Camping in the Backyard: brought to you by REI
You may have noticed my tent in my last post about camping on Labor Day Weekend. That’s the tent I bought with my REI gift card back when I toured their store a month ago. Remember that post? Little did I know my tent would come in so handy! In the rain even!
Anyway, I took the photos below when we did a little test run in our own backyard about a month ago.
I also bought that backpack with the whistle in the buckle. I figure if we go hiking I’d definitely want something loud to scare away the mountain lions. Plus Bug really liked that it had a bladder in it and I think being able to sip her own water might make it more fun for her to carry her own bag. We’ll see.
We decided to take our tent on a maiden voyage to our backyard. We do have an awesome backyard after all. We might as well enjoy it. It cools down really nice out here in the desert and I’ve been wanting to sleep outside for a while.
So we set up the tent.
That was fun. Actually, it was really easy. I love how the tent poles just snap onto the tent instead of having to thread them like the old ones. So much easier!
It was so easy even a five-year-old could do it. Sort of.
Tah dah! We were so proud of ourselves.
Please forgive my backyard camping hair. Actually, that seems to be my all-summer-long hair. It’s so stinkin’ hot out here I can’t stand a bit of my hair to touch my face.
And then we went inside and enjoyed the peaceful evening by having a massive tickle fight.
Goodnight!
I can’t wait to take it on a real camping trip!
What outdoor activity do you pledge to do with your family this summer and how would a $100 REI gift card help you get there? Take the REI Outdoor Pledge and submit your comment to be entered.
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older and runs from 9/7 – 9/27 .
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here
Head to the BlogHer Roundup Page for more chances to win.
183 Comments
Colleen P
I want to take the family on a camping trip with some friends. I would love to use the giftcard to get new outdoor cookware!
Colleen P
I also tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/sunnymum/status/114144135086227456
AppleTree
We hike with the dog a lot and could both likely use new Chacos. Or a baby backpack so we can take the new baby along next year.
Susan Smith
My family loves camping too so the REI Giftcard would be great to buy new equipment
Susan Smith
http://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/114152756968820737
nanjhall
Well summer is over, but I pledge to take a couple of fall camping trips while the weather is perfect. We could use this gift card to upgrade our tent.
nanjhall
Tweet: http://twitter.com/njhhb/statuses/114321596457549824
Melissa Borchardt
There were 60+ days of over 100 degree days in Oklahoma City this summer, so now that fall is here and cooler temps are on their way, we can definately get out our camping gear and camp out in a new backyard,
mama mia
You know, we set up a tent two summers ago for my son who wanted to overcome his fear of sleeping outdoors. After a few weeks, he was able to sleep outside all by himself, but by then the rest of us were hooked. It was an amazing summer with all sorts of late night fun.
ANGEL JACKLYN
I’VE GOTTEN THE CAMPING PART ACCOMPLISHED BUT I COULD REALLY USE SOME NEW GEAR FROM REI! THANKS FOR THE CHANCE!
ANGEL JACKLYN
2ND ENTRY TWEET @ http://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/114766920024211456
Zenaida
I pledged to go on hikes with my family. The REI win would allow me to buy hiking shoes.
Zenaida
I tweeted:
https://twitter.com/#!/imZenaida/status/114802189708435456
Debra F
I pledge to attempt at least one of our peak here in the Adirondacks this fall with the family and a Rei gift card would be great to get a utilitarian back pack and some good quality water bottles for our adventure.
Debra F
tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/fairydancer35/status/115109429720006656
Meg T
Love your camping set up : ) My son learning to ride his bike is inspiring me to get back on a bike. It looks so fun! Thanks!
gomeggo[at]gmail[dot]com
ewhatley
We live at the beach so we enjoy most of our outdoor activities there all year. Running, biking, swimming, etc.
Sarah L
Took the pledge for more hiking and that’s what we did this summer. The REI GC will go toward some new hiking boots.
Thanks for the contest.
Sarah L
blogged: http://slehan.blogspot.com/2011/09/win-100-rei-gift-card-from-blogher-rei.html
Erin from Long Island
really hoping to win so we can get rollerblades! soooo fun and such a workout
Erin from Long Island
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/erunuevo/status/116065528585519104
Cat
I would love to snag some warm workout clothes so I can stay active through the cooooold Ohio winter!
