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Rebecca Moore enjoys a family weekend away at Center Parcs in Woburn Forest HAPPY CAMPERS Martha Alexander explains why it pays to be prepared when camping with tots
Happy campers
Martha Alexander EXPLAINS WHY IT PAYS TO BE PREPARED BEFORE VENTURING UNDER CANVAS EN FAMILLE
et’s go camping” they said! “It’ll be fun” they said.
And suddenly it’s 9.30pm in a waterlogged field in the boondocks, and you’re ‘sheltered’ by a tent which is, you realise, too small for three people, even if one of them is a toddler. Rain is driven sideways by a hostile wind and the night looks set to be a long one, thanks to everyone being high on marshmallows. Your will to live is dying, much like embers of the pathetic fire you lit earlier – oh and the matches are all soggy too. This might be my first experience of camping with a toddler but this isn’t how it needs to be. And no, you don’t need to be Bear Grylls to get it right. But where to start?
First o: don’t overwhelm yourself. If you’re not a typical outdoorsy type, it’s unwise to dive into a two-week survival expedition in the Cairngorms with nothing but your small family, a tent and a compass for company. Start small and head to a camp site for a weekend – one “ L
that has shower blocks and maybe even a little shop. Or you could go glamping – where a tent or yurt will have already been erected for you and cosy bedding provided. As your confidence grows you can seek adventures with fewer home comforts.
Assuming you aren’t going glamping, you’ll need a tent. “Whether you’re taking an old tent or have bought a new one, I highly recommend testing your tent before taking it on your first family outing,” says David Scotland, camping expert and owner of familyrun camping retailer Outdoor World Direct. “It’s wise to have a trial run camping overnight in your garden, but if this isn’t possible, then at least erect the tent to make sure you have all the correct components, there are no rips and tears and that you have adequate space. This will help you determine if you need any new equipment and adjustments. Although a brand new tent is unlikely to be faulty, it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
We recommend one of those pop-up tents – like the Core 4 Person Instant Dome Tent which does all the hard work for you (although packing any tent up is always a dierent story, let’s be honest).
It’s worth remembering that babies and toddlers might be best sleeping in a travel cot. “Camping beds and sleep systems are
not designed for babies and toddlers,” says Scotland. “This takes up valuable tent space, so be sure to test that there’s enough room in the tent for the cot and any other sleep systems you intend to take to ensure a comfortable stay.”
You’ll also need sleeping bags, plenty of layers and good outdoor boots. Extra socks are essential. I recommend placing dierent items of clothing in separate plastic or waterproof bags to prevent mass soaking. Nothing says ‘I want to go home’ more than a rucksack full of sodden clothing.
Ensure you have a fully charged mobile phone and ideally one of those battery packs that can keep your phone ticking over without a mains socket.
A little camping stove won’t break the bank and is essential for hot drinks and heating up baked beans and milk bottles!
Unless you’re going to a wilderness, it’s unlikely that you won’t be able to pick up food, nappies or toiletries on your trip, but it’s always prudent to have emergency supplies. What is completely essential is a first-aid kit. This should have all the usual accoutrements including plasters, antiseptic wipes, bandages and antihistamine cream, but you should also ensure that you have Calpol and sun cream. As a Brit, I spend my life checking the weather in an obsessive fashion despite not being able to change it – but when considering a family camping trip, it pays to keep a close eye on the forecast.
“If any weather warnings are issued then cancel or rearrange the trip,” advises Scotland. “Be aware that, even if the temperatures don’t look too low, it always feels colder than you remember at night when camping! Be sure to pack extra clothes and blankets for your little one. If it’s the height of summer, you may want to consider a tarp, which will help to keep the light o your tent – remember the sun rises very early and sets late! This can help with sticking to a bedtime routine too, and it’ll also provide shade outside your tent. A lot of the newer tents have darkened bedrooms or blackout bedrooms, which are perfect for keeping children asleep through the night.” This might seem a little puritanical, but banning tablets and smartphones (or keeping them hidden in case of emergencies) is worth considering. Camping should be about the great outdoors – unplugging, disconnecting and allowing nature to inspire and excite.
And of course, the most important part of camping is having fun – tapping into your children’s imaginations and instilling a sense of adventure that will make memories you’ll all cherish forever. Time to get packing!
Camping doesn’t have to be about roughing it – there’s also the option of a pre-pitched yurt
The famous five Intrepid family travellers, listen up! Here are the five best UK spots to go camping with infants in tow
Wardley Hill
WARDLEY HILL This Norfolk spot is ideal for beginners, with hot showers, compost loos and a shop nearby. There are bell tents, shepherd’s huts and yurts for those too posh to pitch. wardleyhillcampsite.com
BERYL’S With both beaches and rolling hills, Devon’s Beryl’s is a family-run bucolic dreamland, with a 30-year history. This is somewhere you can let young imaginations run wild. berylscampsite.co.uk
The Real Campsite
THE REAL CAMPSITE Set on a 280-acre working farm – complete with chicken coop – this family-friendly Oxfordshire campsite oers some lowkey luxury (each pitch has a private loo!). therealcampsite.co.uk
CLEADALE The rugged views from Cleadale on Isle of Eigg is otherworldly – this is as close to going wild as one can get on a campsite. Organic eggs and veg available on site. eiggorganics.co.uk
RUKINS-KELD In the heart of the wonderful Yorkshire Dales, this campsite at Keld boasts peace and quiet (there’s no mobile phone signal) and a river for leisurely paddling. rukins-keld.co.uk
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