We camp the backyard more than any other place. I had done this as a kid, but not as an adult. I had bigger and better things to do...I thought. My return to the canoe and river in 2014 quickened my desire to tent camp; there is something special about sleeping that close to nature. Years end 2014 I tallied my nights in a tent. The number of nights I thought I spent in the tent were off from the reality. I put in more effort in 2015 and got a little further, but still came up short. I wanted to spend more time outdoors and share it with my children.
By the end of 2015 I had a new camping strategy. I realized...
1) Car camping was a specialized form of camping.
2) The Texas State Parks are great opportunities.
3) The backyard is always available.
From a practical vantage, backyard camping is a good way of staying mentally ready. I am amused that setting up a tent is such a perishable skill. So is remembering where I stashed things like the tent, tent stakes, sleeping bags...
My six and four year old children were fascinated by the tent. They were not inborn with "tent training." A quick student, I quickly bought an entry level six man tent. I took the tent and the kids to the training ground, the back yard. Some of the first things I taught them was to use two hands to operate the zipper, to completely open the zipper on the bottom and to walk rather than run through the tent door. I also trained them not run around the outside of the tent where the guy lines and tent pegs could trip them. I taught them the tent was sleeping area, that other places are for playing or eating.
The kids were quick students! I reminded them of things from time to time, but that's being a father. Basically the entry level tent allowed me to be a calmer more patient father.
After a couple backyard camp outs my kids (I call them my cubs) started helping me set up the tent. I allowed extra time at first, but soon they sped the process up! Plus they enjoy helping and being part of the activity. Sometimes there is a re-entry but it is quicker to remember than to learn.
In the backyard I let them bring as many stuffed animals as we could fit in that 10' X 10' tent. They have their night light, song singing pillows too.
I read them their favorite books by penlight and tell them stories about the sleestak and Pakuni or some of my old camping adventures. If I am on my "A" game I tell them a story about a trip we are planning. I let them add to the story here and there and it becomes their story too.
The big thing is my children enjoy sleeping in a tent. Sometimes they ask in the middle of the week if they can camp. Other than that, backyard camping prepares us for state park camping. When we hit the state parks and pitch the tent there are fewer adjustments to make. There are times when the children become overstimulated, overwhelmed or when the wildlife makes noises in the night, but those things are not combined with unfamiliar sleeping environments.
There have been some nights when it took the children a while to get to sleep. The few rough nights we had were not repeated on the second night.
I'll mention a few obvious things here. If you have a new tent, or a tent you have not used in a season, the backyard is an excellent place to sort things out. Also, if you had to break camp in the rain and pack a wet tent, the backyard is the place to air it out. Sometimes new tents need to be treated before use, or tents that have seen some use need to be freshened up or repaired. The backyard is the place for tent maintenance, especially if seam sealers or water sealers have strong odors.
When we retired the Mountain Trails tent all the zippers and screens were intact. Tent training aside, the mots important takeaway is the backyard is the place to gently introduce children to the camping environment. The house is nearby should they be overwhelmed or change their mind. Or, should a weather event occur and the tent or sleeping gear not be up to task the house is right there. Even if nothing happens the security of a nearby place is peace of mind for children and parents alike.
Thanks for reading!
MSM
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