, at some point the words WE NEED will be uttered and chances are you will have it or something that will do at home.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Essential Equipment for Newbie?
