Great American Backyard Campout

A generation ago, three-quarters of American kids played outdoors on a daily basis, according to the National Wildlife Federation. With the advent of ultrarealistic Sony PlayStations, that number has dwindled to just 25 percent. In hopes of getting American children off couches and putting down those slices of pizza, the NWF has launched the Be Out There initiative and organized an annual event called the “Great American Backyard Camp­out.” Three Broward County parks — Deerfield Island Park (1720 Deerfield Island Park in Deerfield Beach), Quiet Waters Park (401 S. Powerline Road in Deerfield Beach), and Easterlin Park (1000 NW 38th St. in Oakland Park) — are participating in the event this year. Each is offering its own camping special this weekend. The cost is $55 per campsite at Deerfield Island and Quiet Waters; at Easterlin, residents of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties pay $45 per campsite, while non-tricounty residents pay $65. Each park has its own special deal to lure kids back into nature. Deerfield Island offers a nature tour along with the campsite. Quiet Waters has the choice of a Rent-a-Tent site or a tepee, plus a one-hour boat rental. Easterlin has hayrides and campfires in store for the youth. Check-in and check-out times vary per park. Call Quiet Waters Park at 954-357-5100 for either the Deerfield Island or the Quiet Waters special, or Easterlin at 954-357-5190. For more information on Be Out There and the Great American Backyard Campout, visit nwf.org.
June 22-24, 2012