Grammy on the Go
By Karen Shadrach
A new school year has begun, but the grandkids still want some summertime fun over the weekend! Before the weather gets too cold at night, early October is the perfect time for an overnight camping adventure right in your own backyard. Fall is also the best time to enjoy sitting around a campfire, feeling its warmth and roasting marshmallow s’mores.
Setting up the campsite is part of the fun, so let the grandkids help you. They can assist in pitching up their tent, or arranging for all the supplies they think they’ll need for the night. We ask them to find flashlights, sleeping bags, books or games they want to play, as well as gathering kindling for the campfire. The kids also love to decorate their tent or trailer by hanging lamps or stringing lights. Tents come in all shapes and sizes, but a simple pop-up tent is inexpensive and also easy and quick to set up and take down. We have a small camper the kids love to sleep in and we leave it in our yard for weekend use after Labor Day.
Plan to play a backyard game before it gets too dark. You can set up a scavenger hunt, or play Simon Says, Red Light-Green Light or Hide ‘n Seek.
Catching fireflies is a very fun activity, but in October, there are not many to be found. The kids still like to try to catch the few that are glowing in the yard. They also love to try to catch other bugs, especially caterpillars that can often be found easily in the fall.
It’s also a good idea to start your campfire before it gets too dark. Place kindling on top 
and around a few larger pieces of firewood in a triangular shape. We use fire starter logs or sticks for easier flame production. As the fire matures, you can add larger wood pieces for a longer-lasting campfire. We also have color sticks that can be added to the fire which will produce blue, green and pink flames; the kids love to watch them!
Sitting around the campfire together is really fun. Look up at the stars and point out
some constellations. Plan to sing some campfire songs that you remember or tell campfire stories. You can have them participate by playing Story in the Round. Each person takes a turn completing a made-up story. This will produce much giggling!
When the fire is dying down and at the burning coals stage, it’s time to make s’mores! Elevate the normal graham cracker, Hershey bar, and marshmallow s’more by adding a thin Reese cup or cookies and cream candy bar in place of regular plain chocolate.
Campfire cinnamon bears are another favorite. Wrap a tube of refrigerated cinnamon rolls (cut in half) around skewers. Brush the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with a mixture of sugar (1/4C) and 2 t cinnamon. Drizzle the included icing on top after cooking over the fire coals until browned (approximately 3-5 min).
After it becomes dark, games can include a scavenger hunt using flashlights, playing with glow balls, or, our favorite game, Cat’s Eyes. This game needs prior set-up in the daylight. Purchase inexpensive reflectors or reflective tape (cut in circles). Go around your yard and place by two’s (cat’s eyes) on trees, fences, porch or side of house. The kids can then go around in the dark with their flashlights and see how many sets of eyes that they can find staring at them. Place 5-10 sets of cat’s eyes and see if they can find them all!
Backyard camping is fun at any age. Camping has many benefits, which include connecting with nature and reducing stress. It’s an easy way to get the grandkids to unplug and take a break from their screens. Continue to build relationships and try camping this fall!
Photos by Karen Shadrach
