Exetercation: Garden Camping and Indoor Forts

Young or old a change of scenery does us good and in the current climate you may not want to go far, so why not get that sense of adventure with a “camp out” in your own garden. Get back to nature, enjoy the simple things in life – in the happy knowledge all your home comforts are just a step away.

Checklist

• Tent - Make sure this is good enough quality to keep out any unexpected rain showers.
• Sleeping bag- For the young and spritely a cosy sleeping bag and pillow is all you’ll need but for most of us mere mortals, a sleeping mat or airbed will ensure a good night’s sleep.
• Camping chairs
• Lanterns
• Torches - Even though you’re only camping in your back garden, it’s important that children feel safe during the night, especially first-time campers and younger children. Give each child a torch in case they need to make their way back into the house.
• Homemade campfire - Here is an easy way to make a campfire in your garden. All you'll need is a fairly large plant pot (I'm sure you'll have one in your garden), charcoal, lighter fluid, aluminium foil and a lighter. If it has a hole in the bottom more oxygen will enter the pot (like a charcoal grill) allowing the fire to burn for longer. Firstly, place the foil on top of the plant pot, then fill it up with charcoal and drizzle some lighter fluid. Finally, light the charcoal and once it starts to become white you can begin roasting or simply keep yourself warm.
• Insect repellent - We may not be in the tropics but if you are prone to getting bitten using insect repellent can make sure your camp out is never forgotten for all the right reasons.
• Extra fleece or blankets
• Camping snacks and drinks

Camping themes and ideas

A camp out is a great way to celebrate a special occasion so if you have been struggling to mark a special day while sticking to lockdown restrictions this could be it.

“A starry night” while our skies are quieter than usual it is the perfect time for a spot of star gazing, you may have a telescope but if not binoculars will do, but you’d also be surprised what you can spot without either once your eyes have adjusted to the dark.

It’s up to you how serious you want to take it, a great tip for young children is to take an empty (dry) paddling pool and throw some cosy quilts and blankets in this makes a great star gazing pod for children to lay in and saves on neck straining.

You may know your constellations, but if not a, there are many child-friendly books, or a quick google will bring up lots of user friendly educational links to help you know what you are looking at. Of course there are also some great phone apps that really help bring the night sky to life.

Glamping festival style

A lot of people are really missing their festivals this year, why not console yourself with festival-themed glamp out! Hardened festival goers will camp with the very basics but as you are in your garden you can pull all the stops out and go into full glamping mode...

Checklist:

So you have the basic list from earlier, but to make this glamping why not add a few of these tips:

• Fairy lights/bunting – Nothing says glamping like a decorated tent, these can be battery powered or even solar powered, you may already have lots of garden lighting you can use (please make sure they are safe to use outdoors)
• Cover the floor of your tent with rugs or throws - add some cushions to give that inviting boho feel
• Use mason jars and picnic ware for your food and drink, think cocktails and summer coolers - for that grown-up glamping vibe
• Plan your music in advance - Get some playlists ready either from your favourite festivals gone by or summer songs you can dance the evening away to. There are lots of portable speakers you can link to your tech with a good battery life now and of course there are solar powered chargers also available.
• Make some festival wrist bands - don’t forget your glitter! (biodegradable glitter is widely available)

Please be respectful of your neighbours, be aware of the volume, let them know in advance that you will be playing music in the garden during the evening and ensure you do not continue playing it into the night.

Outside-in

Ok - so you don’t have access to a garden, or maybe you have been shielding and don’t think a night outside in British summer time is the best idea right now. Don't worry, you can still have that camping experience of getting back to the simple things in life.

Checklist:

• Turn off all that tech - With the possible exception of the T.V for a short while, the advantage of camping indoors is you can pick all sorts of themes, maybe you and your children want a safari themed camp, or maybe they want to be arctic explorers, there are many natural history programmes that will add atmosphere to your camp.
• Build yourselves a camp - You might have a small pop up style tent that fits in your lounge, if not you can build a fort style camp with sheets and furniture, see our fort building activity sheet for tips, or you can just pretend to camp “under the stars.”
• Decorate your camp to fit your theme - White sheets covering floor and furniture making for a snowy landscape, whilst gathering your house plants or making fake palm leaves and adding your children’s cuddly toys to the scene allows them to imagine a jungle camp. Arrange cushions in a circle and make a fake campfire out of brightly coloured paper and fairy lights in the middle! This is a great way to sit and tell campfire stories - depending on how old your children are it can be fun to make them slightly spooky. Do what’s right for your family, it could be everyone shares a memory, a funny story, a dream for the future once everyone has a torch or night light then you can turn your main room lights off and really imagine you are camping.

Camping snacks

Whatever theme you decide on, the one thing everyone enjoys when camping is the social aspect of eating outdoors, so whether you have snacks, a BBQ, a picnic or a midnight feast make sure you plan this in advance, finally here’s a recipe for S’mores a camping favourite.

S'mores Recipe (by Regatta)

Prep Time: 3 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Serves: Many

Ingredients:

• Digestive biscuits (or any biscuits you have in your cupboard)
• Chocolate of your choice broken into pieces (large enough to cover the biscuit)
• Large marshmallows

Utensils: 

• Stripped wood sticks or metal skewers
• Campfire/firepit  

Method: 

1. Take one biscuit and place the chocolate of your choice in the centre.
2. Put a marshmallow on the stick and hold it over the fire until roasted. Turn the stick until the outside of the marshmallow is golden brown and just starting to get mushy.
3. Take your toasted marshmallow (still on the stick), and lay it on the side of the biscuit with the chocolate.
4. Place another biscuit on top of the hot marshmallow, pressing down firmly enough to pull out the stick.
5. When the s'more is fully assembled, let it sit for a few seconds. You will see the hot marshmallow melt the chocolate, now squish the s’more between your fingers and eat it. Don't forget to lick the "marshmallow goo" that slides out the sides.

Forts dens and hideouts

Making a den or fort is part of childhood, suddenly they are a princess in a castle, a pirate at sea, a soldier patrolling, a jungle explorer or just hiding out in their own space. The joy of den building is that you are only limited by your imagination and the amount of spare bed sheets you have.

Home forts and dens tend to involve sheets being stretched from one item of furniture to another, It’s so important that you do not let your children climb on chest of drawers, wardrobes etc , even if these are secured to the wall. Be aware of falling or tipping dangers your child may not spot.

The dining den

Really simple idea, children love to hide under tables and whether they use sheets as curtains, or to extend their den by draping them over dining chairs, they’ll be planning teddy bear tea parties in no time.

Sofa so good

The perfect den for movie watching, tucking a sheet behind the sofa and keeping it in place with cushions, a side table or toy box adds height on the opposite side. Just make sure they can see the TV or use a laptop to show a film

The corner cubby castle

Stretch your bed sheet from one sofa to another using empty boxes and cushions to build “battlements and walls. Once your child has made their basic structure they can add all sorts of extras, create “keep out” signs, doormats, tea party and/or picnic food, cushions and blankets to make it cosy etc.

Oven S'mores Recipe

Ingredients:

• Digestive biscuits (or any plain biscuits you have in your cupboard)
• Chocolate of your choice broken into pieces (large enough to cover the biscuit)
• Large marshmallows

Method:

1. Place a digestive biscuit onto a baking tray, stack 4 squares of chocolate and 1 large marshmallows on top of it.
2. Grill under a high heat until the marshmallow toasts and the chocolate starts to melt.
3. Make a sandwich with a second digestive and eat it warm. Careful of the hot marshmallow!