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Backyard Camping
Posted On 2008-04-15 , 6:13 PM
Backyard Camping
Some of the best times we’ve had in the outdoors were Backyard Camping, whether it is in someone else’s yard or ours. Backyard Camping gives you the freedom from restrictions that would be enforced at State or private grounds. All you need is a place big enough to accommodate the number of tents that will be pitched, plus a fire area and activity area.
A well thought out Backyard Camping weekend can be very relaxing and enjoyable. If children will be present, make sure there are plenty of activities for them to participate in. Keeping the youngsters busy is a big key to success. Ask each guest to bring along at least one game for the age groups. That way the older kids won’t feel like Backyard Camping babysitters the whole time, and they just may enjoy themselves a little more.
Layout the land for your Backyard Camping area ahead of time to save aggravations the first day. Plan where you will have the tent area. You will have all sizes and sizes and shapes of tents so give everyone plenty of room to move around. There will be dome and cabin style tents and maybe a 1 or 2-man tent for extra gear. Make sure they are well away from a fire ring. Clear out the flammable materials and always have buckets of water close by for emergency purposes. Set up an area for cooking also, everyone will get hungry and you want to have everything accessible. After all, you really don’t want people in and out of the house all day. The object of Backyard Camping is to get away from the house.
Having the proper gear helps too. Everyone wants to be comfortable around the fire in the evening, and no better way than with folding camping chairs. We have had all kinds at our Backyard Camping events. Everything from old style strap to folding chairs with built in foot rests and cup holders. They come in different styles and sizes and are relatively inexpensive to purchase.
When it’s our turn to host the Backyard Camping weekend, we set up a few screen tents by the cooking area so everyone can get out of the sun while eating, and away from the bugs while playing cards or socializing at night. This allows the kids to enjoy their own area to hang out in. Propane stoves are hooked together to a gas grill size bottle for convenience. Hook up a gas tree and you can mount a lantern head to it for light at the Backyard Camping cooking area.
We use the fire ring area for the Dutch ovens to cook dinner. Everyone pitches in and makes their favorite dish to pass around the Backyard Camping crew. One thing is for sure we never go hungry. In the fall, we have had chili cook offs that have been fantastic. We are always looking for new recipes to try at our Backyard Camping outings, so if you have a favorite one you would like to share, let us know. The kids love to make smores and the parents enjoy a little adult beverage.
No matter if it’s just your family or a group of friends, Backyard Camping can be very rewarding. Once you get started you will want to go Backyard Camping all of the time. There is something about the smell of a fire that excites me and makes me want to get ready for the Backyard Camping season already, even though its only April.
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