You can be as fancy or as plain as you want -- and as how much you want to spend. (If you don’t have to pay for camp, perhaps you have a budget of that money to spend on your own camp.) There is a lot to do without spending much or any money! You might want to set up a tent in your yard and sleep in it to feel like it is really camp. You can eat your meals outside too. Or not. Or you can do certain things on certain days and make each day different or do something very physical in the mornings and some arts and crafts in the afternoon or vice versa. This is your camp so you can make the rules.

1. You have access to an amazing group of trails THE WHITE MOUNTAIN TRAIL SYSTEM

-- which is maintained by an excellent organization called T.R.A.C.K.S. Some of the trails are non-motorized and are for horseback riding, bicycle riding and hiking and some are for ATVs. (Everyone yields to horses and hikers yield to bikers.) All of these are free. You can also hike or bike at Sunrise Ski Park which opens up for biking and ski lift rides in the summers. You can get information at events@sunriseskipark.com or check out their website at sunriseskipark.com

2. Since we are talking about trails, there are trails for any age group and any capability in town. Some of the easier trails in the area are:

is a 3-mile trek around Hitching Posts Loop Trail and back to boat dock. 0.l5 Mile to Turkey Track Trail. 0.75 miles to Pinecrest Trail. 1.5 miles to Big

Springs Trail. l mile around Lake Loop Trail. 2.0 miles along the Hitching Post Loop Trail. 

b. BILLY CREEK TRAIL: The trail winds along Billy Creek for about a quarter of a mile and connects with the Blue Ridge Trail at its Southeast corner. 

for many other trails to choose from.

3. You can also bike! Either on the established trails or not. If you need a bike or need a tune-up, you check out CYCLEMANIA in Show Low. They are the experts and they can make suggestions of good places to ride as well.

4. Horseback riding is also great for the trails if you have access to a horse. If you don’t have access to a horse or just want to have a good ride, go to HighMountainTrailRides.com and make reservations to go on a trail ride with their wranglers. There is a fee for this but it is a great experience.

5. And then, there is the water – swimming, fishing, boating!! Almost one stop shopping is available at M & M KAYAKS -- mmkayaks.com -- if you want to buy or rent a kayak or get fishing supplies. If you buy a kayak from M & M Kayaks, they will store it for you and have it ready for you to pick up or for delivery to local lakes. They will also rent kayaks. They are planning to offer fly-tying classes but may be after Coronavirus is controlled. 

OR BIG LAKE: rrmofa.com/BigLakeRecreationArea for more information, OR...

6. You can get all kinds of information on fishing at Arizona Game and Fish Department – 

azgfd.com as well as information on wildlife and most things to do with the outdoors. You can make an appointment with the Department to pick up some brochures and other information and also those are available at the 

WHITE MOUNTAIN NATURE CENTER. The Nature Center is OPEN and in cooperation with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Town of Pinetop-Lakeside and other partners offers hands-on, outdoor presentations, hikes and workshops. 

  Programs provide family-oriented fun with a discovery focus on increasing awareness, understanding and responsible action towards nature. Most programs are free. Donations are gratefully accepted. (928) 358-3069 or 

  Ask your kids what they would most miss about camp and try to figure out with them which parts you can recreate SAFELY. Maybe that will mean field games and flashlight tag, mini-cereal boxes for breakfast and lessons in whittling or whistling. You could splurge a bit on art supplies, games, STEM kits, maybe even a ukulele to play by the campfire (following fire rules!!) along with the somemores. Check out DIY.org for more ideas. The site’s Camp DIY course offers guides to 80 projects related to arts and crafts, science, cooking and outdoor skills.

  Keep in mind all the social distancing and masks and other rules to stay safe!