Family Camp Out

Every year we look forward to our annual family camp out. There is so much enthusiasm that we start planning right after the holidays. This gives everyone something to look forward to while surviving the rest of the dreaded winter. If planned right with all involved, it can turn out to be a very pleasant and enjoyable experience.

The first thing we do is figure out where we want to go. We start looking on the Internet for campsites in both Western and Eastern Washington. We know from past experience that the weather is never predictable in Western Washington, so we usually go east due to the fact that it is always warmer and less rain. We have also learned that if you don't make your reservations around January or February and just go somewhere, you will most likely not get in because they fill up quickly. We try to plan the trip for the middle of August. It seems to work out best with everybody's schedule.We then find a spot where we are sure to find a variety of things to do either at the site itself or near-by. Oh yeah, did I happen to mention it has to be big enough to accommodate close to thirty people and six dogs?

Our next step is planning the menus. This way we know exactly what we need to buy which saves on money and waste. For our first night there, I will usually bring a big pot of spaghetti because everyone is arriving at different times. It can get hectic with setting up all the tents, pumping up air-mattresses, and putting things away. Each family gets to choose what dinner will be on a specific night. For instance my oldest son Tim and his family may choose steaks, and then Rob and his family will want barbecue ribs on the next night followed by Chris and his group that likes to have fresh halibut and salmon. My group usually ends up with the last night, so we fix hamburgers and hot-dogs.

We don't worry about who will cook and who will clean. It has become a tradition that the guys will do the cooking the entire trip while the ladies sit around the campfire. Usually with a drink in hand, not a bad set up, "don't you think?" As far as the clean up goes, every family is responsible for keeping their area clean and the dishes done.

Once the menu is set we figure out what supplies will be needed, from cooking utensils to clothing. You would be amazed at the amount of stuff that is brought by each individual group. The easiest way is to make a list of dishes you need, spices, cooking utensils, and pots and pans.Don't forget the towels and wash-cloths, as well as a first-aid kit. The kids like to give me a bad time because I have a tendency to over-pack. You just never know when someone may get cut prepping food or when one of the little ones might run and fall down while playing. Its funny how they give me a hard time but I always hear, "Mom do you have such and such that I can use?" I figure you can never have too many sweatshirts or socks, and first aid items. I guess it's a mother thing!

And last but not least, we plan different theme nights. One night is pajama night. The next night is hat night. Our last night there, which is a favorite of the young adults, is called Beer Pong Night. I always pick the pajama theme. That's where all the couples have to wear matching pajamas. I can usually get a good variety at Wal-Mart or Target. I also try to get enough for everyone over the age of eighteen. Last summer was the first time that we included the young single adults. We got quite a kick out of which young adult males matched. They were great sports about it and mentioned that they look forward to doing it again this year. I also get the girls funky looking flip-flops to wear. This year I plan on having it so each family matches and then take family pictures to share. On hat night the small kids get to take foam visors along with a large variety of stickers and make any kind of hat they like. Everyone has to wear one, no exceptions. By letting the kids do this theme it makes them feel like they are apart of it all and it keeps them busy for a while. The last night there is "Beer Pong Night." If you haven't heard of it before, it is a game that the young adults especially enjoy playing. What it entails is taking an object that looks like a floating air mattress with a lot of cup holders. Then taking plastic cups and placing them in the mattress. I believe there is four or five rows on each end. You fill the cups a little over half-way with beer. You have a team on each end with two ping pong balls .They try and toss the balls to the opposite side of where they are standing and land it in the beer. If it goes in, the other team has to drink that beer. You win when you make the opposite team drink all the beer on your side. It can get a little loud and crazy. Especially if you have girls against guys and the girls win.

To some people it may seem like a lot of planning and organizing for just four or five days, but in the long run you will find that it's well worth it. It saves from having to take extra trips to the store while you're there because something was forgotten. It's the one time a year that we get to spend quality time together, forget about work, and just let our hair down. I'm not sure if the grandchildren will continue coming once they have grown and have families of their own, but I hope so. Having family bonding time is important, if for no other reason than to reconnect with each other. By taking the time to plan ahead and work things out, it leaves you more leisure time to just sit back and "Chill"