Cheap Vacation Ideas

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Cheap Vacation Ideas
15
Wed, 06-17-2009 - 1:17pm

We just found out that friends of ours are going to let us use their Lake "camp/house" up in Maine for the 3rd week in July. It's right on a lake and she says the beach is fabulous for kids because it's not too deep. We've never really been on a vacation like this before. They have a kitchen and a bathroom, but I'm not sure how extensive either one is. They have a grill for food and we'll be able to make fires. We're basically 'cityfolk', but our kids are so excited.

Our basic plan is to spend our days by the lake, maybe do some kayaking, and grill food. The only thing I really would like to spend some money on is a life jacket for the baby (the kids already have some) a tent and some sleeping bags so the kids can experience sleeping outside a few nights. I can get a great one at Target for 80 dollars and the sleeping bags are only 20 dollars.

I don't want to spend a ton of money on this trip, but I will probably have the tendency to think "Oh, we need this..we need this..." and go crazy! What are some fun things we can do with little to no money while semi-camping?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-10-2003
Thu, 06-18-2009 - 11:02am
If you're going to have a camp fire you should take along the ingredients to make smores. You could even do them over a grill if you won't have a regular fire. Kids love toasting their own marshmallows and who doesn't love a yummy treat...this was a big hit with my 2 youngest kids (ages 4 and 5) last month when we went camping. Besides the marshmallows all you need is to find some good sized sticks and clean them to use as the roasting fork unless you already have the metal roasting forks sold in the camping section.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Fri, 06-19-2009 - 8:15am
I picked up the smores supplies at walmart yesterday. They were on sale. Now I just have to keep from eating them until July!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2009
Fri, 06-19-2009 - 10:28am

Please do double check with the Department of Forestry or whoever the local authorities are to make sure there is not a fire ban and/or you do not need a campfire permit before you go. Don't want you to get into trouble, or worst yet, start a wildfire.

http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/fpd/pages/Program%20bookmarks.htm

Also, don't forget bug spray for your children if they are going to be outside at night. There have been a few cases of West Nile disease in Maine, not common, but regardless, it is no fun getting all itchy and swollen with mosquito bites even they are "benign".

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Fri, 06-19-2009 - 1:22pm
I will make sure to check if we need a fire permit and bring lots of bug spray. Thanks

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-05-2006
Sat, 06-20-2009 - 1:16pm
I just joined my local freecycle group and posted a request for a child lifejacket and I got a response right away. I'm picking it up this evening. So cool! Now I just have to find some items that I don't need and reciprocate the favor.

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