5th Annual Family Camp Out

This camping season is going by so quickly it is making my head spin! September will be here before you know it and that means that the 5th Annual Family Camp Out is right around the corner! (Still want to reserve your space: click here!)

Here is some information for those of you planning to attend. This is turning into a record breaking year for us; we have 11 sites booked, several sites have 2 families on them. I am expecting close to 60 overnight campers and more day campers.  We will continue to do community meals for three meals: Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast. Friday night meal and Saturday morning breakfast is on your own. I have created a SignUp Genius to sign up for community food, I only ask that you try to be equitable. Please visit it and sign up. If you have any questions, please run them through this blog or the facebook page. The SignUp Genius does not include silverware, plates, napkins, or drinks. Please bring those for your family.

Friday Agenda

Set up: arrive at your schedule, don’t forget to get water before you arrive at the site. Water is located at the beginning of our loop between sites 361-365.

Dinner (on your own); I will try to have a fire going in case you want to cook over the open flame. Historically it has been windy and cold this night so prepare!

Bring and App to share: Just for fun, let’s each bring an appetizer to share.We have talked about finding judges to select a favorite for our first ever Family Camp Out Cook Off Award.

Saturday Agenda

Breakfast is on your own. We will have a camp stove available for use. I will make coffee. Bring your own cup.  The Smith-Taylor Family will be making breakfast grilled cheese sandwiches (a grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with eggs and sausage) so we will also have a griddle available as well.

Paint a Critter: Every year we have done a craft and this year kids and adults will have the opportunity to paint a rock and create a critter. Paint and rocks will be provided.

Tye Die T-Shirts: Every year we have done a t-shirt and this year is no exception. I am still working on these details, so please check back. We are working on two options 1) an available for purchase t-shirt designed by one of the campers himself or 2) you bring a t-shirt, screen print a design, let it dry, and then tye die away. You provide or buy the White T-shirts and a ziplock baggie for your wet t-shirt, I have dye and rubber bands.

Adult Coloring Books: If you have not joined in the craze you are missing out. No need to be an adult to partake in this relaxing pass time. Markers will be provided as is the canvas.

Lunch: A Family Camp-Out tradition for the fifth year in a row, Walking Tacos. Please use the Sign Up Genius.

Afternoon Yard Games: Ladder golf, cornhole toss, bocci, washers, yard yahtzi. Whatever it is, bring it and we will play it. Brackets will be available for friendly competition.

Camping Ice Cream: At the very first family camp-out we made tin can ice cream and we are bringing it back. Kids (and interested adults) will have an opportunity to make home made ice cream two non-traditional ways: with tin cans and Ziploc bags. I just need a headcount on the number of kids at the camp out. Parents are welcome to assist!

Can’t Stop This Feeling: We will be making a camping music video to Justin Timberlake’s body moving song: Can’t Stop This Feeling. Get your family together and work out a few dance moves! After the camp-out we will put it all together and make one super cute lip-sync video! Yep, costumes and props are totally welcome!

Saturday Dinner: We started this tradition during our second year and it is still going strong: the hot dog buffet. However you like that hot dog, you can have it: want it lightly browned or  seared and blackened, how about wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cheese, or maybe topped with chili. We got it all, you just need to fix it. After dinner there will be S’mores! Bring a hot dog stick and come enjoy our buffet!

GLOW PARTY 2.0! This was a huge hit during our fourth family camp-out and we just have to repeat it. We will supply the black lights and playlist you supply the glow and the dance moves. Kids and adults are sure to have the best time! Get creative and find the best way to glow!

Sunday Agenda:

Breakfast: Eggs-In-A-Bag: we introduced this during our third year and we are gonna keep doing it. We will supply the pot of boiling water and everything else is in the SignUp Genius. We also put dehydrated hash browns on the menu. A volunteer or two to help cook the hash browns would be awesome!

Check Out is 3:00 p.m. How long you stay is your choice. Last year many stayed and watched The Chiefs game. If you linger, as we will, plan for lunch.

A few extra details:

I have heard that the cost of day entry has increased from $5.00 to $7.00. Remember to bring sunscreen, lawn chairs, and your cameras. We are close to the large bathhouse for easy access to restrooms and showers. Fishing is near. Smithville Lake has amazing trails, both paved and unpaved, so you can take a hike or ride a bike.

Thank you to all who come out for the weekend/night/day to camp with us. This is an event that we have come to anticipate and look forward to!  See you in September!