How to make camping bearable for someone who hates it?

[burnurcomputer]

When we tent-camped, we kept almost all the stuff you list in the trunk of the car, all summer. Then, when it was time to go, we packed the clothes. Having a truck, or a big SUV would be better.



I have minivan with a full size trunk....still not enough room for us, lol!!!!!

 

[castmemberb4]

Since there are 7 pages here that I haven't read someone has probably already suggested this:
I'm in the same position went tent camping for most of my childhood, swore when I got my first job that I'd never have to camp again.

A couple of years ago I YES I (!) decided I wanted to do infield camping at Atlanta Motor Speedway for race weekend. We rented the biggest RV we could afford and premade a lot of food. Chili, beef stew, slaw, potato salad. AND bought a gas cooktop. There you can't have any open flame so no cooking on a campfire, you really don't have to do that any place. As well most RVs have microwaves. It also gave me an excellent excuse to eat junk food, Fritos, cheetos, pound cake I bought at publix..........
I actually look foward to something I thought I hated !
Good Luck, Hope you end up loving it !

 

[DeaverTex]

It seems that camping is akin to dancing in at least one respect. The people who love it can't understand those who don't. And, in my experience, both are evangelical about it to the point of aggravation.

Enjoy your camping -- it's a great activity. Just not for all of us, 'k?

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I hate camping. I won't do it. It is my worst nightmare.

When my DS28 was about 10 we use to go to a state park that had open air cabins and you slept on air mattresses and that was miserable trying to sleep in the summer in Texas. We only did that a few times and I said I HAVE HAD ENOUGH.

And I haven't camped since.

Now I will say this. I have stayed in a camper a few times when DH and I first got together. He had a deer camp about 3 hours north of here and he had a camper up there that has a shower and a kitchen in it. So I stayed in that with him a few times. That wasn't too bad actually. I had satellite TV.

But sleep in a tent? Never in my life will I or have I.

 

[Imzadi]

But the point of the thread wasn't so much to convince people who hate it why thy should love it. Rather, it's for someone who isn't looking forward to it trying to at least tolerate something their SO loves.

Why, in 7 pages has no one pointed out, that if the DH knows how much the OP hates to camp and has to find ways to tolerateit, why can't HE say, "Oh honey! That is so wonderful that you'd actually be willing to do something you so hate to make me happy. BUT, how can I really be happy doing this knowing how much you hate this and are ONLY doing this to make me happy? I really can't enjoy this too much knowing that 50% of us is having a bad time."

Unless the event is of a "dealbreaker" status, where my SO has to go in support of me, I know _I_ wouldn't want to subject my SO to something he just can't stand, just to make me happy. I'd love him for his willingness, but I'd say, "Let's do something else that would make us BOTH happy."