Boys adventure movement Trail Life USA (www.TrailLifeUSA.com) today announced its first-ever “National Backyard Campout” -- encouraging families to “make memories” during the COVID-19 lockdown. At a time when “outward bound” has become “homebound” for families across the nation, Trail Life USA is inviting America’s families to take a break from their COVID-19 preoccupation and have a camping adventure in their own backyards April 17. “Our Troops have had to hold their meetings online for the past few weeks during self-isolating,” said Mark Hancock, CEO of Trail Life USA, which has more than 30,000 members in 830-plus troops across all 50 states. “But this is a time when cabin fever sets in -- and boys especially need to get outdoors in a safe environment.” While many parents will look back on this as a time of uncertainty and anxiety, it’s an opportunity for boys -- and girls -- “to remember this time at home with positive memories,” said Hancock, author of Let Boys be Boys and 5 Critical Needs of Boys. “Anything we can do as parents to help re-cast this tense time is good for our kids,” he said. Organizers hope the National Backyard Campout will bring together families “virtually” across the nation via a live web broadcast, including story readings. Trail Life USA has posted suggestions for games, activities, and outdoor cooking recipes on its website at www.TrailLifeUSA.com/BackyardCampout.