Getting Started

Camping can be a relatively low cost vacation option, once you make the initial investment in basic gear. If you take your children on picnics or trips to the beach, you may be surprised to find that you already have some of the basics needed for camping. Click on the "Getting Started" tab near the top of the page to view a list of gear you will need.


If you're new to camping I suggest starting small. If you have never taken your children on a BBQ, try planning one for the day to see how it goes with the planning, hauling gear, cooking/grilling, etc. There are many locations in NYC where you can barbecue - be it Prospect Park, Flushing Meadows, Randall's Island or Van Cortlandt park. The following link will allow you to search for parks in any borough by feature: NYC Find a Park. 


Next, consider planning a 2-3 night trip relatively close to home so in an emergency you can pack up and leave quickly. If you are in the NYC area, there are a few campsites in Long Island which are close, like Wildwood or Heckscher. 


Cabin camping is a great way to introduce yourself to camping and requires less of an investment in gear since you don't need a tent. Many cabins come equipped with bunk beds or cots and a basic kitchen. Kampgrounds of America (KOA), Sebago cabins in Harriman Park or North-South lake in the Catskills are good places to start. If you have any single parent friends willing to go, it will always make things easier however don't be discouraged if your only option is to go it alone.


My initial camping gear investment was about $400, and that was five years ago. There are some economical ways you can save on gear. Consider finding used items for sale from craigslist or ebay. Some items you should buy new are the tent and the sleeping bag. Backpacks, grills, folding tables, camp chairs and other items can be bought used.


There are few camping outfitters in the New York metro area. Paragon Sporting goods is fairly well stocked with quality camping gear but they can be rather expensive, though you can sometimes find deals. Modell's sporting goods has some camping gear but their selection is severely limited. Target also has a better selection of camping gear than Modell's. If you want to buy gear online, here is a list of sites I often find deals on:

• www.amazon.com - The online superstore. They have nearly everything and offer good prices. If you're a prime member, 2-day shipping on many items is free which is great for the bulkier items. 
• www.sierratradingpost.com - This is a discount store for outdoor gear. Their selection is somewhat limited to discontinued or closeout items but you can get great deals.
• www.campmor.com - A New Jersey based outfitter they have a good selection and you can sometimes find good deals.
• www.cabelas.com - This is not an inexpensive store but they typically sell very good quality items here. If you want to buy something guaranteed to last, this is your store.
• www.rei.com Just like Cabelas, this Washington State based outfitter has been providing quality outdoor gear for decades. Again not inexpensive but high quality and they have an outlet store where you can find deals. Happily they are expected to open a store in NYC (in SoHo) in Fall 2011.

Camping does take careful planning but I have provided checklists on the Camping Checklist tab near the top of the blog. They provide a solid foundation and you can customize these to suit your particular trip.