Five Things to Remember When Going Camping

Camping at a small site near Burwash

Having taken up camping again after in the past year, after a decades long break, I thought I would share five main things to consider that may improve the experience. It did for us anyway.

1.  Planning
This aspect is so important, especially if you've never camped before, or do it very rarely.
Camping has changed over the years. Materials for tents have changed, as have designs. The amount that needs to be taken (if you want to enjoy the experience) is mind-boggling. Discussions on equipment ranged from the type of sleeping bag wanted as well as the size, to the type of camping stove, to the lamps that we preferred and which would do the job.
When we actually went camping, my husband started to pack five days before we were due to go, which  I thought was overkill, that we could get everything together the night before. When I saw all the different bits of kit that went into the car, I changed my mind. It would be a slog to do that. Taking your time and making lists of what you intend to take definitely improves the experience.

Another important planning issue was to know that we had a space to go to. I know that some campers we talked to reveled in the hit and miss of finding a pitch. Me, I'm a worrier. I like to know where I'm going to be. But finding the right location, that had the facilities we wanted (we're just talking loos and showers here - nothing fancy) and was dog friendly took time. It was worth it though. We have been on some lovely sites this year, which has made me keen to explore more next year.

2.  Have a Dry Run
If possible, go camping for a couple of nights close to home, just to experiment with your new gear and get used to the whole adventure. I believe this is important if, like us, you haven't camped in a while. It does mean that pitching the tent and trying out the stove can be experienced, without shouting matches developing and it all turning into a nightmare. We were fortunate. We did have a dry run and sorted out most of the problems before going further afield. I think the only major problem we came across, which it wasn't possible to solve was that of screaming children, which reinforced our plans to go off during term times.

3.  Don't Over Pack
It is so easy when you're getting things together, to pack for every eventuality. It might rain a lot; it might be cold; Alan might cut himself; or I might get soaking wet. As with any kind of holiday, a lot of what you think you need you won't use. When you have only a limited space to put everything in, it becomes very important that you only pack what you know you will actually use. Don't, for instance, pack four jumpers for a two or three day break. Are you really going to read all those books you're packing? Aim for the minimalist approach. I speak as one who isn't and finds that type of approach difficult in the extreme and learnt the hard way.

4. Keep Your Sense of Humour
You get to the site and get caught up in the moment. All of a sudden you want to help and your husband decides he wants to deal with this on his own and tells you to go away for an hour (or two). Or it pours down with rain and you're sat in the tent hoping that it will stop some time soon. Or you need to use the loo in the middle of the night and you discover that your trainers aren't waterproof as you walk through grass with a heavy dew. Or you get back and sit on the airbed, misjudge the position and bounce straight off, bruising your shoulder. Or, you spend the first night listening to all the unfamiliar noises, hoping against hope that the snuffling noise that you can hear is not a crazy axeman. Or you get to the site to find there is no shower and it isn't repaired until ten minutes before you leave.
Any one of these things can make a time away camping not enjoyable. For me, they have just been funny experiences and ones from which you learn. I have found that my husband likes to sort things out for himself, talking to the tent as he does so. When he has got the tent up, then I can help.
Camping has also made me very aware of the rain. But, we live in England and it does rain. The other matters I also learned from. But most importantly, I found I couldn't take them seriously. I have laughed more when camping than at any other time recently. Maybe it is the novelty of the experience. Or the fact that I haven't been on holiday for years. But I have found that the light touch emotionally is definitely the best.

5.  It's An Adventure!!
Most important - relax and enjoy yourself. Dig up your wonder at the world around you. Enjoy the different people that you meet and chat to. Camping, I have found is a very enriching experience and a very different way of life.

Sunrise near Burwash