Used to camp every summer as a kid but it's been a decade. I have no gear and I'm on a tight budget. In the past I've never spent under $100 on a tent but I really want to go camping this summer and the cost of all the gear needed is daunting. I have plenty of cast iron to cook over a fire in.

I suspect I need at minimum: a tent with rain fly, a cooler, sleeping bag, reusable water bottle, few gallons of water, firestarter, lantern/flashlight, citronella for campsite, bug spray for my skin.

I saw some tent options online extremely cheap. Like $40-60. Cheaper than that seemed like kid or pet sized. I realize these cheap tents are flimsy plastic but if I'm only camping in warm weather and it's just me, how bad can it be? Eventually I want nice gear for dispersed/ hike in camping but just can't afford a lot at the moment.

Have you had any luck with budget options?

At this price range am I better off just bringing a tarp, bug net, and some rope? (Kind of a joke, kind of not, I've had worse).