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Hello to anyone reading this! Finally got around to joining, having 'eavesdropped' for a while now. Got tent end of season last year and have just booked up 3 nights Eweleaze followed by 3 nights Roundhill ( all Southern destinations - Weymouth & New Forest..sorry Northern friends...will brave Lake District next time). Any hints or tips for mum with 7 & 11 year old? Like the idea of single parent/solo meets as slightly worried about looking like 'Norman no mates' round campfire with plastic glass of red wine, gazing at stars (only slightly as sounds idyllic get away from usual schedule!) but kids and me quite shy at times...and what about "family friendly festivals"? Are they really safe or only if you are very broadminded and don't mind turning a blind eye to late night/early morning surreal activity... Anybody had any experience of Shambala for example? Would love to hear from you... julie

Hi Juliesdreams and welcome to UKCS

I go camping with my 14 year old daughter and dog regualrly and absolutely love it. We have been going for about 5 years and when she was younger she would go off and make friends and play with them but since the teenage hormones have set in she stays with me. It is lovely quality time and Im sure you will all enjoy it. Other campers are always happy to chat or help if you need it. There arent many single meets now this year but you can also go to one of the regional meets on your own - you dont have to have an 'other half' to qualify. Are you going to have EHU when you go camping? if so you can take all of their electrical items like DVD player and computer games to keep them occupied if it is raining. Have a look when you get to the campsite for local activities or if the weather permits just spend the day on the beach. Ensure you are all warm and comfortable in the tent so that the experience is good as possible for them. Take wellies and changes of clothes as they will get dirty playing out all the time. Plan meals in advance as much as possible and involve them in the setting up and give them jobs to do to help.

Keep reading the threads on here as you will pick up so many great tips and your list of 'things I need' will grow by the minute

I havent been to any of the festivels that you have mentioned so hopefully somebody else can give some advice on them.

Good luck and I hope you all have a great time

xoopsx

Hi oops a daisy! Thanks for your reply, friendly welcome and general advice. I'm getting excited now in spite of all today's rain as setting off on Monday... I seem to have developed OCD re list-making but I'm hoping it will be worth it...I'll probably remember the smallest item and forget the tent otherwise! Not having EHU this time round but trying out the opposite extreme with compost toilets and solar powered showers etc. Asked the children whether they would prefer swimming pool & club house etc. or haybales and campfires. Guess which they chose - was this a wise decision I ask myself? It should prove interesting, for the first few days anyway.

Shopping tomorrow so now going to see if there's a handy topic on here devoted to camping meals using a couple of rings and not just beans or barbecued burgers & sausages...

Julie

awww hope you have a brilliant time and Im sure the kids will anyway

Good to see the list making instinct kicking in  Im still waiting for the nesting instinct to kick in and my daughter is 14

There are some recipies here but really there isnt anything stopping you from making whatever you make at home but on a bbq or a single gas burner. Pasta sauce with pasta and garlic bread on a single gas burner - cook the pasta and cover then heat the pasta sauce in a seperate pan and toast/burn the garlic bread over the single gas burner - all tastes better eaten outside while wrapped in a fleece  take something frozen for the first day which just needs heating up when you get there after you have set up the tent etc. I cook potatoes in a pan with a steamer above with other veggies in and cook meat on the bbq - we probably eat better while camping as I plan it more. Take a cool box with frozen blocks or frozen milk and orange juice in to keep it cooler for longer. Box of cereal for breakfast and a loaf of bread to make toast with which can also be used to make sandwiches for lunch.

Am seriously impressed with the compost toilet and solar showering though  as I have a 14 year old daughter we NEED ehu for her straighteners

Dont forget a packet of marshmallows to toast over the bbq for the kids  totally sticky gooey mess that kids love.

xoopsx

Hi Julie,

Just joined the camping scene again after a  divorce so I would be camping with my daughter and maybe my son, if be doesn't stop home alone.  We are looking to go camping with my new investment very soon, I to like the idea of a singles or one parent meets where are you to, I'm in Somerset maybe we can meet up and start our own meets.

  Regards Sue x

HI Julie

And welcome to the forum. Word of warning you will become addicted!!!

I organised a single parent/solo camper meet this year, but it was just below York - so this may have been too far for you to travel to anyway. But I am planning one for next year, not decided where yet, and I know Almo has organised one near Oxford (i think) see Almos thread.

You would be most welcome to either or both meets, or infact any of the meets arranged. Dont worry about being on your own, someone will talk to you and give you a hand setting up if needed.

Enjoy you trips and keep up with the lists!!

B

hi julie.go for it and just enjoy yourselves.we used to spend a lot of time under canvas and had so much fun meeting people genuine people who would lend a hand and help in any way .then we got a motorhome and traveld europe.sadly my partner died.dont know wether to get a tent again or keep the motorhome.whatever i do i will defanatly go on the meets .good luck.