Camping for Couples and Families

I grew up camping, because my family never had much money. It was a lot cheaper to camp with 3 kids, then to go to a hotel while travelling. I can distinctly remember the amazing amount of stuff we could fit into our station wagon and mini-vans with 5 people in the vehicle. It is only now that I see the pack-rat syndrome my mother has passed along. My vehicle is always stocked with enough stuff to keep me going for a week while camping in the great outdoors.

Some of my best memories are in a tent, with torrential downpours pounding on the collapsing roof, as us kids huddled together with our books, snacks, and flashlights hoping that at least one piece of clothing would be dry in the morning. The tent we had growing up was not exactly waterproof, and in my own searches to purchase the best tent, that feature was tops on my list.

Camping is one of the best ways for a family or couple to bond with each other, and nature. Despite the consistent mishaps involved with camping such as rain, animals, wind, and all things mother nature, the joy that comes from being just a small piece of fabric from the outdoors is priceless.

Being one of the most inexpensive vacationing activities around, camping gives you the opportunity to be in nature instead of just observing it. Many of the park campgrounds put you in the center of wild life, offering you the chance to wake up to the rustling of raccoons digging into your food. It's not the most appealing thing to hear at 2 a.m. when you're trying to sleep, but the sight of true wild life is something to behold.

There are many places to purchase camping supplies, including Cabelas, Sears, Walmart, Kmart, Gander Mountain and Coleman. The basics that you need to get you started for park or campground camping settings are as follows:

• Tent/Poles/Stakes/Hammer
• Sleeping Bag
• Cooler
• Propane Stove/Burner
• Flashlight
• Lantern
• Trash Bags
• Cooking Utensils
• Water Cooler
• Lawn Chair
• Toilet Paper
• Matches

For more comforts of home, don't forget an air mattress, pump, and other personal items. If you plan to do backpack camping, streamlining to the minimum is usually best.

When it comes to purchasing your camping supplies, if you do not own any of these items, you can expect to spend an upfront cost of around $300-$500 total. Instead of purchasing all at once, I started my camping supply piece by piece as I needed the items. You may prefer to cook over a bonfire at your campsite, and that would eliminate the need for your pots, pans and propane stove or burner. Sometimes camping can just require your tent, sleeping bag, water, cooler and matches. You can definitely keep camping simple and cheap.

When searching for a place to camp, remember to respect nature. Wherever you want to travel, do some research ahead to find out about local state or national parks that offer camping, and family campgrounds in the area such as KOA. Many places can be reserved online with the option of on site water or electricity if you need those conveniences.

Depending on the geological area, campsites can run anywhere from $10-$50 per night. Not all campgrounds allow pets, so be sure to call ahead to seek approval. Also be sure to read all safety warnings and guidelines. Certain times of the years, fires are not permitted, and different bugs or animals can be present that can cause a hazard to your camping. Be safe and alert.

A typical camping weekend, if the camping supplies are already in your possession, should run you around $150-$200 including your campsite, food, and travel expenses. The more people, and longer length in stay will increase these prices, but compared to a weekend in a hotel with dining out, camping is much more affordable.

I highly recommend camping to any couple or family. If you need a quick, quiet getaway, camping is usually the best thing you can do for your mind, body and budget.