The Poor Doctor’s Wife goes Camping!

There are plenty of luxurious vacations out there and man they are tempting. Often times, it’s easy to get caught up in comparison, seeing our friends going to exotic beach destinations, that we completely forget there are fun and inexpensive things to do right in your own town or state. Some of you aren’t campers and that’s ok, camping isn’t the only way to have a “vacation on the cheap”. Camping is a lot of work that requires a lot of prep. So, if you hate camping, then this post may not be for you. But if you’re curious at all, keep reading my friend!

We are very blessed to live in beautiful Colorado. There are lakes, hiking, biking trails, and great camping sites all minutes away from our house and more of those things if you venture further out. This past weekend we hung around Basalt Colorado, near Aspen. Fortunately, my husband, aka “the poor doctor” is a camping expert… at least he is compared to moi. He has taught me a lot about the outdoors! The fist time I went fishing was on my honeymoon (I caught two fish, he did not, hah!). I love nature and it never gets old. It was beautiful.

Let’s get real here! Camping can actually be pretty expensive. There is equipment (ok a lot of equipment, food, camp reservation fees, and other fun toys that make camping so much fun but not cheap. Like everything, you have to intentionally make it an activity that fits in your budget. This is where creativity comes into play. We try to make camping as economical and as fun as possible. Here are my tips to do camping on the cheap.

Tip #1 Remember: Camping on the Cheap is not “Glam’ping”

I’m not going to paint a picture of sunshine and rainbows for you, camping on the cheap is hard work and not glamorous. I have to prep food, pack a ton of stuff, there’s a tent involved and usually no showers. Sometimes getting to the campsite itself seems like way too much work but once you are there and the campsite is set up, the fun begins.

Tip #2 Don’t get all the Equipment at Once!

Sometimes we humans like to justify our purchases disguising wants as needs and so we go way overboard buying equipment that we don’t need. This principle is very true in our society when having a baby as well. As a new mom, I totally felt I needed a diaper genie… I didn’t. Anyway, I digress, back to roughing it in the great outdoors. You can break the bank like crazy with all the amazing camping gear that’s available.

Camping Gear as a Gift or Borrowing

One of our greatest wedding gifts was camping gear. Occasionally, we still will gift each other camping equipment for Christmas or Birthdays, which is great.

Borrowing gear from family or close friends can also be an option. If you’re sensing a “but”, your senses are right on the money. Borrowing is definitely cheap but whenever you borrow something you have to be willing to replace it if it gets damaged. I would ask to borrow old items that are fairly inexpensive. At any rate, talk with the peeps you are borrowing the stuff from and make sure you are all on the same page. Also, if you want to do some kayaking or paddle-boarding some reservoirs have them ready to rent. Simply, budget ahead of time if you want to rent.

Tip #3 Look for Used equipment or end of the Season Closeouts

Checking out thrift stores for certain smaller camping items is also great. However, I do not recommend going this route for tents. Instead, use Facebook Market Place or Craigslist. This way, you can set the tent up and contact the seller if anything is wrong with your purchase. Or maybe, you know individuals who are older and perhaps done with the whole “roughing it scene” they may be more willing to sell or give you some gear.

Another option is checking out the ” end of season closeout sales” for REI and Backcountry. These sales usually occur around October. You can find some pretty great deals on tents and bigger ticket items. On the flip side, memorial day also provides some great discounts for their “beginning of the season sale”.

Tip #4 Don’t over do it on Food

Camp food is fun. Like most vacations, you can definitely spend a lot in this area. You have to strike a good balance between connivence and price. Meaning, you can’t buy all ready-made foods or that will cost you more. But making everything from scratch will drive you insane. Make a food budget and stick to it.

Balance Convenience and Cost

Something that helps with cost and convenience, is to prep food beforehand. I make kabobs but made the marinade, diced the meat and veggies beforehand. If you’re doing pancakes, make the mix before go, instead of buying a packaged one.

Here is my Homemade granola Recipe

Snacks

If your brining kids along, snacks can be another thing that can cost more. They are running around all day and so never-ending hunger and thirst can be the end result. I’ll make some snacks but also bring some fruit, crackers or apple sauce cups. Again, find a balance of bringing stuff you made and things you bought. And you gotta get a little candy because it’s fun!

Dutch Oven Cooking!

Fresh Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler!

Tip #5 Look for Cheap or Free Camp Sites

The Campsite we just visited was the “Mollie B White River Campsite” in beautiful Colorado. It was about $27 dollars a night. We only stayed 2 nights because we have a Toddler and we knew he, in particular, wouldn’t sleep very well. But I recommend 3 nights because the site is right on the reservoir and so fun. Plus, it takes so long to prep for camping, it’s nice to get more days of fun out of all the work!

Also, Colorado has dispersed campsites that are free. Usually, these campsites do not have bathrooms or other amenities but they are FREE! We have been creative as a family and created our our camping toilet… it’s not pretty, but it works. I told you camping on the cheap is not glamorous. Another perk about these sites, is that they are usually more secluded. I know what you’re thinking… they better be more secluded, if I’m having to do my business in the wilderness.

Tip #6 Go with Family and Friends

Going with family or friends is not only fun but also practical. For instance, you can switch off making meals (depending on the size of the group, this is very convenient). Perhaps, if you go camping with close friends or family you could share extra camping gear with each other. That way both families don’t always have to go out and buy gear they don’t have already.

Another perk, is your kiddos have instant entertainment running around with their friends. And if you go with one of your “besties”, you can do paddle board yoga and embarrass yourself!

Camping Activity Ideas

If your a beginner and don’t have all the stuff, camp in your back yard. But if you have all the basics here are few things to do while you’re camping.

• Hiking
• Fishing
• biking (if you can bring your bikes)
• Reading a Book as family
• Coloring pages
• Water color painting
• Buy some string and make hair wraps
• Simple crafts (like bracelets or rock art)
• Card Games
• Swimming, kayaking, paddle-boarding if near a lake
• exploring or a scavenger hunt (kids love collecting rocks or looking for wild flowers)
• playing games around the fire
• bring a ball and play soccer

Products I love!

Kayaks are currently cheaper at Walmart!

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