The theme of the 12th annual campout at Atlantis Play Center in Garden Grove over the weekend was baseball, with games, food and dessert planned around that theme.
The theme of the 12th annual campout at Atlantis Play Center in Garden Grove over the weekend was baseball, with games, food and dessert planned around that theme.
There were traditional hot dogs and hamburgers, chips, punch and ice cream sundaes made to order in either a Dodger's blue baseball cap or an Angels' red baseball cap complete with chopped nuts and chocolate syrup in milk chocolate or dark chocolate.
One sign read, “Take me out to the Campout” and there was a home run derby area where youngsters tried out their baseball batting skills for prizes that were baseball themed and parents participated in a “Run around the bases.”
Also, the younger set could toss a ball to see how fast they could throw and those who wanted to pitched a tent and spent the night to be welcomed at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning to early-morning coffee followed by a continental breakfast.
Atlantis Play Center recreation coordinator Xavier Medina, who coordinated the campout event, said the city wanted to give back to the community by giving them something to look forward to annually and for families to remember over the years.
Medina said anyone can register for the yearly event, pay the $15-per-person charge from age 3 and up (children 2 and under are free) and show up.
“We serve dinner at approximately 6:30 p.m. Friday night and make sure the coffee is ready for the early risers on Saturday morning,” Medina said. “We like to cap out at about 120 people for the campout and this year we had approximately 90 people.”
Every year campout has a different theme. Medina said that in years past they've used movies as themes but chose baseball this year.
“We were here for the Harry Potter themed campout and the Star Wars one,” Justin Loeper of Garden Grove said.
There were crafts for the families that had baseball themes as well and the evening movie was “Rookie of the Year,” a 1993 comedy.
Many of those attending the 2013 campout said it was their first time. Most said they attended to eat and have fun.
Some families brought relatives with them so the kids could play and the adults could visit.
“We heard about the campout from our sister-in-law,” Garden Grove resident Tristan Tran said.
“It was fun last year so that's why we came back this year,” Jason and Jenny Lambert of Garden Grove said; they brought their 4-year-old daughter Isabel with them and made crafts together.
Annual passes to Atlantis Play Center are $25; for information about call 714-892-6015.
