Backyard Camping - The Great American Backyard Experience!!!

Aaaah, the smell of burnt (I mean toasted) marshmallows over a campfire, fireflies dancing across the clear-blue sky, children gazing towards the stars hoping to catch a glimpse of an elusive falling star, and the neighbor from the house next door yelling to her children, "come inside it's time for bed..." Can that be right? Why yes it is! This weekend is the National Wildlife Federations Great American Campout.

On June 25, 2016 communities throughout the US, including backyards and non-traditional "campgrounds" are "pitching" in on the fun - Vist the NWF website to register your backyard event of check out area happenings.

Locally in Ann Arbor, families can experience the Great American Backyard Campout at the Leslie Science & Nature Center where kids of all ages to enjoy nature-based programs, tent space, campfires, dinner and breakfast, and much more!  It's all happening, June 25 at 4:00 p.m. - June 26 at 10:00 a.m. at the center, and costs only $50 for the entire family! Advanced pre-registration is required in person, over the phone at the Leslie Science and Nature Center website.

Whether in your own backyard, or at a local event, inspire your children and get them outdoors with a family campout. You WON'T regret it!

Inexpensive Family Camping Weekends

As a child I loved to camp and did so often with the family. My kids now love to camp however it gets expensive and there is rarely anywhere nearby that we can camp reasonably. There is now a solution to that.

Huron-Clinton Metroparks camping is available to families and groups for as low as $30-40/night. Throughout the summer, May 1-mid October families can enjoy rustic camping at the The Lower Huron Metropark (off of I-94 and Haggerty Rd - exit 192) for only $20 a night (plus vehicle entry fee). Stony Creek is offering many family campout weekends too and many of the other Metroparks have dedicated camping areas and lodges available.

There is also an opportunity to participate at two Family Campout sessions at Rolling Hills through Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation on August 6-7 or August 13-14. We have participated in this program for several years and highly recommend it to friends. Set up your tent and enjoy the park or the water park, families can also enjoy the campfire, hikes, educational programs for the kids and breakfast the next morning! Find out more about the Rolling Hills Family campout here. Camping is only $7 per person too, which makes this a very affordable way to camp!

Another WCPR option is Family Camping at Independence Lake on September 10-11. Are you looking for a great opportunity to spend a night out under the stars with your family? Join us for the Independence Lake County Park Family Campout! You'll enjoy fun activities like zany crafts, relaxing fishing at the dock, intriguing nature programs, delicious s'mores, a sizzling campfire and a scrumptious pancake breakfast! You won't want to miss out on this spectacular event. Cost is $8/person.  Registration is open, please fax, mail or drop off the registration form to save your spot for this great event.  Email Hannah Cooley, cooleyh@ewashtenaw.org, or call (734)449-4437 ex 201, for more details.

Canton also gets into the family camping experience with Family Camp Out and Movie Night on July 15-16  at Heritage Park (1010 S. Canton Center Rd., Canton 48188). Families are invited to set up around the amphitheater and enjoy a move at dusk. Beginning at 6:00 p.m., there will be plenty to do before the movie including games, activities and entertainment for the entire family. The cost is only $20 overnight camping fee or $5 per person to participate in the evenings activities (if not camping overnight). Dinner & concession items will be sold Friday evening. Canoeing on Friday and a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning will be available for a nominal fee. Tent set up begins at noon on Friday July, 15. RV’s and tents are both welcome.

Don't let not owning a tent stop you, the last time we attended a Rolling Hills campout, two families brought their 10x10 easy up tents with bug netting and tarps to cover the sides at night! So whatever you do, pitch a tent in your back-yard or find a low cost camping option for your family. It will produce a lifetime of memories.

Weekend Events Round-Up: June 21-23

In my opinion it's been Pure Michigan weather this week. My kids have enjoyed their first full week out of school, they participated in a fun scouting activity and have gotten to enjoy the free Splash program at the YMCA. I was looking forward to a relaxing weekend until I realized it was the weekend for the Great American Backyard Campout. 

Not familiar with the campout or local camping opportunities? There are many inexpensive family camping options. If you have not reserved anything locally, you might consider  attending the Great American Backyard Campout 2013 at Island Lake Recreation Area (12950 Grand River Rd., Brighton) for many free activities. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicles entering the park. First time campers who want to try their hand at tenting are invited to camp at Island Lake at their rustic site camping (vault toilets, a pump for water and no electricity) while enjoying the park and camaraderie with their fellow campers. Free activities will take place throughout the day including tug-o-war, softball, crafts and games, fishing, a night hike, bonfire, s’mores and storytelling. Canoeing is available for a small fee.The entire event is FREE (except canoeing and the vehicle entry fee), however you must contact the park office at 810-229-7067 to reserve your campsite!

If that doesn't work, put the tent up in your back yard and enjoy the evening with your kids! That's what we'll be doing!!!  Besides that we'll be making a few jams and jellies with some Saskatoons we foraged this week, as well as baking some rhubarb bread. Strawberry picking might be in the plans too, depending on what's available at Rowe's.

What are your weekend plans with the kids? It's looking like a near perfect weather weekend, so make sure you get out and about and enjoy! Check out what's happening this weekend in and around Ann Arbor.

