If you’ve got a wish to get outside and check out the great outdoors with friends and family, consider getting involved with the Great American Backyard Campout set for this upcoming Saturday June 28th.

Sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation, they’re asking folks to register their campsite and take part in what may be the largest concerted camping effort in backyards across America since the Revolution.

Of course, you’ll need to provide the gear, s’mores and fun yourself, but there’s no doubt it could be a great way to bring out the kid in those around you while inspiring some of the real kids around you to take a new appreciation for nature itself. Don’t forget your tent and you always need a backpack and a sleeping bag.

Registering for the Great American Backyard Campout
To register just head over to the Great American Backyard Campout’s website and fill out the details of where it is you’re camping out, whether it’s in your own backyard or even your favorite campsite nearby. They promise to load you up with packing lists, recipes, wildlife guides, activities, and tips to help ensure you have a great time

More Green ideas here.

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How should we approach the Park’s characters?

• Park characters in costume usually have very limited vision and can turn and knock down your child without ever seeing them. Guide your child so the character will see them.
• Make sure to watch that your child is careful with the character. The characters don’t make a lot of money and even a tight hug or a poke to get noticed can be painful to the character.

How can I help my child get the most out of meeting their favorite character?

• The Parks provide opportunities for the picture of a lifetime, your little one standing next to their favorite furry character. Your child may rush the TV every time they see their furry friend, but it may be different in person. The big version of the furry friend can be scary for a small child.
• Spend your time in line talking to you child about their furry friend and reassure them it is safe, especially if they see another child dragged off in tears.
• If your child is shy, you might want to approach the character first and be the first to touch the character to help your child feel more secure.

How can I keep all the souvenirs I buy from weighting me down?

• When buying souvenirs, remember you might have to carry them around all day. Check with the Park to see if there are any other options available before you get too loaded down.
• You might hold off your purchases until the end of the day. Many Park’s will close their rides, but still leave their shops open for a while. This will also allow the Parking lot some time to thin out.
• Some of the Parks will hold your purchase to pick up at the front gate when you leave.
• Some Parks can arrange for delivery to your local hotel or your home address.
• Many Parks have lockers available.
• If you’ve rented a stroller, use it to help with some of the heavy carrying, but don’t leave packages on your stroller when you leave the stroller unsupervised.

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The summer is approaching and along with it are family vacations. Most of the time you want to pick a place to go that the whole family can enjoy which is the reason that Theme Parks are a very popular choice. There’s always something to do for everyone. Most of your Parks now have water parks and amusement parks attached so that you can spend a couple of days enjoying both parks for a lower price.

There are some things that you need to know when taking the family to a Theme Park. We’ve put together some tips and we will be exploring more tips as the summer begins.

What should I consider when planning a day at the Park?

• Make a plan before you go and involve your children in the planning process.
• Some of the Parks are so large you may not be able to see everything even if you have more than one day at the Park.
• Some rides are so awesome you may want to try to ride them more than once.
• Since you may have different ideas than your children about what will be the best rides, planning ahead will give you time to make compromises so everyone enjoys their time at the park.
• Remember that your children may find plenty of enjoyment in the simple pleasures the Park has to offer. Small ones may have lots in interest in the fountains, parades and the characters.

What can I do before I leave on vacation to help my child make it through a day at the Theme Park?

• Make sure your children have well fitted supportive comfortable shoes to bring.
• Buy the shoes in advance and give them time to break them in, so they are comfortable.
• Bring a second pair for your children to switch into.
• Begin an exercise program several weeks before you leave. Start your children on short walks around the neighborhood or at the mall if it’s cold. This will help them prepare for all the walking at the Park.

What should we do as soon as we get inside the Park?

• Check out the Park’s tip board as soon as you get inside the Park for information on parade routes, times, character appearances and other helpful information on rides such as wait times, hours open, scare factor warnings, height, age and health restrictions. This will provide extra, day specific information to help you make the most of your time there.
• As soon as you have a map and are all still together, find a central meeting place for everyone in case you get separated. Remember some of the large easily identifiable landmarks cover large areas. Be specific about which side of the area you will meet on, such as on the side facing another landmark. Pick a landmark that everyone knows how to find, maybe something tall that can be seen throughout the Park.
• Check to see what your Theme Park has for locating lost children. For instance, at Holiday World they have a “Phone Find” in which if you’re carrying a cell phone during your visit you simply pick up a wristband at one of the locations inside the park and print your cell phone number on the wristband and instruct your child to go to a uniformed park employee is he or she gets separated from you. The park will call you and reunite you and your child.

How can the adults enjoy the big rides if they have an infant in their group?

Use the baby swap if you can. Certain Parks and rides allow one adult to wait outside the ride with the child while the other parent rides the ride. Then they switch, this way both adults get a chance to take advantage of the adult rides. You’ll want to check with the park employees at each ride to see if this is allowed and how it works for that particular ride.

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• Forget high fashion, you want to be able to enjoy all your days at the Parks.
• Wear cool and comfortable clothing. Light colors will help to reflect the sun’s rays. Natural fibers breathe the most and will dry the quickest. Since many of the Parks have water rides that are designed to get you wet and cool you off; you might want to also consider the see through factor of your clothing if it gets wet.
• Wear cool, comfortable and supportive shoes. You are going to spend a lot of time on your feet, either walking or standing in line. Bring an extra set of shoes to leave in your car, in case one pair gets wet.
• Cover your body with a strong sunscreen. The sun is very strong and you’ll be exposed to it for much of the day. If you want to take a tan home, build it slowly. A burn will ruin your whole trip.
• Use some baby powder with cornstarch to help keep your feet and other body parts dry. Try this before you leave to make sure your skin isn’t overly sensitive to the powder.
• Consider bringing a hat and sunglasses. They can also help keep you cool and save you from burning. But, you’ll have to hold on to them the whole day, so don’t bring the ones you’ll be upset about losing. You could also look into buying those little ropes to hold your glasses on while you ride.
• Avoid wearing jewelry or other loose items that could get caught or become uncomfortable on the rides.

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• Go off-season when the Parks are less crowded, but check the Park’s hours to make sure they haven’t cut too much time out of your day.
• Go on days when the Park is open extra hours.
• Check the daily attendance records and go on the lighter days. Surprisingly, the weekend may be less crowded since many are using the weekend as traveling days for their weeklong vacations.
• Plan ahead and come prepared.
• Get there early.
• Use the tip board for day specific information.
• Use the map when you plan to avoid crisscrossing.
• Take a restroom break whenever you are close to a restroom.
• Don’t follow the crowd, look for the road less traveled. Many people will go to the right and move clockwise throughout the Park. Check into going left and moving counterclockwise.
• Eat during the off-hours.
• Be kind to your body.
• Arrive early, at least a ½ hour before they open. Some parks will allow you to enter even earlier. You will not be able to get on the rides early, but you might be first in line and you’ll get a good parking place.

What extra items do I need to bring with me?

• You might want to bring along a freezer bag to seal in your wallet for those water rides.
• Consider bringing raingear.
• Bring an extra pair of comfortable shoes and socks.
• You might bring a collapsible plastic water cup to assist you at the drinking fountains.
• Consider bringing a backpack to do the work of carrying all the items you’ll need.
• If you have two adults in your group, you might consider bringing an extra set of car keys.

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