| Whether you are an experienced camping | | | | Borrow and Rent |
| enthusiast or you are starting off on | | | | If you have friends who have camped in |
| your first camping experience, it is | | | | the past, they may be able to supply |
| important to have the proper gear and | | | | some equipment for you to borrow. This |
| equipment. Many of the supplies can be | | | | will greatly reduce initial expenses. |
| expensive and some items may be hard to | | | | Even if you can get pieces from several |
| find. To get the most for your money, | | | | people, this may help. Make sure to keep |
| though, there are several tricks you can | | | | a list of who gave you which items so |
| employ. | | | | you can return them to the correct |
| Plan | | | | people. Be considerate of other people's |
| Unless you have an unlimited budget, a | | | | property and return items cleaned and in |
| camping trip is not something where you | | | | good condition. Some items are also |
| can get everything at once without a bit | | | | available for rental. Check with local |
| of planning. Research where you will be | | | | rental locations to see if they have |
| going, the conditions that will be | | | | items such as grills and showers. For |
| present and the climate. Make a list of | | | | maximum convenience, you can rent a |
| all the supplies you will need and | | | | recreational vehicle which will supply |
| determine what items you have available | | | | cooking, eating and sleeping facilities. |
| and what items you will need to | | | | Buy Used and Discounted |
| purchase. If you start early enough, | | | | Check on the Internet or at local resale |
| you'll be able to spread purchases over | | | | shops for used equipment. Many people |
| a longer period of time so it does not | | | | will purchase items for camping then |
| take as big a hit to your budget all at | | | | decide they don't want it anymore or |
| once. | | | | they upgrade. You can find great deals |
| Budget | | | | at these stores and buy clothing and |
| Research on the Internet or at local | | | | equipment at a value. Discount stores |
| sporting goods stores to get an idea of | | | | often have sporting goods sections. You |
| the cost for all the equipment and | | | | may not be able to buy all your camping |
| supplies you will need. Do not forget | | | | needs there but you may be able to find |
| items such as food and water, cooking | | | | dishes, heaters, grills, tents and |
| utensils and eating implements. If you | | | | sleeping bags at a greatly reduced |
| go over budget, see if there are ways | | | | price. |
| you can economize or determine if there | | | | Buying camping equipment can be |
| are some items you can do without. Do | | | | expensive, especially for the first time |
| not skimp on survival equipment or first | | | | camper. However, with a little planning |
| aid equipment as these are essential. | | | | and time you can get items at a |
| However, you may be able to get away | | | | discounted rate. Make sure to be |
| with roughing it a bit more by foregoing | | | | organized and make lists of necessary |
| some luxury items. Compare prices on the | | | | items. Research prices and compare |
| Internet. Not all stores have comparable | | | | stores to find the best discounts |
| prices and if you forego the convenience | | | | available. Your camping vacation will be |
| of getting everything at one store, you | | | | a lot more enjoyable if you didn't spend |
| may get better prices. | | | | a fortune to rough it in the wilderness. |