![[camping-feature-image.png]] Camping is one of those rare activities that arguably gets more fun with less resources. ### Points to make: - Campsites are cheaper than hotels. - If you know where to look, they are free. - Don't fall down the designer gear rabbit hole. - If you're climbing Mt. Whitney, you probably need some quality gear. If you're car camping with your kids, Walmart has most everything you need. - Camping has suffered from the same lifestyle creep that most every other recreation activity has in the United States. It has its own influencer ecosystem, complete with hashtags and YouTube channels. Don't buy the hype. You don't need most of that stuff. - Do plan ahead and get the right gear. - Having the right stuff may make the difference between an uncomfortable experience and a fantastic time. - Start small with purchases. Borrow stuff if you can. You have to spend a few nights out as a family to really know which pieces of gear you think are worth the expense. - When you find something that looks like a real benefit, check for off brand alternatives. Now that there is an entire industry for this stuff, copy cat products are increasingly easy to find. - Camp for the experience, not the photos. - If you're doing this so others can see it on your social feed, then you'll feel the pressure to have the right gear to impress. That stuff is expensive.