A Family Campout planned by the Hilltop Drive Elementary PTA in Chula Vista, Calif., is held near the end of the school year and draws 250 people. Families park motor homes or pitch tents on school grounds. They have dinner and take part in a wide range of activities.
What the judges loved: It’s a low-cost event that’s free for families, it brings together a diverse parent base, and parents and teachers can interact in a casual setting. The campout has become the type of anticipated event that enhances a group’s image and profile among parents.
Cool fact: Many people who take part in the Family Campout have never camped before.
