CAMPING do you love it ... convince me About This Page:

[Clare loves Stitch]

Some of you know that I have started at University and that means no WDW for 3 years as I will be on a very basic wage - which will not go far!

My partner, Andy, has come up with the great idea of camping in a tent so that we can still go away on vacation for at least 2-3 weeks of the year whilst im studying.

To be honest im scared by this .... ive never been an outdoorsy type person im very scared of all bugs. I have tried to be enthusiastic with him as its a great idea.

Do any of you love camping .... if so convince me its going to be great!

[Gin7274]

Sorry, can't help you there, my idea of camping is a Holiday Inn.

[Clare loves Stitch]

Thanks Ginger - I know WDW is a world away from camping !!

[HollyH]

There are many "levels" of camping. Tent camping is pretty tough if you are not used to it. The bugs are the least of it. There is sleeping on the ground, cooking outdoors, leaky tents and wet clothes if it rains, walking to the bathroom in the middle of the night, taking a shower in the "bath house". I don't mean to scare you off, but tent camping is a whole different "vacation". It also won't save you a heck of a lot of $ if you are not already set up with the gear for it (tent, camp stove, sleeping bags, flashlights, tarps, lanterns, cooking supplies, coolers, table, camp chairs,etc.) I'm not knocking it....I just wouldn't suggest it as a way to save on vacations if you are not a camping person.

[Clare loves Stitch]

Andy does overnight fishing alot so has stoves sleeping bags a lantern so just have to buy the tent and we have seen a few for the £120 mark.
We would be taking the car so can leave clothes etc in there so they dont get wet.
but yeah the shower blocks are pretty much the sticking point for me

[Timothy Mouse]

The closest I'll come to camping is a camping cabin. Camping in a tent...no way.

[JoanW]

We camp in campsites that offer electricity at each campsite, some times with running water and only if they have real bathrooms within walking distance to the tent. That way we can use our inflatable mattresses, brew coffee, and take a hot shower. It's much better than the camping we did as Girl Scouts and my kids thoroughly enjoy a camping trip now.

Be a discerning camper - plan, research the campsites, and help in the planning. Then it won't seem so out of control.

[wyomom]

We're avid campers and it!! We tent camped numerous times, then bought a 5th wheel trailer that we love, but takes away the "roughing it" feeling.

Many variables come into camping: weather, location, and your mental state! If "roughing it" to you means staying at a road side motel, w/o cell phone coverage and eating at McD's, then you probably won't like camping.

What we love about camping:
Building campfires
Cooking all food over open flames (I'm one helluva camp cook!)
No noise! No phones, no computers, no barking dogs, no neighbors, no loud vehicles, no jackass father in law...
DH telling campfire stories to the kids and scaring the begeezes out of them!
Fishing
Nature walks- we just have to be mindful of bears, moose and mountain lions.
Gazing at the stars- amazing how bright they are when the city lights don't interfere!
I could go on and on. It's very peaceful for us.

I would try it once. Go for a short trip and keep an open mind. It's not for everyone, but you may be surprised at how much fun camping can be!

[saremca]

I hate camping. I've only camped in a motor home, and sorry but no thank you. My oldest DD went camping for 4 days with my brother and SIL in their pop-up camper and said she'd never do it again. I need a hotel.

[eff051102]

Sorry but my DH's idea of camping is no room service. If tent camping is the only
way you can vacation then I say go for it. I would have to do it alone since DH
has issues.

[KathyL]

Camping isn't really all that bad. Go to your bookstore (or library) and buy a guide that lists all the campgrounds in your area. Research the campgrounds, look them up online etc. Usually the guides will give the campground a rating. Go with the campgrounds with a higher rating unless they come highly recommended from a friend.

Definately choose a spot with running water and electricity even though they usually cost a bit more. If you find yourself needing to camp in the high heat of summer, at least with electricity you can bring a fan along to help keep you cool. Bathrooms in a nice campground are that bad. They are typically cleaned 1 to 2 times a day. Just don't forget to pack flip-flops for the showers.

Don't buy a small tent, buy something with a bit of room in it just so you can spread out your stuff. Buy a good inflatable air mattress. And, if you have a good inflatable air mattress, bring regular bedding (sheets, blankets) rather than a sleeping bag. I am miserable in a sleeping bag; not enough room to move around.

Give camping a try.

[JoanW]

Great tips Kathy! And I love staying in resorts and hotels, but I love camping too.

[Chelledun17]

I enjoy tent camping, but only for a night or two at a time! Then I am ready for a good shower. I also agree with the poster above who said the start-up costs of camping can be quite high - you may be just as well off looking for very cheap hotels on Hotwire.

[Disneybine]

I can't help convince you to go tent camping because honestly, I hate it. I've done it a few times and it's just not for me. I hate the bugs, can't seem to get a decent sleep on an air mattress/ camping mat and in a sleeping bag, and strongly dislike that I tend to feel cold and damp at night. Sorry

I agree that you should try it once for a short trip (2-3 nights max) to see if it's for you. Personally, I'd rather save a little longer and then stay in a budget motel or something like that.

[Clare loves Stitch]

Originally Posted by wyomom

Many variables come into camping: weather, location, and your mental state! If "roughing it" to you means staying at a road side motel, w/o cell phone coverage and eating at McD's, then you probably won't like camping.

Ohhhhh my idea of roughing it is that !!!