Provided by the Camping and Education Foundation
With many camps booked solid
for the summer and your kid sitting inside with a controller in hand it is time
to take a stand and get your kid to unplug. One way parents can get their kids
to come out and enjoy the great outdoors is by bringing the camp lifestyle
home. The experts at the Camping and Education Foundation have put together a list of tips to help parents throw
the ultimate backyard camp out that goes beyond flipping burgers and singing
camp fire songs.
Go beyond the essentials
Yes, you need a tent,
sleeping bags and snacks etc. but in order to make this backyard camp out one
your family will remember it is crucial to personalize it to your family’s
liking. Does your child like astronomy? Host an astronomy themed camp out.
Make a plan
Backyard camp outs are
intended to be a relaxing and family oriented event but with different ages
involved it is important to plan. Much like at camps where activities are age
based, this is also important to do for family camp outs. By finding activities
that suit all the ages involved everyone will be happy. One way to bring all
ages together is to come up with competitive games that all ages can take part
in.
READ MORE: Have a family of happy campers
Get the kids involved
One of the most important
lessons learned at camp is independence. This lesson can be down scaled and
applied to a family camp out. Involve your kids in the planning process by
assigning each child a different job that they are responsible for. Try and sit
back as much as possible and watch them take charge for their job. Get the
whole family involved, even during clean up which is likely the least fun part.
Instead of doing dishes inside, you can fill up a big pot of water and clean
the dishes outside.
Most importantly, the food
A camp out is not complete
without the traditional delicious meals that make a camp out a camp out.
Involve the family in this as well! Kids love to cook and helping is the best
way to learn even if it is just stirring a pot. If possible, suggest building a
makeshift fireplace out of rocks and setting the grill rack on top instead of
using the whole grill.
No technology zone
Disconnect! This goes for
parents as well as kids. Take the camp out back to a simpler time and buy a disposable
camera to capture the fun moments. Kids and parents will have a fun time
snapping pictures.
READ MORE: Backyard camping 101...12 tips for a fun backyard adventure!
Positive reinforcement
Plan activities that
challenge your family. This is another valuable lesson taught at camp. Campers
are expected to take part in daily activities that at first might challenge
them, however with positive encouragement campers are taught that they can do
something challenging. This leads to campers with a higher sense of self worth.
The same can be applied to a family camp out. With their parents encouraging
them to do something kids will feel like they have someone in their corner
cheering them on.
READ MORE: 11 great campgrounds!
Time to talk
Take the time to talk. Do
this by hosting a makeshift campfire and really talking to your kids. At camp
kids are encouraged to get to know different campers from all over the country.
The same can be said for your family. With school, work and different
activities taking up the day it can sometimes be difficult to take the time to
talk. At the camp out have your family connect by sharing silly stories, new
interests and positive feelings for one another.