The Great American Backyard Campout is being held this year on Saturday, June 28th. It provides an opportunity for everyone to relive -- or to experience for the very first time -- how much fun it is to spend a night sleeping under the stars and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature at night.
I’ve enjoyed camping in the woods since I was a very young Cub Scout, and the sights and sounds of our nocturnal world have thrilled me since I was a little boy.
And although I grew up in a big city, there was no greater adventure for me than camping out in our tiny backyard, in my tattered old canvas tent, with my trusty old dog by my side.
Since then, I’ve spent many glorious nights camping out under the stars in national parks, in designated wilderness areas, on wondrous northwood lakeshores, on tropical islands, and even in my new backyard.
Held each June, and now in its fourth year, The Great American Backyard Campout is now a national event that encourages individuals, youth, friends, and entire families to camp out together for one night.
Each year since its inception, the number of campers has steadily grown, and in 2005 over 40,000 individuals participated. The locations and types of campsites vary from family campouts in the backyard to public campsites with 30 or more community members.
And in previous years, campers have ranged in age from 3 months to 99 years old, and they have come from all areas of the United States.
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is dedicated to re-connecting people to nature. Very sadly, today's children are increasingly disconnected from it, and they spend far more time indoors at their computer and television screens, than they do outdoors enjoying nature.
To counteract this very sad national trend, the NWF encourages parents and other caring adults to help children spend one hour each day outdoors, engaged in unstructured play and discovery.
And an overnight campout, even in one’s own backyard, is a great way to get today’s children back outdoors.
This year, I plan to camp out with my spouse and my dogs in our backyard on the 28th, and I’ve already got a few great campfire ghost stories in mind. I know my dogs will be impressed!
Take your spouse, your kids, and/or your dog camping this weekend – if only in your own backyard. And with the price of gasoline today, backyard camping sounds like a truly marvelous idea.
The nocturnal sights and sounds of nature are simply marvelous – no matter where you may live.
And for more information, please visit the website listed below:
today, SAT. 28 th I went to a club cookout - horse-shoe tourney - cold beer - hot dogs - heavy metal shoes - a little sunburn - sore cramped old calves - blister on my left thumb -
a really good day-time fun adventure with nature = hope you all enjoy your night-time one -
as for me - these ole bones will rest better in my soft inside bed!
tk
Cheers,
Dan
fee
Anyway, I love nature, too, and camping out sounds like a great retreat from the heyday of a busy life for most. Its been a long time since I chased the lightning bugs and counted the stars.