Families gathered March 23-24 at Weston Lake for the Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation's second Family Campout. Positive feedback from the first, held last fall, inspired Outdoor Recreation to recreate the success. This time around, 71 campers turned up, an upswing from autumn's turnout of 48. Tent-pitching, board games and backyard games were all on the itinerary.

Participants took part in a nature scavenger hunt and made outdoor crafts. Some went fishing, reeling in a bit of grub before a dinner of grilled hot dogs and s'mores made with marshmallows toasted over a campfire. Novice first-time campers, experts with decades of practice, and people of every level of experience in-between attended. In the mix were couples, singles and Families with children of all ages.

"I had one parent tell me how excited they were that their kids were playing and interacting with other kids and hadn't once asked for their parent's phone," said Outdoor Recreation supervisory recreation specialist Lorraine Reimer. "Experiencing the outdoors with your community is a wonderful way to build friendships and connections with others without modern world distractions."