Get back to nature to save money

By Cathy Spaulding
Phoenix Staff Writer

July 01, 2009 01:18 am

— BRAGGS — Retired electrician A.V. Harris and his grown son, Junior Harris, got a head start on a busy Independence Day weekend by setting up the family’s campsite at Greenleaf State Park on Tuesday morning.
“A lot of people are coming: 15, 20, sometimes 30 people,” A.V. Harris said, while his son set the stakes for a three-person tent. “Got my wife, kids, grandkids, great-grandkids.”
They’re getting a great bargain on their family get-together. Basic camping sites at Greenleaf and other state parks are $10 per tent, plus $6 per site if electricity is used, $2 for water, $3 for sewer. A.V. Harris said they already had the tents, bedding and other equipment. That just left food, bug spray and other rations, he said.
To put the whole bunch in a roadside hotel would cost “$400, $500 probably,” Junior Harris said, observing that a hotel wouldn’t have a view of Greenleaf Lake.
Family camping can be an economical way to give your family a meaningful vacation, especially if you already have the camping gear. Families such as the Harris’s are part of a growing trend.
“We’re experiencing a real growth in tent camping,” said Steve Williams, manager of Greenleaf and Tenkiller State Parks. “Overall, tent camping is up 10 percent.”
Joe Ingle, assistant manager of Lake Eufaula State Park said he thinks “a lot of people are staying close to home.”
“We’ve been pretty busy the last couple of months,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of people since the rain spell. It’s just the outdoor experience. They can see a deer right by the tent, a wild turkey or a squirrel. If they like, they can fish on the largest lake in Oklahoma.”
While the Harris’s saved money by already owning many of their supplies, it doesn’t cost that much to set up a bare-bones campsite.
“Tent camping is the most economical way to go,” Williams said. “We have a grill at our campsites. They need to bring stuff they plan on cooking, something to sleep on, food, ice and you’re ready to go.”
In Muskogee, major department stores such as Wal-Mart, Sears and Kmart are places to buy camping gear.
Kmart Manager Leon Degenhart said a tent would cost about $60; four sleeping bags run $12.75 each; a cook stove runs $35; a lantern for $10; Off insect repellent $5.80; propane $3; flashlight and matches, $1.80.
People with sturdy old blankets, sheets and an old rain tarp can save on sleeping bags by making bed rolls.
Campers also can check Phoenix classified ads or other classified sources for anyone selling camping gear. Army surplus stores also are a good source.
Williams said that, even with the hot temperatures, now is a good time to go camping.
“The lake is in the low 80s” in temperature, he said. “This time of year, bring bug repellent and some way of staying comfortable and cool.”
A.V. Harris said he and his wife often go camping in the Wildwood area near Fort Gibson Lake.
“It’s just the fresh air I guess,” he said. “I started to say you can get away from the phone, but everyone has cell phones now.”

Camping essentials

• Tent
• Tarp
• Sleeping bag or bedroll
• Sleeping pad, and headrest.
• Water
• Food
• Cooler
• Camp stove or campfire/grilling supplies.
• Mess kit/utensils
• Charcoal or fuel.
Don’t Forget
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen.
• First aid kit.
• Matches
• Flashlight

Source: About.com: Camping Web site checklist.
Reach Cathy Spaulding at 918-684-2928 or Click Here to Send Email

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.