My family has recently been looking into how to go camping on a budget. We have never gone before, except for last night in our back yard. The kids and us had a blast and can’t wait to get some gear together and head out to a nearby campground. Since this is our first time and camping gear can get quite pricey, I would love to hear your ideas on how to go camping on a budget.
Here are some questions I would love your input on:
- Necessary Camping Supplies – best places to purchase, best products, etc
- Fun Family Activities – any fun things to do that you and your family make as camping traditions?
- Favorite Camping Food and Recipes – other than the traditional s’mores and hot dogs, any ideas on what to bring for food that is easy and inexpensive (healthy would be nice too!)
- Camping Checklist – any must have items that you think make camping more fun that a newbie might not thing of?
I can’t wait to hear your ideas and experiences around camping. It is something we can’t wait to get out and do with our kiddos, hopefully next week!
I use a suggestion that my cousin gave me. I make all my meals and freeze them. That will help with the process of keeping them cold and possible buying less ice. We ususally make chili and lasagna and a few other favorites, freeze them and take them out to heat on grill when we want to eat them. The more you have prepared the more time you have to enjoy….
My favorite campfire food is something called Banana Boats. Take a banana and while still in the peel, slice it down the middle forming a boat shape. Somewhat like a hot dog bun. Stuff it with mini marshmallows and M&Ms. Wrap it in aluminum foil and throw it into the fire while you eat your meal. By the time you finish eating they will be done. Soooooo delicious!
Garage sales & Craigslist are the best places to find camping gear! You dont have to spend a lot of money on fancy gadgets and gizmos for camping … look around the house! If you have power at your campsite, consider hitting up dollar stores for a coffee pot, toaster, and cooking supplies. Cheaper supplies can be fine because it isnt something you will be using every day. DO spend the money on a tarp to lay under your tent!! If it rains you will be glad you did. As for entertainment, small games like checkers or Uno are always fun. You could create a Scavenger Hunt list too. AND …. as gross as it may sound …. you’ll want an emergency potty to keep in the tent for overnight! I made the mistake of thinking I could get up in the middle of the night and walk down to the shower house and was NOT SO FRIENDLY greeted by a couple possums and raccoons! For some reason I thought the camp site would be too domesticated for animals but I was quickly proven WRONG. I think my screams woke the entire campground. Learn from my lesson, HA HA HA!
Checkout this Facebook post on Faithful Provisions page with even more ideas from readers. http://www.facebook.com/faithfulprovisions/posts/334876989902257
Here’s the first of two blogposts I wrote about camping–this one includes packing lists and other helpful hints. http://neverpictureperfect.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/getting-ready-to-camp-the-never-picture-perfect-way–everything-but-the-food/
Here’s my blog about everything food: http://neverpictureperfect.wordpress.com/2011/06/10/getting-ready-to-camp-the-never-picture-perfect-way-the-food-edition/.
Camping is a great family outing and VERY budget friendly, especially if you buy your supplies when they are on sale before you go. With kids, I highly recommend camping at state or national parks that have organized camp grounds. Site reservations are typically around $20 or so a night and you have electricity & water available at the site as well as restrooms & hot showers at the bath house. They almost always have a picnic table at every site and a grill or fire pit, so you don’t have to bring your grill, etc. You really only have to have a few things- a good tent, sleeping gear & a good cooler as well as flashlights and bug spray:) If you do camp where you’ve got electricity, you can also bring the coffee pot, electric skillet or griddle for yummy pancakes in the morning as well as lights for around the camp and any other electric conveniences.
There are tons of great camping recipes but “Hobos” are a staple with our family. They are a delicious campfire meal that kids love to make themselves- simply make double wrapped foil packets filled with with ground meat & sliced veggies (typically potatoes, onions & carrots) placed directly on the hot coals (no flame) cook about 20 minutes on meat side then flip & cook for about 10 on veggie side then check to make sure they are done. You can use the same concept to cook cinnamon apples just slice apples & sprinkle with cinnamon sugar & a pat of butter & toss on the coals (you can add oats and brown sugar too). Just make sure the foil is doubled and packets are sealed tightly.
Have fun!
You need to hit the REI garage sale/scratch-and-dent sale. When I lived in Nashville, it was once a quarter on a Saturday (it’s monthly in Denver!!). People used to line up suuuper early, but they may have changed the system to timed tickets now, which is much better. You can get some awesome deals on items people have returned that REI can’t resell, and even things that were used just for a photo shoot! Their camping stuff may be higher-end than you want for basic family car-camping, but you can definitely find things like clothing items, sleeping bags, etc. Go on their website and look at your store’s calendar to find the next one. Foster Falls is a good place to camp and hike and see people rock climbing.
Very important tip: Never leave food unattended. Raccoons are very smart and good at raiding closed or zipped coolers as well as swiping any food you leave unattended for a few minutes. Make sure you put all of your food (including the cooler) in the car when you leave the campsite or your meal may be gone when you get back. The only thefts we’ve experienced when camping (and I’ve been camping my entire life) has been from wildlife.
I have 2 sons in boy scouts and 1 in cub scouts and am also a cub scout leader. I have learned a lot of tips in my 7 years in scouts! The best tip for buying gear is knowing when it’s clearanced. August is when most store clearance camping stuff. The best places are Menards, Meijer and Target. Walmart will also clearance items, but they tend to do it all year long and mix it in with their other clearance items. I constantly check out the camping/sporting goods sections to look for clearance items. I noticed that this march Meijer had a TON of items such as socks, rain gear and long underwear 75% off!!!! If you like to fish, Walmart is the best place to find clearanced fishing items and Walgreens will have clearanced fishing polls at the end of summer(when they clearance the summer toys). Last month my son had to bring all the food for his patrol. They wanted me to buy expensive egg beaters and shakable pancake mix. Being frugal and too practical for my own good, I made my own. I bought bulk just add water pancake mix and put it in an empty juice bottle with a lid. I did the same thing with eggs by adding them(using a big funnel) to another empty juice bottle. That way the boys could make scrambled eggs and french toast. Have fun camping. BSA’s (Boys Scouts of America) website has a lot of tips. They’re good for newbies since the tips are easy enough for boys 11-18 to do buy themselves. Have fun!!!!!
I love camping! We always stay at state or national parks only. They are more safe, clean, way cheaper than private owned sites and they offer great family resources!
I save all of my samples (toothpaste, dishsoap, shampoo, Tide, etc) for the camping box.
Our favorite meal is chopped ham, frozen diced potatoes (can be thawed for faster cooking), shredded cheese, salt and pepper cooked in invidual non-stick foil.
I have prepared fish filets, beef or chicken with marinade in zip lock bags, place in the cooler in the ice until ready for the grill. The fish filet can be put in a foil packet with fresh veggies and cooked on the grill. When you open the packet everything is perfectly steamed. (Quick too) You can also cook fresh corn on the cob wrapped in foil with butter and herbs. You can also cook small red potatoes in foil that are tasty, these can be placed in the coals to cook. Just because you are camping does not mean you cannot have great healthy food.
I also start making a list weeks ahead of time, as I think of things we will need. Make sure to check off the list as you pack so as not to forget things.
Camping is great fun if you are prepared. Enjoy!