7.9.12

Camping AND saving the planet!

Why do I camp? I've mentioned lots of the things I like about camping before. The peace and quiet, the sounds of nature, the smells of the wild, the smell of the canvas tent, seeing wildlife at night, just being close to nature, experiencing the wild.

Lots of people camp and many camp for the reasons I describe above. But we still like a few 'home comforts' don't we? Even the wildest camper amongst us. I take solar powered lights and string solar fairy lights around the tent. I like a comfy mattress, I love Twitter (no really?) so i need my phone and like to charge that. It's nice to read after dark when we camp in the Autumn (or, shiver, winter!) so lamps. I take a camp stove to cook food, etc etc

We draw the line at EHU (Electric Hook Up) though. No TVs, no heaters. But how to power things? what if you do want to have a slightly more technology orientated trip but you want it to be as 'green' as possible?

Well I have just been told about an amazing Eco Tent, a rather fab idea!

E.ON has teamed up with The Scout Association to create the ‘Tent of the Future’ which showcases modern technology and features a range of gadgets to help future campers. Key features include:
•       Vertical wind turbines that catch the wind and convert it into power;
•       Solar panels on the tent’s surface that harness sunlight and turn it into electricity;
•       Solar powered baseball caps with built in torches for bedtime reading and late night trips;
•       A portable battery that campers can pre-charge and use to charge gadgets and devices whilst camping;
•       An intelligent sleeping bag which regulates body temperature.

The E.ON Tent of the Future is currently on display at an international scouting Jamboree in Essex where 11,000 Scouts will be able to see how camping could be in years to come.


Apparently over a third (36%) of children won’t camp because they can’t charge gadgets! I found that quite shocking, because I'll be honest, while I love twitter I'd rather camp with no twitter than not camp at all!
So some of these ideas might really appeal!

Research also found that adults are hardier than youngsters when it comes to sleeping in the great outdoors. Some 40% of children said they were put off camping as it could be cold, compared to just one in five (22%) adults. Over a third of the younger generation were also put off by the idea of being close to creepy crawlies (36%) and sleeping in an uncomfortable tent (39%), compared to just one in six (18%) and 29% of adults respectively.(They need better sleeping bags is all I shall say!)




Despite the rain-soaked British summer and the reluctance of younger generations to get involved in camping, a quarter (26%) of UK adults will go camping this year.

The top five reasons for going on a camping break1 are:
1.      Cheap way to have a holiday – 54%
2.      Enjoy being outdoors – 50%
3.      Enjoy simple pleasures – 40%
4.      Get away from the pressures of modern life – 31%
5.      Brings the family together – 26%

Speaking about the findings and the E.ON Tent of the Future, Fiona Stark, E.ON’s Director of Corporate Affairs, said: “The UK has had a long love affair with camping, but we’ve found that this love is diminishing when it comes to the younger generation. As with most things, camping needs to move with the times and adapt to modern needs.

“Our Tent of the Future combines the benefits of traditional camping with a modern twist. In years to come, energy-generating mini wind turbines and solar power generating tent material could well be commonplace in campsites across the UK, allowing campers to enjoy the great outdoors, while still being able to charge their gadgets.”

Simon Carter from the Scouts Association added: “The Tent of the Future is really striking, especially compared to some of the more traditional tents at the Essex International Jamboree.  While we continue to teach the Scouts core camping and survival skills, we can definitely see huge benefits from the technology and innovations in the future.”

As energy partner to The Scout Association, E.ON is sponsoring the Scouts’ Global Conservation Badge and has produced an educational kit for Scout Leaders and Scouts, available at scouts.org.uk/eon. The kit helps Scouts attain their badge and also provides a variety of fun and engaging energy-related activities to help young people understand energy. For more information on E.ON visit www.eonenergy.com.

But you neededn't wait for the future because right now I have 2, yes 2, Solar caps to giveaway! They are rather cunning (and I was tempted to keep one for myself). You wear the hat during the day and the peak soaks up that sun, and then lets you use it at night to read your book! (or hunt for creepy crawlies)






The caps are a campers dream, not only will they protect adults or children from the sun, they turn into a head torch at night! They have a solar panel installed into the peak which provides one hour of light for every one hour spent outside during the day. It doesn’t have to be sunny to charge the solar panel. There is a switch on the underside of the peak that campers can use so they make maximum use of the torchlight during the evening.

The caps are a practical and environmentally friendly way for campers to generate their own light.


And to be in with a chance to win one all you need to do is enter using the Rafflecopter thingy. Thanks
a Rafflecopter giveaway

22 comments:

  1. Lucy7/9/12

    My top tip is pack as much bedding as you possibly can because it'll be blooming freezing at night even if it was 30 during the day.
    Oh and a night time hat too ;)

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  2. Have a camping checklist that can be used every year and store all he camping equipment together when not in use. We use clear plastic storage boxes which we just bung in the car and they can also be used as tables when camping :)@bluebearwood

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  3. What a fab idea for a cap, it makes so much sense I can't think why nobody thought of it before! I'd love to go and see that tent too!

