Backyard Camp Outs Made Easy

Author: Alyice Edrich

When my son turned five years old, he wanted a birthday party but I wasn't in the mood to clean up after a group of five year olds and their siblings, so I borrowed a few tents from the neighbors, told all his buddies to bring warm pajamas and sleeping bags, and asked their parents to pick them up bright and early the next morning. Then I told my husband to be prepared for an all-nighter!

From the moment the kids arrived, they were excited.

They ran amuck playing all forms of tag, screaming, yelling, and laughing it up... and the best part is that I didn't have to do a thing to entertain them! When nine o'clock hit, they were ready to settle down so we told them a good old fashioned ghost story, while we roasted marshmallows over an open fire.

One by one the children nodded off to bed, and into their tents they went.

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 the next year, the kids asked my son if we were going to have another camp out and before we knew it, our one-night event turned into a summer ritual.

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

1. Send Out Invitations

The fastest way to get the news out is to pick up the phone and call each child's parent with the date, time, and specifics.

The fun way to get the news out is to create invitations with your children. Have them create their own invitations by drawing a nature scene filled with lots of trees and hills, a night owl and even a coyote. Then photo copy that drawing, resize it, and print it out. Next, glue the image on a 4" by 6" blank card.

Next, tell the guests where the party will be held, what to bring, and when they'll be expected to leave.

2. Consider The Entertainment

For the most part, the children will entertain themselves, but that doesn't mean you can't spice up the party by including a few organized events like: relay races, sack races, water balloon fights, scavenger hunts, and craft sessions.

If you do choose to host a few craft sessions, keep them simple and make sure they are themed towards nature and the great outdoors. As for scavenger hunts, the safest way to host one is to keep the hunt in your own backyard. The more exciting option, however, is to send the kids around the neighborhood with a few adult volunteers and willing neighbors.

3. Set Up The Tents

Because everyone will be sleeping outside, it's important to have enough tents to accommodate everyone. If you don't have enough tents, don't go out and purchase more, ask a parent of a child attending the backyard camp out to bring you one when his/her child is dropped off.

4. Don't Forget The Fire Pit

No camping trip would be complete without roasted marshmallows, so stock up on plenty of large marshmallows and 2 foot long sticks.

It's best if you use an open pit or barbecue grill to roast marshmallows, but if you don't have either, roasting them over an open flame, on a gas burning stove, or melting them in the microwave can work, too.

5. Stock Up On Snacks

To save money and time, have party guests arrive after dinner. That way, all you have to do is provide simple snacks and finger foods, like sandwiches, chips, crackers, nuts, carrot sticks, apples slices, candy, and popcorn.

7. Keep Them Hydrated

Skip the sugary drinks (i.e. punch and sodas) and head straight for the water bottles. Not only is it an healthier and more cost effective option, but you won't have to worry about someone running through your house and spilling a drink that may stain your carpet or your furniture.

Once it's time to settle down for the evening, you offer hot cocoa and whipped cream to anyone who feels a camping trip would not be complete without hot cocoa!

8. Serve A Quick Breakfast

For breakfast, make it simple: donuts, milk, and juice!

Since parents will be arriving early in the morning, say sometimes after 9 am, a quick breakfast makes it easy for late sleepers to grab something on the way out the door, and allows plenty of time for early risers to get in a quick water fight!

Finally, remember that your backyard camp out isn't about recreating the look and feel of nature, but about experiencing the freedom of the great outdoors.