This Saturday, June 26th, 2010, is the Great American Backyard Campout. The event is organized by the National Wildlife Federation, and currently sponsored by American Girl. The main goal is to help parents get their kids outdoors, followed by the hope that it will get kids hooked on outdoor time. They are encouraging parents to get their kids out to camp in their backyard, local park, forest, etc. Their web page is pretty cool, and offers a host of additional features.

In addition to basic information about the event, they encourage people to sign up for an account on their web-page, and then participate in fund raising. While the fundraising is optional, they do encourage everyone to try and raise $100, or at least get contributions from 5 to 10 friends. They also encourage groups to participate, and you can search for planned Great American Backyard Campout events that you could join. Unfortunately, while this seems like a neat idea, when I searched my area, there didn't seem to be too many planned events yet.

What seems even cooler, to me, is that if you choose to fundraise (or donate to someone who is participating), you can feel good about it. Eighty (80) cents of every dollar donated will go to support programs designed to combat the 'indoor child'. In other words, you are supporting programs designed to help get kids away from the television (or computer!), and outside instead. It makes the outdoors a priority. If you're reading this blog, chances are that is a goal you'll appreciate.

Even if you don't sign up to participate, its a worth a visit to their web-page. Under the 'Get Ready' link, there are some useful camping tips. They include campfire songs, camping recipes, and camping games and activities.

I registered and plan to participate by taking the kids out Saturday night (although I won't be fund raising, I feel like I came to the table just a bit too late for that). It will be a bit interesting, as we have baseball from 9 am until around 4pm that day too, so we'll see how the boys fare after a long day of being outside already. So far, they at least seem excited about the idea. It will also give me my first chance at implementing my newly articulated guidelines for ultralight family camping. I started packing/organizing tonight, and have discovered some new things already. I'll do a follow-up to let everyone know how it goes. I'm also hoping to try and achieve one of my 2010 Family Camping Goals, although given the high amount of activity they will already be doing Saturday, I'm not too hopeful. Baseball has ruled our summer though, so I'm excited to even be thinking about just one night out, and so are the boys! Which I guess is the point of the Great American Backyard Campout, getting families to spend time and create memories together in the great outdoors!