Camping for beginners – What do you need to take with you and what can you live without?

Here is the beginners’ guide to Touring and camping, with helpful tips and camping basics. If this your first time camping, this useful guide is the perfect summary for first time tourers and campers, or even those looking for a little extra guidance when planning a camping trip.

1. Choosing the right site

Firstly, you will need to decide what kind of camper you are to determine which site would suit you best. Would you prefer ready-pitched tents or glamping? Would you like a home away from home, with all the amenities right there on your door step? Do you want to get right back to basics and have that real sense of adventure or maybe the best of both? Touring caravan sites in Kent will vary, so it is a good idea to research the area’s parks before planning where to pitch. Look out for on-site facilities, nearby shops and places to eat – depending on what you would like.

2. Be Prepared

Your plans will largely determine what you will need to take on your camping trip. If you are planning to eat out the whole time, it will not be necessary to take any kitchen items, however, it is a good idea to take some easy-to-store snacks that will keep for the whole trip, to save some time and money. If you are planning on cooking your own food (for breakfast, lunch, packed lunches, picnics and dinner don’t forget!), please visit our Camping Checklist.

3. All the gear

Again, the type of camping you are doing will determine what you need in terms of equipment. Here are the very basics for a camping trip;

• Tent
• Sleeping bags and pillows (you can take the pillows straight from your bed!)
• Sleeping mats or air beds
• Clothes and toiletries
• Snacks

4. Extras

Once you have the basics, here is a list of essential extras – the items you may not think you need but will be thankful you brought;

• Baby wipes – for easy cleaning
• Washing up liquid, towel and a tea towel/kitchen roll – keep things clean!
• Plastic cups, tea, coffee, sugar and milk – for that first cup in the morning
• Toilet paper – most camp sites will have on-site facilities but always take a roll, just in case!
• Bin bags – keep things tidy
• A torch or headlight – searching for something in the dark isn’t fun!
• Extra clothes – even if it is warm, it can get very chilly out in the open air when the sun goes down!
• Waterproofs / Tarp – in case the weather turns. There is nothing worse than getting stuck out in the rain or piling into a tent with wet clothes. Bin bags will come in handy here as well – create a ‘doormat’ to leave your wet shoes, or just bundle up all your damp/ dirty clothes to keep them out the way
• A plastic container / tray / box – Most campsites will have useful amenities such as shower and laundry facilities. However, if you are a fair walk away from the facilities, it is handy to transport everything you need in one go and multi-task when making a trip over. Wash up your dirty cups and then take a shower while you’re there. Balancing all these items can be quite the challenge, so pop them all in an easy-to-carry container.

Before going camping, it is always a good idea to check amenities and rules of parks before you go to avoid taking too much or being left with things you may not need. This is helpful in deciding what you need to take with you and what you are and are not allowed. For example, unfortunately, none of our parks facilitate camp fires so maybe leave the marshmallows at home, and BBQ’s must be above the ground, however, feel free to talk to one of our staff members if you are wanting to BBQ and we will give you a hand and ensure it is safe to do so.

Keat Farm Touring Parks offer a variety of locations to choose from; countryside park, woodland park or coastal park. Please be aware Quex Park does not accommodate camping, however, there are 50 pitches for caravans and motor homes. The site also has a small shop and café, as well as shower and toilet facilities. Our camping parks, Hawthorn Farm and Little Satmar, both offer washing and laundry facilities, plus a small shop on-site. Hawthorn Farm also has a café on-site. With this is mind, you know you can have flexibility in terms of buying food or eating on-site depending where you stay.

For more information on our parks please contact our office now on 01227 374381 or take a look at our Touring Parks brochure here.

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