Camping Help!

[milly143]

We're going to the Moto GP next month and camping on the Saturday and Sunday night. We've got the tent now but I've never been camping before and have literally no idea of what other things we will need, other then a sleeping bag. So I'm after a list of all the things we will need for a couple of days under the stars.

The camp site has facilities but I need to know every other thing I should and shouldn't bother with buying. Thanks!

[ChuckFickens]

Toilet paper!
Baby wipes
Bin bags (useful for all sorts including sitting on if the ground is wet)
Torch (or lantern) with fresh batteries.
errrr....

[Barmaid]

An airbed - always put a couple of sheets on it otherwise you find it will be wet in the morning (condensation).
Torch
a light for inside the tent
flyspray
loo roll (trust me, the campsite will run out)

[carrust]

A water carrier.
Cheap single ring gas cooker.
A shewee.

[seadogg]

tin opener, something to sit on. radio with headphones if you listen in the small hours.

For 2 days you can get away with a lot, but have a good look what the neighbours have when you get there. Most campers are friendly and anxious to help.

[seadogg]

for lot read little

[dotty.]

warm sleeping bag and something foam to put under it as the ground will be rock hard. I would take a duvet to be honest. I spent several weekends camping at Bike race meets and the facilities are not that great but there will be at least 6 burger vans and so forget the cooking.

[jackthehat]

http://www.theanswerb.../Question1003871.html

[dotty.]

You need to realise that you are not going to a camp site for tourists, it;s a race meet, there will be lots of interesting choices of tents. You'll stick out as a right first timer if you take loads of useless equipment, go basic, eat from the bacon butty vans and you'll fit right in

[jamesnan]

Warm pyjamas, I always feel cold sleeping in a sleeping bag, and a blanket to go over the top!

[milly143]

There it is Jack! I could have sworn I had asked about camping stuff before but couldn't find it. I thought I was going mad.

Thanks for all the other answers. Hadn't thought of loo roll! And I think you're right Dotty, I don't want to look like a numpty to all the others. Plus I love those greasy hot dogs so any excuse to live off them for two days suits me.

[RATTER15]

Go to an Army Navy surplus store and get a good carry mat to sleep on.

[Sooper]

A mallett and a tent peg extractor are crucial.
Dustbin liners
Windbreak, if youve got one
Pillow/s and blanket if your sleeping bag is a thin one
Collapsable table / chair

I would recomend that you put the tent up prior to going (assuming you havent alreday done so!) so you know how to do it and dont look a plonker!

[Old_Geezer]

I guess it'll depend on what the camping site provides. If it is just a field, then take everything. If it has toilets, washing facilities, and a camp shop; relatively little.
Money & beer is a good start ;-)

[milly143]

I've been trying to decide whether I want an inflateble bed or one of those slim mats. Are the mats comfortable?

We did indeed have a trial run of the tent on the weekend, to avoid looking like idiots. It almost resulted in WW3 but we got there in the end. Just a shame we couldn't get it all back in the bag it came in which is ridiculously small.

[Sooper]

The slim mats are ok but more for backpackers who need to cut down on weight etc. I have both and if im going by car and there is plenty of space in my boot then the blow up double air-bed wins everytime!

[Old_Geezer]

If "slim mats" (which I have no experience of) are anything like ground sheets then they follow all the bumps on the land and aren't particularly comfortable. But that's camping. Travel light, put up with stuff.

[andy-hughes]

Bed v. mats depends entirely on how easily you sleep.

If you go out like a light, then a mat will be fine, but if you are someone who needs a soft surface to lie on, get a mat. The mat will not protect you from the hard ground, so if you think that'll be an issue, play safe and get something nice and soft - nothing worse than two or three bads nights' sleep, it frays the temper and spoils the enjoyment of the event.

[Sooper]

There are differing qualities of slim mats around, i have a Vango self inflating one which was expensive but its not anywhere near as comfortable as an air-bed! Its a bit of a no brainer really i think, its fun bouncing around!

[Jemisa]

If the field is flat fine, but if its sloping make sure you're at the top. If you plump for the bottom you'll find all water will drain DOWN and its not nice.
Perhaps a flag or something so if you come back in the dark you can find YOUR tent easily. It can be very confusing in the pitch dark.
Have a great time.

jem