Backyard BBQ Camping
I found a good summertime activity for my daughter and son, camping in our own backyard. I remember my lazy summer days were full of inviting my girlfriends over for a camp-out in my huge half-acre backyard and how much fun we had turning that half-acre into anything our imaginations could muster up. My parents found this safer for me and it was convenient, it was easy to get to and there’s less to clean up after the camp-out party was over. Plus, which was most important to me, the bathroom was only a few yards away and if it started to rain, we could all run inside my home where we were safe. I’ve come up with a few tips on how to make camping in a backyard a more exciting camp-out than what I was use to.
For my daughter and son, I set a time and day, not too far out in the future so I can check the weather forecast, but enough time which allows them to invite over a few friends. I stake out a spot that’s flat and even in the backyard where a tent can be set up. I allow my children to set-up the tent all on their own, this gives them a sense of entitlement and accomplishment. I run an extension cord out to the tent so they can entertain their friends with either a movie or music. I make sure there are enough blankets and sleeping bags and provide air mattresses that inflate easily. I now have plenty of glow in the dark sticks for the kids to aid in exploring when it’s dark or for anything else their imagination comes up with. I won’t let them have the propane operated lamps due to potential fire hazards, but I have purchased battery operated lamps that look like a real Coleman propane lamp which can be hung up in the tents or on a tree branch. I make sure, before they head outside, to spray down all the kids with insect repellent. I remember being eaten alive by mosquitoes one night that made the whole evening miserable. I only will allow them to roast marshmallows for Smores and hotdogs on our BBQ island on the patio, supervised, of course. I find my children still to small to handle a real campfire. Next to the BBQ Island, I have a big tub filled with ice and watermelon slices and all kinds of soda-pop and drinks. After all the children have eaten, I leave them to camp, on their own. At least, make them feel like they are alone, out in the wilderness telling ghost stories or just enjoying the night-sky.
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