On Friday night they load the car, with sleeping bags and tent,
Coleman stove and lanterns for two nights that are spent
Away from stress and TV sets, and all the family chores,
'Cause they are going camping in the great outdoors.

Johnny opens up the tent, and Sue secures the stakes,
Dad now strikes the mallet.   An injury, he fakes.
Everybody laughs out loud, and then they settle down
To finish setting up the camp.  Later they can clown.

Mother spreads the tablecloth and opens up some stew.
The Coleman stove is set up to feed her hungry crew.
With daylight now receding, the lanterns are all hung.
Everything is ready, for a weekend full of fun.

Mother’s in the hammock.  She dreams of yesterday.
Johnny’s chasing fireflies, and Sue is full of play.
Dad is busy stacking wood to start a great bond fire.
He strikes the match to set the blaze and watches it expire.

Eating smoke and blowing hard, he finally gets a flame.
One more puff should do it.   It has now become a game.
Marshmallows and chocolate, and graham cracker smores,
Complete the camping ritual for their first night out of doors.

The flames that flickered brightly have now begun to wane.
They all head for sleeping bags and pray it will not rain.
Now that they have settled in, they all drift off to sleep,
And dream of fun and frolic and memories to keep.

Morning light streams through the trees, birds chirp all around,
Sleepy feet move slowly, searching for some ground.
Mother starts the breakfast feast while Father stokes the coals.
Sue and Johnny just can’t wait.  They grab some breakfast rolls.

Dad and Johnny take the poles and tackle box in tow.
Then head on down, to the pond, to catch the mighty foe.
Johnny wants to get back to share his fishing tale.
The mighty little perch he caught has now become a whale.

Sue and Mother head on down to find the big oak tree,
Where they can swing out on a vine, and set their spirits free,
The water that’s below them comes up to greet their feet;
Refreshing, soothing, splashing fun, in the summer heat.

The days are spent in laughter.  Worries are all gone.
Nights are filled with peaceful thoughts and family sing-a-longs.
The earth and man are in accord, joined in harmony;
Like primal creatures once again, freedom just to be.

But now it’s time to leave this place, and head on back to town.
Loading up and looking back gives reason for a frown.
It’s time to check reality.   It’s time to head on home,
Back to work and household chores, and the telephone.