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Hi,

I'm planning to take my 10 year old daughter (just the two of us!) away for a couple of nights camping next week. We are ABSOLUTE beginners and would love people's top tips and hints. What are the ABSOLUTE essentials to take with us?

thanks

hello welcome to ukcs

can opener and cork screw

along with obvious something to sleep on and in, something to cook on and in and eat off and with

oh and dont forget the tent lol

hi we are newbies went camping for first time last week as well as the obivious things that we forgot are bowl for washing up after carrying plates across fields wont forget again also a universal plug as none of the sinks had a plug which made for awkward washing..Also babywipes really usefull for that quick wipe.Dont forget toilet roll as site toilets always seem to run out..

If you dont want to go to the expensene of buying a cooker you could always get a couple of diposable barbies..

Most of all enjoy it

Never bother with a corkscrew, always buy screw top wine!

Long matches if you are lighting a cooker/lantern, kettle, scissors (you are bound to need some if you haven't taken any), baby wipes, torch, spare batteries, longlife milk, rubber mallet......the list is endless.

We keep a couple of bricks in the boot for a disposable bbq.

Hi icklepoyser and welcome to UKCS. You have come to the right place for lots of camping wisdom.....I would advise that for your first trip it is maybe a good idea if you do not go too far from home, so that you can arrive fresh rather than worn out by a long drive ,and so that you can actually nip home if you find you have forgotten anything, and get home easily if there are any real disasters. Also as it is the height of the hols it is best to ring up and book somewhere rather than arrive on speck and be disappointed. Living Derby you have loads of choice locally but of course the Peak district will be very busy (I know, I am a Spireite!)

You will also work out over time what kind of site suits you best, but don't expect to get this right first time, and if you don't like where you end up, please don't think all sites are the same; there are hundreds of different kinds of campsite and you will find that one here we all have different needs and preferences, from the farmers field with just a tap right up to all-singing-all-dancing holiday clubs with indoor pools, sports facilities and nightly entertainment.

I think everyone above has covered the essentials to take. The only things I would add are;

Coolbox and freezer blocks ( and if you have booked or are booking it is worth checking if they do a freezer service - i.e. you can re-freeze or exchange your freezer blocks when they are thawed) Some folks just freeze juice/milk etc rather then use the blocks but I do both so that the box stays cool for nearly 3 days before the blocks need replenishing

 Safety - get a little extinguisher if you don't already carry one in your car, or a fire blanket, and a small first aid kit

Fly spray (don't get it on your tent though) and insect repellant - hols can be ruined by them flying/biting beasties. Avon Skin So Soft is the biz for repelling all biters.

If you don't fancy the night treks to the loos (especially if raining) a Bucket With Lid is a venerable UKCS tradition (from Mothercare, or Wilkinsons etc) - you can just empty it in the loo or the chemical disposal point in the morning. I put a spot of Zoflora in mine for fragrance.

Entertainment - when camping with mates we have a rule that each of us has to bring something to share - cards, books, a small CD player, balloon animals, glowsticks.....whatever takes your fancy really. For us camping is about getting away from TV and reminding ourselves about the more simple pleasure in life!

The most essential item of all though, is your sense of humour!! So go and enjoy yourselves, whatever happens.