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Phoenix- Have you ever wanted to bring your family camping but weren’t sure where to start? The Arizona Family Campout Program is a one-weekend adventure designed for families who have little or no experience camping. The program will provide tents, sleeping mats and shared meals and introduce families to the new adventure of camping at an Arizona State Park.
Throughout the weekend families will work with a Camp Coordinator and other families to learn how to set-up their tent and how to prepare a dinner, breakfast, and lunch outdoors. In addition there will be activities, including (depending on the park): mountain biking, hiking, fishing, archery, geocaching, animal demos, campfire stories, birding, and more. Families will also get to work on a service project.
Previous participants have praised the program. A parent from a spring session remarked, “Just got home from our family campout with Arizona State Parks staff and we had an absolute blast. My kids were thoroughly entertained, educated, and fed incredible meals the entire time. We will surely be talking about it for years to come.”
Participating state parks and weekend dates for fall 2014:
Lost Dutchman SP, Apache Junction (Session A): September 27 & 28
Lyman Lake SP, St. Johns: September 27 & 28
Catalina SP, Tucson: October 4 & 5
Kartchner Caverns SP, Benson (Session A): October 4 & 5
Fort Verde SHP, Camp Verde: October 11 & 12
Lost Dutchman SP, Apache Junction (Session B): October 11 & 12
Patagonia Lake SP, Patagonia: October 18 & 19
Kartchner Caverns SP, Benson (Session B): October 25 & 26
Dead Horse Ranch SP, Cottonwood: October 25 & 26
Cattail Cove SP, Lake Havasu City: Nov. 8 & 9
Families should bring sleeping bags or any bedding, pillows, camping chairs, flashlights, clothing, sturdy shoes and personal items including toothpaste, towels, soap, etc. The program will provide tents, sleeping mats, lanterns, GPS units, and all activity equipment. Beverages provided include water, coffee, tea, and Gatorade. Meals provided include one dinner, one breakfast, one lunch, and all snacks. Families are responsible for bringing a cold lunch for Saturday’s arrival meal.
Registration is now open for fall sessions at AZStateParks.com/Family. Program fee is $85 for up to family of 4, plus additional family members are $5 each. Sorry, children 5 years and younger or pets cannot attend this program. Registration is limited and is first-come, first-served.
The Arizona Family Campout Program is made possible by an AmeriCorps grant through the Arizona Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism. AmeriCorps is a National Service initiative, promoted and supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
For information about all 27 Arizona State Parks, the Trails and Off-Highway Vehicle Programs and State Historic Preservation Office call (602) 542-4174 or visit AZStateParks.com. Campsite reservations can be made online at AZStateParks.com or by calling the Reservation Call Center at (520) 586-2283. Open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST.
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