    My top camping tip though is to make sure that you have a decent sleeping bag otherwise you'll either freeze or have a really bad night sleep! I have a double one just to give me space to move too!

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  4. Never been camping, would like to go!

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  5. Rachael Berry- aka- @mummycoffee7/9/12

    My top tip is to let the kids use the double airbed, while hubby and I use the singles. Better sleep for me= happier me!
    I also always have a book to read.

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  6. We're off camping for the last time this year in just over a week, and I NEEEEEED that cap (darker evenings etc, etc).
    My top tip would probably also be the whole "make sure you take plenty of warm gear for sleeping in" thing that others have mentioned. It gets a lot colder in this country than you might think, and there's nothing worse than freezing at night!

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  7. Top tip? Make a list. Check it twice. Nothing worse that arriving at a campsite without the poles.

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  8. My top secret top tip for easy camping comfort?
    *whispers* Hot Water Bottles. NO, really. Pop them in sleeping bags half an hour before bed, and you'll be cosy all night long, even in the chilly seasons.

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    Replies
    1. We took these one year and first night they were ace! 2nd night mine leaked and I had a wet sleeping bag - so I've gone off the idea! haha

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  9. this is actually amazing, not been camping in a while but can't wait to take my kids & enjoy something I did a lot as a child

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  10. my top camping tip layers layers layers doesn't matter how warm it is during day under canvas it gets chilly

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  11. What a clever idea. We love camping as a family, and the grubs actually appreciate the time away from electronics. My top tip would be to find your nearest Go Outdoors and get their card. Saves a small fortune on kit. Or to buy a bell tent, they cost a bit more but are so lovely to camp in.

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    Replies
    1. We love our canvas tent. I confess I don't really like nylon tents.

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  12. A fantastic invention! We love camping and enjoyed a visit to Lincolnshire and Dorset over the summer with the Mini Mes. My top tips would be to do some food shopping when you get there. Too many times people try to stack the car with cereal, bottles, tins etc to save money yet most of it ends up squished, melted or broken during the car journey. Just do a food shop when you arrive. It also leaves a lot more space in the car for the important things! I'd also advise getting a battery powered pump. With all of those air beds you will be out of puff before you know it! x

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  13. I think we're losing our basic survival instincts with all this new technology and modern comforts available to us. I'm going to take my family camping when my daughter is old enough, but I think we'll just take the basics :) no phones, no internet, no laptops etc.

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    Replies
    1. as I said I draw the line at EHU - and last time we went the kids learned fire lighting skills and whittling for marshmallow holders :-)

      http://tattooedmummy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/camping-fabulous-semi-wild-camping.html

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  14. I havent been camoing in years!this year i really too the notion to take my rwo girls camping. It didnt happen!i def plan to do it next year tho!I just to LOVE camping as a kid!my tips it alway wear shorts. if its warm, they keep you cool.if its raining the rain wets your legs not ur clothes so youo dry easier and its wayy more comfortable!!what a fab give away! x

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  15. I put those silver rescue blankets on the floor under our airbeds, they help reduce the chill that creeps up from the floor!

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  16. I blooming love camping and so do my kids. In fact they never had any choice, they just get dragged along with us. The solar powered cap is a great idea, althoigh I do enjoy the fact that my phone doesnt work and we have no internet whilst we are away. It's good to have a holiday from technology sometimes. My best camping tip is 70s wool blankets. We have collected 3 of them now and place them over the top of our airbeds but under our sleeping bags. We have been so much warmer since I was told this trick.

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  17. We love camping, even been in March as we just couldn't wait (it was freezing, but we didn't care). Last trip (possibly) is this weekend on the beach. Big log fire to keep us warm, tiny stereo plugged into the iPhone for some tunes and we happy. My tip would be to duplicate things you would normally use in the house and keep them in their own camping box, such as utensils, tin opener, lighters, sharp knives, cutlery, bin bags, dish cloths, tea towels, scrubbing sponges, and a dust pan and brush. It's better to have them that trying to remember them each time (even with a list). Oh, and a s
    Are air bed - Sod's law you will end up with a flat one, so buy a spare from one of those cheap shops where they cost £12 or something close it, as sleeping on a deflated air bed can ruin your night lol

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  18. my top tip is take an airbed. im too old to be sleeping on the floor these days! and your pillow from home adds comfort.

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  19. What I remember about camping as a child was all the friends we used to make on the camp site every year. We had a three day cricket match one year against another family of 5 kids a few tents down. It's character building!

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