The Camping Club

Picnic Game Table

You and your family will have lots of fun designing this outdoor picnic table together -- and then, year after year, you'll have lots of fun using the gameboards you've painted onto the tabletop.

CRAFT MATERIALS:
A small, unfinished picnic table
Pencil and ruler
Acrylic latex enamel paint
Paintbrushes
Square-shaped sponge (optional)
Polyurethane

Time needed: Weekend Project

1. Using a pencil and ruler, draw a design on the tabletop. We've included a checkerboard, a backgammon board, a sun, letters of the alphabet and numbers from zero to 20.

2. Once you are happy with the design, paint it on.

3. Paint the benches as you wish. We sponge-painted squares around geometric shapes.

4. Protect the table and benches with five coats of polyurethane (a parent's job).

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Learning Responsibility

May 2007 my husband and I decided to take our Godchild, Anthony, camping this year. Now Anthony has always had a hard time getting up for school and that was one discussion we had with him. He would have to get up early everyday since we go fishing early every morning by 6am. During this trip Anthony woke up everyday with no complaints and I was proud of him. But on the second last day we needed to wake up by 4am. Anthony did not want to wake up that morning so I said, "Anthony it's 8am! Hurry and wake up! We are late!" He jumped out of bed so fast, got dressed and was ready to go. Right before we left the camper, my husband said to him (laughing), "You know its 4:15 in the morning, right?" Anthony's face was priceless! But he didn't complain just got in the truck and was ready to go fishing. This was his first camping trip and he wants to go again. Also, he now wakes up for school with no problems for the most part. This trip demonstrated to him that when you wake up early you can live the whole day experiencing life and enjoying God's Country.
Maria Baldivid
San Bernardino, CA 

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McArthur-Burney Falls State Park

Southeast of Redding, California. About a 45 minute drive east of Redding on 299, then 6 miles north on Hwy 89. Beautiful waterfall - 100 + clean camp sites - restrooms and showers - small store for ice, some food items, cold drinks. It can be found on the internet for more information.
Submitted By: Marion King

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