Camping with a large group of friends and family is a fantastic way of enjoying the great outdoors, but it can also pose a number of challenges. No matter how well everybody gets along there are inevitably different personalities at play. While some will be up at sunrise to go hiking, others might prefer drinking brandy and singing until the wee hours.
It’s best to cater to these different scenarios beforehand to avoid conflict. There are a number of strategies that will help keep disagreements to a minimum.
Location, location, location
Large groups make a lot of noise without realising it and this will affect your neighbours. Be considerate and set up camp a fair distance away from anyone else, in a remote corner if possible.
With the fire as a central focus of any campsite it will more than likely be the most social area. If you’re a light sleeper, it’s best to avoid sleeping near here and use ear plugs if necessary – remember noise carries far in the hush of nature at night.
Getting comfy
The right gear can impact your level of comfort when camping. Mosquitos may be small, but they’re a serious nuisance. To make sure your night is mosquito free, purchase a ThermaCall mosquito repellent lantern (R299, Cape Union Mart). Not only do the eight LED lights make it easier to see your food, but the changeable repellent strips ensure you’ll be bug free for up to four hours at a time.
The nifty Sea To Summit 10-litre kitchen sink (from R225, Adventure Inc) is made from polyurethane-coated nylon fabric. Perfect for group camping, it will save the effort of lugging pots and dishes to dedicated washing areas, making the campsite easier to clean. It’s also useful for the collection and carrying of water for purification, cooking or bathing.
A dry bag comes in handy if you’re hiking through rivers or spending your days swimming. Sea To Summit’s eVac dry sack (from R220 to R340, Adventure Inc) is available in 13- and 35-litre options and is ideal for storing cameras and items such as towels.
Sharing is caring
It’s inevitable that some people in your group will be seasoned campers, while others might have less experience and less equipment. Pooling your resources when it comes to shading, camping chairs and cooking equipment will make it more enjoyable for all. Plan ahead by finding out who can bring specific items, so there’s no doubling up on some things, or falling short on others. Those contributing less to this aspect of the weekend could make themselves useful around camp when it comes to washing up and chopping vegetables.
Food for the masses
After a long day in the outdoors, sharing a hot meal around the fire is great way to regroup. Braais are, of course, very popular but the South African tradition of making potjiekos is a fun change. The shopping can be done by one person if necessary and costs divided among the campers (don’t forget to add marshmallows to the shopping list for an after-dinner treat).
Potjie pots come in a range of sizes from a single-serving size ¼ to the largest in the world at size 100. A size-six pot is a good option as it will feed up to 25 people, but I’d recommend two size threes or fours, as the food will cook faster and you’ll have the option of making different types of potjiekos.
If you find the idea of a braai more appealing, make sure you have a very large grid or a few smaller ones so that food doesn’t have to be cooked in shifts. Deciding on one type of meat, for example chicken or lamb, will make the braai master’s job much easier.
Also, make use of your friends’ culinary talents. If someone is good at making bread or dumplings, for example, give them the opportunity to show off their skills.
You can control the amount of money you spend and satisfy any dietary requirements by buying your own lunch, breakfast and drinks among smaller groups of friends.
Words by Pia Minchener, photograph courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
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