Have a Camping Party this Memorial Day

Want to have a Memorial Day party without all of the fuss? How about a relaxing, fun-filled camping trip?!

Invite extended family and friends, if you wish. Anyone who enjoys camping and being outdoors will have a good time. If you camp close to home, perhaps some of your family and friends wish only to visit during the day and/or come for the campfire in the evening.

Send out Memorial Day party invitations. Use red construction paper. Cut to size of envelope you chose to use. Draw a circle in the middle of the card. Draw a fire with a pen. (Idea: Make fire flames in the shape of a peace sign.) Trace fire with Elmer's glue. Use gold and red glitter to make the fire flame!

Inside of Memorial Day card: First line: Memorial Day Camping Trip.

Date:

Campsite:

Information: (If you want people to bring their own food and/or beverages or a dish to pass.)

Phone Number: RSVP to you.

Stamp inside of card with a star stamp with blue ink. Very patriotic.

Once at the campsite, set small American flags all around the campsite area to remember our beloved veterans. Buy a plastic patriotic tablecloth at a discount store. Or buy a red plastic tablecloth and purchase flag napkins and paper plates.

Bring dishes needed such as utensils, cooking pots, fry pan, bowls, cups, spices, game products listed below or any of your family favorites.

Shopping list for Memorial Day Party Ideas:

Cereal

Milk

Eggs

Bacon

Bread

Favorite Meats: ham, roast beef, hamburger, sausages, bacon. (Your choice to have one or more.)

One 10 pound bag of potatoes

2 bags of carrots or baby carrots

One pound bag of frozen green beans

One pound bag of frozen corn

Two pounds frozen blueberries

Two pounds frozen or fresh strawberries

Whip cream

2 onions

Salt, pepper, Lawrey salt , garlic salt (If ham is added very little salt is needed.)

Napkins

Paper plates

Oil

Butter

Marshmallows

Graham crackers

Hershey's Chocolate

Beverages

For breakfast bring children's favorite cereals and milk. If you have a small Coleman stove you may bring eggs and bacon to cook in a pan. Bring oil and butter. You can bake the toast over the campfire.

For the main course have a Hobo Dinner. Use a 30 quart or 60 quart stainless steel pot. Throw in any of your favorite meats such as ham, chunks of beef, browned hamburger, sausages and bacon. Peel and cut up potatoes into quarters. Make it a family event to peel the potatoes in the outdoors. Peel and cut two bags of carrots. Or make it even easier by putting two bags of baby carrots in the pot. Toss in a frozen bag of green beans and carrots. Cut up two whole onions. Salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil. Then simmer on a low fire until meat is tender and vegetables are slightly crunchy.

A hearty meal after working up an appetite being outdoors. Serve with bread and butter.

Patriotic Dessert for a Memorial Day Party Idea: In a large glass bowl layer a frozen bag of blueberries, then whip cream. Next layer strawberries, then whip cream. Use a few sliced strawberries on top for a pretty touch.

Memorial Day Party ideas for games to play while camping include bringing a Frisbee to play with your children and/or dog.

Get out and play croquet with your family and friends.

Go on a nature hike. Point out types of trees, flowers, and insects to your children. Be sure to find long sticks for marshmallow roasting later in the evening!

Bring the game Jenga to try your luck at a steady hand and lots of laughter!

One or two decks of cards to play your family card games during quiet times.

In the evening sit by the serene campfire and enjoy each other's company. Pay attention to the sunset. Watch the clouds haze by. Soak in the beauty of our world as the sky is a natural art canvas. Roast marshmallows. Make S'mores for a chocolate fix.