Most people cringe at the thought of tent camping for the first time. They find the prospect one which is not completely in their comfort zone. First-time campers (and even those seasoned campers) will find the suggestions given here for a backyard campout doable and enjoyable.
Planning the Campout
The first step to any adventure is to plan. A date for the campout should be selected that is workable for the entire family. No one should have to work or have any pressing plans the day after the campout.
The next step is to check city ordinances regarding fires before planning your campfire. In addition make sure a fire ring is available to help control the fire. Many fire pits are available for purchase. A barbeque grill will even do in a pinch.
Gather the Needed Supplies
Once the date is set and ordinances are checked, some supplies must be purchased or borrowed before the campout. A tent or two will be needed for everyone to sleep in. Tents vary in size from small two-man pup tents to large ten-man cabin tents. In addition everyone will need sleeping bags or blankets for sleeping. Each person will also need a flashlight.
A menu should be set with foods that can be cooked over an open fire. There are many fun cookout recipes on the internet.
Activities for During the Campout
Once the tent is set up and dinner is eaten, other activities will be needed to keep everyone's minds occupied. A simple thing to do is to stargaze. The family should lay on their backs in the yard and look up at the sky trying to spot constellations. Star maps can be borrowed from a public library or found online.
Other fun games involve the use of the flashlight. Flashlight tag is played by one person standing in a spot and shining a flashlight around. When a person is touched by the light of the flashlight they become the next it. Shadow puppets can be made with the use of a flashlight. Kids can experiment with their hands and the light to see what kinds of animals they can see in the shadow.
Another popular nighttime campout game is Sardines. The only prerequisite for Sardines is that no one is afraid of the dark. One person goes out and hides while everyone else counts to 25. The rest of the participants spread out and try to find the first person. As each person discovers the hiding place he joins the first person hiding. The last person to find everyone is the next first person to hide.
When everyone is settled into the tent for the night, story telling can begin. If everyone is brave the stories can be of the ghost variety. Ghost stories should be told with a flashlight held under the storytellers face to give the face a ghastly glow. If someone is not so brave, funny stories can be told as well.
A backyard campout can be an enjoyable experience for everyone with a little planning.
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