Join Campers for the Great American Backyard Campout on June 27th

On June 27th The National Wildlife Federation has declared it Great American Backyard Campout. This is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy camping in the great outdoors, either for the first time, or to relive an experience that many of us enjoyed when we were younger. This is an opportunity for you to introduce the enjoyment of camping outdoors to children. If you have over 15 people involved in your backyard campout you can register as a Camping Partner and you may be eligible for donated camping gear.

The nice thing about a backyard campout, is that you will find out if your children will enjoy camping outdoors. My stepdaughter had a backyard campout with several of her friends, but by the time the night was through, there was only one person left in the tent, and everyone else was in the house sleeping in the livingroom. It is better to find out who likes to campout., before you actually go camping. My father loved the outdoors and we would spend our vacations camping, which was a lot cheaper if not free, than camping is today.

The American Coalition Association and the Forest Service have many Outdoor Activities planned through June 2009 geared to the youth of America, so that they can appreciate the great outdoors. There is a real problem in this country with youth obesity and inactivity.So, June will be dedicated to getting the youth of America out into the great outdoors, and the Great American Backyard Campout is one of those activities.

You will need to plan for the afternoon, night and morning with your children. The afternoon can be spent with crafts, a scavenger hunt, tag, etc. In the evening you can give them each a flashlight so that they can get a real feel for being out in the great outdoors. They can sit around and tell ghost stories, I find children have vivid imaginations and love to tell stories. Let them go to bed when they want to. Their adrenaline will probably be running high from the novelty of the backyard campout.

How would you like to cook dinner in your backyard? A barbecue is the best and easiest way to cook and it would simulate an open campfire. Hamburgers, hotdogs, corn on the cob, beans etc. Make it a real campout - no fancy stuff. If you can get the children involved with the cookout, get them to help you. My father got us involved whether we wanted to or not, and those are some of the fondest memories of our camping trips. When they wake up, you can fry them some eggs and bacon (or whatever you want) in a frying pan on the barbecue (again to simulate the campfire.

Now the tent. Do not have a tent? Tents are inexpensive or maybe you can borrow one from a friend or even rent one from a local camping supply store. Expert Village has some good videos on how to set up a tent. Again, get the children to help you set up the tent.

Or if you are feeling adventuresome teach your children how to make a lean-to. We made lean-tos when we went hiking. We did not take tents because of the additional weight in our backpacks. E-How has a great piece on how to put up a lean-to.

I hope you will have a great experience with the Great American Backyard Campout, and we will see you in a campsite next year. The great outdoors in America is a wonderful thing.