Think your family might enjoy camping but afraid to take the plunge into the wilderness... then start off slow with a backyard campout.
Held during the month of June, the National Wildlife Federation hosts the annual Great American Backyard Campout, and the group is encouraging families to dust off the camping gear, unplug the screens, and get the family outside for a night of stargazing, marshmallow roasting and all around family fun.
Camping gear is nice, but it isn't a necessity. Fix a lean-to shelter with a tarp and sleep on a ground cloth covered with pillows and blankets. Or head outdoors for some marshmallow roasting and campfire stories, and then dash back in when it's time to sleep. That's not technically "camping," but it's all about mixing things up and enjoying a breath of fresh air with your family.
