Camping on the Cheap

As a kid who grew up camping, I'm always amused when I watch first-time campers spend a fortune on camping gear. I know there are web sites and brick and mortar stores that cater to the high-end camping enthusiast. Usually, these are the more extreme sports-type enthusiasts that are into mountain-climbing, survivalist activities or the fashion-conscious camper (I have trouble even saying that with a straight face). I cant imagine spending several hundred dollars on a tent or a sleeping bag or, budget-forbid, a spandex biking suit with some designers name emblazoned across my butt.

I learned to camp as a six-year-old, safely ensconced in a tent made of two blankets tossed over the clothes line in the back yard. We huddled there, too excited to sleep, as we heard the mysterious patter of small animal feet slink past our "tent" in the dark. It was probably the neighbor's cat. Years later, I laughed when a friend confided he'd never gone camping without a television set. In between, the family camped in an old canvas cabin tent that slept the seven of us-just barely. Later, I gave my own children these same character-building experiences, usually because all vacations happened on a shoestring and it was what we had. Along the way, I've camped quite comfortably-and sometimes not-with a variety of rigs that were assembled from left-over's, cast-offs and make-do items.

So, just how do you accumulate the necessary camping equipment without spending a fortune? Think used, think cheap! One thing you may well have to spend a bit of cash on to purchase new is a good sleeping bag. These tend to tire quite quickly after a few washings and finding an old one with a working zipper can be difficult. One other item you may have to buy is a stove or perhaps a lantern. These tend to have a half-life of about one summer if not properly cared for, so you may have to buy new. Rest assured, with a little care these can last for many years-just take good care of them.

Tents are a common item at garage and tag sales in the suburbs-make sure if you buy one, you see it erected so you know all the parts are there and that the zippers work. A decent small tent shouldn't set you back over $20. You can often find used coolers and water jugs at the same sale-far cheaper than buying new. You may even buy a couple of zipper-less sleeping bags for $.50 a piece-these are great for extra padding on the ground or over the top if the nights become cool. Keep an eye peeled for old, heavier pots and pans and perhaps that camping staple, a cast-iron skillet. A Dutch oven is very nice, but very hard to find-expect to pay dearly for even a used one. Quite often you can find fishing equipment and even the hammer you'll need to pound in tent stakes at the same sale. One nice item to look for is the battery pack jump-start units with light and possibly a radio. Many have a 110 volt outlet and inverter built in and are excellent for charging cell phones, powering a small tv (if you must) and can power all sorts of 12 volt camping luxuries such as lunchbox ovens and coffee makers.

Ground cloths and tarps-aren't they the same thing?- are often found cheaply at military surplus stores. They'll also have the flashlight you needed. Look around-these treasure troves carry things like bungee cords, camping clothes pins, parachute cord and other sundry items that can make a camping trip a success. While you're there, look for a cheap surplus compass and perhaps a magnesium fire-starter.-always handy. They also carry waterproof match containers and the like and have oodles of used backpacks and rain gear. If you're really feeling extravagant, you may want to purchase a surplus foot-locker. These are great for keeping food and kitchen utensils organized. Make sure to pick up a four-pack of Mylar emergency blankets-these come in handy for a great many things, from working as a sun shade for your tent to emergency warmth and they fit in a pocket.

Make a list of what you think you need and start checking off your 'found treasures' against it. You'll find holes, I'm sure. But, no need to pay top dollar for what's missing: Make a stop at your local dollar store for things like paper plates, plastic ware and cups. You can also find sample-size shampoo, soaps, dish detergent and the like at rock-bottom prices. Remember, it doesn't have to match your home décor-because you won't be using it there. This is a good place to buy picnic jugs and plastic cups, also-and make sure to pick up a plastic table cloth to cover those dirty campground tables. You'll need to pick up an extra can opener-these have a tendency to quit working at the worst possible time. Grab a few cheap plastic buckets-they're amazingly useful. And, you can probably find some super-cheap lawn chairs here, too. Don't forget the paper towels and aluminum foil. If you don't want to take the good towels and wash cloths from home, pick up the very cheap ones at the dollar store, too and reserve them for camping. And never, never forget a good-sized roll of trash bags.

Never spend the money for freeze-dried food unless you're going to be back-packing and weight will be an issue. Plan simple meals with common grocery store items. Pack dried milk in a small container instead of milk that must be kept cold. A two-and-a-half gallon drinking water container should meet your cooking need for a few days and can be purchased for a really good price at your local grocery. Don't take any more perishable items than you can comfortably keep in a cooler or two. An extra Styrofoam cooler can be purchased for a couple of dollars if you need more room. Block ice keeps much longer than chipped ice. If you have the freezer space, freeze a few milk jugs full of water before you leave home and you'll have extra drinking water as it melts. It also keeps the melt water contained so your bologna doesn't end up soggy and floating in a day or two. Even better, make iced tea or kool-ade drinks in the jugs and freezes that. . Double-duty ice!

If you're planning far enough ahead, you can start assembling your gear well before camping season. Both Craig's List and Free-cycle have plenty of cheap or free items you can obtain in your local area. Just remember it is expected you return the favor by giving away your unwanted items rather than sending them to the landfill. And here are a couple of my favorite discount web sites: Sportsman's Guide and Bargain Outfitters. Although affiliated, they don't necessarily have the same thing at all times. Sign up for their email updates and get sale emails every few days-with astounding prices on overstocks and close-outs. Here you can find name-brand high-end tents for less than $100, military surplus items you never realized you needed until now and a whole raft of decent-priced and novel ideas that make camping a snap. Did I say "raft"? Yes, they have those, too.

Happy-and frugal-camping!