Easter Camp

For nearly 40 years, a group of families steal away the weekend of Easter to camp, ride atvs and dirt bikes, and spend time in the desert. The number of families has changed over the years, but one family you will find there most years is the Ericksen family. I have attended the Easter camp regularly (about every other year for 6 years).

This year we left home in a snowstorm/near blizzard status to head south. We camped 2 nights and had beautiful weather (no snow!)

Our crew included: our family of 4,

my father-in-law,

my brother-in-law +3 kids,

my sis & bro-in-law +4 kids,

my sis-in-law, husband, +3 kids

and their friends +4 kids

Grand total: 26 people in just our group.

For most of us, this was camping at its greatest (or worst). Tents, bring in all supplies - including port-a-potty. Two families had trailers, but we did the old fashion tent and sleeping bags.

lil'K waking up cuddled in her sleeping bag and blankets.

We were the largest group there. With the combination of teenagers, the 3 atvs from our camp were out riding constantly. Saturday morning, my niece finished up breakfast and said, "I am going to put on a helmet so I can ride the 4 wheeler." She went down put on a helmet and stood there waiting for someone to bring an atv back in. We noticed there was a line of 3-4 kids wearing helmets just waiting for a ride. Apparently, standing with a helmet on is the universal sign for "I want a ride." If the kids were riding, they were climbing the rocks, exploring or playing in the sand.

lil' L and Grandpa ready to ride.

On Friday afternoon, a group of us drove a few miles down the road and went to some Native American petroglyphs. We've seen them before, but we took the Easter camp newcomers to see them. I still think they are amazing.

The kids at the petroglyphs.

Both Thursday and Friday nights, we convened as an entire group to enjoy delicious popcorn cooked over the campfire, as well as s'mores.

Saturday morning, after breakfast and we had cleaned most of the camp up, we had the annual candy hunt. We split the kids into groups. The oldest group got to ride the atvs around to find their clues and treasure, while the younger two groups walked around familiar sights of the camp grounds. After the kids found the candy, we divided and packed to come home. What a great and successful camping trip!