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He'll be fine.  Make sure he has the things he considers absolutely essential, possibly things like a decent chair and an airbed, and make sure he's warm at night.

You'll get such a thrill out of seeing his face on the first morning he wakes up in the middle of the countryside... He won't want to go home!

FoO

 There is absolutely no reason why your father shouldn't start camping, he will probably find that all of the fresh air and beautiful scenery envigorating, and this could be the start of a new way of life for him. Scientific studies show that hiking helps to stave off all sorts of medical conditions so maybe that's something else for him to have a look at.

With regards to those that don't  think it's a good idea how much of that is out of fear of being shown up, the fact that he can do things that they can't or wont, or that he is liable to do it better than they do, and more to the point what about what HE wants!!!

My friend's parents are in ther late 60s and early 70s and they regulalrly camp throughout the summer months.

They tend to go to "adult only" sites, not because they have anything against children but because they tend to meet the more mature camper at these sites.

Quote: Originally posted by FriendOfOwls on 01/8/2010

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He'll be fine.  Make sure he has the things he considers absolutely essential, possibly things like a decent chair and an airbed, and make sure he's warm at night.

You'll get such a thrill out of seeing his face on the first morning he wakes up in the middle of the countryside... He won't want to go home!

FoO

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I agree...he will need a rocking chair of course, a warm blanket for his knees, and a pair of those brown zip up bootee carpet slippers and he will be fine

We're just back from a few nights in the west coast of Scotland. There was an older couple pitched just down from us, in their 70's, and loving every minute of it. They were in one of those new Outwell pop up 3 man tents.

Age shouldn't be a barrier, as long as he's got a decent airbed and sleeping bag, a real pillow and a chair he'll be fine. Bet he has a ball.

Age has nothing to do with it.  There's a bloke in his 70s on an outdoors forum that I use that goes backbacking and wildcamping - he's a legend.

As other posters have said, make sure he has a decent mattress and sleeping bag as the worst thing is lack of sleep.  I'm a mere whippersnapper of 47 but I still need a thick mattress and a down sleeping bag to sleep well.

I hope your dad enjoys his trip - post back here after next weekend to let us know how it goes.