Have you planned your summer vacation yet? With recession fallout still falling, and high gas prices still rising, the task may seem daunting. Here’s an easy idea for a mini-vacay: Join nature-lovers across the country on June 25th by participating in the . Part of the National Wildlife Federation's "" campaign, the event encourages campers from all generations to find a site anywhere—backyards, balconies, parks—where they can connect with nature and each other. Judging by a few testimonials on NWF’s website, it sounds like a good time: "It was the most fun night of my life. All of my friends and family became closer and got to know each other a lot better. I’m so glad we were all together, it was the best night ever!" If slumbering in your own yard isn’t “wild” enough, and you’ve got the traveling means, search for a park using the US Forest Service’s kid-friendly site, . (Register to camp as an individual or team . If the 25th doesn't work, you can still sign up and camp on a different day.)
Okay, so what to do once you’ve pitched your tent? If it’s still light out, you can always watch for birds (or listen for them in them in the darkness.) Check out , from APP’s Wayne Mones, on making sure your kids are appropriately fitted with binoculars.
A star finder for the month of June. NASA
Given that a big camping goal is to commune with nature, contemplating the cosmos seems a no-brainer. And I don't mean mulling in a Stephen Hawking sense—I mean stargazing. Before the big night, help your kids make a star finder , and use it to scope 
the sky for constellations. Or, bring out the big guns with , published annually by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. A sky bible of sorts, it’s full of information intended for professional and amateur skygazers alike on everything from moon phases to star cycle predictions. There’s even a 24-page section called “The Sky Month By Month,” which lists events to watch for each calendar page of the year.
There is, of course, plenty more terrestrially-based fun to be had; try some of , courtesy of NWF. And of course, various iPhone and iPad apps surely promise to enhance your outdoor experience. But before you download, think about it: With all the out there, is that glowing screen really worth eclipsing the unscripted play around you?