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Commit to the Great American Backyard Campout

by Bev Sklar (Subscribe to Bev Sklar's posts)
Jun 24th 2009 1:00PM

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Filed under: Activities: Family Time

Maybe your family is already crazy for camping, or maybe the pit toilets and bugs have scared you off. But if you want to give your kids a night to remember, have a family sleepover with nature. The National Wildlife Federation's 2009 Great American Backyard Campout is Saturday, June 27 – pledge to camp today and tap into a myriad of resources to get your family communing with nature just steps from your own spider-free bathroom.

Need help getting started? We've got tips and resources to make family camping fun and easy, whether you're trekking to a national park or just pitching a tent in the back yard.

Family Camping

    You Need the Double Burner
    Flipping pancakes, stirring hot chocolate and landing your morning java requires two burners. You're car camping – forget an ultralight backpacking stove, score a Coleman stove. While propane stoves are convenient, liquid fuel burns hotter, and no empty, non-recyclable propane bottles rolling around the garage.

    coleman.com

    No Cheap Air Mattress Allowed
    So many green tent campers think they'll blow-up the air mattress and pop it in the tent for a blissful night under the stars. Often these puppies leak, deflate or don't fit well in the tent, meaning you're visiting the chiropractor on Monday. Get a self-inflatable, durable, compact Therm-a-Rest mattress for tent camping. The Fast & Light Repair Kitfixes a rare leak in the field with ease.

    cascadedesigns.com

    Seal the Seams
    Whether springing for the $500 or the $50 tent, take the time to apply a seam sealer before use, then seal again every so often.

    rei.com

    Experience Counts
    Novice tent camping can be daunting to plan, difficult at camp and you may return home dejected. Experience is key to camping -- you will improve markedly after one or two runs. Don't miss these personal checklists for smooth prep and zero I Forgot Its. Read gear reviews and invest slowly in top gear, storing it together in bins for planning/packing ease.

    bpende/Flickr

    Don't Forget These
    Kids always plop their plate, fork and cup right next to the picnic table bird poop. Pack an old bedsheet for a comfy, familiar tablecloth or bring a cheap plastic one. Pack rope to hang a camp clothesline and rain-rescue tarp. Bring a collapsible water container to set-up a convenient handwashing station with biodegradable Campsuds , of course.

    amazon.com

    Leave No Trace
    Whether pulling into a KOA or venturing deep into the backcountry, teach and faithfully model Leave No Trace principles to maintain nature's 5-star rating. Have your kids scour camp before departure to leave it cleaner than arrival.

    http://www.lnt.org/index.php

Tags: 2009-Great-American-Backyard-Campout, Bev-Sklar, family-camping, family-camping-tips, photo gallery, PhotoGallery

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