Three Simple Tips for an Affordable Family Camping Trip

(ARA) – When faced with financial challenges like those posed by the recent economic downturn, American families tend to react to their decreased discretionary dollars by getting “back to basics.” They pursue different leisure activities and ones that offer quality time that can bring them closer together.

While the jury is still out on exactly how many families will forgo their traditional, theme park destination vacation in lieu of a “staycation” -- the more eco-friendly option that is closer to home -- for those that do, they will find plenty of good news. Not only can staying closer to home be fun, but it’s relatively inexpensive, too. And unlike the typical blow-out summer vacation, staying close to home takes only a little bit of sensible planning, imagination and budget.

One of the best imaginable staycations for families is a return to the great American camping experience. For those who really enjoy roughing it, there are terrific products out there, but if you are among those who are shedding the conveniences of a hotel room for the first time and are seeking a more comfortable experience, consider these top tips for an incredible camping trip:

1. Pick the right campsite.
Backyard or backwoods? Chances are, your backyard is a wonderland that you’ve never truly experienced, and camping there allows you to do so without forfeiting your creature comforts. And it’s free, making this a great first option. But if you’re in the mood for a little more adventure and the idea of getting away inspires you, check out your local campgrounds and parks at koa.com or reserveamerica.com. Many campsites are available, including prime waterfront sites if the deep woods are not your thing, with basic fees of less than $20 per night.

2. Choose the right gear.
Borrow or buy? If you’re staycationing for the first time, borrowing camping gear from a friend is a great idea. It will allow you to try it out without risk and gain a better idea of what features you like when it does come time for you to buy. If you are ready to buy, remember that although purchasing gear is the most expensive part of camping, it is just a one-time expense and with care, your gear will last for years to come at little or no additional cost.

Whether you’re going to be staying at a local campground or in your own backyard, choosing a quality tent is key. Resist the temptation to buy an inexpensive one; with tents, you typically get what you pay for, and if your bargain tent ends up leaking during a sudden storm, you’ll regret the entire experience and be less likely to camp again. To be safe, avoid discount stores and choose a tent from a well-known manufacturer. When shopping, remember that size is very important, too; manufacturers typically list tent sizes according to how many sleeping bags or camp pads can fit inside, so if you need to store extra gear, you’re better off choosing a tent that sleeps more people than you need or that includes added storage space. Consider the Eureka! N!ergy tent -- it incorporates a 12-volt wiring harness and when used with the E! Power Pak (sold separately); it powers 12-volt accessories like lights, fans, radios, and cell phone chargers inside. Available in three sizes, it sleeps anywhere from four to 10 people. Visit www.epowertent.com for more information.

Sleeping bags go a long way to bring added comfort and convenience to a camping trip. When purchasing, look for bags that are rated to the lowest temperature you’re likely to see and let the kids take part in the selection; there are several fun and colorful sleeping bags sized just for them on the market. To make the campsite more user-friendly and comfortable, consider adding camp pads beneath your sleeping bag and additional furniture such as tables, folding hammocks, cots and chairs. Visit www.eurekatents.com for more information.

3. Bring the right essentials and be creative.
With the destination set and the gear selected, the rest of the essentials can be quite simple for a brief weekend trip, and often they’re items you already have at home. So, be creative. For example, because camping makes even the most mundane chores fun, even the kids will want to help, so make cooking a family affair by bringing your own portable grill and easy camp recipes from the Web. Let the kids share in the cooking fun by toasting marshmallows and making s’mores for dessert. For personal care, most family campgrounds offer basic amenities, although sometimes they can be limited, so stick to bringing the basic toiletries but skip the extras, like blow dryers. Lastly, remember to bring these inexpensive items that become absolutely priceless in the outdoors: first aid kit, flashlight, pocket knife, charcoal and starter fuel, trash bags, dish soap and for the kids -- cards, books, board games and ghost stories for having fun no matter what the weather brings.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Vail Resorts Introduces 'Epic Summer, A Colorado Family Adventure' Vacation Experience in Colorado's Rocky Mountains

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE:MTN) today announced a new all-inclusive summer family vacation experience in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, "Epic Summer, A Colorado Family Adventure." Vail Resorts is combining the best of its Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail and Beaver Creek mountain resorts in Colorado with classic Rocky Mountain summer adventures for locally guided, all-inclusive family vacation experiences in four- and seven-day itineraries. Vail Resorts will begin taking reservations for the Epic Summer trips beginning April 1, 2009.

