BootsnAll Travel Community

I pulled this off of a scouting website, but the idea should work for anyone:

quote:

Our troop tries to stop at military bases on long trips. Generally bases ask for at least 90 days' advance notice. Facilities vary, but usually there is no charge for staying overnight. Often the group can eat in the mess hall for from $2 to $5 per person. Some mess halls have even given us brown-bag lunches for the next leg of our journey. When you make your reservation, you can find out what activities, such as bowling and movies, are available on the base. To make a reservation at a military base, contact the public affairs office. To find bases, call local chambers of commerce along your planned route.

Another possible source of shelter is church youth camps. Such a camp may not offer meals, but at least you'll have a roof over your head.

Our group uses a church camp in the Missouri Ozarks every summer for one week. Other groups also use this facility, but it sits empty for probably half the time, even in season. Out of season it's empty even longer. Sometimes groups rent it for family reunions or other events. Cost? Maybe $2.00 per night. It's out in the middle of a big state forest, and there is a river nearby for swimming and float trips, and it is 15 miles from the nearest Wal-Mart. It is fairly primitive, but has cabins, hot showers, and a well stocked kitchen.

It would be a great way to go for anyone traveling across America, but I'm wondering. How popular are summer camps and such in places like Europe, Asia and Australia? Is this a possibility for cheap lodging in those places also?

Also, to use the scout camps, I don't think you need to be a scout, but registration is $10.00 per year for Girl Scouts, and that could help your chances.

So, church camps, scout camps and army bases. Several possibilities for very cheap lodging. Hmmmm.