NATURE, MY FAMILY AND ME

Great American Backyard Campout a fun way for a local family-camping foray

Although the skies above Lake Metroparks’ Penitentiary Glen Reservation looked ready for rain June 23 – and delivered here and there – it didn’t dampen campers’ spirits as the Great American Backyard Campout persevered.

For the last decade, the family-friendly, overnight camping event has brought happy campers of all ages and experience levels together for an activity-filled, two-nighter that seeks not only to provide an entertaining weekend for parents and kids of all ages. It also aims to introduce newbies to the splendors of a night under the stars.

“The idea behind it is that we wanted to get families out there, even if it’s their first time camping together,” said Caitlin Ambrose, Lake Metroparks Interpretive Manager. “We want to get families out there in a fun-filled way that hits all age groups.”

She said the event dates back about a decade and was Lake Metroparks’ answer to some similar events the National Park

"We want to get families out there in a fun-filled way that hits all age groups." — Caitlin Ambrose, Lake Metroparks Interpretive Manager

Service offers throughout the year around the country.

“We kind of took the idea from the fact that, at the national parks, they have a lot of big camping events,” Ambrose said. “We kind of wanted to mirror that and bring that kind of opportunity into Lake County.”

She said it’s a great opportunity for families who never have camped together and want to get into camping as an easy, affordable pastime for weekends and vacations together.

“This gives them a safe experience, here at the park,” Ambrose said. “They feel safe camping here and it’s not intimidating.”

Not only is the Great American Backyard Campout

a stress-free way to initiate all types of campers into the pastime. It also offers a host of uncommon amenities, as far as campout experiences are concerned, Ambrose said.

“Families that participate enjoy all the activities we offer during the event,” she said, adding that these include gorge hikes on the property, campfires and s’mores, live animal shows, general nature hikes and night hikes.

“Plus, we provide campfires and a continental breakfast on Sunday,” Ambrose said. “And I think that’s what people like so much about this event – the activities, the amenities and just getting a chance to interact with the naturalists and the park staff. It’s really an educational – and fun – agenda we have lined up for this event.”

But metroparks staffers

aren’t the only ones who

think the $25 ticket for

the two-night event is well

worth the price. The families who participate seem to think it’s a pretty good deal, too.

Take Cheater Township resident Daniel Tran, for example. He brought eightyear-old son, Isaac, and five-year-old daughter, Sula, to their first Great American Backyard Campout this year and said the trio consisted of three happy customers.

“It’s nice!” Daniel said as he, Isaac and Sula sought shelter in their tent just as a short shower began pelting the property with raindrops. “The rain has made it al little harder to enjoy all the things they have going on around here. But it’s pretty nice. They have a lot of good activities.”

When asked about her favorite part of the campout, Sula responded enthusiastically with: “I liked the s’mores last night!”

JONATHAN TRESSLER — THE NEWS-HERALD A pond behind the nature center at Lake Metroparks Penitentiary Glen sees some action from some casual anglers between rain showers June 23 during the park system’s Great American Backyard Campout.

JONATHAN TRESSLER — THE NEWS-HERALD Lake Metroparks Wildlife Education Specialist Kirsten Bull offers kids a chance to pet Dot the spotted turtle June 23 at Penitentiary Glen in Kirtland.

JONATHAN TRESSLER — THE NEWS-HERALD From left, Daniel Tran; daughter, Sula, 5, and son, Isaac, 8, mosey on back to their tent June 23 just in time to take cover from a brief bit of rain during Lake Metroparks’ Great American Backyard Campout at Penitentiary Glen in Kirtland.