National Wildlife Federation helps you take your family cookout one step further with the Great American Backyard Campout on June 22

As the summer season kicks off, what better way to enjoy the great outdoors and family time than cooking and camping out in your own backyard? As part of National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There movement, the 9th annual Great American Backyard Campout on June 22, 2013 is the perfect opportunity to head outside for some great food and family fun this summer.

From cookout recipes to campfire songs to games to wildlife watching tips, NWF gives families the resources they need to take their summer cookout to the next level by making it a summer campout. No yard or grill? No problem. NWF has everything you need to have a memorable night no matter where you live.  Check out these sample recipe ideas for inspiration:

Camp Cuisine

It’s no secret that camping and s’mores go together like baseball and hotdogs (another excellent campfire food), but there is so much more to camp cuisine.

Here are just a couple examples of what you can serve up at your Campout.

• Pigs in a Sleeping Blanket: For an easy twist on the classic campfire hotdog take an 11 ounce can of breadstick dough, slice each dough strip in half and wrap each strip around a hotdog leaving a small area uncovered for the face.  Roast over the fire until the hotdog and bread are cooked, let cool, then use ketchup and mustard to make fun faces.
• Silver Turtles: This hearty option is a simple way to fill your campers’ stomachs.  Simply place a hamburger patty in a piece of aluminum foil and top it with potatoes, carrots, onions, salt, pepper and a pad of butter.  Fold the foil tightly around the turtle and cook over the coals for 20 minutes or until cooked thoroughly, then let cool and enjoy.  For a side dish, try wrapping corn on the cob or whole potatoes in foil for delicious grilled corn or baked potatoes.  Remember to let them cool then add your favorite toppings.
• Gourmet Lasagna: If you’re up for some Italian, try this easy Dutch oven recipe for lasagna.  Start by pouring a thin layer of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of the Dutch oven and add a little water.  Then cover with lasagna noodles and a layer of ricotta or cottage cheese and chopped spinach and add another layer of sauce to top it off and repeat the layering until you reach the top of your pot. Top your lasagna off with sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, cover and let bake for 30 minutes.  If you are looking for a more meaty dish try adding pepperoni or ground beef between the layers.

There’s always room for dessert…

• Dipped Strawberries: Dip strawberries in Marshmallow Fluff and roast over the fire.
• Orange-Chocolate Cake: Hollow out oranges, fill (about half way) with chocolate cake mix, wrap in foil and heat in the hot coals for about 20 minutes.
• Singing Apples: Place an apple on a cooking stick and roast over hot coals until the peel starts to split and “sing.”  Carefully remove the peel and roll apple in cinnamon-sugar.

Register Today

Whether it’s in your own backyard, together with neighbors, with friends at a local park, or at a large community event, NWF encourages parents and kids alike to trade screen time for green time by spending a night under the stars.

Studies show that outdoor time helps children grow lean and strong, enhances creativity and attention spans, decreases aggression, and boosts classroom performance. Through our Be Out There movement with special events like Campout and practical resources, tips and tools, NWF is helping parents turn their inside kids out.

So gather your family and friends and bring your appetite for a great night under the stars June 22, 2013.  Fun and adventure are only as far as your backyard, so let’s go camping!

Visit www.backyardcampout.org for more information, to register or to find a public event in your area.

Logo courtesy National Wildlife Federation