Budget Family Camping: A Growing Trend

Is the cost of a family vacation a source of concern for you?

Airline and train tickets have skyrocketed in recent months due to the rise in gasoline prices. Booking a weekend in a hotel for a family of four could cost the equivalent of a week’s salary, and that does not include meals. These factors leave many families with a small budget wondering how they can afford to take a family vacation without breaking the bank. Budget family camping may be the answer.

The option of packing the family car and driving out to a secluded place at the lake or in the woods sounds ideal to some families.

Let’s face it; we all want to get away from the incessant ringing phones, the sound of traffic, and the responsibilities of life now and then.

Budget family camping doesn’t require much planning for a pleasant trip.

Many campgrounds around the country offer overnight camping for tent campers ranging anywhere from $7-25 a night which is far less than the cost of even the most budget priced hotel. Even if the family chooses to camp in their Recreational Vehicle (RV) the rates usually, do not exceed $35 per night in all but the most exclusive parks. Most of the government owned National Parks now have online systems in place for booking camping trips in advance. A family can plan their budget family camping trip as much as a year in advance, in almost any state.

And don't forget, especially out West, BLM camping is FREE, usually up to a 14 day stay!

Once the reservations are made the family simply packs their bedding, extra clothes, fishing gear, and their food before heading off for their budget family camping trip for some family togetherness time.

If you have never taken a camping trip before, you will need to invest in some camping gear which will last for several years. For a family of four your budget family camping trip will require the following gear (for the most comfort):

• A good size cooler to keep food and drinks cold
• Disposable cups, plates, and silverware
• Quality sleeping bags for each family member ($40-60 per person - you can even get pretty nice, cheaper ones at Walmart for around $20 each)
• Tarps for ground cover under the tent (keeps out moisture) around $8-10 (HINT: Get them cheaper at Harbor Freight)
• Battery powered lantern, extra batteries (less messy)
• Family tent (buy bigger than you think you need) $80-170
• Basic game gear- balls, bikes, horseshoes, dominoes, cards
• Fishing tackle box, bait, fishing poles, (optional)

Once you purchase the gear for the first trip, you will have what you need for each additional budget family camping trip. You will probably keep adding items as you continue camping. Many campers find it addicting to get away at least once or twice a year with the family.

Camping Essentials 101

If you’re planning to head out camping in the great outdoors – but you’re not exactly a seasoned camper – you may want to take a few moments and think about the kinds of things you’ll need while spending time outside.

If possible, grab a seasoned camper and take him or her along with you – they’ll be able to tell you what to do in just about any situation – but if that isn’t an option, think about what you’ll need to start with: shelter, warmth, and food.

Most beginning campers start out as tent campers, simply because it’s the easier thing to learn and the best way to ease yourself into the thrill of camping without too many variables.

Also, this is a good way to see the “great outdoors” without giving in to your desire for the comforts of home – stay away from that RV and pack up the car instead! When you’re purchasing a tent, make sure it has adequate weather protection and durable mosquito netting – and do the same with sleeping bags, ensuring that they’re well insulated for ultimate warmth.

Of course, the problem for many beginning campers is that there are simply too many styles and types of tents to choose from – so how do you know which one is the best for you? First, consider how many people are going to be sleeping in your tent, and whether you plan on storing your bags in the tent or keeping them in the car.

Do you want to reserve the tent for sleeping-only, or will it also serve as a change room and relaxation area? In terms of space, it’s always best to choose a tent that is two people larger than the amount you plan to fit inside – for example, purchase a four-person tent if two people are going to using it.

SLEEP & COMFORT

Before you think about setting up the tent and throwing the sleeping bags inside however, remember that the bags will be lying right on the hard ground – and unless your spine is incredibly durable, your body won’t be too happy with you in the morning if you don’t cushion the surface. Inflatable air mattresses or ground-pads work very well for this, and they’re compact enough to fit in the car easily without demanding too much extra space. And make sure you’ve brought your pillow!

We've always used the basic foam type because they guard your back against rocks, but can roll up to easily fit when packing - and fit at the bottom of a back-pack if you're backpacking only.

FOOD PREP

Next, think about what you’re going to eat and how you want to prepare it. If you’re familiar with backyard cooking, you probably already know how to work a camp stove and grill, and your family may already be familiar with sitting down at a picnic table outside. Pick up a bag of charcoal, grab the spatula, and pack some buns – hot dogs and hamburgers make the perfect camping meal, and if you’ve got a small pot and can opener, you can heat up plenty of canned vegetables to round out the selection. 

While these are the main essentials you’ll need when heading out to camp, it’s always a good idea to make yourself a checklist beforehand – plenty of people have the best of intentions, but arrive at the campground only to find that they’ve forgotten a can opener and the toothbrush is still sitting in the washroom at home. The little things count too, so plan ahead and get a checklist organized. That way, you’ll have all your bases covered – and will have a fantastic camping trip all around!

For some campers who are stressed out by packing because they cannot distinguish what’s essential and what’s not, those that are tempted to bring the whole house just to make sure they have not forgotten anything, or are apprehensive about the thought that they missed putting something important on their checklist. To ensure that you’re not forgetting anything and to make packing easier, use that checklist each and every camping trip.

No matter what you decide needs to be on your camping checklist, here are the 3 basic Camping Essentials I would say are needed for every camping trip:

Camping Essentials List

1. A reliable and durable tent. Choose one that has sturdy poles, durable fabric, heavy duty zippers and sufficient ventilation to make the atmosphere inside the tent fresh and breezy.

