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Great American Campout Is Saturday

Prince George's County residents can campout this weekend during the 8th Annual Great American Backyard Campout.

 

Enjoy the outdoors this weekend in Prince George's County or in other parts of Maryland.

Outdoor enthusiasts nationwide will take part in the 8th Annual Great American Backyard Campout Saturday, and Maryland leaders are urging locals to join in the fun.

“This campout is the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with family and create memories that will last a lifetime," First Lady Katie O’Malley said in a Department of Natural Resources statement. "Any time spent outdoors is a great way to connect with nature and instill in our children the importance of environmental stewardship."

Special events, including campfires, crafts, canoeing and hiking, will be held by the Maryland Park Service on Saturday and Sunday at the following locations:

If one of those camping grounds don't suit you, camp on your own terms. Check out the the other parks that have campgrounds on DNR's website.

"I believe that one of the greatest threats to our precious wildlife and natural resources is a generation of children entirely disconnected from nature," National Wildlife Federation regional executive director Tony Caligiuri said in a statement. "The Great American Backyard Campout provides an easy, inexpensive way for families to have fun, while rediscovering and learning about the great outdoors."

For more information and to register, you can visit The Backyard Campout website.

“June is Great Outdoors Month and one of the best times of year to enjoy our natural world,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “Whether spending a day at one of our beautiful State Parks, taking a dip in your local watering hole, or catching [fish] off of a pier, our State’s outdoor recreational opportunities are second to none.”

TELL US: When is the last time you camped out? Are you camping out this weekend? Leave a comment.

Related Topics: Camping, Great American Campout, Outdoors, and Prince George's County

Sam Fatzinger

8:30 am on Saturday, June 23, 2012

We are getting a bunch of families and camping out in a backyard...perfect for our group of friends who have lots of little kids...the moms go home with the toddlers and babies and leave the dads with the other kids! We will have about 30 kids having fun making great memories!

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Colleen

9:01 am on Saturday, June 23, 2012

I'm new to this area. Coming from the Baltimore area, I'm used to having lots of KOA and DNR campsites available along the I-70 corridor. Can readers suggest campgrounds in southern Prince George's or Charles County? I think half the battle is finding a suitable place to pitch the tent, if one isn't lucky enough to have a suitable backyard.

and to answer the authors' request- the last time I went camping was in early May, out in OH. I usually end up camping a few times a summer, though it is usually by necessity more than desire (I got to music festivals where that's pretty much the only way to stay) I'll also be camping for a week in TN in August (hoping it will cool off by then!)

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Sonia Dasgupta

2:39 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012

Check out the two links in the story -- those are the local options -- but I believe Sandy Point is popular!

Angel

11:25 am on Saturday, June 23, 2012

Sandy point here we come, we wet there last week, what an excuse for my family and I to go back. Start packing guys. Lol.

We've never camped out before, this should be fun.

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Colleen

6:18 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012

sandy point is fantastic! one of the few state parks with a beach and swimming area too.

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Danna Walker

6:50 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012

Angel, you're in for a treat. Bring the bug spray and the smores! I have such great family memories of campouts when the kids were small. They love it.

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