Saving Money Camping
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On the Saving Money Camping blog, Gretchen shares information about camping accessories, tips and recipes. Through her blog, she has been helping readers enjoy the ultimate frugal family experience.
Saving Money Camping
4y ago
I really, really want the snow, rain, and fog to let up so we can go camping.
The weather is understandable, since it’s February, but I’m still impatient.
For me, the “I can’t wait to go camping” attitude is a far cry from 3 years ago, when our daughter was under a year old, and we were tent camping – not in a cushy camping trailer like we are now. And let me tell you, the experience is VERY different.
Related: Camping with A Baby? Read This First.
While I’m so thankful for the way we camp now, in the time that we roughed it in a tent, I learned a few tricks about how to make it easier ..read more
Saving Money Camping
4y ago
Don’t discount Illinois just because it’s in the Midwest!
Nestled in between Chicago and St. Louis are hundreds of amazing parks, and today I’ve rounded up 5 of the best places to camp in Illinois. So skip the legwork and use the link and info here to plan your next camping trip in Illinois.
Going camping with the kids? Here are activities you can do with no special supplies
Starved Rock State Park, Oglesby, IL
Oglesby is home to one of the most spectacular state parks in Illinois: Starved Rock State Park. It is one of the best places to camp in Illinois because the park has something for ..read more
Saving Money Camping
4y ago
For the last 3 years, we’ve been living and camping in Missouri.
Now we live in Southern Illinois, we’re still only 30 minutes from the Illinois/Missouri border, making some of the parks we’ve come to know and love – some of the best places to camp in Missouri – accessible to us still.
Not many people know it, but Missouri is more than fields, trees, and the city of St. Louis. Getting a bit outside the comfort of the city you’ll find some amazing state parks with rivers, cliffs, boulders, and caves. Missouri is filled with diverse landscape and breathtaking views that everyone should exp ..read more
Saving Money Camping
4y ago
So you’re thinking about going camping…
Daunting, isn’t it?
I remember our first time camping with an 8-month old – I was terrified.
Granted I had absolutely no experience camping, or with a baby, but we decided to go anyway and give it a try.
So I know how you’re feeling, and it’s definitely warranted.
BUT, there are so many reasons why camping is good for you and your kids.
Here I’ve listed several of them, as well as links to relevant resources to help you get organized and get ready for your first camping trip!
Self-Reliance Is An Important Skill
Maybe you think the newest generation of ..read more
Saving Money Camping
4y ago
While we’d all like to think that camping is only sunshine and happy times.
But the reality is that weather is unpredictable, whether you’ve scheduled a camping trip or not.
Even if you monitor the weather like a hawk before you go, it’s always best to be prepared for anything. Here’s how:
Cold Weather
During the beginning and end of the camping season, cold weather can definitely happen, especially at night. This is why it’s so important to be prepared! If you plan on camping in the mountains, you could even see snow as late as June, so keep that in mind.
Pack for cold weather:
Long sleev ..read more
Saving Money Camping
4y ago
Camping Unplugged.
Those two words are sure to strike fear into the heart of any teenager – and probably you, as the parent.
Whether your family has teenagers, toddlers, or some mix of the two, unplugging is hard for everyone, regardless of if you immediately realize it.
For teenagers, their desire to be connected all the time is pretty obvious – and they tend to be pretty vocal about it when you tell them your camping unplugged.
But for toddlers, the change can be just as hard. They just don’t know it yet.
Bookmark these tips for your next unplugged camping trip to help everyone – toddlers ..read more
Saving Money Camping
4y ago
Camping is a time for unplugging, for getting to know one another (since you’re family and all) and for spending time in the great outdoors. No kids camping activities needed.
If you’re in the tent, watching a movie, or playing on your phone the whole time, then you’ve missed the point.
#sorrynotsorry
Usually, kids have so much fun on a camping trip that they’re busy from sunup to sundown, no need for entertainment from the parents. But occasionally, boredom strikes, a rainy day hits, or you happen upon some just plain bad attitudes.
And when that happens, it’s nice to have a few activit ..read more
Saving Money Camping
4y ago
Kids are eager to learn. It doesn’t matter their age, their experience level, or how reluctant they are to go camping with you – they can benefit from getting their hands a little bit dirty, trying something new, and learning these 23 camping skills.
Cooking & Eating
How To Open a Can
Did you know you can open a can without a can opener? It’s actually pretty easy.
Your kids should know how to open a can WITH a can opener as well as how to use a hard surface such as a rock. Here’s how:
Pick a rock with a rough surface, fairly large in size
Place the can upside down on the rock so yo ..read more
Saving Money Camping
4y ago
If spending your leisure time outdoors is one of your first loves, you can invest in a 2 person tent for camping that allows you to enjoy communing with nature for overnight trips, while still allowing you to avoid the heavy packs and complicated setups that some tents require.
Whether you backpack, bicycle or snowmobile, you can find a variety of high-quality, 2-person tents that will provide maximum comfort with a minimum of weight and hassle. These come in a variety of designs and configurations.
Here are 5 of the top 2 person tents for camping on the market today:
REI Half Dome 2
I ..read more