Where to spend money
Waterproof tent with a full-coverage rainfly and lots of mesh windows.
A tent that's slightly larger than you think you need. (A six-man tent for a family of four.)
A roll-up sleeping pad because it not only cushions you, it also insulates you from the ground temperature. Look for closed-cell foam.
Thermacell insect repellent that you can set on your picnic table to repel bugs in a 15-foot radius.
Where to save money
Rent a tent, sleeping bags, a cookstove and other supplies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building. Approximate weekend rental rates are $20 for a four-person tent and $4.50 for a sleeping bag. For information and to make a reservation, call 554-2800.
Skip the sleeping bags. Use old blankets and sheets. Fold up a couple of extra blankets (wool is best) to use as a mattress and to insulate you from the cold of the ground.
Synthetic sleeping bags work well and cost less than down.
Safety first
Bring rain gear.
Do not camp in a low area or near a drainage path.
Never approach wild animals.
Do not keep food of any kind in your tent.
Wear sunscreen and sunglasses.
Supervise children and instruct them to stay within your sight.
Pay attention to weather conditions.
Family friendly practices
Plan fun activities but don't schedule every minute.
Go to parks with amenities like horse riding, hiking, swimming, swings or boating.
Take a camera.
Children under age 16 can fish without a license in Nebraska and Iowa.
Put your clothes in big sealed bags so they stay dry.
Bring cards or board games, in case of rain.
Bring a star chart for nighttime fun.
Campfire fun and safety tips
Clear area of debris, avoid overhanging branches and start fire away from your tent.
Have a bucket of water, a shovel and a fire extinguisher nearby to put out the fire.
Build a fire only as big as you need and never use flammable fluids to start it.
Never leave a fire unattended.
Make sure to completely extinguish a fire.
For children who want to roast marshmallows and hot dogs, consider safety forks (about $5) to avoid accidentally spearing someone.
Simple campfire recipes
Scrambled eggs or omelets — Scramble eggs in a freezer zip-close bag, adding any ingredients you want such as cheese, ham or green peppers, and cook in a pot of boiling water.
Pizza pitas — In a pita half put a tablespoon of pizza sauce, cheese and pizza toppings of your choice. Wrap in foil and cook over the fire until warmed.
Hobo dinners — On a piece of aluminum foil put a layer of hash browns. Top with diced mushrooms, carrots, celery, onions or whatever vegetables you like. Top with a fourth pound of raw ground beef (a patty or in crumbles). Roll up edges of foil, sealing tightly. Place in hot coals for 12 minutes or until the meat is done and vegetables are tender. Open carefully and sprinkle with shredded cheese if desired.
Smart camping tips
To stay dry, place a tarp under your tent to within about 2 inches of the exterior of the tent. Do not let the tarp extend beyond the tent or it will channel rainwater under your tent.
Always put the rainfly on your tent even if there's no rain in the forecast. The rainfly protects your tent from morning dew and from damage by UV rays of the sun.
Never spray your tent with mosquito spray because it will damage the waterproofing.
In a rainstorm, keep sleeping bags and gear from touching the walls of the tent.
Never put away a tent or other gear when it's wet or it will mildew.
If tents aren't for you
Some state parks have cabins for about $50 to $100 a night. For details, see: outdoornebraska.ne.gov/parks/permits/fees.asp and www.iowadnr.gov/parks/index.html.
For private cabin rentals, about $65 or more per night, check the classified advertising in The World-Herald and search online for cabins at your destination.
Sources
Jeff Rawlinson, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (outdoornebraska.ne.gov)
Deb Gochenour, Cub Camp administrator for the Boy Scouts of America Mid-America Council
Nate Lynch, camping manager, Scheels, Omaha
Jared Parker, camp director, Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center, Gretna (4h.unl.edu)
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