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6/19/2007

Getting Americans Camping is Focus of National Event

A national campaign is underway to get Americans to spend this Saturday night out camping. The campaign called the Great American Backyard Campout is sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation and endorsed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

"We want Iowans to go camping, preferably in a state park, but if not, we would be happy if they stayed in a county park or even in their backyard. We just want Iowans to get outdoors and camp," said Michelle Wilson, with the Iowa DNR. "There are a lot of activities going on in state parks every weekend and during the Great American Backyard Campout day we will have interpreters in 20 of our state parks conducting programs and visiting with campers at their campsites."

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has a number of checklists available from its website www.iowadnr.gov that offer tips on preparing camping meals, creating a first aid kit or filling a tote with toys for the kids.

"Make sure to bring a bug jar for the kids because the lightening bugs are really putting on a show," Wilson said. Lightening bugs are featured in the July/August issue of the Iowa Outdoors magazine, which is also available at www.iowadnr.gov

Campers wanting more information on the Great American Backyard Campout can go to http://backyardcampout.org/.

"Camping is a great way to get kids involved with the outdoors. Many of our parks offer hiking trails, fishing, offer playgrounds and other activities," Wilson said. "Going camping with your family makes everyone slow their busy lives down, and spend quality time together."

The Iowa DNR manages 51 state park and state forest campgrounds, offering more than 5,000 campsites across the state.

For more information, contact Wilson at 515-281-8675.