Tips for camping in hot weather
Tips for keeping cool even in summer
When you book your summer vacations, it goes without saying that you want the best weather and sunshine.
But wouldn’t too much heat spoil them? We’re never safe from a hot summer or a particularly hot week, which can quickly make our vacations complicated.
To avoid this, there are of course a number of techniques and solutions to help you have a pleasant, well-deserved vacation!
From natural shade to refreshing activities, we share our tips for making the most of your outdoor experience.
Choosing the right campsite
for a refreshing vacation
Before you think about settling in for your summer vacations, the first thing to do is to choose the right campsite for you.
Of course, you’ll have criteria for a vacation that suits your lifestyle (entertainment, pool area, location, etc.), but some campsites will make your vacation more pleasant in hot weather.
Shading and ventilation
One of the first things to take into account is the greening of the campsite.
This requires a lot of work on the part of the teams, but a campsite planted with different species of vegetation and with nice shady areas is bound to provide great comfort in hot weather.
Shady camping pitches let you pitch your tent or caravan in the cool shade and enjoy the outdoors.
As for mobile homes, the shadier they are, the easier it will be to ventilate them to let the cool air in.
But be careful not to get too cool, or you risk the opposite effect if the temperature drops.
Cooling systems
When you think you’re in for a particularly hot summer, the first thing that comes to mind is access to a watering hole.
The best way to do this is to choose a campsite with a swimming pool, so you can access it whenever you like to relax and cool off.
A little extra for our animal friends: some campsites offer facilities for rinsing your pet, which can also help cool it down and make it easier to bear the heat.
Heat services
Once you’ve settled in and enjoyed the pool, the sea, the lake or the river, it’s time for a snack break.
Choose a campsite with a snack bar serving cold drinks or ice creams.
You can enjoy them on the terrace of the bar, in the shade of a parasol or on your pitch.
Some communal buildings, such as the reception or the bar, may have air-conditioning to keep you cool.
Geographical location
One of the assets of some campsites is of course their location.
Close to a lake, river or the sea, this will bring refreshing breezes much more than inland.
What’s more, in most cases these natural spots will give you access for a swim and a moment of sharing with friends or family.
Perhaps the opportunity to take a picnic with you at the end of the day?
Health & Safety
Of course, safety is a priority, so don’t forget to keep up to date with the latest news.
If there are any safety measures in place for hot weather, you’ll probably find them at reception or in the media (newspapers, TV, internet).
Also, on the campsite notice board, you’ll find important information from the health services, if necessary.
Keeping your home cool
Managing heat in your mobile home
The basic principle is to close the curtains during the hottest hours of the day, so that the sun’s heat is blocked.
Conversely, don’t hesitate to circulate fresh air by opening your mobile home during the coolest hours, especially at night.
To avoid generating more heat, consider limiting the use of electrical appliances. In the same way, it’s best to cook “cold” at the hottest times, and bake at the coolest.
Controlling the heat in your tent
As for campers, the main point is to choose the right location so as to benefit from the natural shade of trees, rocks or landforms.
As with your mobile home, get into the habit of letting in draughts during the coolest hours and closing your tent during the hottest.
If you don’t have enough shade on your plot, specialist stores offer tarpaulins that can be adapted to your site.
It’s also important to choose breathable fabrics designed for air circulation.
Don’t hesitate to get out of your tent during the hottest hours, and store wet towels or bottles of frozen water to create cooling zones.
Adapt your vacation to the heatwave at
To make the most of your vacation, you also need to think about activities and times that are adapted to the heat conditions.
Don’t hesitate to contact the reception desk at your campsite or the local Tourist Office for the best advice.
Recommended activities
First of all, and of course if you’re staying near the sea, take advantage of the hot weather to go out and cool off on the beach.
It’s the perfect opportunity to spend some family time together, especially on the beaches of Bellangenêt, Grands Sables or Kérou if you stay at Camping Le Kergariou in Clohars Carnoët.
The second possibility is that your vacation destination has a swimming pool. Whether it’s covered or not, in extreme temperatures it will always be an invaluable ally when it comes to cooling off. Choose the “off-peak” hours to enjoy the peace and quiet, and recharge your batteries in good spirits.
Finally, you can also take advantage of the indoor tours and activities offered by the towns near your campsite.
Bowling, aquariums, laser-games, escape-games, cinemas, museums – these are just some of the things that will keep you in cool surroundings.
On the other hand, you can enjoy outdoor activities in naturally shaded environments such as zoos or tree-climbing courses.
Ideal hours for outings
The best advice is to avoid going outside at the hottest time of the day, often between 12:00 and 14:00.
This is also when your body will receive the most rays, so be careful of the risk of sunstroke.
If you want to have a picnic on the beach, think about it for the evening, and you’ll also enjoy a magnificent sunset!
The
gear for hot-weather camping
A few days before you leave, take the time to check the weather forecast to anticipate your vacation needs.
In case of hot weather, don’t forget :
- your own cooler (which you can also use on the road)
- everything you need for swimming;
- a fan ;
- sunscreen ;
- MIST;
- sunglasses ;
- a cap or hat.
For our animal friends, at Camping Le Kergariou, we offer a place where you can rinse and refresh your travel companion.
A few tips to make camping more comfortable during hot weather
Even though we all want the sun on our vacations, don’t take any unnecessary risks, the main thing is to always keep well hydrated.
Then, go to the nearest chemist, at Camping Le Kergariou, which is only 1.5km away, to pick up what you need to protect your skin.
Finally, take outfits suited to the weather conditions so that you can enjoy your vacation with a light mind and body.
For children, think about anti-UV T-shirts, which will be a great help!