My daughter's football t.shirts were stolen off the line overnight when we were camping in France about 15 years ago. Last year at Glastonbudget festival three of our friends' tents were broken into during the night and money and wallets with credit cards were stolen.
My son had his favourite mug stolen at Cub camp a couple of years ago. And it was named.
Apart from that we've been very lucky when we've been camping, but I have heard of people having stuff taken at a certain campsite. We tend to camp in a big group with friends and there is usually someone around.
Most of my gear is ancient and 'functional', so I doubt anyone would be interested in pinching it, but I still keep kit out of sight and alcohol and valuables locked in the car. Money and credit cards, driving licence etc. I keep on my person at all times in a bum bag or else in the bedroom pod with me. I've never had anything pinched, despite camping at folk festivals and campsites for the last 40 years, but it would make me so angry if I did that I take extra care to avoid it. After all, 'common sense' precautions are easy enough.
(Having a fave mug pinched at cub camp is really beyond a joke! You'd think a bit of pot would be safe on a supervised trip like that. Scouts and Guides are supposed to be honest! I'm a brownie leader and I'd have shamed the culprit into giving it back!)
we have had a pole taken from a windbreak though... people having a laugh I think :)
Having a fave mug pinched at cub camp is really beyond a joke! You'd think a bit of pot would be safe on a supervised trip like that. Scouts and Guides are supposed to be honest! I'm a brownie leader and I'd have shamed the culprit into giving it back!)
I agree FoO! Im a guide leader I would of done the same!!
------------- The futures bright the futures podding!!!!
the only thing I've had go missing is a fleecy blanket and 2 egg carriers, taken by so called friends we were camping with who wouldn't admit that they'd taken them. Just remember that someone tried to nick my towel in the pool area but we found it, fortuantely it's a pretty distinctive towel bought from Majorca
------------- -x- Diane -x-
May 13 - Cala Gogo, St Cyprien (didn't go, hubby too ill to travel)
May 14 Ranc Davaine
August 14 Les Sablons
August 13 - Camping Playa Brava, Pals
I never crosses our minds to think that anything will be stolen. I think all campers look out for each other. We always lock the laptop, kindle etc in the car which I think is sensible but everything else we leave in or around the tent. Would never padlock the zip - couldn,t stand to have the tent slashed!!
The only things I leave in my tent whilst I'm away from it are my chair (and not necessarily that depending on what I'm doing during the day) and bedding plus clothes. Everything else - food, stove, water carrier etc. is in the car because I'm likely to need them. I'd never padlock my tent and always have a very sharp knife inside the tent with me in case I need out in a hurry.
I've had odd bits nicked, but that's not the norm - campers aren't usually like that. What does annoy me are people who are lazy - they empty your water carrier coz they can't be bothered to go fill their's up or ask if you can help them out with a couple of pegs/spare guy and then don't bring 'em back or, if staying longer than I am, replace them.
Really got egg on my face - gladly - when loaned my second stove to a couple whose stove deceased rather impressively. Came back and they'd left. Went to manager's office and they'd not left it with him so was well cross. Five days later, courier left package at door when I was out with brand new stove and 4 gas cylinders; rang courier and asked and was given phone no. Rang it - it was the couple - my old stove nicked from them and they'd replaced it. That's real campers. And I was mortified when I thought of what I was saying about them!