Backyard Camp Outs Made Easy

All you need to have a successful back yard camp out are a few kids, some tents, an open pit for roasting marshmallows, junk food, a little imagination and a few supervising adults! Not to mention, a back yard.

I started planning summer camp outs when one year, I decided I didn't want a house full of kids over for my son's birthday. I wasn't in the mood to clean up that mess.  So, I borrowed a few tents from the neighbors, told all his buddies to bring warm pajamas and their sleeping bags, and to be prepared for an all-nighter!

From the moment the kids arrived, they were excited! The children ran amuck, playing all forms of tag, screaming, yelling and laughing it up.

Around nine o'clock we settled them down with some roasted marshmallows, and a ghost story.... scarey-y-y-y-y-y.

The next morning, everyone awoke to donuts, juice, and a water fight, before heading home.

The party was simple and yet, the kids couldn’t stop talking about it.  When summer rolled around again, the kids asked if we were going to have another camp out.  Before we knew it, our one event became a summer ritual.

So how does one plan a camp out in the big city?

1. Prepare invitations dictating the theme. Either purchase cards or have the kids draw their own using lots of trees and hills, a night owl and perhaps even a coyote.
2. Figure out how many children will attend and set up the tents accordingly. If you don't have enough tents, don't go out and purchase anymore, simply ask a parent of a child attending to bring you one when he drops of his child.
3. Always remember that adult supervision is needed with any of these methods.
4. Simply provide tons of finger snacks such as chips, crackers, nuts, candy, and popcorn.
5. And let’s not forget that no camp out would be complete without hot cocoa!
6. As for entertainment, I have found that the kids simply take care of themselves. But you could add a few relay races, scavenger hunts, and craft sessions. Crafts should be themed towards nature and scavenger hunts could be done around the neighborhood with a few volunteer neighbors, or in your own back yard.
7. Have the parents come for their kids around 9 in the morning. You can serve the kids donuts and milk as they walk out the door.