AD| Get summer staycation ready by joining in with the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Big Little Tent Festival this Easter
2019 was the year we discovered family camping holidays. We loved our camping trips so much, but sadly our 2020 trip was cancelled due to the virus. With everything being quite up in the air at the moment, I think it’s fair to say that a lot of families are searching for something to look forward to.
Thankfully, the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s annual Big Little Tent Festival (BLTF) invites would-be campers to try a night under canvas in the comfort of their own gardens and homes this Easter. So while we may not be able to get to a campsite anytime soon, we can certainly set up camp in our garden. If you don’t have a garden you possibly borrow a neighbours or simply camp indoors in your living room!
The Big Little Tent Festival has never been more topical, whether pitching a tent in the back garden or setting up camp with the kids in a pop up tent inside, there are many ways to create a unique camping experience before being officially allowed to venture further afield.
We dusted off our tent, strung up some fairy lights and visited www.camc.com/bltf for a downloadable pack which has everything else needed for a fun filled 24 hours (or longer!) camping at home.
The pack includes checklists, games and suggested activities to ensure the adventure is a memorable one. I love the spot the difference activity sheet as it’s camping themed and the garden bingo activity sheet looks like so much fun!
If you’ve never tried camping before this is a great way to start as you will have all your home amenities close at hand. You can even win prizes galore by visiting camc.com/bltf for a chance to win a Vango Tryfell tent worth £220, courtesy of Cotswold Outdoor, and there is also the chance to win two children’s bikes, courtesy of Raleigh, worth £350 each.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club is encouraging participants to share their photos at camc.com/bltf for a chance to appear on its social media pages and website. Plus, visit the Big Little Tent Festival Facebook page to find out more about joining in a fun and games-filled Zoom party with The Mermaid Princess and the Friendly Neighbourhood Hero.
Why not make a real event of it and toast some marshmallows, do some stargazing or even join in with some bird watching and really get back to nature.
Camping is the perfect way to encourage children to enjoy the outdoors and try something new. Ditch the technology and make a mud pie, climb some trees and make some daisy chains! You could even set up an Easter egg hunt for the children!
When morning rolls around you can enjoy breakfast outdoors. Whether it be an omelette, toast or a fry up, there’s nothing quite like cooking and eating al fresco style.
Brian Morgan, head of events and communications at the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: “As we can’t be out there exploring just yet, we’re bringing the great outdoors to you – from the comfort of your own home or garden with our Big Little Tent Festival! Camping is growing in popularity and we are expecting bumper numbers to holiday in their tents this summer. If you are keen to find out what it might be like, or you just fancy a change of scenery, why not pitch a tent in the garden, or even a pop up indoors, to have your own staycation this Easter? With our hints and tips as well as festival packs, we hope BLTF will introduce many more people to the joys of camping.”
Anyone can access the Caravan and Motorhome Club tent camping sites and with over 80 tent camping sites across the UK to choose from, starting at just £8.40 per night, there’s always somewhere new to discover. From the lochs of the Scottish Highlands to Devon’s incredible Jurassic Coast, there is plenty of choice when booking a camping holiday. With electricity and hot showers included when booking a pitch, all that’s needed is a tent and the love of the great outdoors.
Morgan continues, “BLTF is a festival that anyone can do at home in the safety of your own environment – indoors or in your back garden. We’ll be providing a downloadable activity pack with lots of activities for all the family to do, a Zoom party with some special guests and entertainment, lots of content online and chances to win some great prizes. Join us this Easter weekend 3-4 April 2021 and let us help keep the little ones (and the big ones!) entertained.”
So if you’re taking part, make sure you pitch, pack and party! Get ready for #BLTF21 by visiting www.camc.com/bltf and join in by visiting the dedicated social platforms @BigLittleTent on Twitter, @BigLittleTentFestival on Instagram and Facebook. There will be lots of events planned. You can find out more about these here: https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/whats-on/big-little-tent-festival/
