HARRISBURG PA – First-time campers who don’t know the difference between a tent peg and a portable toilet can get significant help with a camping vacation at selected Pennsylvania parks for a second consecutive year, thanks to a partnership between the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and sporting goods retailer Gander Mountain, department representatives said Wednesday (May 16, 2012).

They can get all the needed gear and a reservation for two nights at a participating state park for just $20.

“You can’t beat this offer as far as the cost,” department Secretary Richard Allan noted, as well as “the opportunity to enjoy many other activities at our state parks such as hiking and fishing, and a park staffer will even help you set up camp.”

Nineteen parks around the state are participating:

• Black Moshannon, Centre County;
• Caledonia, Franklin County;
• Chapman, Warren County;
• Colonel Denning, Cumberland County;
• Cook Forest/Clear Creek, Clarion and Jefferson counties;
• Gifford Pinchot, York County;
• Hills Creek, Tioga County;
• Keystone, Westmoreland County;
• Lackawanna, Lackawanna County;
• Laurel Hill, Somerset County;
• Little Pine, Lycoming County;
• Locust Lake, Schuylkill County;
• Ole Bull, Potter County;
• Parker Dam, Clearfield County;
• Promised Land, Pike County;
• Pymatuning, Crawford County;
• R.B. Winter, Union County;
• Ryerson Station, Greene County; and
• Sinnemahoning, Cameron and Potter counties.

Reservations must be made by calling park offices directly. The program runs from Memorial Day weekend through the summer.

The gear provided for use by Gander Mountain is a four-person tent; rain tarp; four sleeping pads; four camp chairs; flashlight; lantern; camp stove; and four hot dog/marshmallow sticks. It must be returned upon departure. Participants must bring their own food, cooking utensils and bedding. Suggested packing lists will be provided.

Almost 500 people experienced camping in a state park for the first time during the program’s first year. More than half of those who took a survey said they had never before visited a Pennsylvania state park.

Photo from Google Images