By Elizabeth Cohen
Press & Sun-Bulletin
An assortment of different shapes and sizes of tents spilled through a wooded glen at Chenango Valley State Park, as if someone has scattered chunks of a rainbow. The extended Burns clan were on their traditional Fourth of July family campout.
"We come here every year," said Debbie Spencer, 50, one of 14 children of Estella Burns.
"We get our kitchens set up, we bring our four wheelers and our bikes and our tents, everything," says the Endicott grandmother, who was seated near her daughter Cymphoni Dwyer, 28; her granddaughters Hailey Fiske, 5, and Amy Herrle, 11, and her niece Nikki Burns, 24.
"This year there's a contest for who can decorate best for July 4th, so we went out and got some decorations," Spencer said.
The family inhabited five camp sites this week, each festive in plastic red, white and blue banners and with American flags implanted in the ground. There were also yellow ribbons -- "because we have got people over there," Spencer said.
FAMILY, FUN, FRIENDS
Every year, the Burns family settles in for a week long vacation at Chipmunk Bluff, one of Chenango Valley's camping areas. They pitch tents, unfold folding chairs, stock fire pits with wood and then they hang out together.
"We have 18 people here, so far," said Dwyer, "and we spend time at each other's camp sites. We take turns making dinner, we relax."
The joys of camping are many, she said. "We meet new people, the kids can play, we are out of doors in the fresh air, and the park has lots of children's activities."
NATURE ON A BUDGET
The Burns are joined in their camping zeal by one third of Americans, who say they have gone camping in the past five years, nearly half of them with kids in tow.
In fact, with children's activities in the park, a lake to swim in (with a life guard), hiking and biking trails and boats for rent, who wouldn't want kids along? There is something, as the Burns family points out, for everyone in the family.
"We go five or six times a summer, at least," said Steve Van Austin, 48, of the Town of Union. "What attracts us is the peace and quiet, the break from television and video games. Plus, he said, "there is a fellowship at campsites. People who normally wouldn't meet talk to each other and you make new friends."
The Van Austin family, which has been to every campground in New York state during their 70 camping trips over the past 15 years, has already gone camping this year at Crystal Lake. They have camping trips planned to Park Station and Letchworth State Park in western New York.
And their favorite annual retreat? &quo
t;We are going to Assateague Island in Maryland, where we camp on the beach with the wild ponies!" Van Austin said.
ENJOYING WARM WEATHER
Members of the Burns family say they also always meet new people -- and it's inexpensive to camp. A site such as the ones they rented goes for $16 a day.
"Anytime that New York state gives you some warm weather, you want to get out there and enjoy it," said Virginia Baker, 42, of Chenango Bridge, who set up in a sunny spot nearby. In a playground behind the camping area, the extended family's younger set played together on swings.
Although the group resembled a clan of wandering nomads with all of the children, six dogs, one recreational vehicle and a whole lot of tents and laundry lines strung up with drying clothes hung on them, the extended family said it's worth all of the extra commotion.
The clan goes swimming and fishing in the lake, and they like to play a daily game of family kickball or games of cards. "Mostly," Dwyer said, "we just enjoy being together."
www.gosalmonfishing.com
www.rifles-n-rods.com
Press & Sun-Bulletin
An assortment of different shapes and sizes of tents spilled through a wooded glen at Chenango Valley State Park, as if someone has scattered chunks of a rainbow. The extended Burns clan were on their traditional Fourth of July family campout.
"We come here every year," said Debbie Spencer, 50, one of 14 children of Estella Burns.
"We get our kitchens set up, we bring our four wheelers and our bikes and our tents, everything," says the Endicott grandmother, who was seated near her daughter Cymphoni Dwyer, 28; her granddaughters Hailey Fiske, 5, and Amy Herrle, 11, and her niece Nikki Burns, 24.
"This year there's a contest for who can decorate best for July 4th, so we went out and got some decorations," Spencer said.
The family inhabited five camp sites this week, each festive in plastic red, white and blue banners and with American flags implanted in the ground. There were also yellow ribbons -- "because we have got people over there," Spencer said.
FAMILY, FUN, FRIENDS
Every year, the Burns family settles in for a week long vacation at Chipmunk Bluff, one of Chenango Valley's camping areas. They pitch tents, unfold folding chairs, stock fire pits with wood and then they hang out together.
"We have 18 people here, so far," said Dwyer, "and we spend time at each other's camp sites. We take turns making dinner, we relax."
The joys of camping are many, she said. "We meet new people, the kids can play, we are out of doors in the fresh air, and the park has lots of children's activities."
NATURE ON A BUDGET
The Burns are joined in their camping zeal by one third of Americans, who say they have gone camping in the past five years, nearly half of them with kids in tow.
In fact, with children's activities in the park, a lake to swim in (with a life guard), hiking and biking trails and boats for rent, who wouldn't want kids along? There is something, as the Burns family points out, for everyone in the family.
"We go five or six times a summer, at least," said Steve Van Austin, 48, of the Town of Union. "What attracts us is the peace and quiet, the break from television and video games. Plus, he said, "there is a fellowship at campsites. People who normally wouldn't meet talk to each other and you make new friends."
The Van Austin family, which has been to every campground in New York state during their 70 camping trips over the past 15 years, has already gone camping this year at Crystal Lake. They have camping trips planned to Park Station and Letchworth State Park in western New York.
And their favorite annual retreat? &quo
t;We are going to Assateague Island in Maryland, where we camp on the beach with the wild ponies!" Van Austin said.
ENJOYING WARM WEATHER
Members of the Burns family say they also always meet new people -- and it's inexpensive to camp. A site such as the ones they rented goes for $16 a day.
"Anytime that New York state gives you some warm weather, you want to get out there and enjoy it," said Virginia Baker, 42, of Chenango Bridge, who set up in a sunny spot nearby. In a playground behind the camping area, the extended family's younger set played together on swings.
Although the group resembled a clan of wandering nomads with all of the children, six dogs, one recreational vehicle and a whole lot of tents and laundry lines strung up with drying clothes hung on them, the extended family said it's worth all of the extra commotion.
The clan goes swimming and fishing in the lake, and they like to play a daily game of family kickball or games of cards. "Mostly," Dwyer said, "we just enjoy being together."
www.gosalmonfishing.com
www.rifles-n-rods.com