Kristen
http://psthisisthelife.blogspot.com/2011/09/perfect-use-for-blog.html
Kristen
I made my pledge, now I have my REI wishlist
gaiters for my new snowshoes
a new beanie
smaller camelbak
Alisha
I would use an REI gift card for supplies for my volunteer search and rescue group. We are due for another group camp/mock search.
Tania C.
We would use it to update our camping gear.
Tania C.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/hypnotania/status/116900605171204098
Georgia
Camping! We love to camp and we could use some new camping equipment for sure.
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Georgia
Tweeted here too
http://twitter.com/#!/gmissycat/status/116918991791980545
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Linda
We love to camp but with a newborn baby arrived recently, we have been not out camping late. We hope to take the little guy camping soon!
Will
I’ve got a full compliment of older backpacking gear (thanks REI for stuff that never seems to wear out!), but find myself mostly car camping these days. I’d use a gift card for a larger tent, or maybe a squishier sleeping pad. Or maybe a roof rack for my car–fitting the bikes in the back with gear is TIGHT.
Jose
I just returned from a camping expedition to Glacier National Park. It was my first time camping since girl scout camp days (many years ago) and I was apprehensive. It was better than expected and now I want to buy everything I borrowed for this trip so I can go camping again!
Kathy
We borrowed a tent and had a campout in our backyard for my son’s 9th birthday this summer. The kids loved it and surprisingly so did my husband. I grew up tent camping but this was the first time in a tent for my husband and my boys. We have been eyeing tents ever since on the Costco site but haven’t taken the plunge to buy one yet. Can’t justify the expense at the end of summer. An REI gc would make that choice so much easier!!
Jeff
I still want to get some hiking in before the snow starts to fly. I’m also hoping to organize a group camping trip to one of our state parks that is a little further south since it is already getting down to freezing at night here in north-eastern Nevada.
Vivian
My family went tent camping (but with bathrooms, showers, and a coin laundry) for two weeks every summer. My parents started when my older brother was a baby, and we did it every year until I was in college (I’m the youngest). Those are probably my favorite childhood memories. I look forward to making similar ones with my own family, and an REI gift card would help me do that.
Amy
We tried an overnight tent camping at the beach. I had a terrible time trying to light a fire and cook. I’d really like to get some camp cooking equipment, maybe something with propane. We slept in 30 year old sleeping bags in a tiny clearance tent on the sand. For sure I need to get pads or something to sleep on…maybe if I had the proper sleeping and cooking equipment this would be an easier and more enjoyable trip.
Monica
Love camping! My hubby and I are planning a camping trip at the end of this month for our 2-year anniversary. Yippee!
Yvonne
cool. I’ll start with a hike.
Maureen
We have three little kids and fourth one on the way. I would love to take them camping for the first time.
Karen
I would love to get a bike so that the kids and I could enjoy riding around our area this fall. We just took our first camping trip with the four year old this last weekend. He now keeps asking to go back to our “other” house–cabin!
John P
My best family memories are about camping too. We did big portage trips, trailer trips, you name it. We didn’t go this year with the babes but it is on the agenda for next
steph d
I’ve been planning to buy my oldest a sleeping bag for his birthday this year. An REI giftcard would be just perfect!
colleen
We love being outside, and we especially LOVE REI! I would love almost nothing more than to win!
Brittany
I took the pledge to take a hike with our family. If I won the REI gift certificate I would buy a kayak. There is a lake in the center of our city where people go to watch Sunset, fish, kayak and/or swim. It would be great if we had a kayak to enjoy on those visits to the lake.
Cathy
My husband and I are camping lovers but recently moved out of state and away from my family whose camping equipment we shared. So now it’s time to buy our own. Unfortunately, our budget doesn’t really lend well to buying all that camping gear up front. So I pledge to camp with my family this summer…err fall. And if the gift card comes winter… snowboarding of course!
paul
We would love to try camping as a family. We have absolutely zero camping gear, though.
Claire
i used to go hiking and backpacking with my family. Now my 6 yo daughter is asking to go camping even though she has no idea what it really involves I would love to take her but we don’t have any gear at all and are not in the place to get it now. I loved your hour-and-half away camping idea – i think that would work great for our family, especially with our 1 yo. If we could only get a tent we probably could make it work!
alicia
I would love to introduce my grandaughter to camping. And the rest of the family would love it !
Ella
We could really use a camping shelter. I would love an REI gift card.
Nick T
Back in the day before we had all these kiddos, my wife and I would camp. But now our tent isn’t big enough! We’d love a new tent to fit our family. We love our family bike rides and hikes, so a new tent would send us on our way!