Now that you've convinced the family to go camping with you, you're next step is to make sure they have a great time without it costing a fortune. Here is a basic inventory of the camping gear you are going to need to buy to make your first trip a success.
Choosing a Tent.
Borrow one. That's my advice if you want to go cheap, phone a friend and take it out for the weekend. If you don't want to risk a stinky tent and would prefer your own then this is what I recommend - buy one bigger than you need. I know this isn't exactly a money saving tip but I have a good reason for this. If you're a family of four, for example, you will not fit comfortably into a four person tent and have a good night's sleep. Why is this? In my opinion, to get a good night's sleep while camping you're going to need air beds. Four air beds will not squeeze into a four person tent, that is the basic facts. If you can, go bigger, get a five or a six person tent and I guarantee you'll enjoy the experience much better. If you enjoy it, you'll go back and then you'll be getting your money's worth out of the tent.
Buying Sleeping Bags
There are a lot of sleeping bags on the market but if you're a summer camper this simplifies things a little for you. A two season sleeping bag should have enough insulation to cover most conditions between May and August. Most of these bags have a lower temperature rating of around 7 degrees C. Admittedly temperatures can plummet even during the summer so if you're going to use one of these sleeping bags I would take some thermals and some thick socks along just to be sure. Some people are cold even in their beds at home, if you're one of those people then maybe go for the three season bag.
Air Beds or Foam Mats?
This is a simple one: air beds (or at the very least self-inflating mattresses). If you're a first timer, don't go for the foam mats, you need to be an expert to be able to get a wink of sleep on those things. Four air beds will give you a fighting chance of getting some sleep, but four air beds will not fit into a four person tent. Don't forget to take a pump.
Choosing a Stove
We all love the idea of a barbeque in the evening outside the tent, but if you have to make the choice between a barbeque and a camping stove, I'd go for the stove. A camping stove is easy to set up, it's quick, it's cheap and it burns fuel that you can get from the site shop. A foldable barbeque is great in the evening with a bottle of wine, but not so go in the morning, when everyone is shouting for bacon butties. Go for a single burner canister-style stove.
Other camping gear to take
Thankfully that's everything you'll need to buy. You'll find the majority of the camping gear you need in the safety of your own home. Pans, frying pans, plastic plates, cultery, cups, spatulas, washing up bowl, detergent will all be in your cupboards somewhere. Soap, towels, toothbrush, pillows and bed clothes you'll be able to find upstairs. Pick up some clothes to keep you warm and some old boots and that's it. Hope you enjoy it.
Choosing a Tent.
Borrow one. That's my advice if you want to go cheap, phone a friend and take it out for the weekend. If you don't want to risk a stinky tent and would prefer your own then this is what I recommend - buy one bigger than you need. I know this isn't exactly a money saving tip but I have a good reason for this. If you're a family of four, for example, you will not fit comfortably into a four person tent and have a good night's sleep. Why is this? In my opinion, to get a good night's sleep while camping you're going to need air beds. Four air beds will not squeeze into a four person tent, that is the basic facts. If you can, go bigger, get a five or a six person tent and I guarantee you'll enjoy the experience much better. If you enjoy it, you'll go back and then you'll be getting your money's worth out of the tent.
Buying Sleeping Bags
There are a lot of sleeping bags on the market but if you're a summer camper this simplifies things a little for you. A two season sleeping bag should have enough insulation to cover most conditions between May and August. Most of these bags have a lower temperature rating of around 7 degrees C. Admittedly temperatures can plummet even during the summer so if you're going to use one of these sleeping bags I would take some thermals and some thick socks along just to be sure. Some people are cold even in their beds at home, if you're one of those people then maybe go for the three season bag.
Air Beds or Foam Mats?
This is a simple one: air beds (or at the very least self-inflating mattresses). If you're a first timer, don't go for the foam mats, you need to be an expert to be able to get a wink of sleep on those things. Four air beds will give you a fighting chance of getting some sleep, but four air beds will not fit into a four person tent. Don't forget to take a pump.
Choosing a Stove
We all love the idea of a barbeque in the evening outside the tent, but if you have to make the choice between a barbeque and a camping stove, I'd go for the stove. A camping stove is easy to set up, it's quick, it's cheap and it burns fuel that you can get from the site shop. A foldable barbeque is great in the evening with a bottle of wine, but not so go in the morning, when everyone is shouting for bacon butties. Go for a single burner canister-style stove.
Other camping gear to take
Thankfully that's everything you'll need to buy. You'll find the majority of the camping gear you need in the safety of your own home. Pans, frying pans, plastic plates, cultery, cups, spatulas, washing up bowl, detergent will all be in your cupboards somewhere. Soap, towels, toothbrush, pillows and bed clothes you'll be able to find upstairs. Pick up some clothes to keep you warm and some old boots and that's it. Hope you enjoy it.
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If you need more help, have a look at these sites for loads more stuff on camping gear and useful advice on how to choose a camping stove.
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