State Parks to host Outdoor Family campouts starting Sept. 21

Delaware Outdoor Family, in conjunction with the Children In Nature initiative, will provide three campouts this fall to finish off Delaware State Parks' first year of overnight family camping programs. The programs are geared toward sparking families’ interest in spending time outdoors.

Delaware Outdoor Family provides overnight camping trips guided by park staff, giving families an opportunity to get outdoors and experience the state parks in a new way. Programs include activities daytime park visitors don’t get to experience, including beach campfires and nighttime astronomy.

Three campouts will be offered across the state this fall. The Brandywine Creek State Park campout in Wilmington on Sept. 21 and 22 will teach camping basics and offer a hayride through the park. Bellevue State Park, also in Wilmington, will highlight tent-building and fire-starting, as well as star-gazing and hiking on Oct. 5 and 6. The last fall campout, on Oct. 19 and 20 at Delaware Seashore State Park in Rehoboth will teach basic camping skills, outdoor cooking and offer the rare opportunity for families to enjoy a campfire on the beach.

Details are available in the Delaware State Parks’ 2013 Fall/Winter Guide. Additional daytime Outdoor Family opportunities are marked throughout the guide, including an Introduction to Rock Climbing in Wilmington and the Geocaching Treasure Hunt at Cape Henlopen. Information is also available at destateparks.com.