The Big Little Tent Festival launched on the 16th and 17th July, and it’s something which appeals to me. It’s a scheme set up to encourage families to camp – even in their own back garden. Read on to find out more.

The Big Little Tent Festival is happening right now! Do you have a tent? Does it get used very often? Or are you like me, you once had a tent which is lost somewhere between house moves, never replaced, so your child has never experienced a night outside under the stars?

We live in London, and we have a yard. This is, of course, a difficulty when it comes to camping. There’s no ground to put the pegs in which is quite annoying. I’d love to camp outside. I have memories of my teenage years camping out in my parents back garden, listening to the radio and having a brilliant time. Add to that the aforementioned missing tent, and it’s fairly safe to say we haven’t really got going on this one.

However, I think The Big Little Tent Festival is a great idea! Which got me thinking, as we’re soon going to be staying in a yurt – doing a spot of glamping, as they call it. So we’ve been sent a kit from The Caravan Club who organise the festival, in order for us to create our own. Just because it launched on those dates doesn’t mean you can’t hold a festival of your own over the summer.

Here’s what The Caravan Club have to say –

Thousands of children are missing out on the fun and excitement of exploring the great outdoors because of parents’ aversions to camping.

A new survey released today by The Caravan Club reveals that despite nearly two thirds (61%) of British parents camping in their youth; more than a third (37%) have never given their own children the same opportunity to make family memories on a holiday in the great outdoors.

The research has highlighted parents’ attitudes towards camping, with more than half avoiding trips because of the unreliable British weather (56%).  Other reasons include not having the right gear (22%) and fear of mud, dirt and wildlife (13%).

A surprising one in 20 parents have never spent time outdoors with their children despite more than half of parents (56%) admitting that their children ask to go camping.

Yet when it comes to who is responsible for introducing children to nature, there is some confusion. A whopping 82% thinking it is dad’s job; three quarters of those surveyed (74%) think it should be up to mums; and over a quarter (28%) think after-school clubs should be leading the way.   

The survey falls ahead of the launch of The Caravan Club’s Big Little Tent Festival™ in partnership with BritMums.  The campaign encourages families to pitch a tent in their own back garden, and enjoy the delights of camping; campfire cooking, outdoor games, exploring the local fauna and flora and creating shared memories all within reach of the comforts of home. 

With this July set to be a scorcher, after the recent weeks of miserable wet weather, the Big Little Tent Festival™ will demonstrate what the British outdoors has to offer this summer and why families should be getting outside and having fun. The free festival begins on the weekend of 16 and 17 July.  Families are encouraged to join in the fun throughout the summer holidays, on a day that works best for them, right up until 19 September by downloading the free festival pack at caravanclub.co.uk/BLTF. The packs include wristbands, bunting to help create a festival atmosphere, recipe suggestions to be cooked over a campfire (or barbecue), festival flags and invitations for little ones keen to get their friends involved in the garden camp out.

There are plenty of chances to win prizes with The Big Little Tent Festival™ too – every family who signs up will be entered into a prize draw to win a European camping holiday. There are BBQ prizes across the social media platforms live from now until 19 September 2016 along with Keela outdoor clothing and Dometic cool bags. Simply share your photos and videos of you showing off your outdoor cooking skills during the Big Little Tent Festival™ using #BigLittleTentFest16 to be in with a chance of winning.

Families can follow the fun on Facebook
Twitter: @BigLittleTent
Instagram @BigLittleTentFestivaland join in the festival feeling with the hashtag #BigLittleTentFest16