Young families should remember to start out with the essentials- tent, sleeping bags,lanterns. There will be plenty of time to acquire the non-essentials at a later time. And stay away from sporting goods stores. Discount stores have large tents and sleeping bags at cheap prices. Plan your meals ahead of time and bring your food with you. Hot dogs are cheap and kids love to cook them over the campfire. If you stay at a state park, cooking is pretty easy. Cook over the campfire or plug in your slow cooker in the electrical outlet and cook a made-ahead meal from home. The most important factor in tent camping on a budget is to use the same financial common sense you use at home. And remember, the first camping trip is the most costly. After you have your tent and sleeping bags, the cost of tent camping drastically decreases.
TheCampyMom wrote: Young families should remember to start out with the essentials- tent, sleeping bags,lanterns. There will be plenty of time to acquire the non-essentials at a later time. And stay away from sporting goods stores. Discount stores have large tents and sleeping bags at cheap prices. Plan your meals ahead of time and bring your food with you. Hot dogs are cheap and kids love to cook them over the campfire. If you stay at a state park, cooking is pretty easy. Cook over the campfire or plug in your slow cooker in the electrical outlet and cook a made-ahead meal from home. The most important factor in tent camping on a budget is to use the same financial common sense you use at home. And remember, the first camping trip is the most costly. After you have your tent and sleeping bags, the cost of tent camping drastically decreases.
"the first camping trip is the most costly" im sure you're right. And hot dogs are most popular at the campfire. I really love to try different ways to cook them.
Great tips everyone. If you are looking for a budget friendly way to vacation, tent camping is the way to go. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of family camping trips.
Zack.. Just a follow up on the blankets.. we use to carry a big old and very heavy quilted blanket my wife's mother made. believe me it probably weighs 75 lb. But because we are needing to travel lighter.. we've opted for a lesser blanket as an alternative and just in case.
The "electric blanket" (without the power cord) does keep us warmer when we need that extra layer along with our sleeping bags. Also, I've noticed more and more shops are now carrying foam puzzle pads.. we've been using these for years.. as tent pads and floor savers.. plus the double insulation does help keep the ground level warmer.
But my advices for campers.. your main budget should go into your gas tank.. (more over the maintenance of your car or truck) getting you there is the first thing.. Once there typically a walmart or sporting goods store (even the camp store) can have what you need. Often first time campers may find themselves ending up in the cars not knowing what to expect from other campers or their own surroundings.
Next could be a tie with the tent or the previsions.. but one doesn't have to cook on a fire or grill while camping.. again the camp store of campground may have a group night offering goods and services to all campers including meals.
One thing any new camper will undoubted face.. the is issue of not having a bath in three or four days.. So best carry a few boxes of handi wipes and stock u on water at the general store.
Lastly, baking soda.. is a cheap way to brush your teeth without a tooth brush.
I find it is well worth the money to pay for electricity. I can use my electric skillet and hot plate and don't need a camp stove or any special pans. I can also use lights that plug in that I might have on had, like work lights or clamp lights. Of course, cooking over a fire is still an option if you don't have electricity. I also used to bring candles in jars. I think charcoal, while not as fun as wood, is cheaper to cook with than buying wood, but if you have a source of wood that makes good sense.
You can camp as cheaply or as expensively as you want, we have never had a sleeping bag, always just grab blankets from home (usually ones that are getting too "ratty" to use at home) I also bought a couple of bedspreads at a garage sale for $3 each that stay in camper. The same with dishes and pans, old ones from home, or from garage sales. Nothing says it has to match, or has to be "camping" equipment. Just enjoy and make memories!!
Garry and Julie
2008 Jay Series 1207
Dodge Ram 1500
Looking to Make Memories
brklyncamper wrote: As far as affordable camping food, I'd recommend buying WISE dehydrated foods online. The ingredients are simple and they sell you buckets of pre-made meals. 120 servings for $255 comes to about $2.13 per meal. That's a lot better than other dehydrated camping foods I've seen plus unlike home cooked food they weigh significantly less and don't perish. You can order different quantities online at outdoor camping supplies retailers. Shop around and you might even get them for cheaper.
Only get dehydrated food for backpacking when weight and volume are important. When camping near the vehicles, use normal food such as canned beans, ground beef/turkey, eggs, etc.
2004 Toyota Tundra SR5 (V8, 4WD, TP, TRD)
2005 Fleetwod Allegance with axle flip
Honeywell 2000i Generator
Me, DW, DS, DD, Dog & Camping Kitty
Mountain Mama wrote: Watch garage sales, Goodwill (thrift) stores, etc for camping equipment and other stuff you can use if you don't want to take your stuff from home.
Very good tip. When we started camping in the mid 70's we bought a 9 x 13 canvas tent, a coleman stove, lantern, small propane heater, portable potty, an oven that folded flat but would form a box to sit over one of the eyes on the Coleman-cooked the best biscuits. We got all this for $125.00 and used it for about 15 years. And like the OP suggests we took bedding from the house to save money. We gave the kids sleeping bags one year for Christmas. My son who is now 42 still has his! It was Star Wars!!! We now have a very nice mh and all the bells and whistles but my heart is in tent camping and we all have such good memories from those days.
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