Join the fun at the Great American Backyard Campout in Missouri state parks

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 15, 2011 -- Enjoy a night of old-fashioned fun under the stars with your friends and family June 25 during the Great American Backyard Campout in Missouri state parks.

            The Great American Backyard Campout is a nationwide initiative by the National Wildlife Federation to encourage families and communities to reconnect and experience the outdoors. To help you celebrate, almost 20 Missouri state parks are offering special programs and activities to make this night one to remember.

            "The Great American Backyard Campout is one way we can encourage kids and entire families to get outdoors and experience all the fun you can have in nature. Once you experience a night around the campfire enjoying s'mores, we know you will come back again and again and make it a family tradition," said Bill Bryan, Missouri State Parks director.

            Activities will vary from park to park and programs range from camping and Dutch oven cooking demonstrations to music and storytelling. Programs will appeal to all ages, including kids who may be experiencing nature for the first time. All parks will offer a camping tradition -- sitting around a campfire and making and enjoying s'mores. Some programs are offered for the day and other parks offer overnight camping. Registration is required for some programs so call the individual parks or visit mostateparks.com for more details. 

            Following are the parks and historic sites participating in this year's Great American Backyard Campout.

·        Arrow Rock State Historic Site, Arrow Rock.

·        Sam A. Baker State Park, Piedmont.

·        Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, Wildwood.

·        Crowder State Park, Trenton.

·        First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, St. Charles.

·        Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton.

·        Hawn State Park, Ste. Genevieve.

·        Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, Jefferson City.

·        Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, Middlebrook.

·        Scott Joplin House State Historic Site.

·        Knob Noster State Park, Knob Noster.

·        Meramec State Park, Sullivan.

·        Montauk State Park, Salem.

·        Pomme de Terre State Park, Hermitage.

·        Roaring River State Park, Cassville.

·        Table Rock State Park, Branson.

·        Harry S Truman State Park, Warsaw.

If you are not planning to go to a state park with a special program on June 25, visit any Missouri state park this summer and begin your own campout tradition with family and friends.

            For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, call the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419(Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or visit mostateparks.com.