This activity is planned for a small group of 4-6 participants. It requires the use of a bus and at least two activity personnel.
Participants in this group activity enjoy it immensely. Because of their actual involvement, the small numbers are necessary for them to receive the greatest amount of pleasure.
Preparation requires the acquisition of foods, utensils, plates and cups, napkins, clean-up items, and matches. A survey of the park are should be made the day before to locate the best area for access by wheelchairs and walkers and also the availability of wood.
Menu: Hot dogs, buns, ketchup, mustard, and pickles. (You might even consider sauerkraut), baked beans, potato salad, watermelon, marshmallows, lemonade and potato chips. If you have access to an old camp coffee pot, it is great fun for participants to make camp coffee. That being the case, you would need a gallon of water and coffee grounds.
Start acquiring a list of participants 3-4 days before the picnic so you have a solid list come the day of.
At the park, participants can help lay out the food and eating apparatus. Others can help gather wood if they are able or they can stack the wood in the grill as it is brought to them. Green sticks easily found at the base of large trees or in the new branch growth are acquired and given a point. Occasionally we have a gentleman who likes to do this. Each participant gets a green stick for roasting their own hot dog. Remind them to keep it as they might want to roast a marshmallow later on.
Since this is the participant’s dinner, we leave the facility around 11:30. Be sure to check with nursing staff for medication needs.
CAMP COFFEE
Simply pour water into the coffee pot until it’s 2-3 inches below the rim. Set the pot over the heat and pour the coffee ground right in on top of the water. The amount of grounds will depend on the size of your pot. Keep a close eye on the pot. The water heats quickly and you will need to be present to move the pot over to the edge of the grill once it starts boiling. Stir the grounds down and continue to keep an eye on it as it will boil over quite easily. Let it simmer a bit to build the flavor. The aroma around the camping site is worth the extra work and coffee drinkers will love the experience.
