Camping on a Budget
By Connie Sorensen, staff writer

Camping has always been a part of my life. My family camped a lot when I was growing up and it is a tradition I have carried on in my own family. When I was young, gasoline was around a quarter a gallon and so we could afford to go frequently. Some of my favorite memories took place camping at Zion’s National Park in Southern Utah, Fishlake National Forest, near where I live now, and Mesa Verde in Southwest Colorado, along with other local and national camping areas. We really do live in a beautiful world and camping is one way to get up close and personal with the natural beauty that abounds.

There are various ways to camp. Growing up we had a small travel trailer and we took it all over. We went to Mt. Rushmore, various places in the Rockies and the Southwest. We always had such good times, even when it rained. My parents planned well and made sure we had activities for travel, indoor time and lots of opportunities to see the wonders all around.

With my own family we have done more "authentic" or tent camping, as well as taking a trailer. Tenting can be just as much fun with good planning. You can also rent cabins at many locations. Most US national parks and forests have rustic lodges and cabins available for rent. This is a great idea for novice campers and those with medical conditions that may need equipment or amenities in order to be comfortable.

For anyone's camping experience to be a good experience - be they a seasoned camper or a novice - preparation is the key to success! Part of that preparation is having the proper equipment. Since the purpose of this article is to give you ideas for camping on a budget, the following suggestions and links are for bargain hunters!

Getting the Right Gear for the Right Price
I have to admit camping can be an extremely expensive hobby. So it's important to determine early, how much money you have to invest in equipment. If you already own some equipment, look it over and decide what items are in working order, what needs to be replaced, or if repairs need to be made.

Start with your local outdoor or sporting goods stores. Specialty stores of this type can usually provide information along with equipment, such as what size or brand of tent to buy, what kind of sleeping bags you need for the climate you are camping in, the best ways to cook outdoors, etc. A first trip to the store should be a fact finding or window-shopping expedition. While you shop, create a gear wish list and approximately how much it costs. That way when you get home you can review your list and prioritize where you should focus your efforts and money first.

The classifieds, craigslist.com, eBay, freecycle.org, garage sales and end of the season clearance or close out sales are great places to pick up high quality camping items at rock bottom prices.

Coleman, a manufacturer and retailer of camping gear, has an "equipment finder" search function posted on their website to help you decide what you need. They even have some equipment for sale through the site and a store locator function to help you find a store near you that sells their products.

Gear You Need
When camping there are four main categories of gear you'll need to invest in... shelter, sleeping, food, clothing.

Shelter Your first investment should be a shelter. This can be a tent, trailer, RV, or you may decide to sleep under the stars literally. If trying camping out for the first time, consider borrowing a tent from a friend. Many rental businesses rent out RVs and camping trailers - a great option for a long camping trip, camping with small children or to see what you like/dislike about RVs before investing in one yourself.

Sleeping Gear Sleeping bags or bedrolls made from blankets you already have (An inexpensive option if you are camping in an area that doesn’t get cold at night) and pillows should be your next consideration. Again, there are lots of different brands and qualities of sleeping bags. They kind that's right for you will depend on the type of camping you'll be doing, and how cold it will get at night.

Eating In addition to needing something to eat your food on ... plates, bowls, cups, and utensils, (paper, reusable plastic, or metal) you'll also need to determine how you'll prepare your food while in the great outdoors.

A camping cook stove or Dutch oven are two common ways to prepare food. The cook stove is typically powered by propane and the Dutch oven or other cast iron cook ware is for campfire cooking. If cooking over a campfire, be sure you have matches, and means by which to start your campfire (flint and kindling, etc.) Please check the rules of the area and weather conditions to ascertain whether or not you can have a campfire.

Additionally, you will need a basin or large pan to wash dishes, pans etc., dish soap, dish towels and cloths. A tea kettle to heat water for instant oatmeal, soups and hot chocolate is also very handy, although this could also be done in a clean large #10 can. Trash bags are essential for keeping your camp site clean and free of animals scavenging for food.

Clothing and Misc. Items Appropriate clothing (jackets if it’s cold, shorts if it’s hot etc.) and adequate amounts of clothing are important. Layering is key to staying comfortable as well as taking breathable, clothes that will dry quickly if they get wet.

You'll also want to take along soap, towels, wash cloths or disposable wipes, matches, salt and pepper, flashlights or lanterns and batteries or fuel. Extra rope is great for hanging towels to dry as well as any clothes that need to dry. Many campgrounds have showers, washing machines etc. but in the interest of economy, you can have a sponge bath at camp and wash any clothing in the dish tub using dish soap.

Cheap camping food:
Breakfast tastes great when cooked in the great out of doors, bring a griddle with for traditional breakfast feasts - pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon. Or combine eggs, cheese and diced potatoes in a Dutch oven for a yummy breakfast scramble. Instant oatmeal, fruit and cold cereals are another option for those not wanting to make the full leap to pure roughing it.

Lunch and Dinner Sandwich items and fruit such as grapes, bananas, apples or watermelon are fun camping foods that travel well and have minimal waste. Of course hot dogs and hamburgers are easy and economical camping foods, to ensure that you eat healthily while camping, try turkey dogs, extra lean ground beef for burgers and whole grain buns for either. Foil dinners, Dutch oven chicken and other camping mainstays are great because they are easy, economical and fast to clean up! (Foil can be discarded or recycled, and you burn the Dutch oven to clean it!) When planning to cook with raw meats, make sure you have plenty of ice for your cooler, or that replacement ice is readily available where you are going.

