by Lisa Rosenkranz

Created on: October 26, 2008   Last Updated: August 04, 2009

Camping can be one of the least expensive ways to vacation with your family. The costs of camping in a state park or private campground is far more inexpensive and much more rewarding than staying in a hotel, but sometimes the initial investment can be intimidating to most family budgets. However, with a little insight and patience, everything you need can be attained even with a very small budget.

Your tent is the most crucial part of your gear. It is not only your home-away-from-home, but also your protection from the elements. You can forfeit all costs by using a homemade tent, which can consist of a tarp or sheet over a clothesline. However, be advised, these contraptions will be of little use in keeping nature out. Rain, moisture, insects, and animals can easily penetrate a homemade shelter. To effectively keep your family safe and dry you will need to purchase a factory made tent.

Outdoor super centers and sporting goods stores carry an abundance of expensive top-of-the-line tents, but stores like Mal-Mart and Target sell tents at a fraction of the cost of a retailer. A family tent at Wal-Mart can cost you between a hundred and two hundred and fifty dollars, depending on the size. A family sized tent is usually four to ten people. A two-person tent can be bought for as low as forty dollars. If you shop just after the camping season ends or even during the winter months, you can often find lots of sales. Sometimes you can find a used tent in the classifieds or at garage sales, but be cautious and make sure the tent does not have any defects or damage.

The difference between the expensive tents and the cheap department store kinds is all in the manufacturing. The higher quality tents are made with better material, has better poles, and has very tightly woven seals. The Wal-Mart tent will come with leaky seams and cheaper made poles. Nevertheless, do not dismay, a cheap tent can bring your family many years of enjoyment if treated and taken care of properly.

A camp stove (and even camp ovens) can be purchased at Wal-Mart for thirty to fifty bucks, but until your ready to make that investment your family can cook on an open fire. You can cook roasts, whole chickens, and more right in the hot coals. The trick is a little moisture and lots of heavy-duty aluminum foil. A fire grate can be purchased for under twenty dollars, or take the grate from your grill at home. Some rocks or firewood

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