Camp Out in Your Backyard!
Camping is a great way to establish a love for the outdoors and to learn to appreciate wildlife. Parents, consider taking your kids camping this weekend. Kids, if you can’t get to a campground, plan a camping trip to your backyard! While you probably won’t hear as many nature sounds in your backyard as you would at campsite in the forest, camping in your yard is a great way to get used to sleeping in a tent, cooking your food over a fire and learning to identify those eerie nighttime noises. Here are some things you’ll need to gather.
• Tent
• Sleeping bag or other bedding
• Sleeping pad or air mattress
• Warm clothes
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Insect repellent
• Bottle of water
If you don’t have a tent, try making one using a tarp attached to a tree, the side of your house, or a clothesline. If you aren’t able to fashion a tent, check the weather report and consider sleeping out under the stars- at least for a little while. The advantage to camping in your backyard is that the comforts of home are just a few steps away.
Here are some things you might want to bring for fun, whether you’re going on a longer trip or just into your backyard.
• Checklist of animals and plants that you might see or hear
• Playing cards or games
• Something to read
• Musical instruments and song books
• Camp chairs
• Snacks
• GPS device
• Binoculars
• Camera
If you’re lucky, while you set up your site you might see birds, butterflies, squirrels and wildflowers. As it gets darker, look for fireflies and bats and listen for rustling birds and owls calling whowhoo. Remember to have fun, respect nature and keep an open mind.