Backyard camping
I'm sticking with my quick and easy ideas for getting you and your family outdoors in the WNY area. Again this is relatively free, kid friendly, and close to home activity. Understanding that this might not be an option for people living in the city, or people who do not own a tent.With that being said I do feel that this can be achieved by most family's in our area though. I'd suggest if you don't own a tent, ask around. I'm sure you could barrow a family / friends tent for a few days no problem. Just don't go wrecking the thing up on them. It's a tent to sleep in, not a fighting ring. Although kids might think it is. If you don't have the space or a a backyard, you might know someone who does and could spend the night camping out over there.
A night out under the stars, a fire going, even in the backyard can make you feel like you are removed from the stresses of life. That's a key thing here people. Do not go and make it a stressful event. Perhaps if it's your first attempt have it over at someone else's house who has done it and can take the lead. Someone who might already have some flash lights,camping chairs, a fire pit or a grill. Then just set up your stuff, turn on some music and start up a fire before it gets dark.
We're talking backyard camping here! We're not planning on roughing it out there. Start with setting up the tent and prepping it for the night with your pillows and sleeping bags/blankets. So it's ready when it gets late all you have to do is hop in get some sleep.Go grab a blow up mattress, crazy amounts of blankets, those memory foam things it seems everyone has these days. Run the extension chord out to light the tent. We've honestly as kids lugged the big square TV with the antenna and VHF knobs out there. Plan on a warm summer night with clear skies. Do what ever you think will make it easy and comfortable and most of all fun.
To add to it plan your dinner that night to be cooked up out on the grill. Perhaps plan ahead and get stuff to make s'mores, or look up tons of other ideas online. Not the cooking type just order some food but plan to eat it outside. For the tech. savvy people, there are free apps for you phones that show the constellations just by holding it up to the sky. Want to learn something new? There's animated knot apps you can get and shows how to make and the uses of different knots. Play card games, toss the Frisbee, do what ever you think its fun. Or best of all is when you start up the fire, bust out the comfy chairs, sit talk and just relax.
If you can't track down a tent just have dinner outside and start up a fire. Look up at Gods amazing creation. Don't have a smart phone with the crazy apps? Just stare at the stars and look for a slow moving (what looks to be a star) going across the sky. That's a satellite. They tend to fade away into nothing and others will appear out of nowhere. I'm still amazed to this day how many people I have asked and said that was the first satellite they ever spotted. Then when it gets late head inside to sleep in your bed. Just don't leave the rip- roaring fire ablaze unattended. Make sure it's either out or smothered enough to be good on it's own. Then call it a night.
I'd hope with the warmer weather coming this inspires some people or families to get outdoors and spend some time enjoying it. As a kid i can almost assure you it's be something they'll remember. Even the small things that come along with camping can be memories that last forever. I always would loved to hear back from people with questions or just want to share their stories or pictures.
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