If anyone has been to Camp Idyllwild for a Stargazer Sleepover, you can attest to the fact that there is usually a good chance of rain in the forecast.  Because we schedule the sleepover as close to a new moon as possible to allow for the best stargazing, invariably we will have clouds and rain!  Because of the unpredictability of the weather patterns in our area, we try to explain to parents that they have to be comfortable with 1) uncertainty and 2) getting a little wet.  Last weekend was no exception.  Although it only really rained for an hour or less, we ended up with several wet sleeping bags and pillows because someone (I’m not saying who!) left the windows open on one of the tents!  No problem…most of the sleeping bags were designed to get wet, and remained dry on the inside.  We had extra pillows, and used the clothes dryer to dry any remaining items.  It was really no big deal. 

The rain started to come down right as we turned the grill on, but Eric was able to get the hot dogs and burgers cooked in spite of the rain.  We had a great dinner that included baked beans, home made macaroni salad (Eric’s specialty), fruit salad, tossed salad, Coleman all-natural uncured nitrate free hot dogs, Boca Burgers, and banana splits for dessert!  We were all stuffed!  But not too full to go for a night time hike, catch frogs, climb the 24 ft rock wall, or bounce on the trampoline!

After getting the cots and bedding dry, everyone staked out their spots in the tents and settled in for a good night sleep, free of any further rain storms.  In the morning we woke up to a thick blanket of fog, and a great breakfast that included fresh coffee, milk, orange juice, fruit, pancakes, bagels, pumpkin bread, cereal, eggs and bacon.  After breakfast everyone went off to play in the creek, which included jumping off the bridge and swinging on the rope swing.  Kids also fished, floated on river tubes, and swam. 

This camp out is always such a fun time.  My favorite part about it is seeing how the parents get to act like kids, to the delight of their children.  For a short time, parents can avoid the duties of parenthood (cooking, cleaning, bathing, etc) and just bond with their kids, doing things with them that their children get to do all week at camp, and simply enjoy their presence in the midst of an unspoiled natural playground. Every year we have intentions of organizing a fall family camp out.  My favorite time of year is fall, and the weather is usually drier.  I think this year might be the year we finally do it!  So if you are interested in a fall camp out, please post a comment or email us at campidyllwild@gmail.com and let us know! 

All of these wonderful photos of the sleepover are courtesy of Bokeh Tov Photography…thank you Jay Koch for taking such fantastic photos, and for letting us use them on our blog, photo page and website! 

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