Summer break is in full swing. However, with the realities of work or summer classes, many students are thinking the same thing: I need to get the hell out of here. Vacations provide a great opportunity to cut back and blow off some steam. Unfortunately working with a student budget brings a few more realities into play: Gas, food and lodging can all leave a pretty big hole in one's bank account. But that doesn't mean you have to stay cooped up all summer. Camping trips can provide the perfect escape, all while being friendly to the wallet.
The first step to a successful camping trip is plenty of planning. You will need to plan in advance what supplies to bring. Buying all new equipment is costly; however, you may be surprised at how many people you know that have camping equipment. By asking the right people, you may be lucky enough to get everything you need. If you aren't so lucky, don't fret; as a student you get a pretty sweet opportunity.
Outdoor Adventures is the university's foremost outfitter. It's located on City Campus at the Campus Recreation Center. Most people know this area as the Bike Shop. But apart from fixing bikes, it also has plenty of camping equipment available for rent. From tents and sleeping bags to stoves and fuel, Outdoor Adventures has you covered. You can even rent canoes or kayaks. Students receive a substantial discount on rented items, but the best part is they accept NCards. You can always inquire within, and there is a list of available supplies and prices on Outdoor Adventures' website.
Even after getting all the equipment, you will still need to consider food. Most campsites won't have a restaurant on site. If you plan on bringing a stove, you have a lot of options. Luckily, most campsites come complete with fire pits. These fire pits include a grill that can be placed above the fire. Focus on buying items you can grill. You can easily keep your food budget in line by sticking with hot dogs and hamburgers, but don't be afraid to be creative. By typing "campfire recipes" into Google, you will find a multitude of options. You can't go wrong when you choose campfire pizza and homemade chili. Just make sure you bring everything you need to eat it.
Of course, you can't forget the most essential items: graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate. It doesn't matter if you like your marshmallows black as night or slightly toasted, you should never miss an opportunity to make s'mores.
Once you've got the supplies in line, it's time to decide where to go. Lincoln is in an area rich with state parks. Many include beautiful camping areas that would make anyone want to pitch a tent. One of the closest sites is Branched Oak State Recreation Area — it's located a mere 16 miles outside of Lincoln. At Branched Oak, the traditional campsites include a cement pad, picnic table and electric hookups. However, the pads are situated extremely close together, which can ruin anyone's quiet getaway. Moreover, these sites will run you $18 a night.
Fortunately, Branched Oak offers a solid alternative. Primitive camping gives campers the opportunity to maintain a campsite for half the price of a traditional spot. The primitive sites are nestled away from roads in the most peaceful area of the park. Primitive camping sounds intimidating, but it's really not. It simply means the sites do not come with electric hookups. You are provided with a picnic table and a fire pit. Branched Oak gets 3G service, however without a car charger it won't do you any good. Just learn to shut off your phone and enjoy life for once.
Branched Oak has plenty of options to keep you busy during the day. The lake has boat ramps, beaches and plenty of trails. Among swimming, hiking and biking you won't know where the time went.
The real memories are made at the end of the day. There is nothing more relaxing than drinking beverages and making s'mores around the campfire. Just be sure to properly put out the fire when you are done — nothing ruins a good camping trip like a forest fire. Lastly, the most important part about camping is being a good patron. Clean up any mess that you make to keep our parks beautiful.
Just by renting supplies and utilizing primitive camping, two people can manage to have a great escape for around $25 a person. Getting a big group of people to join you can further reduce that price. With a little planning, any student can manage to de-stress without putting a strain on their budget. Once you get your site all set up, you'll never want to leave.
Kevin Moser is a senior psychology major. You can reach him at kevinmoser@dailynebraskan.com.
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