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In years gone by i would have been the first to have offered help to anyone who i thought was struggling, and that sometimes ment looking after and entertaining small children, whilst the parents got on with pitching their tent, or lending a extra hammer, or warming a feed for a hungry baby at the end of a long journey, but due to some long term health problems, i easily got out of breath with the more manual duties of camping and pitching ect, although still had alifetime love for the outdoor life.

After a gap of 10 years away from caravanning, how peoples attitudes have changed, and im now afraid to offer similar help incase someone thinks im some sort of weirdo out to attract children into my awning, or speak to them for other purposes other than simply being kind and friendly whilst their parents get on with the task in hand.

I also feel guilty when i see someone struggling to put up a tent, and realise that I am now too physically disabled to give the help required, especially as from the outside, my problems being heart disease related are not clear for all to see, and some must think that im a right mean and lazy so and so, when i just sit and watch them stuggle, instead of going over to offer a hand.  Luckily, upto now no one has asked us to help put anything up, only to borrow bits and bobs of kit, so i have managed to avoid the embarasement of having to say no to any requests for help in similar circumstances as mentioned above.

Im in total agreement with the other posters above, if you cannot manage to handle your own tent if help is not available on site, then you have bought the wrong tent. We are slowly getting to the stage where erecting an awning is going to become too much for hubby to cope with due to his arthritis, and if that then gets to the stage where hitching and setting up/packing away becomes likewise, we will then have to consider trading the caravan in for a motorhome, or giving up camping altogether.

Julia

I have offered help(and received it) in the past..and would consider myself more than willing to help anyone in most circumstances...But I do think body language and maybe a bit of unwritten "Camp ettiquette" comes into play in the decision to help..Other posters have recounted the rather abrupt refusal...or the owners of the tent "Downing Tools" as soon as you start to help scenario...and I have had that happen to me...I think thats disgraceful conduct on the owners part!!..More than willing to help...Hold a pole...tap a few pegs in...Bend that wayward pole into its pin etc etc..What I am not...is a one man pitching machine..nor a mug!!...

On the whole I treat the whole help thing(giving and receiving) as an ice breaker between me and the neighbours...but do tend to agree that campers should have a tent they can manage in all but the most extreme of circumstances...hight winds/rain etc...Thats why my Espace 6 has sat in storage for a few yrs...Way too big for me on my lonesome....or anything shorter than a 2 week holiday!! Have a wee think re that Kalahari..there are other managable tents for 3-4 people out there........

Jelboy.

Quote: Originally posted by PigletandTigger on 22/8/2010

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Ooo err, just had a look at the tent and it's hooooge! I would have thought that realistically that's more than a 2 person pitch isn't it? Ideally with that much fabric I'd want someone on each corner or at least someone at each end and one to roam around the middle.

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It's 4.00m x 7.10 m ...it's a sort of Montana/Outwell/Sun Valley wannabee, isn't it, and you can't pitch them safely solo. Sheer weight of canvas on the poles makes it too heavy for one person.

One thing that's not been mentioned is the risk to your tent if you try to pitch it with not enough pairs of hands, or hands that just don't know what they're doing. There have been several reports on UKCS about fellow campers "helping" and damaging the tent because they had no idea what they were doing with that particular tent. Bad enough when the owner is completely familiar with their tent and can issue precise directions but given that the OP is a newbie camper and has only pitched her tent once...well, not good. At least old hands like you and me,  P&T,  know what the pitfalls are and where to bang in a few emergency pegs, eh?

I watched a solo woman struggling with a tent and DIDN'T go over to help.  The reason?  She took it out of the bags, and the wind was blowing, and she shouted at her kids to hold things for her.  When they didn't do it right, she said "you're F'ing useless!"... kids were no more than 5 or 6.  She was not a nice woman... I also think pitching in high heels and a mini skirt was a ploy to get help, so I left her to it. 

That night, a young couple with a four year old came next to us.  Again, wind and light rain, they had a Coleman riverside I think, vis-a-vis anyway... They were nicely saying to their four year old "just let us do this and we'll play" but he was having none of it.  So I sent my 3 year old granddaughter across to invite him in to play so they could crack on.  The couple were very happy to get on with pitching together without worrying about him!  As soon as they'd finished, they came and got him.  when we were packing to leave a couple of days later, they came over with cups of tea for us.  Really sweet.

Quote: Originally posted by Valk_scot on 22/8/2010

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At least old hands like you and me,  P&T,  know what the pitfalls are and where to bang in a few emergency pegs, eh?

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Quote: Originally posted by MrsX on 20/8/2010

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As a single Mum, people often ask me if I need help, though much appreciated I never needed it with the Quechua.

Next week however, I shall be pitching the Wynnster by myself for the first time.
I think it'll be ok - only 3 poles and have done it twice with assistance - but if anyone spots me struggling - HELP!

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I wish I'd seen this earlier - I could have popped down and given you a hand if you're at the Buckle, I only live up the road!