Backyard Tent Camping and Earning Webelo Cast Iron Skillet Badge During Covid-19
Sometimes I feel a little guilty that I am not totally hating being homebound. As a remote-working mom, living in a multigenerational home, with a very handy husband, and only one child – we are lucky, blessed, and dare I say, privileged. The grownups out number the kids in this household and we have created ourselves a homestead with a garden and always things to do around the house, building, always recovering from hurricane damage and preparing for the next one.
We’ve made changes just like everyone. I’ve got clients on hold, I’m learning how to shop for weeks at a time rather than days to avoid going out of the compound. Balancing my work, being a crisis school parent, and figuring out the future of things is all a bit weird. I admit, I love the extra time with Taj and at 10, this is a great age. I feel for the work-at-home with preschool children folks and as a global citizen, I haven’t quite figured out how or where I can help. But enough about us, this blog does have purpose because our fun backyard escapades are worthy of sharing!
For a change of pace or an adventure, go on vacation in your backyard!
When our Cub Scout Pack campout was canceled (like every other outing or excursion in April 2020), we decided to camp out at home. Taj was doing research for his Cast Iron Chef Webelos Scout badge. Although he could not do the grocery shopping (Covid-19), he prepared the menu and made a shopping list for the night. He prepared the fire and lit it himself. While the family lounged by the fire, Taj peeled, chopped and wrapped carrots in foil and roasted them in the fire. He prepared the table with all the hot dog condiments (even though he is a ketchup-only-kid) and he made us Goya Spanish rice over the fire too! He cleaned up afterwards and we all slept in our tent. While our whole family (not grandma) slept in the tent for two nights, Taj has officially “moved” outside currently on Night 5 in the tent. And for those of you who are wondering, we love our REI Co-op Kingdom 6 Tent. It was a great purchase and continues to serve us well, especially now that Taj is ‘living’ in it.
5 Reasons Why Backyard Camping Rocks:
- If it rains, you can run back to your bed.
- You don’t have to go #2 in a pit toilet.
- There is always a power source to blow up your air-mattress.
- If you forgot a flashlight/toothbrush/pillow, you can run inside to get it.
- You don’t have to worry about packing up camp by a specific time.
- There is nothing more peaceful than looking at the stars as you fall asleep.
Get out there and try something different. Take advantage of this weird unprecedented time and spend some extra time with your family.
Congratulations to Taj on earning his Cast Iron Skillet badge. Maybe someday you’ll move back into the house with us.
