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Camping equipment doesn’t have to be expensive. Some things you don’t even have to buy. You can make them yourself.
The purpose of a tent is to keep you out of the rain, wind, cold, and sometimes heat. The use of nylon tarps can work in place of an expensive tent. You can keep it simple, or make it very elaborate. The most basic design is a single tarp hung at an angle, and suspended from a rope strung between two trees, secured to the ground with rocks. Most people prefer more protection than that, however, and so a larger nylon tarp can be draped over a horizontal rope, allowing each half of the tarp to form the two angled side walls. To secure the walls, use the existing grommet holes, or make your own. Leave the head and feet ends of your shelter open, or sew on sections from another tarp to create a door or sealed end. Use an additional tarp as an inexpensive ground cover.
In lieu of tent poles, use tree branches or hiking poles to support the tarps. For tent stakes, sharpen one end of a stick, and make a notch at the top end to secure the line. Pound the sticks into the ground with a rock instead of a store-bought hammer. This will also cut down on the amount of gear you have to pack.
Cots and sleeping bags can be costly. Tree boughs, laid one foot thick in the same direction, can make a warm and comfortable substitute. Lay a tarp or sheet over the boughs so that any pointy ends from the branches won’t poke you. Tree boughs used in this way can keep you warm even in freezing conditions.
A cheap and easily made substitute for rain ponchos are thick, plastic trash bags. Simply make a hole in the bottom of the bag for your head, and one hole on each side for your arms. Use a smaller bag, with a hole punched in the bottom, for a sleeve. Connect each sleeve to the main bag using duct tape.
Sleeping bag liners help to keep your sleeping bag clean. They also add an extra layer of warmth. You can make your own removable and washable liner. Though you can use almost any fabric, fleece is nice because it’s soft and warm. Measure your body size and sleeping bag diameter to determine how many yards you’ll need to purchase from the local fabric store. Take into account any shrinkage that may occur after washing. Use thick thread to sew it together, as you’ll need it fairly strong. A zipper can be added for easy access in and out of the liner.
Pillows are always nice to have when camping, but who wants to risk losing or ruining their favorite pillow? You can make a pillow just for camping. Using an old pillowcase, either cut the width in half, or use it full-sized. Keep it next to the dryer. Discard the lint into the pillowcase. When the pillow is the thickness that you want, simply sew the pillowcase shut and you have your very own camp pillow.
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