Gearing up for Ann Arbor’s 3rd Annual Great American Backyard Campout

2010 Great Lakes Regional Center GABCAs a child, spending most summer nights and weekends outside, camping with family and friends, was the thing to do. Our family would often take a weekend trip to Northern Michigan so we could camp along the shores of the Great Lakes. Cooking dinners over campfire, hiking the dunes of Lake Michigan and searching for Petoskey stones are some of my favorite memories while camping.

For the third year in a row, the Great Lakes Regional Center is hosting our annual campout at the Leslie Science and Nature Center, which brings families together to explore nature and create exciting new memories. Many families have never camped before and other families have made our community campout a tradition; inviting friends to sign up with them.

Our 3rd annual Ann Arbor campout will have campfire s’more roasting, an interactive wild bat program, orienteering lessons by REI, geocaching with Ranger Rick, and nature hikes – including an early-morning bird walk.

Not only is being outside fun, it turns out that outdoor time is also great for kids.  Time outside has been shown to help children grow lean and strong, enhance imaginations and attention spans, decrease aggression and boost classroom performance.

If your family is looking for a way to join the fun, check out the NWF Great American Backyard Campout registration for other events happening around the country and ways your family can start their own traditions in your backyard. You can also find some awesome campout tips to help make your first campout easy, fun and memorable.

The Ann Arbor Great American Backyard Campout is supported by the National Wildlife Federation, Leslie Science and Nature Center, Critter Catchers and REI.

Bird Watching GABC 2010
Families enjoy the morning watching and listening for native birds.The Great lakes Regional Center 2010 community campout
GABC 2010 Great Lakes Regional Center
45 families join the National Wildlife Federation, Great lakes Regional Center for our 2010 community campout