How to Pay Less For Camping

Camping can be one of the least expensive family activities, but it can also be very expensive if it isn't planned well. If you are feeling the pinch this year after paying all of the bills, filling the tank with oil, and filling the car with gas - going tent camping is the ultimate solution. You pay far less for camping than any other recreation, and you get to spend true quality time with your family.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Tent
• Coleman Stove
• Two Oil Lanterns
• 1 Pan and 1 Pot
• Set of paper plates and cups
• Sleeping bags & blankets
• Large Rope
• Food and water

1. GOING TENTING: Yes, many folks pull into the campground with a twenty foot RV complete with bathroom, kitchen, electrical and water hookups and a generator. But if you want to get back to nature, AND avoid spending a fortune in fuel costs, take the simple approach. The tent is your largest investment, but well-cared for, it will last for years. Go for the largest tent you can afford. If you are a family of four, an 8 person tent will make you feel like you are living in luxury. Search through Sports Authority or Target for deals. LOW BUDGET SOLUTION: If you're on a low/no-budget, borrow a tent from a friend or family.
2. DISHES: Now listen, you DON'T need the entire kitchen AND the kitchen sink! The simplest outdoor kitchen provides a savvy outdoor camper with the ability to cook a 2 course meal at once. One skillet to cook meat or eggs, one pot to cook pasta, soup, or oatmeal. Other than that, just bring a set plastic plates (enough for the family), a set of plastic utensils, and a set of plastic cups. You'll wash these after every meal, so these are all you need. All of these items are very inexpensive at places like Target.
3. Nice used Coleman Stove COOKING: Go yard saling this summer and find yourself a decent Coleman stove. Men are ALWAYS upgrading to the newest models, and you can get some amazing deals on used stoves. These are high quality stoves and last for years. Best of all, the price of a small propane canister is still reasonable, and a single canister will easily last you through three or four days worth of campsite cooking. Don't buy too many - they last a long time!
4. FOOD: Food is easily the most expensive part of camping. Most people have already invested in the camping gear and reuse it all from year to year. For these folks, food is the ONLY expense. Here are a few ideas to save on your food costs: (1) Bring Frozen Hamburg and Hot Dogs. (2) Buy value meat "ends" from the deli and bring bread to make sandwiches. (3) Get fruits and veggies that are on sale and easy to eat with your hands and raw - grapes, carrots, apples, watermelon, and bananas. (4) Want a big, filling dinner while at camp? Consider dehydrated meals - from places such as Mountain House, you can find amazing meals that only need water and heat, such as Beef Stroganoff, Beef Stew, Lasagna, and even Chicken Teriyaki! (5) Bring Graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows - you HAVEN'T gone camping if you haven't had s' mores!
5. Oil Lantern AMBIENCE, LIGHT, AND KEEPING BUGS AWAY: One of the best purchases for a camping trip are oil lanterns. These are simple, old fashioned oil lanterns with the wick that drops down into the oil. Believe it or not, these still easily outperform battery operated or propane fueled lanterns. Why? Because the lantern oil is very inexpensive, and burns extremely slow. Also, the light provided by each lantern is easily strong enough to read by even on the darkest nights. And best of all, lantern oil is now sold with Citronella, which does an excellent job keeping the mosquitoes away. Line up three of these so the wind blows the small tufts of smoke across your campsite, and you'll notice a much lower level of insects flying around. This is the beauty of these lanterns - for $5 to $10 each, you get a light, a nice romantic or cozy ambiance, and a bug repellent!
6. THE CAMPGROUND: Other than food, where you stay will also affect your budget. Private campgrounds are typically much more expensive, so try to stick with the State Parks and the State campgrounds. These are typically between $10 to $25 a night, compared to $35 to $45 for a private family campground with a pool, arcade, and other strange non-nature activities. Even though State campgrounds are more affordable, they still offer luxuries like running water, fairly clean bathrooms and showers, and beautifully maintained hiking trails.
7. ACTIVITIES: When in nature, enjoy nature. Don't jump in the car and go shopping in the nearest town, or take the kids to see a movie ... that simply defeats the whole purpose of camping. Park the car and plan to leave it turned off. Take the kids hiking - of all activities while camping, kids absolutely love the adventure of taking a hike down a brand new hiking trail. In many states, kids fish for free (although you may need a license to help them). Also, bring along fun games like badminton, or a baseball or Frisbee to pass. Bring cards, games, and lots of fun snacks! This is the time to set aside the laptop, the cell phone, and life in general. Just soak the joy, excitement, and happiness that spending time with your family brings - especially when it is within the midst of the beauty and wonder of the great outdoors.

Tips & Warnings

• Pack both light clothes for warm days, and heavy clothes for chilly nights.
• Bring your own wood, and use long-burning logs for great, easy-to-start campfires.
• Remember rain gear, just in case it rains, even just a little bit.
• Consider bringing cots or an air mattress to raise you up off the ground for additional comfort.
• Keep food and trash in locked in your car overnight (safe from bears!)
• If no car, string the food up high into a tree.
• Always respect camping neighbors, don't be loud after 10pm.
• Never bring your oil lantern into the tent, only use flashlights there.