--- title: Families Unite Virtually to Make Memories at National Backyard Campout description: More than 5,000 families across the US came together on 1 night for 1 event virtually sharing memories & logging over 40,000 views in the Community Portal image: https://blog.traillifeusa.com/hubfs/nbc%20follow%20up%20blog.jpg --- ![Families Unite Virtually to Make Memories at National Backyard Campout](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/hubfs/nbc%20follow%20up%20blog.jpg "Families Unite Virtually to Make Memories at National Backyard Campout") # Families Unite Virtually to Make Memories at National Backyard Campout ** [ Admin ](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/author/admin) ** Apr 20, 2020 [** 1 Comment ](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/thousands-of-families-across-america-take-part-in-first-ever-national-backyard-campout#postComment) **GREENVILLE, S.C. -- **More than 5,000 families across America took part in the first-ever “[National Backyard Campout](https://www.traillifeusa.com/backyardcampout/)” Friday night, organized by boys adventure movement Trail Life USA ([www.TrailLifeUSA.com](http://www.traillifeusa.com/)). Families in all 50 states -- from Hawaii to Maine and from Florida to Alaska -- camped out under the stars in their own backyards, or set up a tent indoors uniting America in one common virtual experience. Mark Hancock, Trail Life CEO and author of *[5 Critical Needs of Boys](https://info.traillifeusa.com/5-critical-needs)* said, “This is the time of year when kids look forward to a ‘spring break.’ Steve Padgett, the volunteer event coordinator, approached us with this idea, and we felt like it was something we needed to do. Families need positive things to do together, and kids need a break from the monotony of being stuck indoors. “ Hancock continued, “While many parents will look back on COVID-19 as a time of uncertainty and anxiety, this was an opportunity for boys -- and girls -- to remember this time at home with positive memories. We created a website filled with [games, recipes, and activities](https://www.traillifeusa.com/backyardresources/) . . . things as simple as a backyard scavenger hunt, or as involved as creating a marshmallow blow gun, a camp stove, or a walking tour of the solar system for the neighborhood. It was terrific to see families across America share in a common experience.” In a matter of few hours families posted nearly 700 videos from their backyards and living rooms that were viewed nearly 40,000 times in the [National Backyard Community Portal](https://www.traillifeusa.com/backyardcampout/). At 9:00 PM EST, America logged in to watch an [inspirational live streaming event](https://www.traillifeusa.com/backyardcampout/) that began with the Pledge of Allegiance and included camping tips, skills, and stories from backyards across America. Hancock recalled, “The sense of community was incredible. I think it gave families a feeling that we’re in this together, and we will overcome.” Volunteer event coordinator, Steve Padgett, concluded, “America’s families have shown they won’t allow the coronavirus to ruin their fun. These are memories that will last forever!” Families were urged to respect all emergency restrictions in their area -- including self-isolating and social distancing from non-family members. Launched six years ago, Trail Life USA describes itself as a “Christ-centered, boy-focused, character, leadership, and adventure organization” with Troops meeting at local churches nationwide. ### ***With Troops operating in local churches across the U.S., Trail Life USA (***[***www.TrailLifeUSA.com***](http://www.traillifeusa.com/)***) is a Christian character development organization, empowering boys and young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure. Trail Life USA has more than 30,000 members in 830-plus Troops across all 50 states.*** ***[![Start a Troop](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6459804/6b97d556-3b4d-4b1c-bd0f-34ede9c766c8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6459804/6b97d556-3b4d-4b1c-bd0f-34ede9c766c8)     [![Find a Troop](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/6459804/9420b3e5-7e8d-4eed-85d4-79dc384b6f91.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/6459804/9420b3e5-7e8d-4eed-85d4-79dc384b6f91)*** ###### About the Author ![Admin](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e) ### Admin Sample Author Text Share this Post - [** ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.traillifeusa.com/thousands-of-families-across-america-take-part-in-first-ever-national-backyard-campout) - [** ](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https://blog.traillifeusa.com/thousands-of-families-across-america-take-part-in-first-ever-national-backyard-campout&text=Families%20Unite%20Virtually%20to%20Make%20Memories%20at%20National%20Backyard%20Campout) - [** ](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://blog.traillifeusa.com/thousands-of-families-across-america-take-part-in-first-ever-national-backyard-campout) - [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.traillifeusa.com/thousands-of-families-across-america-take-part-in-first-ever-national-backyard-campout) - [** ](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.traillifeusa.com/thousands-of-families-across-america-take-part-in-first-ever-national-backyard-campout&text=Families%20Unite%20Virtually%20to%20Make%20Memories%20at%20National%20Backyard%20Campoutdescription=GREENVILLE,%20S.C.%20--%20More%20than%205,000%20families%20across%20America%20took%20part%20in%20the%20first-ever%20“National%20Backyard%20Campout”%20Friday%20night,%20organized%20by%20boys%20adventure[...]&media=https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6459804/nbc%20follow%20up%20blog.jpg) - [** ](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://blog.traillifeusa.com/thousands-of-families-across-america-take-part-in-first-ever-national-backyard-campout) - [** ](mailto:?subject=Families%20Unite%20Virtually%20to%20Make%20Memories%20at%20National%20Backyard%20Campout%20&%20body=https://blog.traillifeusa.com/thousands-of-families-across-america-take-part-in-first-ever-national-backyard-campout) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ##### Recent Posts #### [Sons of Liberty, Sons of Legacy: John Hancock — Protector](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/sons-of-liberty-sons-of-legacy-john-hancock-protector) #### [The Boys Who Build Nations](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/celebrating-250) #### [Stepping into Adventure: How Small Adventures Shape Strong Men](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/stepping-into-adventure-how-small-adventures-shape-strong-men) #### [Faithful Fathers, Future Men](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/faithful-fathers-future-men) #### [Sons of Liberty, Sons of Legacy: Jackson Ream—Strength](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/sons-of-liberty-sons-of-legacy-jackson-ream-strength) ### Categories - [Trail Life USA (145)](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/tag/trail-life-usa) - [Masculinity (102)](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/tag/masculinity) - [Raising Godly Boys (93)](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/tag/raising-godly-boys) - [In The News (84)](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/tag/in-the-news) - [Mentoring (82)](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/tag/mentoring) - [Leadership (68)](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/tag/leadership) - [Parenting (66)](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/tag/parenting) - [Let Boys be Boys (42)](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/tag/let-boys-be-boys) - [History (40)](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/tag/history) - [Service (40)](https://blog.traillifeusa.com/tag/service)