A while back, I had this fantastic idea to have a family gathering for HippyMom. The members are mostly female, and we tend to gather in places without our kids, or at my house, where space can be limited after a certain point (yes, it happens). So, in an effort to meet the dads and let the dads meet the dads so they can all simultaneously roll their eyes at the women, the HMFFF (HippyMom Family Fun Festival) was hatched, research performed and WV (wild and wonderful!) became the obvious choice for such a gathering. HippyMom goes Kamping… KOA style. There will be kids, and a few dads, a motley crew of hippy moms, music, food, miniature golf… golf kart rides and a “black tie” badminton game (please dress accordingly, and place your bets early).

I’m terribly excited. I went out today to get supplies (junk food and a skillet?) and suddenly realized that I have absolutely no idea how to camp anymore. My 1993-1994 girl scout camp counselor experience has faded away (PSA: do NOT leave food out, especially honey buns, because you will be visited by skunks… in your tent… at 3am) and while it was somewhat rustic at my Aunt’s house, there was running water nearby (and the greatest lake ever, but that’s another story). I have to build a fire with wood (because SOMEONE laughed at my thought of buying charcoal) to cook our food. Thank God, my dear friend will be with me in the Kabin. We can drink our sorrows away after loading our kids up with all the HFCS we can procure and then watch them pass out.

I am packing up my kids and driving an hour away for some bonding time with nature, crazy hippies and the all-consuming, creative power of fire (insert Beavis voice, “fire, fire, fire!”). There will be no computers (except in the car), no game systems (except in the car) and I will have only my SlackBerry in case of “emergencies.” It sounds like we’re really kamping, but really… its an hour from home and there is free WiFi.

I shall return on Sunday, to my regularly scheduled, frantic-in-its-consistency life. Wish me luck!