5 tips for camping on a budget

Having fun on vacation needn't have a hefty price tag. Don't discount some of the more time-honoured traditions of getting away from it all that will please everyone.

Depending on the weather, one of the best family holidays is also the cheapest: camping. If you already own equipment, the major expenses are food and gas.

If you don't own equipment, try to rent or borrow some from friends for the first outing or two, to see if you enjoy the camping experience; or start out on a site where everything is provided.

• For a family of four, this can cost 60% less than buying your own tent if you only use it for one year.

• Campsites range from remote settings to privately owned grounds that have a full range of facilities including stores, entertainment rooms and swimming pools.
• Fees vary considerably, too. At some campsites, you can pitch a tent for as little as $20, while private campgrounds — often with pools and a range of activities for kids — can charge as much as $35 a night for a tent and $80 for a cabin.
• To check out the range of options, look your area up online— you're bound to find lots of nearby camping grounds.

Keep costs down by bringing your own food and storing it in a cooler — or even a mini fridge with a car adapter if you have one.

• You can also save money by organizing your own entertainment and keeping excursions to a minimum.

Camping can provide a low-cost way to explore other parts of Canada, as well as the rest of the world. Consider these interesting options:

• Teepee camping: There are many teepee camping grounds around the world, that are guaranteed fun for the whole family. Many of them provide activities where you can learn how to set up camp, how to live off the land and then listen to stories around the campfire
• Tent cottages: Eco-friendly cottages make use of recycled materials and draw their power from the sun and the wind. The cottages are linked by covered walkways, to avoid soil erosion that might harm the surrounding environment.
• Camp across the pond: Think you can't afford to take the kids to Europe? Consider an inexpensive camping holiday. Here you can rent a tent-bungalow that offers beds with linen, electric lights, a living room and cooking facilities and see a new part of the world for less.

No matter where you're going, camping is an exciting way to experience the great outdoors for less.