August 2018 - EASTERN OREGON PARENT - 5
Summer’s running short: Plan a backyard campout!
By JENNIFER COLTON
Summer is winding down, but
you still have time to squeeze in a
few more snuggles, campouts and
s’mores before the school year
starts — especially if you do them
in your own backyard.
Just like taking a camping trip,
start with preparation. You’re only
steps from home, but for the most
authentic feeling, make sure you
have everything you need, and
have kids pack a backpack with any
special toys, activities or snacks
they want to make sure to take on
their “trip.” Set flexible guidelines
for what you’d like to see and do
and eat but, unlike roughing it,
backyard camping keeps you close
to any supplies you forgot — and a
working bathroom.
On the day of the campout, have
your kids help set up the campsite.
If you are feeling particularly brave
and adventurous, create a tent as
a family, hanging blankets or other
materials; if you’re using a pop-up
tent, teach the kids how to set it
up. Kids can help roll out sleeping
bags and set up pillows, stuffed ani-
mals and blankets. As a side note,
putting a comforter, a yoga mat or
an extra blanket under the sleep-
ing bags is more comfortable than
sleeping on the ground.
It will get dark eventually, so
have some lighting prepared. You
can hang strings of lights or lamps,
or use tea lights and glow sticks
around the camp to give it a magi-
cal, festive feeling, Be careful if you
are lighting a campfire or using
candles with open flames, espe-
cially if camping during the summer
when it’s hot and dry.
Once you have your campsite
established, focus on activities that
bring everyone together. Since you
are camping and spending family
time, that means no electronics
allowed, even for adults. Some ex-
ceptions may be made for cameras
and a projector if you’re watching
a movie as a family. Here are a few
electronic-free activity ideas:
• Make a scavenger hunt for items
to find in your backyard from
sticks to seeds to clover leaves.
• Take a hike (even if it’s around
your neighborhood).
• Do a craft – bonus points if it’s
camping-related.
• If you don’t have a campfire,
consider making a fake one.
• Play bug bingo.
• Blow bubbles or have a bubble
making contest.
• Play tag — your favorite variety
or try a new one, such as flash-
light tag after dark
• Water balloon toss.
• Play a board game.
• Make shadow puppets in the
light of the fire or flashlights.
• Tell stories — spooky or not.
• Stargaze or use a telescope to
explore the night sky.
Strategies
• Watch a movie. (Although it may
not be possible when camping
out of town, backyard camping
has a couple advantages: WiFi
and electricity. Use a projector
to broadcast the movie on a
tent, a blank sheet, or the side
of the house, or have everyone
cuddle up in sleeping bags and
watch the movie on a laptop or
other portable screen)
While you are planning the ac-
tivities, don’t forget about snacks.
If you have a fire pit or feel like
running a barbecue, use them.
Otherwise, pack a cooler just like
you would if you were heading out
of town. Don’t forget the drinks,
including water, and no campout is
complete without s’mores. If you
have a fire pit or a grill, toast your
marshmallows the old-fashioned
way. If you don’t, make solar ovens
using a pizza box and watch the sun
melt the chocolate or bake s’mores
in advance. If you are planning on
staying out all night, have a plan for
breakfast and resist the temptation
to let everyone back inside as soon
as the sun is up.
When camping — even in your
backyard — stay flexible. Some-
times things happen outside of
your control, and that’s okay. Roll
with the event and, with any luck,
you’ll create great summer memo-
ries without running out of time –
or money.
________
Jennifer Colton is news director of
KOHU and KQFM, and mother of
three, based in Pendleton.