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I have been camping my entire life and I have found many inexpensive ways to enjoy my time in the woods. Deciding where to go is your first priority. This will determine how much gas you need and if you choose to stay in an improved campground with outdoor restrooms, picnic tables and fire-pits (often having fees per vehicle from 12 to 28$ per night.) or in an unimproved camp site that has none of these amenities. I usually go to the unimproved camps. I invested 80.00 in a small portable toilet and two tarps tied to a couple of trees to use as a wall for privacy. These can be easily emptied into any outdoor toilet and reduce my time spent in them as I hate their smell. I also have a small portable picnic table that folds up and has seats for four, which cost me 45.00. I camp on average around twelve nights each year. At twelve dollars a night, i would have spent 144.00 each year so i have paid for my table and toilet already.

I usually just bring food that i would have cooked at home ( my favorite being tin foil dinners.) They are made by layering 1 burger patty, 1 medium sliced potato, 1/4 onion, 6-10 baby carrots, one shake of soy sauce,salt and pepper on one large sheet of heavy duty foil, folded both directions to seal, then flipped upside down on another sheet of foil and folded again the same way. I just throw them on hot coals for about 15 minutes per side, then carefully open and enjoy.

I use a plastic two liter bottle to make koolaid at home for drinks, or just fill with water that can be frozen and used as ice in a cooler,( if you leave an air space at the top for expansion as it melts.) For breakfast I usually just take some oil to cook eggs, and sausages. I have a small cast iron pan, but any solid metal (no plastic or wood handles) pan will work. Bring a lid or eat ash floaties in your meal. It won't hurt you, but looks weird. Sausages can be cooked on a hot dog stick. They help keep kids busy while the eggs cook. Instant hot cocoa (just add water) or powdered juice mix works well for a drink. I have a metal coffee pot for heating water, and a pot for washing dishes or hands and faces. I usually take a loaf of bread, peanut butter and jelly for a quick lunch, and oranges and apples for a quick snack and a bag of flavored chips.

Bedding is usually my own pillows and blankets and a foam pad. i do have a tent but have slept outside under the stars when weather permits. Kids sometimes get scared of the night noises, so tents help. If you can't see it... it must not be there. And don't forget your flashlight.

Your level of comfort will definitely determine the cost of your camp but in my case, after the table and toilet, my camping cost is usually just gas to get there, and snacks. Everything else i usually already have.

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