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Car camping on the cheap

It's not all fun and games when authors Mary and Bill Burnham go camping. At the end of the day, there's writing to do.

Mary Burnham and her husband Bill wrote the book about car camping...literally. Full-time freelance writers for more than a decade, Mary and Bill have co-authored six books and hundreds of magazine articles on hiking, paddling and camping.

Their book "Car Camping for Everyone" is a culmination of years of trial and error for this outdoor adventure loving couple. Mary, who grew up camping in the Adirondacks, recommends how you can keep your first outings simple and inexpensive.

Tent

"There are lots of things you can do without when camping or you can make substitutions. However, a tent is not one of them," Mary said. "Use your budget to buy a good tent. You can get something decent for a little over $100 at one of the big box stores. I wouldn't spend any less, though. If it leaks, all your stuff will get wet. You could also borrow a tent from a friend or rent one from an outdoor store."

While borrowing or renting a tent will allow you to give it a test drive, Mary doesn't recommend buying a used tent sight unseen.

Stove

"The little backpacking stoves are more expensive. So I recommend the Coleman two-burner suitcase stove that uses propane canisters. Check out eBay for good deals. Or borrow one from a friend or rent one," Mary advised.

Bedding

You won't have to toss and turn all night worrying about money if you pack up your blankets and pillows instead of buying fancy sleeping bags.

"You can spend a lot on a down sleeping bag, but unless you're camping in extremely cold weather, just go with your old comforter and some pillows. A closed cell foam pad or one of the inflatable beds people use for their guest rooms at home will keep you comfortable. If you get an air mattress, make sure you can plug it into a cigarette lighter to inflate it."

Cookware/Tableware

"Raid your cupboards at home for extra flatware, mugs and other items. Or purchase inexpensive plastic plates, bowls and cups. We don't use paper plates when we camp, though, because we don't want to create waste."

Mary also recommends hitting a few garage sales to find some pots and pans to avoid cooking with your good stuff when you're camping.

As you gain more camping experience, you'll get a better idea of what you need and want based on the kind of camping you're doing, how long your trips are, where and when you're camping and how comfortable you and your family need to be.

To learn more about Mary and Bill Burnham's outdoor adventures or check out their books, visit their site: http://www.burnhamvirginia.com/books or http://www.burnhamink.com/

Also, next week, Mary will provide advice on where to camp and what factors you should consider to ensure your trip is a success.