A Weekend for Backyard Campouts

The National Wildlife Federation is holding its seventh annual Great American Backyard Campout this weekend, encouraging families and children nationwide to camp out.

While the event is meant to be fun and inexpensive, it also has a larger purpose, Tony Caligiuri, mid-Atlantic regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation, said in a release.

“One of the greatest threats to wildlife is a generation of children entirely disconnected from nature,” Caligiuri said.

To highlight the weekend, Maryland first lady Katie O'Malley pitched a tent with a group of local kids on the lawn of Government House, where the govenor's family lives.

“By encouraging children to spend time outdoors, whether at a State Park or in their own backyards, we are teaching them to respect nature and helping to create the next generation of stewards,” O'Malley said in a release from the governor's office.

The Maryland Park Service will host special events June 25 and 26 at nine State Parks, including campfires, outdoor cooking classes, animal programs, guided canoeing and hiking, and beachcombing. Participating parks are Deep Creek Lake, New Germany, Dan’s Mountain, Cunningham Falls, Patapsco Valley, Elk Neck, Sandy Point, Point Lookout and Pocomoke River State Parks. Details on each event are available here.