NYS DEC FREE First-time camper lottery-gear included

From the NYS DEC website:

NYS will provide FREE First -Time Camper weekends throughout the summer in 2019. New York families that have never camped before will have the opportunity to see if they enjoy the great outdoors before investing in their own gear by registering for a fully stocked campsite at a select NYS campground for a designated weekend between 6/21/19 and 9/6/19.

New campers will be provided with a family tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, camp chairs, camp stove, lantern, and even firewood. A Camping Ambassador will meet families at the campsite and help them get camp set up with a camping 101 lesson. To make the weekend getaway even more fun, campers will have an opportunity to learn from experts how to fish, hike, bird watch, paddle and more, all while having fun and making memories that last forever.

This program is available to NY residents only. Space is limited. Reservations are required and the application window for online lottery runs May 10 to 12. Participants will be randomly selected to fill first-time camper slots. If you qualify, you will be contacted by May 31st to get additional information to complete the reservation.