Your first camping trip: what you actually need
A no-nonsense starter list for a first night outdoors.
Start with the big four
Shelter, sleep, light and a way to heat water. Everything else is comfort. Get these four right and a first night is enjoyable rather than an endurance test.
Shelter
Choose a tent rated for one more person than your group — the extra space holds bags and keeps you off the walls. A simple dome tent pitches fastest for beginners.
Sleep
The ground takes heat from you faster than air does. A sleeping pad or air mattress matters as much as the sleeping bag. Pick a bag rated a few degrees colder than the lowest temperature you expect.
Light
One headlamp per person plus a lantern for the shared area. Headlamps keep your hands free for cooking and pitching after dark.
Cooking
A compact stove and one pot is enough for hot drinks and simple meals. Practise lighting the stove at home first.
Test at home
Pitch the tent in a garden or living room before the trip. You will find missing pegs and confusing poles while it is still easy to fix.