Affordable Adventure | Free Style Camping

Hands down, one of the most affordable vacations your family can engage in is camping.  Whether it’s choosing a location at a state park or camping grounds in national forests, you can be assured it will be a family vacation filled with memorable moments.  While there are several methods one may choose when preparing for a camping trip, most people prefer the free style, that is, pitch a tent and let the good times roll! 

Even though you have to purchase tents, sleeping bags, and other gear for your trip; the cost is minimal as compared to utilizing an RV or staying at a camp site that offers plenty of amenities, but tends to minimize the true camping experience.

Camping free style affords you the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company, have conversations around the campfire, live off the land, and become one with your natural surroundings.  Camping combines adventure, excitement, fun, and a rare opportunity to discover just how rich an experience this type of family vacation can be.

To get started, you’ll need to purchase or borrow some basic camp equipment such as a tent, 
preferably one that will house the entire family.  If you aren’t able to borrow a tent, check thrift shops and yard sales before you head to a retailer.  You might find a great bargain. 

Other basics you’ll need to thrive are food, a cooler, ice, sleeping bags, pillows, cleaning supplies, folding table, cookware, utensils, cups, and toilet paper (especially if there are no restrooms around), a first aid kit, and board games, fishing gear, flashlights, and extra batteries.

Companies like Boltwell make emergency kits chock full of everything you might need in case of an emergency like a weather radio, water purification tablets and even disposable toilet bags.  The items are must-haves for campers but also great to store in your vehicle or at home for everyday emergency situations.  

Boltwell B*86 Grab & Go Kit http://boltwell.com/

Expert campers typically carry a portable grill for ease of finding a cooking spot and to help keep clean-up simple.  A new product, the Bison Airlighter, is another grilling tool to consider carrying along.  Designed for serious grillers, tailgaters and campers, it runs on a patented technology that combines a high velocity flame with a jet-air-stream that ignites charcoal instantly so that you can be cooking for guests within five minutes.  A real bonus when you are faced with a hungry camping crew! 

Another good tool to have in hand is a tarp to place under the tent, especially in inclement weather, to prevent water from seeping into the tent.  It will also serve as a tent floor as well.  Also recommended is a battery lamp.  These items can be purchased at any of your local department stores.   

In addition, now that you have the basic supplies, you can always supplement your gear with additional items you need the next time you go camping.  You can easily check online to find a campsite in your state, as well as the low cost for staying in a national park or forest reserve.

Spending quality time with family has become the exception these days.  Camping gives a family the opportunity to come together, without any distractions, and bond in a unique setting.  Whether dad takes the kids fishing, while mom has some leisure time; or mom takes the kids hiking while dad enjoys some quiet time – or whether the entire family engages in both activities – camping reunites the family unit in a way no other type of vacation can.

If you are looking for an affordable vacation, camping is the way to go.  Think of all the laughs and memories you’ll be able to share with each other in years to come!

Bison Airlighter www.airlighter.com