Over the weekend, my step-mom called to tell me about a new "First Time Campers" program that was in the paper. She told me a bit about it, and gave me the website, but until today, the website was pitifully lacking in information about the program.
Below is what I found on the site. It's only good ONE TIME, but for any Michigan people who want to try their hand at camping, and have a CHEAP 2 night mini vacation, this is perfect!
I'm planning to call about it. One of the parks is by the lake shore. I think it would be a nice place to visit, without having to drag all our equipment with us.
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365-213567--,00.html
Michigan State Parks and Gander Mountain Kick-Off a "First Time Camper" Program
Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas Urban Outreach Team is excited to announce the "First Time Campers" program. This program, sponsored by Gander Mountain, is a unique one-time experience for people who are new to camping. The goal is to provide an opportunity for "newbie campers" to experience both camping and the outdoors. Equipment, instructions, gear and information guides are all provided for a two night stay at a very reasonable rate ($20).
To help "First Time Campers" be prepared for the adventure, each group will receive a "welcome kit" filled with details on what to pack, what to expect, and what to wear.
After check-in, DNR staff will walk "First Time Campers" through the process of setting up camp and settling in for a great Michigan adventure. This will include information on putting up a tent, starting a campfire, and cooking on a camp stove. While the campers won't get to keep the gear they use, Gander Mountain will be offering great discounts on everything they will be trying.
Gear provided by Gander Mountain for each participating location:
1 tent
1 tarp
2 camp chairs
1 flashlight
1 lantern
1 stove
4 hot dog/marshmallow cookers
2 fishing poles
Choose the Campground
To be a "First Time Camper", contact the participating park or recreation area directly.
Baraga State Park
Park Supervisor - Dan Dowdy, 906-353-6882
Bay City Recreation Area
Park Supervisor - Mike Evanoff, 989-684-9141
Bewabic State Park
Park Supervisor - Robert Strittmatter, 906-875-3324
Cheboygan State Park
Park Supervisor - Paul Koszegi, 231-627-2811
Hayes State Park
Park Supervisor - Tim Bauer, 517-467-7401
Hoffmaster State Park
Park Supervisor - Charles Ehrlich, 231-798-3711
Holly Recreation Area
Park Supervisor - Shawn Speaker, 248-634-8811
Muskegon State Park
Park Supervisor - Kevin Klco, 231-744-3480
Pinckney Recreation Area
Park Supervisor - Jon LaBossiere, 734-426-4913
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area
Park Supervisor - Karis Floyd, 248-666-1020
Port Crescent State Park
Park Supervisor - Betsy Kish, 989-738-8663
Sleeper State Park
Park Supervisor - George Lauinger, 989-856-4411
Traverse City State Park
Park Supervisor - Tim Schreiner, 231-922-5270
Wells State Park
Park Supervisor - Hector Valdez, 906-863-9747
Young State Park
Park Supervisor - Sue Rose, 231-582-7523
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Comments: 19
Sounds great, unfortunately, I don't live in Michigan!
Thats great for those that live in that area. I wish they would do that here. I've never camped in a tent before...
I think NY had something like this once..and your right on the cheap vacation part...for many years I had gone all over in a tent! I once told some people ..lower you accomendation requirements..and you can go anywhere!!
We have a tent now, which makes camping SO cheap and easy to do, but this is still a great deal. I could leave the tent at home, and just drive a car instead of the van!
That sounds like fun! Unfortunately, I'm not a camper. I tried once, but I just couldn't do it!
That is really cool! What a great program, that would be wonderful if more states did this, it seems a lot of people don't do outdoorsy things as a family anymore.. Our family loves going camping.
I think it's one of the ways Michigan is trying to revive tourism within the state, while promoting a cheap family vacation.
That's a pretty good idea. I would jump on it, if it was in Florida....well maybe after I get this huge belly exchanged for a baby, as I have the feeling it is going to be rough getting up from the air mattress:)
Camping can be a wonderful family vacation IF everyone pitches in and does their chare.
This is wonderful!!! Thanks Heather for posting this. We badly wanted to go camping in June sometime. We weren't sure if we were going to be able to do it though.
Melanie- I'm going to email you a link to the tightwad group I run for Michigan through Yahoo- there are a lot of good deals posted through the group you'd probably find useful!
That sounds really neat. Camping is a lot of fun to especially for the kids.
That it is- kids can still enjoy the simple pleasures of it. One campground we like to go to every summer has an awesome art barn for the kids to do crafts at for free, nature hikes, free wagon rides on Friday & Saturday evening, and movies on Saturday evenings shown outdoors.
Where were you when I lived in Michigan lol we were always camping a doing stuff -this sounds like a great find , wish my son was interested in this kind of thing but you can pry him away from his xbox lol
That seems to be a trend these days. My family probably never would have taken vacations if it wasn't for camping, because we never had that kind of extra money. My grandparents would lend us their trailer, and we'd camp for a week at a time.
I also had an "Uncle" (friend of the family) who had a cabin up north near Grayling on the Au Sable. It had 2 sets of queen size hand built bunk beds. We'd come up and stay 2 or 3 times a summer because so many people could fit. I miss going up there, but he's passed on, and the cabin has been passed on to other family of his.
Wow, that sounds like a great program!
It's a great deal for first time campers. I have already camped many times as a kid and as an adult, so I don't think this would work for us.
that is so cool!!!!
very cool program