Getting back to nature in back yard

The event is billed as a way to get kids out of the house.
CORTLAND -- The Trumbull Soil & amp; Water Conservation District in the Agriculture and Family Education Center on Main Street is promoting the Great American Backyard Campout night on Saturday.
Families, friends, neighbors, scouts and other youth groups will join together across the country for the National Wildlife Federation's second annual event.
Last year more than 32,000 campers across the United States registered their participation by logging onto www.nwf.org/campout. The Web site also features suggested activities, food recipes, wildlife and astronomy guides and more.
Campers have found that the simplest activities can prove to be great fun for kids of all ages, as well as parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. They'll spend their time watching for wildlife, listening for the sounds of nocturnal creatures, gazing at the stars, telling stories around the campfire or lantern and making s'mores and other outdoor foods.
Historically, recreational camping became popular in the late 1800s as people in growing cities of the Northeast realized they were losing contact with nature and wanted to escape the pressures of industrialization.
Go outside and play
Today, children are increasingly disconnected from nature. Recent studies have revealed that most children spend more than six hours a day indoors in front of TV, computers and electronic gadgets.
To counteract this trend, the National Wildlife Federation and other groups encourage adults to help children get back to nature. The Great American Backyard Campout is one way to enjoy summertime outdoors.
The event also occurs at campgrounds rather that just in the backyard, since many state parks and campgrounds have planned activities for that day.
For more information on children's conservation activities, contact Kelly Hardval at the Trumbull SWCD at (330) 637-2056, Ext. 110.