Rex, our contributor passed this along with a remark, “This one appears on the surface to be really, let’s say, dumb. But it turns out to be one of the very best in so many ways.” I agree. What do you think?

“OK, kids, follow me. Watch out for that obstacle, there. It’s just a little farther. Now stay close. No, not that way, the terrain’s too rugged! How about this spot, right here? OK, you can drop your stuff. You know what? Go tell Mommy to turn off the back porch light, please, so we can see the moon better.”

OK, so we didn’t rough it in the wilderness. Put me in a home for wimpy dads, if you must. Nevertheless, before you pass judgment, consider that backyard camping has many of the same benefits of the wilderness experience, without the fuss and muss. Just the right amount of time and trouble for the young ones.

To best illustrate the attraction of this recreation, here is a comparison by way of the senses of the typical indoor routine versus the exceptional outdoor adventure.

SIGHT:
- Moon vs. Nightlight
- Stars vs. Four Walls
- Clouds vs. Ceiling
- Limitless vs. Enclosed

HEARING:
- Breeze Ruffling Trees vs. Flushing Toilet
- Crickets vs. Clocks
- Crackle of Hibachi Campfire vs. TV
- Silence vs. Settling and Creaking

SMELL:
- Honey Suckle Blossoms vs. Dirty Clothes
- Grass Fragrance vs. Post-Meal Kitchen
- Smoky Aroma vs. Bathroom Odors F Sausage vs. Stale Air

TOUCH:
- Soft Flannel Sleeping Bag vs. Matted Polyester Blanket
- Parent’s Caress vs. Tattered Stuffed Animal
- Campfire Warmth vs. Central Heating
- Supple Grass vs. Crusty Carpet

TASTE:
- Juicy, Open-Fire Hot Dogs vs. Micro waving
- Hot Gooey Marshmallows vs. Out of the Bag Cold
- Fire-Crisp Bacon vs. Soggy, Greasy, Fried Bacon
- Runny Egg vs. Runny Egg (Well, three out of four isn’t bad.)

True, the camping adventure is not on a mountain or in a national park, on a lake or near a river, at a YMCA or in a scout camp, but it certainly is in, and will remain in, the hearts and minds of your children forever.

Rex Bowlby is the father of two boys. He is the author of the book, Why Would I Want the Toy, When I Can Have the Box? (101 Ways to Make the Most of Your Children, With the Least from Your Wallet*) *For parents with children ages 3-8. He lives in Los Angeles, California, USA.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, August 5th, 2006 at 5:17 pm and is filed under 03-05 yrs: Preschooler, 05-12 yrs: Schooler, Crafts and Activities. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.