Great American Campout at The Lakes at Centerra

Loveland, CO is bustling with outdoor activities during the summertime. 

To kick off the busy season of sun, The Lakes at Centerra hosted their second annual resident camp out near The Lake Club, where families gathered to camp out on the lawn, roast marshmallows, play outdoor scavenger games and enjoy a one-of-a-kind adventure.

The community lifestyle event began with a grill-out where neighbors (new and old) had the opportunity to meet, mingle and set up their tents, sleeping bags, and pillows for an unforgettable evening under the stars. For families with young kids, this was a great way to “test” camping for the first time, is just a few short blocks from home.

Residents were greeted by gear experts from Scheel’s, who were on hand to answer questions about camping, discuss proper setup while sharing camping tips and more.

Additionally, High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) partnered on the event, to help coordinate a variety of hands-on exploration activities, allowing residents to connect with nature.

HPEC led children on a nature scavenger hunt while adults enjoyed a tour of the community gardens. Families also enjoyed a pond adventure on foot, located between HPEC and the Lake Club, helping kids discover and locate nature on their own. Their adventures led them to tadpoles, birds, and bugs of all kind, and their favorite discovery was meeting Tomi the turtle.

Through the rest of the evening and into morning hours, kids continued to “track nature,” as they called it and share with the group all the fun things they continued to find.

The perfect evening was wrapped up with a movie on the lawn, s’mores and popcorn, and after a great night’s sleep, residents woke up to a pajama party with breakfast provided by Chick-fil-A. Prizes were even given out for best pajamas and “bed head.”

A great time was had by all and we’re so appreciative to our community partners who contributed to making the second annual Great American Campout a memorable community experience!. Life is different at The Lakes at Centerra and we’re already looking forward to next year’s campout!