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Community Corner

Frugal Families - Camping

Camping is the most affordable of vacations!

Camping is a great way to create wonderful memories and family traditions while enjoying the great outdoors. It is also a super cheap family vacation. Kids love to play outside, get dirty and explore, and it is a great way for them to learn about the world around them. Many babies, even the fussiest ones, are coaxed into quietude by the sights and sounds of the forest.

Before you head out into the wilderness, make sure you have the basic equipment. Camping gear can be expensive when purchased new, but even the pricey stuff can save a bundle in the long run. Investing in a high-quality tent will always be cheaper than paying for a hotel room.

If you want a more luxurious experience, investing in a trailer or pop-up camper will be the right choice for you. There are trailers with bathrooms or without, and some even have air conditioning.

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The very best way to collect gear is by rummaging through yard sales, searching on Craigslist, or perusing the rows at the . Look for tents, sleeping bags and pads, backpacks, cooking sets, etc., but be careful to inspect items for damage, such as holes in tent material, before potentially wasting your money on unusable gear.

The camping supply store REI has an excellent membership program if you want to buy your equipment new. A lifetime membership at REI costs only $20 and affords you so many benefits, including an annual refund in the form of company dividends. Every March, members will receive 10% back on eligible purchases, which they can choose to spend in stores or exchange for cash.

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Campmor is also an excellent place to buy brand new gear at a discounted price.

Knowing what equipment you need and exactly what to pack is something that you learn as you go, but to help you get started, the following websites have handy lists of stuff to pack:

About.com (printable list!)

LoveTheOutdoors.com

ScoutLists.com

For a detailed, comprehensive map of campsites in Georgia, visit the website of Georgia’s Wildlife Resources Division. Some campgrounds have showers and toilets, others have cabins, and some have only an outhouse. Pick the one that is right for you and your family.

Georgia Wildlife Resources Division

Georgia State Parks

Happy trails to you, until we meet again!

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