Thunderstorms Didn't Ruin This Family Campout

If you happened to be at the on Friday, you might have seen several families setting up tents for the 2011 Family Campout. Although it was raining, participants still set up tents in hopes that it would clear as the festivities continued inside. This was the second consecutive year it rained.

But last year’s thunderstorm contributed to 8-year-old Kera Stroski’s favorite camping memory.

“[I liked] sleeping on the gym floor,” she said, “And the rain and lightning was pretty cool.”

Kera, her 9-year-old twin sisters Bridget and Fiona, and her 12-year-old twin cousins Priscilla and Regina Severance all gathered around a table in the community room putting together tent signs and luminaries. Priscilla and Regina travelled to Westlake all the way from Columbus.

“[This event] brings family together,” said Bill Beech of the Westlake Recreation Center, a statement that certainly applies to the Stroskis and the Severances. But not only does the event bring family members together, it's also a chance for families to get to know each other.

“It’s close by, a good time, and [we] get to meet the locals,” said Christian Ford who was there with his wife, Michelle Ford, and son, Gregg Acuff.

Eleven-year-old Acuff said their family camps frequently at locations like Findlay State Park, Clay’s Park in Canton, and American Wilderness Campground in Medina.

“My favorite camping memory has to be at Findlay State Park when [my friends and I] found a fort and we had a stick war,” he said. Much different than his mother’s favorite camping memory which she said with a laugh, “just peace and quiet.”

Other families, like the Burkes, came out because they love the events the Westlake Recreation Center organizes.

"They have so many programs,” said Brandy Burke, mother of three boys, Ethan, 3, Ryan, 8, and Brendan, 11, “We go to everything: the fishing derby, the big rigs, the fitness classes.”

Her son Ryan’s favorite part of last year's event was the outdoor movie on the projector screen, noting that sleeping in the tents was “probably his least favorite part.” Nonetheless, the Burkes set up their tent.

After the tents had been set up and families had some time to work on crafts, a potluck dinner with hotdogs, cheeseburgers, mashed potatoes, fruit, pasta salad and an assortment of desserts gave the participants some time to chat and meet one another.

But the event after dinner was what attendees were looking forward to the most. Jungle Terry’s Wildlife Adventure had the kids laughing, shrieking and petting a variety of animals including a chinchilla, skunk, hedgehog, snake, alligator, turtle, frog, tarantula and scorpion. 

“The kids are having a good time, the parents are having a good time... It’s a good family event,” Beech said. Following Jungle Terry was a sing along and a movie.

“This is our second year in a row and we have yet to sleep in a tent,” said Westlake resident Shivaun Stroski, whose favorite camping memory was also sleeping on the gym floor last year. With Friday’s weather she was in luck: favorite camping memory relived.