It’s my first time camping for two nights with my nine-year-old; it’s been a long time. So does one really need a sleeping pad? It will be approximately 65 degrees at night, and I weigh about 110 pounds.
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Take a nap on your garage floor and place some rocks and twigs beneath your sleeping bag for added safety.
Consider whether you should have used a sleeping mat when dawn arrives.
Even if you decide to live a wretched life, I sincerely hope you intend to have one for your child.
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Solid point! Thanks!
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I would bring the sleeping pad if you want your nine-year-old to be interested in continuing this activity. I refused to go camping for about twenty-five years since my dad made us sleep on the ground.
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While it is not necessary for support and comfort, it is highly recommended. If you decide not to use one, at least bring an extra blanket to help insulate you from the ground. Everything but the warmest of climates will make you cold in the night without insulation between you and the ground.
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Yeah everyone is talking about comfort but the biggest gain from a sleeping pad is insulating you from the ground. Maybe if it’s in the middle of the summer on one of those hot summer nights they’ll be okay, but 65° at night is going to act like a giant sink and wick body heat away. You can pick up a cheap pad for $20-30, it would be dumb not to bring them.
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This is where I am. I can sleep on pretty much any surface, even with rocks and tree roots. It’s the cold that gets me anymore. I have arthritis, and if I don’t use a pad, I wake up stiff and hurting everywhere. But I seriously still sometimes fall asleep on the floor at home after cuddling with my dog and wake up with dog toys under me I didn’t even notice. But cold, I cannot do.