Get in touch with nature with ‘Campout’

Lake Metroparks announced that this year’s Great American Backyard Campout will take place June 22-24 at Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road in Kirtland.

Those interested can bring their tent or camper and enjoy a variety of fun nature-themed programs, hikes, songs and stories around the campfire, according to a news release.

The Great American Backyard Campout begins 4 p.m., June 22 and runs to noon on June 24.

Lake Metroparks is participating alongside The National Wildlife Federation’s summer-long celebration of camping as a way to connect with nature and wildlife, according to a news release.

Activities will include:

• Two nights of overnight camping

• Fishing in the ponds (campers must bring their own gear and bait

• Borrowing an explorer pack and explore on their own

• Making s’mores at the campfire

• Seeing a live animal show

• Venturing on a gorge hike

• Searching the night sky with an astronomy program.

Youths can explore the Nature Play area, a natural playscape features interactive stations designed to engage children in creative and imaginative play, the release stated.

Kids can traverse through an acre of green landscape with logs to climb on, tunnels to crawl through and hillsides to roll down. Stations include a play campsite, a shallow pond and natural objects to discover.

There is no start or finish, nor map or suggested route. Kids are encouraged to chart their own course of adventure through this outdoor play maze.

No electrical or water hookups will be available. Also, no pets or generators will be permitted.