2. Comfortable sleeping bag with insulation for cold nights.

3. A lantern and flashlight to provide you with light.

Some of my fondest camping memories only included these basics, with food and water.

Moral to the story, do not make the camping gear that many people buy and use be the thing that stops you. Just get the camping essentials and go camping!

Camp Cooking Made Easy

Camp cooking can be as elaborate or simple as you want it to be.

If you want to prepare quick and simple but nutritious meals while you are camping, camp cooking doesn't even have to require a fire.  But if you are interested in fueling your camping trip with a feast, camp cooking can allow you to make hot, healthy foods that are as good as you can make them at home in your own kitchen.

Camp cooking does not have to be limited to sandwiches and baked potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil.  Almost any cooking method you use in the kitchen can be duplicated around the campfire.

For example, use a Dutch oven or pit cooking to bake your food.  You can also easily fry foods in a pan over a grill, or boil, braise and roast.  What type of camping cookware is best for you? Camp cooking and clean-up can be easy or a hassle, it all starts with great camping equipment.

Some pots/pans come in sets that mate together or "nest" for storage and even allow you to tuck a canister of fuel inside them. This comes in handy when you're looking to save room while camping. 

Following are some camping items to take with you if you are planning on preparing some meals around the campfire.  These common kitchen items will allow you to duplicate tasty meals while you are out of doors.

• Salt and pepper

• Your favorite herbs and spices (Hint: use old tic tac containers to hold them all in a small space, but easy to use when needed)

• Cooking oil

• Pot holder (make sure you don't mind if these get smoke or burn marks from using with the fire pit)

• Hand-held can opener

• Aluminum foil (heavy duty is best, if you can get it)

• Tongs and spatula

• Cutting knives

• Cutting board

• Mixing bowl

• Paper or plastic silverware, plates, and cups

Not only should you look to include these items into your camp kitchen, but look for smaller or travel size versions of these to save space when packing.

If you have just a few campers and are looking for some simple camp cooking, try the easy and quick technique of tin can cooking.  All you will need is a clean tin can – a one gallon size can works well.  Your source of heat can be a small campfire, or if wood burning is prohibited, a small buddy burner will work well, which can be found at sporting good stores or online.

Place your meal in the tin can and simply heat the contents of your can over a flame.  You will have a hot meal ready in minutes.  This technique works great for soups, stews, beans, and tuna fish.

A more time-consuming camp cooking technique that also produces tasty meals is pit cooking.  Pit cooking is great for items that can be wrapped in aluminum foil to be cooked.  It is also a great camp cooking method if you are using a Dutch oven or cast iron cookware.  Pit cooking warms your food by heating rocks and coals that are buried in the ground.  As the rocks cool off, their emitted heat cooks the food.  To pit cook, first dig a hole that is about three times larger than your cookware.  Line the pit with rocks and build a fire in the middle.  Once the fire has burned rapidly for about an hour, push the hot coals and rocks into the center.  Layer your wrapped food or covered skillets on top of the rocks and coals and place more on top.  After a few hours, you will have some delicious camp food to enjoy.

And most importantly, do not forget to have simple items like fresh fruits and vegetables. They are portable and easy to eat without a need for any type of fire whatsoever - and they are healthy as opposed to bringing unhealthy snacks such as chips, cookies, and other treats.

Camping Makes the Weekend Perfect

Do you have a weekend without anything to do or a weekend when you don’t want to do anything?  I know what I’d do.  I would pack up the truck and head for the woods.  Sitting by a camp fire with your favorite people solves many problems, so you shouldn’t wait too long between fires.

My favorite thing to do on a weekend is to camp.

Are you looking for an easy way to camp?  How about car camping?  I love it! One of my favorite camping trips was when we had no tent and just slept in the back of our Jeep! 

First of all, let’s define car camping?  When you can drive your vehicle right up to the camp site, that’s called car camping.  Even if you’re driving a truck it’s still called car camping.  The advantage of car camping versus primitive or base camping is that you can take anything you want with you.  If you want to take a hammock or huge grill or a stack of magazines, you can.  Load your car or truck with food, clothing, shelter, bedding, games, and anything else you want to take along and get going.  It’s really that simple.

So where can you car camp?

Just about anywhere.  National and  state parks don’t allow car camping except in designated campgrounds; other than that, you can car camp virtually anywhere on public lands.  The internet is loaded with websites that can help.  Start looking at Campendium.  This site is loaded with up to date camping information.

Here are some things I take along when I car camp:  hiking gear, animal watching binoculars and field guide, a radio for music and weather updates, tent (optional depending on your vehicle), sleeping bag, grill, shovel, fire starting gear, lots of food and drinks, and First Aid kit. 

Other possible things include: rain gear, hammock, dogs and dog food, folding chairs and table, stove, table service and utensils….you get the idea.  I take all that I need to be comfortable.  If you don’t have these things, don’t fret, all you really need are food, shelter, and common sense.

Camping is a great way to renew and strengthen relationships.

Take your spouse, your children, your siblings, your friends.  Without the distractions of television, telephone, internet and alarm clocks, you will have a wonderful time.

I’ll always remember something a dear friend of mine told me years ago, “Time spent in our great outdoors is time added to your life.”  That sounds like a good reason to go.  

Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time.  Get Outdoors and Enjoy camping to make your weekend perfect!