Camping Advice & Recommendations
Here’s a guide to things you may need to bring and what to expect during Camping!
Arriving on site
Once you arrive at the Campsite, you will need to “check in” and pay at the office. You can also add the charges for hook up use during this time. We recommend that you bring cash, in case a card reader is not available/in service.
Once this is done, we will have Staff/signs/flags pointing the way to our designated site. It is a little drive/walk through the family site out to the next field.
We will have flags marking our camp, but Staff members should be there and set up already for you to easily find.
The initial plan is to have a central space, with tents positioned in a semi circle around, with the campers together. Hopefully this layout means that we can all walk to and from the central hub space to facilities, without tripping over guide wires, especially at night.
The camp site owners have given us some ground rules to abide by, the main one being a noise curfew from 10pm - 6am. We would very much like to keep good relations with the site, so please take care to learn the rules. (Full camp site rules list tba).
Things to Bring
It’s so important to be prepared when you’re spending the night in a tent! You never know what basic items you will need until you need them! So let’s run down a few key things you will need camping.
Medicines
We would advise everyone have a small personal first aid kit on them, this should include antihistamines, painkillers, cough drops, vitamins, digestive aides etc. Just be prepared for anything. If you are on prescribed meds, make sure you bring a supply for the whole weekend.
Powerbanks
If you really want to rely on modern comforts, packing charged powerbanks might be an idea. There are various places to charge them for emergencies if you have the right adaptors of course.
Bedding
If you have the space, bring more than one layer of bedding, for example; a sleeping bag and a blanket. You need to keep warm overnight, even in the summer heat waves, sleeping in a tent can get really cold! Make sure you have adequate “nests”.
Fire
Well more like some way to cook your breakfast. Portable stove, camping Bunsen, BBQ, metal fire pit. The old ways of camping do require a fire source. Don’t forget matches, lighters and fuel. Please be responsible when using gas and fire sources! Do not create campfires directly on the ground.
Tools
Highly useful to have a small tool kit on you or multitool. You’ll need a mallet for putting your tent up and very likely a tin opener as well for beans.
Sun protection
We’re sure that StormBlaze is not the only one with a terrible history of sunburn, which means you must make sure that you have a supply of sun protection with you, so creams/lotion, sunglasses, hats, shade etc. Don’t underestimate how dangerous sun bathing can be. Stay safe.
Ground sheet
These are pretty vital if your tent does not have one built in. Ground sheets keep you warm and dry, providing a barrier between the cold ground and you. Though this alone is not enough to keep you completely warm.
Warm clothes
As stated already, even in summer when the sun goes down it can get really chilly! Make sure to pack warm clothes for staying out by the campfire in, as well as warm clothes/PJs for sleeping in. Onesies would be perfect!
Chairs
If you can bring them, camping chairs are advised. It’s quite nice not having to sit in the wet grass first thing in the morning.
Torches
Funny enough, you may find that your phone won’t be enough to help light your way to the WC or for use in your tent. We’d highly advise that you pack a torch or two, along with batteries.
Airbed/roll mat
We highly advise you bring airbeds, roll mats or camping beds. Anything that will keep your body off of the ground overnight so that you don’t freeze.
Mess tins, Tupperware, bottles
You need to store food somehow, as well as cook them. Unless you have just gone and brought several packets of snacks. You never know when a Tupperware box will come in handy.
Wet weather clothing
Since we cannot actually see the future, it’s always good to be prepared in case the rain comes. Bring some wet weather gear.
Food & drink
Food glorious food! We highly advise that you bring food with you, as we are not planning on doing any supermarket runs. There may be a village Co-Op nearby (tbc). Here’s a few suggestions on what food options would be good for the weekend camp.
Breakfast - the old fashioned fry up is perfect to get everyone out of bed. Cereal and milk, if you have a cool box, or I guess you could leave the milk outside overnight (it’s certainly cool enough). Or if you are like StormBlaze, a supply of breakfast pastries will be just fine.
Snacks - Just bring a ton of snacks! You’re on holiday.
BBQ - Oooh yes there’s nothing better than camping in the sun with lunch cooking on the barbie! Bring that BBQ ready meat or tasty char grilled veggies!
Drinks - There’s water supplies on site, but we know everyone gets bored of water, so bring your favourite drinks!
Alcohol - Yes there will be booze! We are in Cider Country after all. BYOB. Please drink responsibly!
If you are allergic to any foods, please let us know so that we can advise the group accordingly.
We will also keep reminders in place for attendees to keep meat/dairy, vegetarian and vegan foods separate of each other in shared storage and cooking equipment.
Self care
The aim of the weekend is to have fun, but we understand that the social charge of being around so many people for 3 days can be a bit overwhelming. Please give yourself moments to go for a walk, chill out alone in your tent, shut the world out with music and just recharge.
It is not a requirement that you must join in with every activity or conversation going on. We don’t want you to be burnt out after the first day.
The Staff are always going to be on hand if you need us at all. If you have a problem with anything or anyone, please let us know so we can address and rectify any issues.
As mentioned above, if you are on any prescribed medication, please ensure that you have enough to last you the weekend, or let your doctor know that you are going camping, so that they can top up your supply should you need it. We will have a Staff Medic on site, but please set yourself reminders as to when you need to take your meds. (We would suggest getting a watch or alarm clock, in case your phone runs out of battery charge).
If you are allergic to anything eg: various foods or hayfever, please let the Staff know ahead of time so that we can put warnings out in advance to the group. Please also bring antihistamines if you have hayfever, as we are staying in a field in the countryside after all.
Please keep yourself safe with common sense, this goes for things such as fire safety around BBQs, stoves and firepits, electrical supplies when using the caravan hook ups - keep electrical devices safe ad protected from liquids, and general health wellbeing against natural occurrences - hay fever and sun burn/stroke.
