We know plenty of you are seasoned campers, but we also know that some of you (who whilst loving the idea of Starry Skies) are a bit daunted by the idea of camping with kids, for the first time…

Camping doesn’t have to be an anxiety-inducing, logistical nightmare though. Sure, there are a few basics to brush up on, but sleeping under canvas with the family is a simple joy that shouldn’t be missed for not knowing your bell tent from your bivvy bag!

Here to get your guy-ropes out of a tangle and set your minds at ease, is Jenny, a Starry Skies parent, and previously a total tent-a-phobe.

Here’s what Jenny had to say…

Let me begin by saying I am not a seasoned camper. We went camping only once when I was young; to somewhere in France, where the tent was
set up ready for us. It was hot, cramped. I could tell my mum hated it. I decided that I also hated it.

Years later, now with a family of my own, I felt real trepidation when the idea of Starry Skies started floating around the neighbourhood. I didn’t own a tent. I don’t know how to erect a tent. What kind of tent, anyway? How thick do the sleeping bags need to be? What other ‘stuff’ are you supposed to take? I know literally nothing about camping. Not even the basics. Camping veterans told me that Starry Skies has a fabulous set up for camping. I thought quietly to myself, what does that even mean?!

I browsed the Starry Skies website and came across the page that would become my bible, entitled “What To Bring”. Literally all of the questions inside my head were answered right there. If, like me, you don’t even know what you don’t know, then here is the page to tell you everything! It even provides a link to camping friendly meals.

Because I followed ‘the bible’ I was on top of things and didn’t get caught out with anything that came our way; largely changeable weather and hungry and/or tired children. I even took the advice of putting the (borrowed) tent up in our yard at home beforehand to work out how to do it. I was relaxed, and so that transferred on to the children and we all had a really, really fun time. They were given so much freedom to roam and explore as well as help out with camping duties (such as keeping the water bottles filled and doing the washing up), and they really thrived on that.

There was an almighty storm forecast on the final night. Heavy rain and strong winds, so many families packed up and left that afternoon. Not us! We stayed; treated ourselves to pizza and hung out in the barn dancing along to brilliant live band. We ran back to the tent and hunkered down. It was intense! But completely manageable because by then we all had the confidence to manage what this camping malarky was all about. By next morning the weather had brightened and we packed up happy and enthused by our adventure.

We plan to come to Starry Skies again this year and are all really looking forward to it. This time, however, I know not to bring my straighteners. Yes, Starry Skies certainly is fabulously well set up for family camping, but there is not a designated plug for those (you’re welcome).

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If your family would like to join us around the campfire for Edition Seven, book your spot HERE and we’ll see you down on the farm!