Sleep Under the Stars

Great American Backyard Campout June 28

Looking for a way to kick off your summer? Look no further than your back yard. Sponsored by National Wildlife Federation, the annual Great American Backyard Campout is meant to encourage parents and kids alike to turn in all things high tech, and experience a night with Mother Nature.

Whether you are an old pro, new to the outdoors or camping with kids for the first time,
these tips and ideas will help you make the most of your campout.

• Children get cold faster than adults. Dress them in several layers, which can be peeled off as they get warm or added on as they cool off.
• Children love to play with flashlights, and having one also makes them more at ease after dark. Flashlights are also handy when making trips to the bathroom, for making shadow puppets on tent walls, and for reading before bed.
• Bring along a game you all like to play inside. Playing it outdoors with a lantern or flashlights will add to the fun.
• Teach your kids to treat the outdoors kindly. Make sure all waste is disposed of properly.

1. Remove the label from the bottle. Discard label. Save cap!
2. Wash and rinse out the bottle and cap.
3. Cut the bottle close to the bottom
4. Lightly place dirt or potting soil in the base.
5. Plant a few seeds in the dirt.
6. Lightly water.
7. Put the cap on the bottle.
8. Cover the base with the top of the bottle.
9. Place in a sunny spot and watch for your seeds to grow.
10. When the plants are ready, repot them or plant them in your garden.

How long is a minute?
A quick time filler, this is an ideal way to settle your kiddie campers down. Tell everyone that you are going to time a minute on your watch. The campers have to raise their hand when they have counted a minute in their heads. The closest one is the winner. This game can be extended to two minutes (or any other length of time) when the children get good at it.

For more tips and how to get involved, visit www.nwf.org/backyardcampout