Coronavirus self-isolation sees spike in backyard campouts to keep communities connected

What’s more Australian than sitting around the campfire at Easter, toasting marshmallows, and slapping mosquitoes?

In the middle of a global pandemic, the typical school holidays getaway is not an option this year, but it has not stopped hundreds of people from sleeping out under the stars.

Self-isolation measures to contain the spread of coronavirus have confined families across the country, and the world, to their homes.

With Australia’s wide brown land suddenly only as far as the fence, many have taken up the challenge to roll out a swag or pitch a tent in the backyard.

Outdoor education teacher David Marriott launched a social media page — the backyard campsite — for his school community to connect over a virtual campfire, and share pictures and stories.

“It’s about getting outdoors. I know we’re limited to our backyards but at least we get to do the things we love,” Mr Marriott said.

“[The idea] originally came thinking about my kids at school and their families not being able to go camping at Easter … we have a lot of boarders who’d be up the river or down the coast by now.

The draw of snags on the barbie and piping hot damper quickly enticed people from across Australia, and the world, to join the social media group.

The concept of a backyard campout has been picked up by many online while continuing to flatten the curve of coronavirus.

In Ballarat, Tyler Simmons, 11, has been camping with his family in the backyard.

As with many happy campers, toasting marshmallows on the fire has been a highlight.

“Instead of just being inside in your bed watching YouTube, you actually get to be outside at night,” he said.

While this camping trip hasn’t involved a trek across the country, Tyler said it was still a fun experience.

“It’s still the same sky, just at home,” he said.

Tyler’s dad, Jason Simmons, said backyard camping had been a way for the family to continue to enjoy each other’s company while in lockdown.

“I think it helps break that cycle in our mindset, that we would otherwise think being in lockdown we’ve got to stay home,” he said.

For Mr Simmons, camping has always gone hand-in-hand with Easter.

“It’s something that we pride ourselves on — we love our footy and we haven’t got that — so we’ve got our second love and that is camping. You can’t beat camping,” he said.

“It’s the Australian thing and we’ve got a beautiful country to do it in and as we’re seeing [on the Facebook page] we’ve got some amazing backyards out there too.”

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-05/backyard-camping-keeps-communities-connected-amid-coronavirus/12117862