Another school year is winding down, and thoughts of students and parents are turning to summer vacations and getaways.

With many families still watching their wallets closely, some might opt for family camping trips rather than fancy excursions.

Lindsey Rethage, Tykehike coordinator for Venture Outdoors, offers advice to families planning their first camping trip. Venture Outdoors, based in Pittsburgh, promotes outdoor activities in Western Pennsylvania.

She recommends that before camping for the first time, a family should set up a tent in their yard. She said this will help young children become acclimated to the darkness and sounds of the outdoors.

During this backyard experience, Rethage said families should minimize trips back into the house to simulate the experience of camping in the woods, but keep a few favorite things close by.

"Glow sticks are always a big hit," she said.

Rethage said there are other ways to prepare for a camping trip. Families can go to the library and check out books about nature and camping to generate excitement.

"Give the kinds an adventure. Get them excited," she said.

Safety is a key concern with family camping trips. Rethage recommends families discuss the rules of camping and fire safety beforehand so that youngsters know what to expect.

Rethage said families at the campsite should "set up a play area with a few books and toys though not too many because you want to encourage the kids to explore nature."

Food wise, Rethage recommends keeping items simple, but fun by making s'mores, mountain pies and foil packets. She says camping can be really great for picky eaters because of the limited selection of food.

"Mac and cheese is always a hit and can be made by boiling water over the camp fire," she said.

Another tip Rethage has to offer is keeping the next day's clothing at the bottom of the sleeping bag so that it isn't so cold in the morning.

The Butler Outdoor Club has historically been a group with an older membership, but vice president Mike Bailey said he hopes to get more family and youth involvement in activities. The Outdoor Extravaganza, has 118 activities planned for Memorial Day weekend, according to Bailey.

Some of those events are children's workshops that include horseback riding and flying model airplanes, Bailey said. The group will have a base camp for the weekend's events at Breakneck Campground in Portersville, where families can camp together.

A complete list of events can be found at http://www.outdoorextravaganza.org.

Gary Quigley, owner of Kozy Rest Kampground near Harrisville, said that business has been on the rise in recent years, with more middle and upper class families taking camping trips in place of lengthy vacations.

Quigley said the campground has a number of youth activities in place.

"When a kid gets here, they are having fun from the minute they arrive to the minute they leave," Quigley said.

Activities include train rides, bingo nights, bike rides, treasure hunts and cookouts, to keep youths active and engaged. The campground also offers night hikes where children wear light up necklaces or hats as a more traditional way to get out in nature, Quigley said.

Quigley said other activities complement traditional camping and are a way to keep children interested in the outdoors.

"Camping has grown a lot from the old concept of putting a tent up in the woods," Quigley said.

Kozy Rest has 170 campsites. four cabins and two yurts. For information, visit the website at kozyrestkampground.com.