Friday, June 21

10:00 a.m. – noon Toddlers and preschool aged children will enjoy Big Truck and Emergency Vehicle Day at the Dexter District Library (3255 Alpine St., Dexter) with a special guest - Buzz Lightyear!

2:00-4:00 p.m. Free movies at Free Film Fridays Film Fridays at the Ypsilanti District Library (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti) today’s movie is Rango.

4:00 p.m.- midnight Ann Arbor Summer Festival's Top of the Park  at Ingalls Mall (915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor) 5:00-midnight. There is a suggested donation per visit of $3 per individual or $5 per family. Tonight’s family-friendly activities and performances include Tangle (4:00 & 7:30 p.m. - Cost $5) where kids can weave their way through a huge, messy, fun, interactive elastic weaving event where kids take control to create a giant abstract visually stunning artwork in public spaces. The KidZone (5:00 p.m.) sponsored by Keith Hafner’s Karate, and Les 7 doigts de la main give a free demonstration of juggling and circus skills on the lawn at Top of the Park (7:45 p.m.)

7:00-8:00 p.m. Youth and teens can jump till their hearts content during Jump Roping Blast at the Ann Arbor District Library (3090 E. Eisenhower Pky., Ann Arbor). This free event is geared for teens and pre-teens (grades 4-12). Bring your jump rope and and rhymes and be ready for a jumpin’ good time! Learn how to do Chinese jump rope, Double-Dutch and standard jump rope techniques. Special guests for the event are the St. Francis Heartbeats to demonstrate their skills. This is a rain or shine event.

8:00-11:00 p.m. Celebrate the longest day of the year canoeing the Huron River during Summer Solstice on Gallup Pond (Gallup Canoe Livery, 3000 Fuller Rd., Ann Arbor). For only $18/canoe or two-person kayak; $14/one-person kayak paddle the breathtaking 2.5 mile Gallup Pond, be sure to bring a flashlight and bug-spray though. No preregistration is required.

Saturday, June 22

10:00 a.m. – late evening Milan Dragway's Night Thrills at the Milan Dragway (10860 Plank Rd., Milan) For only $20 adults/$10 Kids 6-12, check out a Night of Thrills and action watching the drag races. The first 500 kids into the gate receive a free tee shirt.

10:00 a.m. Get out for a hike at the Lower Huron Metropark (17845 Savage Rd., Belleville). Register at recreation@hrwc.org or 734-697-9181. 

11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. State Street Kids Day with Peachy Fitness, UM Natural History museum, a magician and magic show, free face painting and so much more during this free event.

11:00 a.m. Amazing Amphibians at Hudson Mills Metropark (8801 N. Territorial Rd., Dexter). Get the kids outdoors to explore frogs, toads and salamanders. Cost $3/person or $5/family - Preregistration is required 734-426-8211.

11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Evolution of Whales a hands-on demonstration at the UM Natural History Museum (1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor). Free event.

Noon-1:00 p.m. Open Studio Drop-in Art Sessions at the FLY Children’s Art Studio (40 N. Huron, Ypsilanti). For just $5 (or $40 season pass) keep your kids actively engaged with a little art. No registration is required for this event.

1:00-2:30 p.m. Take the kids to the Waterloo Recreation Area (17030 Bush Rd., Chelsea) for Kids Korral.

1:00 p.m. Raptor feeding at the Leslie Science and Nature Center (1831 Traver Rd., Ann Arbor). Free event.

2:00-4:00 p.m. Free dinosaur tours. 

2:00 p.m. kids and teens ages 6-19 can create Clay Tile Mosaics at the Ypsilanti District Library (8795 MacArthur Blvd., Ypsilanti) using colorful tile pieces to create a personalized picture or paperweight.

4:00 p.m.- midnight Ann Arbor Summer Festival's Top of the Park  at Ingalls Mall (915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor) 5:00-midnight. There is a suggested donation per visit of $3 per individual or $5 per family. Tonight’s family-friendly activities and performances include Tangle (4:00 & 7:30 p.m.), the KidZone (5:00 p.m.) sponsored by the U-M Museum of Natural History, and Les 7 doigts de la main at the Power Center (8:00 p.m.)

9:00-11:00 p.m. Free movie: Madagasscar 3 at Rolling Hills (7660 Stony Creek Rd., Ypsilanti Township).

Sunday, June 23

Noon-3:00 p.m. Critter House open at the Leslie Science & Nature Center (1831 Traver Rd., Ann Arbor).

1:30 & 2:30 p.m. Planetarium show at the UM Natural History Museum (1109 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor).

2:00-4:00 p.m. Free dinosaur tours.

4:00 p.m.- midnight Ann Arbor Summer Festival's Top of the Park  at Ingalls Mall (915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor) 5:00-midnight. There is a suggested donation per visit of $3 per individual or $5 per family. Tonight’s family-friendly activities and performances include Tangle (4:00 & 7:30 p.m.), a performance by 12-year old Magdalen Fossum (5:00 p.m.), Giant Candyland the KidZone (5:00 p.m.) sponsored by the Ann Arbor District Library, a performance by The Candy Band (7:00 p.m.) and a special presentation of Goonies during Movies Under the Stars (10:00 p.m.)