Camping essentials

o and i almost forgot the most important thing - a first aid kit.
and with a toddler going with, take meds for fever, tummy bug, etc.
be prepared because you do not want to cut the weekend short. i have seen sooo many people that packed up in a hurry because baby had a fever or something.

glad to help.
let me know if you need to talk about it then we can have coffee and i'll answer all your questions

Thanks Stella!

Great practical tips, that is exactly what I was after... feel a bit frantic still but I'm noting it all down in my "to do"-list!

hehehe, really enjoyed your post now.

we just looove camping, unfortunately havn't had a chance yet with lb as we first need a bigger tent.

first rule in my book - the less you take the more enjoyable (but keep in mind i'm kind of a 'less is more" person

essentials:
*mosquito stuff and lots of it - get an citronelly oil lamp, you also get very nice bath soaps with citronella in. and from 4'clock, start applying mossy stuff. i sometimes spray some doom in the tent about 30 min before we go to bed, cause you cannot burn a lamp inside of a tent.
* some form of light, but do not take to many lights - light invites goggo's and mossies, and the best will be to sit in the dark around the fire - we have 2 battery powered LED lights and only put them on while preparing food and eating. we never put on lights and leave them on. we each have a head light or flash light if we walk around.
*toilet paper - the ablution facilities run out quick
*plan you meals that you can make everything on an open fire, do not hassle with pots and stove cooking. we usually do salads and fruits with dinners and either potato's, sweet potato's, butternut, mielies that you can wrap in foil and put in the coles. or some form of bread - garlic bread or "braai broodjies"
*breakfast/brunch we usually do on a "skottel braai" on the gas stove
* todler will love camping and will need extremely little. all the outdoor activities and movements will keep her very entertained. maybe get one of those kick bikes for her - there are always lots of kids on bicycles so she will also want to have a bike
o, and some balls. ball games work fabulous outdoors
* Sunscreen with the highest factor and apply every 3 hours - there is no indoors and you can burn in the shade as well.
*Aftersun, there is always someone that has spent to much time in the sun
* swimming gear for todler, the biggest attraction while camping is the pool.
* we always have rope to create a washing line
* an extention cord - the power plug is usually shared by different sites and seldom close to your tent.

hmmm, will let you know if i think of some more essentials
just relax and enjoy it

Hi All,

So we've been convinced into going camping over the long weekend at the end of April with my Father and extended family - and not at a facility with chalets, no, a bushcamp somewhere up North. I do not camp, I don't know what to take and what to leave when camping or where to start.. ( I've had a terrible camping experience when I was much younger and for mine and everyone's sanity I've given up on the notion.) My dad has however decided that this is a great pastime for his retirement so is an avid camper with an off-road caravan / tent-thingy and a spare one. They regularly go up into the rest of Africa so is geared for things. He has offered us said spare off-road caravan / tent-thingy and I've said yes.

Ok, to make a long story short.. What do I need to take with to make it easier on my 14 month old toddler? (except for loads of wine and or calming medication for me) Please help...