"In these challenging times, we're seeing a return to the basics of a classic family vacation with 'luxury' now defined as companies providing a good value and people spending quality time with friends and loved ones. Our 'Epic Summer' vacation will have the best that Colorado's Rocky Mountains have to offer with everything included at one very attractive price," said Rob Katz, chief executive officer of Vail Resorts. "Right now, there is no better place to visit than the majestic national parks and forests of the West, and our new Epic Summer vacation will take guests on a guided tour through these spectacular mountain settings for a memorable outdoors summer adventure."

What makes Epic Summer trips memorable, besides the carefully selected activities, are Vail Resorts' experienced local guides who will lead guests through the entire itinerary from the moment they arrive until it's time to say farewell. The Epic Summer guides have been hand-picked because of their knowledge of and passion for Colorado and the mountains. They are experts in the history, culture and ecology of the areas that families will visit and have already taken care of all of the logistical planning so families can relax and make the most of their vacation experience.

Seven-Day Epic Summer Itinerary

On the six-night, seven-day itinerary, families will experience all of the following included activities:

-- The wonder of standing at the top of the Continental Divide in a trip
to world-renowned Rocky Mountain National Park.
-- The thrill of whitewater rafting down a scenic Colorado river.
-- The serenity of horseback riding through groves of aspens, pines and
fields dotted by wildflowers on Beaver Creek Mountain.
-- The awe of a gondola ride to the summits of Vail and Keystone
mountains, followed by family-friendly naturalist hikes and
mountaintop picnics.
-- The delight of an historical walking tour through the old Victorian
mining town of Breckenridge, which is celebrating its 150th
anniversary this year.
-- The excitement of an authentic gold mine tour and hands-on gold
panning.
-- The reward of a Wild West cowboy campfire dinner, complete with wagon
rides and storytelling.



The itinerary also allows plenty of time to explore the unique shops and boutiques in the towns of Estes Park, Vail and Breckenridge, along with other optional activities such as outdoor ice skating, orienteering and bicycling.

All of the meals are included and carefully planned to reflect the character and flavor of the Rocky Mountain West. Three of the lunches are mountaintop picnics where guests enjoy magnificent sweeping views of Colorado's Rocky Mountains, while another is enjoyed on the banks of a river during the rafting excursion. Dinners take place in iconic Colorado restaurants as well as an outdoor cowboy campfire dinner.

Four-Day Epic Summer Itinerary

Families looking for a weekend escape can enjoy an abbreviated version of the seven-day guided trip featuring white water rafting, a scenic gondola ride to an easy guided hike and mountaintop picnic, horseback riding and time for shopping in the towns of Vail and Breckenridge.

Environmental Education & Carbon Offset

To round out the guest experience and engage family members of all ages in the unique natural settings of the Epic Summer adventure, key messages about local flora and fauna, geology, geography and history of the region will be artfully integrated into guest activities. As a further complement to the experience and in keeping with Vail Resorts' commitment to environmental stewardship, the carbon impacts associated with the lodging and transportation portion of each guest's trip will be offset to support development of renewable energy throughout the country.

All-Inclusive Pricing

The Epic Summer trips run from June 26, 2009 through Sept. 6, 2009. Both packages include experienced guides, accommodations in well-appointed condominiums or lodge rooms in Keystone or Breckenridge resorts, all featured activities, transportation to and from all activities, ground transfers to/from Denver International Airport and all meals. Airfare is not included. The Epic Summer trips are recommended for children ages 6 and older.

The six-night, seven-day all-inclusive package is priced at $1,195 for adults and $895 for children (ages 12 and under). It begins on Sunday evenings with a welcome reception and dinner in Keystone Resort and ends after breakfast on Saturdays.

The three-night, four-day package is $695 for adults and $545 for children (ages 12 and under). It begins on Thursday evenings with a welcome reception and dinner in Keystone Resort and ends after breakfast on Sundays.

For more information and reservations, call 888-538-EPIC (3742) or visit www.epicsummer.com. Vail Resorts will begin taking reservations for the Epic Summer trips on April 1, 2009.

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