My husband and I were 'Weekend Warriors' camping for a night or two in local state parks. After the boys were born, we began day trips to state parks. We would get a campsite and set up camp. We would spend the day fishing, hiking or playing depending on the park. The boys would take nap in the tent. We would build a campfire and cook dinner. After dinner, we would clean up camp and head home. It was a camping style that worked for us.
The Great American Backyard Campout is an opportunity to introduce your child to the concept of camping in the security of your backyard. Your Great American Campout can be as organized or unorganized as you wish. It's an opportunity for you and your child to spend an evening under the stars together or with friends.
A quick Internet search will provide you with lots of helpful information and hints to hosting your own backyard camp-out. Here are few ideas and hints to get you started---
*Keep it simple.
*Check the weather.
*Set a date and time.
*Invite family, friends and neighbors.
*Encourage people not to use their phones during the campout.
*Check your local fire codes for open fires (municipal and neighborhood).
*A tent can be optional---Sleeping bags can be placed air mattresses on the ground or large sheets.
*Food---hot dogs, burgers, s'mores or Hobo Packs (foil cooking). Want to keep it really simple? Order pizza and have it delivered!
*Have bug repellent, wet-wipes for sticky faces and sticky hands, joke books (to tell around the campfire), flashlights and lawn chairs.
A backyard camp-out will create a lot of fun summer memories for you and your child!
