Camping is always a good idea for a vacation, but even more so when families have limited vacation time or are on a tight budget. Most Americans live within a day’s drive of a camping area, and for less than the cost of a hotel room and meals in restaurants, a family can enjoy a weekend getaway in the great outdoors.

According to a recent survey conducted by The Coleman Company, Inc., of those ages 25 to 44, 43 percent want to camp more in the next five years. Those who don’t camp or intend to camp less gave reasons such as worrying about the time it takes to camp and not wanting to “rough it.”

With the help of many new products that practically eliminate the burdens of yesterday’s camping, the experience doesn’t have to be rough at all. Coleman offers the following tips and product suggestions for easy, hassle-free camping.

A successful camping trip begins with a good plan and a checklist. Consider the time of the year, destination, activities, food, and equipment needed.

Use the Web as a resource to plan the trip, whether it will be close to home or far away. To find descriptions of more than 16,000 public and private campground locations in the United States – including national parks and forests – go to the Coleman® Outernet™ site, where you can also access maps, driving directions and even make reservations for many of the sites. This convenient new resource for outdoor travel planning is accessible at www.coleman.com/outernet.

To make packing easier, fill a crate or duffel bag with frequently used camping equipment and accessories to store away until needed. This should include such items as a camper’s tool, garbage bags, paper plates and utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, bug repellent, extra tent stakes and a tent stake puller. Keep a tent, sleeping bags, cots, stove and other items stored together. When a spur-of-the-moment getaway comes up, all that remains is to gather food, fuel and clothing.

Great equipment can turn tent camping into an experience about as rough as sleeping in your backyard, with all the conveniences of home close by. The new Coleman Camping Coffeemaker makes it possible to drip-brew coffee at camp just like at home – except no electricity is needed. Designed for use with any two- or three-burner camp stove, the coffeemaker enables campers to consistently brew a delicious pot of coffee with very little time or effort.

A battery-powered lantern such as the Remote Control Lantern with nightlight is suitable for use inside tents, RVs and other spaces where a cool, electric light is preferable.

For bedding, Coleman has an extensive sleeping bag line with a variety of sizes as well as mild, moderate and cold-weather versions. For the ultimate nighttime comfort, place a sleeping bag on top of the QuickBed™ airbed, which is six inches thick and has internal air coils for support. Twin, queen and king sizes are available, as is a special double-high version for a truly luxurious night.

All Coleman tents set up easily and in just a matter of minutes, and with Coleman’s exclusive WeatherTec™ system, they are guaranteed to keep you dry in inclement weather. Coleman offers more than a dozen models to choose from, including dome and cabin styles and one-, two- and three-room versions.

Meals are an especially important part of the camping experience. “A happy camper is a well-fed camper,” says Jim Reid, Coleman’s director of public relations. “All it takes to become a getaway gourmet is a little planning and a little ingenuity. Depending on one’s tastes, the camp menu can involve little or no cooking, or some meals can be turned into fantastic food-fests.”

The tabletop Coleman® Propane Grill Stove provides the convenience of grilling and cooking at the same time. A removable, non-stick, easy-to-clean grill on the left side is perfect for steaks, chicken, kabobs, burgers, hot dogs or veggies, while a powerful burner on the right lets you boil, fry or sauté. An optional griddle interchanges with the grill for great breakfast or lunch menus.

With the right equipment and a little planning, camping can be a relaxing, carefree, comfortable getaway. For product information or retail availability, plus tips, checklists and recipes, consumers can go to www.coleman.com or they can contact Coleman at 800-835-3278, consumerservice@coleman.com or P.O. Box 2931, Wichita, KS 67201.

Note to media: See related sidebars – Tips for Hassle-Free Camping, Checklist for Hassle-Free Camping and Hassle-Free Campsite Recipes. Several lifestyle and product images, as well as news releases, are available for downloading at www.coleman.com/newsroom.