Back Yard Camping

There is nothing more gratifying for the mind, body and soul than interacting with Mother Nature and what better way than to take the family camping. It is the best medicine there is, whether preventative or therapeutic. Getting away into the wilderness is preferred because when you get away you leave all your work and worries behind.
If you can't get away, did you ever consider back yard camping? Building a fire pit is a great way to start. Before you do, check with your local bylaws to make sure that open fires are permitted. For an inexpensive fire pit, find an old washing machine that has been discarded and remove the inside tub. Secure the tub to a concrete or gravel base and there you have your fire pit. The holes around the outside of the tub bring oxygen in to feed the fire and it looks beautiful, especially at night, to see the flames flickering through the holes. To add some character to your fire pit, go out and gather random sizes and colors of stones and stack them part way up around the tub. Get the children involved in this. It is a great way to turn a little bit of work into a wonderful feeling of accomplishment.
To cook on top of the fire pit you can purchase an inexpensive wire grill cover that sits on top of the tub. The most delicious meals are the ones cooked and eaten outdoors. Usually, you would let the fire burn down to hot coals for the best controlled cooking temperature, unless you are able to maintain a constant low flame. Cast iron cookware is perfect for this type of cooking. Charcoal briquettes can also be used for cooking instead of wood, however, you would have to set the level of the briquettes close enough to the grill to be effective. A removable metal insert could be fashioned inside the tub to accomplish this.
In some parts of the country where our summers feel so short, this is a great way to stretch the beautiful summer days into longer days. The fire pit is a great entertainment feature for wiener roasts, marshmallow roasts and good old fashioned sing songs.
The next step for backyard camping is to set up a tent and sleep in it. There are many varieties of tents on the market, but begin with a basic style that is easy to set up. Air mattresses and sleeping bags would be great to have but comforters and blankets can work as well. It may seem comical to set a tent up in your own back yard and sleep in it when your bedroom is only steps away, but this is a great way to introduce the family to camping. Children will find this experience very exciting and at the same time the washroom or extra bedding, if needed, are only steps away.
If your family decides this is something they would really enjoy in the wilderness, it would be easy to figure out what you need for supplies after your back yard adventure.
You might be surprised at the conversations that will be sparked while sitting around the fire, staring up at the starlit sky or inside the tent when all the "night sounds" that we normally never hear from the confines of our home get the imagination running wild.