Dessert and Snacks Most varieties of cookies travel well, as well as homemade or pre-packaged trail mix or granola bars are great for camping and hiking. Graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate for ‘Smores or Banana Boats are practically requisite for getting the complete camping experience.

Water Make sure you have plenty of water. Some campsites will have drinkable water, but some won’t. Check it out before hand and take the appropriate amount with to keep everyone hydrated and clean!

For great recipe ideas see our Recipe Chic articles for camping and visit www.scoutorama.com/recipe/index.cfm.

Camping Safety

• It’s good to have items such as a cell phone or other means of communication, (two-way radio), compass, first aid kit, flashlight, matches, insect repellant, radio with batteries and emergency signaling devices (whistle, pocket mirror, foil), map and sun screen.
  
• Before going, check weather conditions and be sure to leave a copy of your trip itinerary with family or friends.
  
• It's safest to hike or camp with at least one companion. If entering a remote area, the group should have a minimum of four people; this way, if one is hurt, another can stay with the victim while two go for help.
  
• If going into an unfamiliar area, take along someone who knows the area or at least get this information from those who do before setting out.
  
• Check for ticks each evening and really thoroughly upon arriving home. Do not burn a tick to make it back out, remove with tweezers and clean area well. Contact your health care provider if you can’t get the tick out or the area around the tick is red or swollen.
  
• Keep hydrated! This is one of the best safety tips for camping. Take canteens or individual water bottles and make sure that you have an adequate supply for all.
  

Choosing a Camp Site
A destination will depend on how much you have to spend. Campgrounds may cost anywhere from around 12-25 USD per night, or if you are going into a "free" or wilderness area, make sure you aren’t trespassing on private property. Check with the forest service or BLM (bureau of land management) office in your area for maps. Calculate the cost of fuel and food, plan menus and purchase foods that are easy to keep and prepare.

For ideas on location check out www.budgettravel.com for information on camping in hundreds of places around the world. By using their links I was able to locate camping spots from Algeria to New Zealand to Venezuela and all points in between. You should be able to easily locate camping spots in the area you plan to visit.

For campers in the US the site www.recreation.gov can be an invaluable resource. Picking an area close to home is ideal for keeping costs down. If you are new to the area, or aren’t sure where you could go, ask neighbors, ward scout leaders, and check with your local tourism office for ideas.

Activities
You don’t need to spend a lot on recreational activities at camp. Keep activities appropriate to the age level of the family members involved.

If anyone in the family plays a guitar, harmonica, ukulele or other portable instrument, try to make room for it. Singing around the campfire doesn’t require an accompaniment but it is fun!

Bring cards for Old Maid or other family favorite games, check into travel sized games at your local mass merchandiser, magnetic games are a plus as parts are easy to keep together.

Putting together skits is fun entertainment, be creative! Small children can act out fairy tales or scripture stories, older kids may enjoy making pretend music videos (this was a big hit with my kids). Of course a storytelling competition is a great evening campfire project. Have a prize (a whistle, walking stick, treat) for the most original, silliest, longest, etc. so that all can be involved.

Many camping areas have a visitor center for information about hiking, fishing, canoeing, native plants and animals, as well as other activities indigent to the area. If you incorporate a learning activity into the fun of camping, even if it is just learning the names of the flowers in the campground, you will have made the trip a more complete success.

Camping is entertaining and can be economical if you plan well. Your family can be closer to each other when you are away from home, the peace and calm found in nature can be the very balm your family needs, the break from the hectic pace of life. Scripture study under the stars, by fire or lantern light is incomparable. In this day and age when most vacations and amusements are so expensive, camping is a great alternative. Give nature a chance to show you how much your Heavenly Father cares for you and your family.

More Camping Resources:

Camp Clueless
Camp-A-Roo USA
Frugal Camping Tips
Camping Recipes - Foil Dinners and Dutch Oven Cooking

Tips for Camping with Kids

There are no TV's, or computer's when your camping, so its important to plan activities to keep the family entertained. Here are some ways that you can make camping fun for the kids.

• Let them help in the planning, have a FHE centered on picking a camp spot and meals to eat on the trip.
  
• Check books out from the library on the local "flora & fauna", once you have arrived at your campsite, take a "nature" hike and help the children to identify the plants you have been reading about.
  
• Bring a map for each child, let them help in the navigation to the campsite, this will also cut down on the "Are we there yet?" questions.
  
• Camp near a lake or stream so that the children can spend time playing in the water.
  
• If you camp near a lake bring along fishing poles for the kids.
  
• Before you leave on your trip give each child a notebook, a large manila envelope and a pen. Have them make a scrapbook of their trip, let them collect rocks, leaves, flowers and other items from the camping trip, while also keeping a journal of what they did.
  
• Foil dinners are fun for kids to make and eat, be sure to have them at least once!

Tips for the Camp Cook

• pre-chop veggies at home (night before trip) & store them in zip lock bags
  
• grate cheese ahead of time or buy pre-grated packages
  
• pre-cook any sauces & meat mixes, but don't try this with pasta noodles
  
• get Pringles canned potato chips - so the bag won't get crushed
  
• pack your bread - loaf, buns, muffins, etc. - in a box, so it won't get smooched
  
• prepackaged bagged salad is a great way to get your fresh leafy greens
  
• buy pancake batter mixes taht only call for water. (no eggs or milk needed)
  
• only stock beverages in cooler that will be consumed on the first day
  
• wrap corn on cob in heavy foil 4+ times for cooking on fire & rotate often