Any parent looking for a unique summer camp experience for their child should consider the possibilities of organizing a Backyard Camp in their community.
The Backyard Camp is a fun, creative and extremely affordable summer camp program that has been in existence in Teaneck for many, many years. The commitment of time and resources on families to organize and plan is well worth it when they see all of the fun their children are having.
How does it work?
A Backyard Camp is a parent-organized, summer camp program that alternates between different neighborhood backyards. A teacher and assistant, hired by the families are responsible for providing opportunities for learning and play.
Parents participate in every other way from managing finances to driving on field trips. Parents along with the teachers help to create the atmosphere of the camp.
Why do it?
There are several reasons to start a B.Y.C. One very practical reason is financial. Full service camps run into the thousands of dollars for just one child!
Organizing your own camp can enable you to eliminate the profit from the fee. As you plan you can eliminate unnecessary expenses and invest in what you feel is important. Being local also appeals to many families who may not feel comfortable sending their children on long, hot bus rides to camp. Lastly, B.Y.C is a blast!
Kids love to share their homes with their friends and the possibilities for fun and learning in ones neighborhood are endless.
Some ideas to get your creative juices flowing regarding your backyard camping adventure include camp treats, songs, face painting, outdoor games, and even creating some tie dyed shirts for the campers. We've included some fun snack recipes, tunes, and a face paint recipe to get you started.
Note: The Smores recipe can be prepared at the "camp site", but the other recipes should be put together before heading out into the great outdoors.
TREAT RECIPES
S'mores
Marshmallows
Chocolate candy bars
Graham crackers
Green sticks or coat angers
Prepare yourself by getting 1 large graham cracker and breaking it in half. Cover 1/2 of the graham cracker with a chocolate bar.
Put 1-2 marshmallows on the stick and hold it over the fire until roasted. When the marshmallow is roasted, place on top of the chocolate bar, then put the other graham cracker on top and bite down.
Caution: marshmallow may still be hot!
Trail Mix
Mix raisins into a combination of other dried fruits, peanuts, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, puffed cereals or popcorn.
Granola
3/4 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup oil
2/3 cup honey
5 cups old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 cup quick oats
1/2 cup dry milk powder
3/4 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
Heat brown sugar, oil and honey to dissolve honey. Mix remaining ingredients together well. Pour sugar liquid over dry mixture. Mix thoroughly. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 375 for 10-15 min. Let sit for 5 minutes to cool. Store in airtight container.
FUN CAMP SONGS
Backyard Treasures
(to the tune of "Clementine")
In the backyard, there are treasures,
There are treasures all around,
If I look hard in my back yard,
All the treasures can be found.
Found some pine cones and an ant hill,
And a toad all squashed and dead.
I can hide them in my pocket,
And I'll keep them 'neath my bed.
Momma found them in my pocket,
So she yelled and screamed and cried.
"You can keep those rotten pine cones,
But can't keep the toad that died."
So I took them to the backyard,
To her flower bed to rest.
I'm so glad she didn't find that
Beetle hidden in her desk!
Ants go Marching
The ants go marching one-by-one Hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching one-by-one Hurrah! Hurrah!
The ants go marching one-by-one
The little one stopped to suck his thumb
And they all went marching
Down, around the town
Boom boom boom
The ants go marching two-by-two...
continue the verses with these changes:
Two-by-two: tie his shoe
Three-by-three: climb a tree
Four-by-four: close the door
Five-by-five: Do a jive
Six-by-six: pick up sticks
Seven-by-seven: go to Heaven
Eight-by-eight: close the gate
Nine-by-nine: check the time
Ten-by-ten: start again
Camp Granada
Hello Mudda, hello Fadda,
Here I am at Camp Granada.
Camp is very entertaining,
And they say we'll have some fun if it stops raining.
I went hiking with Joe Spivy;
He developed poison ivy.
You remember Leonard Skinner;
He got ptomain poisoning last night after dinner.
All the counselors hate the waiters,
And the lake has alligators,
And the head coach wants no sissies,
So he reads to us from something called "Ulysses".
Now I don't want this should scare ya,
But my bunk mate has malaria.
You remember Jeffrey Hardy,
They're about to organize a searching party.
Take me home, oh Mudda, Fadda,
Take me home, I hate Granada!
Don't leave me in the forest where
I might get eaten by a bear.
Take me home, I promise I will not make noise,
Or mess the house with other boys.
Oh, please don't make me stay,
I've been here one whole day.
Dearest Father, darling Mother,
How's my precious little brother?
Let me come home if you miss me,
I would even let Aunt Bertha hug and kiss me.
Wait a minute, it stopped hailing,
Guys are swimming, gals are sailing.
Playing baseball, gee that's betta,
Mudda, Fadda, kindly disregard this letter!
Stir together starch and cold cream until well blended. Add water and stir, then add food coloring.
Application
Wash your face and any area that you will be applying the makeup to. Dry thoroughly. Use fingertips to spread onto large areas. Use a small paint brush to paint designs on face. Removes with soap and water. Store in airtight container.
About the Author:
Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children. She is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine. Subscribe to her free weekly newsletter by clicking on "sign up" below.
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