The Happy Campers Book

Camping seems to have become fashionable in the last few years perhaps as a result of the economic downturn forcing many of us to search for cheaper holiday ideas or maybe as a byproduct of the huge rise in the number of festivals in the UK. However, for those who have never been camping, or at least not since childhood, it can all seem a bit daunting. Where do I go? What kind of tent should I buy? What equipment? What if it rains? A how-to guidebook like The Happy Campers might be just what you need.
On first sight this book isn't promising. The schmaltzy photos and happy-clappy prose are off-putting and after a few pages the only thing many readers will be sure of is that they never want to spend a rainy weekend stuck in a tent with the two irritatingly perky and twee authors of this book. However, if you can get past that, The Happy Campers proves to be an excellent beginner's guide. There are plenty of tips on what equipment you might need - and how you might come by it cheaply; lots of advice on finding campsites, on when and where to go, how to build a campfire and a huge section on campfire cooking. And it also covers the less practical things like entertainment and how to make the most of the natural environment.
The Happy Campers is a useful practical guide for nervous, inexperienced campers to take along with them on the summer trips. It's also a surprisingly inspiring winter read that leaves one dreaming of fun, spontaneous adventures tp come.

Kat Heyes, Tess Carr, Kat Heyes (Illus)