Welcome back to my series of sneak peeks into WILD ABOUT CAMPING, my upcoming camping-themed picture book with Nimbus Publishing! This time we’re getting a good look at the protagonists of our story, a brother and sister off on an adventure in the great outdoors. Heading out with their family in a car laden with provisions, our siblings look happy and excited to be heading out on their camping vacation.
We always did driving holidays when I was a kid, so this illustration brings back happy memories of my own childhood summers. My parents would pack up the car with everything they could think we’d possibly need, and off we’d go, with a stack of cassette tapes to sing along with on the drive to the interior of BC, to Alberta, to Washington or Oregon state, wherever we were going that year.
Money was a bit tight when I was a kid, like I’m sure it is for many people, and camping was an accessible holiday that wouldn’t break the bank. We used the same gear for years and years, patching things up as needed, and we camped in national, provincial and state parks, where the rates were more affordable than at private campgrounds. One of the reasons I’m so eager to encourage people to explore camping is because it can be such an affordable way to holiday. Hotel room rates are astronomical, and the thought of buying plane tickets for my family makes me shudder. But we can always pack up our second-hand car and spend a few nights out in the wilderness, enjoying the free entertainment nature so kindly and thoughtfully provides.
Camping gear can be an investment, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be cost prohibitive. Sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are a great way to look for affordable second-hand supplies, and with a bit of care and some patching when necessary, your tent and sleeping bags can serve you well for many years of adventures. I found a few sites with tips on making camping more affordable – hopefully they help! We bought most of our camping gear at lower cost retailers like Walmart – they may not be the fanciest items or the best quality, but they’ve served us well for years.
Don’t have a car? Don’t give up on camping quite yet! Look into car rental companies and ride share companies, which allow you to rent or borrow a car for a specific period of time. When we went camping in the Maritimes, my partner and I rented a car in Halifax, and drove it through three provinces! Depending on where you want to camp, there might be other transportation options as well, like public transportation or charter buses like Greyhound. Some of these options might work you you!
Hopefully my bouncy text and Bryanna’s cheery illustrations can encourage readers to plan their outdoor explorations – even just an afternoon at a local park can bring some much-needed nature into our lives.