This years record rain has left devastation in its path, but for the rivers in southern Missouri it has made for some great floating. Many of the rivers start running low this time of year and continue to drop through the summer causing some parts to be to shallow for floating. This years rain has left the rivers in great shape and many outfitters say they should be in good shape for the entire summer season.

We have a trip planned to Alley Springs the first week of July. We made this trip later in July last year and found the Jacks Fork to be very shallow and difficult to float. You can read about that trip in the archives. Again this year we will be using the Sea Eagle 9 raft for the float along with tubes and will float from Alley Springs to Eminence. The reports from the outfitters sound promising and I hope for a much easier float this year.

The final lawn game on our list of favorite camping games is washers. Washers game is fun for the whole family, but can be a little tricky for the younger players. The official washers game is played using tin cans buried in a pit, but for camping or your backyard washer boxes are perfect.

Washer boxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all have a tube in the center. Play is simple, the boxes are placed 20 to 25 feet apart and players must pitch from behind the front edge of the box. Teams consist of 2 players, one player from each team pitches from either end. Points are scored for washers that land in the box or in the tube. 1 point in the box and 3 points in the tube, leaner’s and washers landing on top of the box edges do not count. The game is played until one team reaches 15 or 21 points.

If you don’t have a set you can build or buy washers boxes. They are easy to store and take with you were ever you go. If you have another game you would like to suggest please feel free to leave a comment, we would love to hear from you.

Everyone has seen them when they have gone camping. The decorations that almost all campers put up around their camp site. Whether it be party lights, flags, windsocks or welcome signs, they all give a little of your own personality into that space for the time that you have it.

Canopy or Party Lights

The most common are those lights hanging from the canopy of all style’s of campers. Small or large they all seem to have some type of lights. They come in all different shapes, sizes and colors. The selection is unlimited, from beer bottle’s to flip-flops the choice is never ending. It was one the first things I bought, after purchasing my camper.

Canopy light range in price from $9.99 & Up. There are other options to the party lights, you can use rope lights or make your own flower pot light. There is also a benefit to having these lights in camp, they will provide dim lighting at night, so you can find your way around the camp site and they don’t draw as many bugs as the lanterns. Follow the links below to see some examples of various lights.

Globe Patio Lights

Ramblin’ Road Patio Lights

Flags

Flags are another popular campsite decoration, many campers will display their favorite sports team or state flag. They also come in many different sizes and styles, with the United States flag being the most popular. Flag poles range in price from $5.99 & Up , it generally depend on the size and style of the pole. You can find flags at most retail locations and on Ebay from $4.99 & Up depending in size. There are options available for the flag pole, you can use the type that mount to your camper (most place them on the hull, or use the garden flag style, which stick in the ground. The other option make your own out of PVC pipe, click here for plans.

US Garden Flag Kit

Welcome Signs

Welcome signs with the last names and city/state that they reside, are great, it gives you the opportunity to meet people from your neck of the woods, other areas or even other countries. These are quite simple to come by, you can create your own, or purchase a custom made sign.

You may also like to try your hand at making a Flower Pot Light. It is a simple light made from plastic flower pots and decorating beads. Flower Pot Light