I'd recommend taking something to occupy your daughter in the car whilst you're pitching the tent. There are plenty of threads on here about frayed tempers during this 'delicate' phase of the holiday and we have found (through experience) that keeping kids out of the way makes it a bit easier.
We generally take some story CD's and pop one of these on in the car whilst we pitch. It means that our kids are happy in the car for half an hour whilst OH and I curse each other whilst wrestling with the tent..... ! Hopefully, by the time the story has finished, the tent is up and the holiday is underway....
can remember our first camp claylands garstang argos starter kit pot noodles for emergency it was a beatuiful weekend still have that starter kit now and still get a buss when we put it up in gardren for kids to sleep in now have collection of tents and comanche montana but that little four birth still has it for me
Sit back and chill, its a learning curve. We are new campers and on my first trip i took everything, my hubby thought i had lost the plot! Most of the rubbish that we took we bought back in the same box it went in untouched!! the only things you need are, your tent, your family, kettle, something to cook on, lights, something to sleep on and in. I have a fettish with taking a dustpan and brush to try and keep the tent tidy lol!!
Thanks again guys....have got all the basics plus a thermostat heater!!!LOL
I use to live on a boat at 10 years ago so know how cold/damp it can feel on a nite!!! Just don't want my 5yr old to be put off camping with us trying it out late in the season...just hope i'm panicking for nothing!!!