Memorial Day Camping Prep

Memorial Day weekend is always one that’s looked forward to for many reasons. It’s the unofficial start to Summer, camping, and a long weekend away from the office, but it’s also a time to take a look back and remember those that we’ve lost and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. We here at DISH Outdoors are forever grateful for those who have given it all and we want to reflect on that while also celebrating what they gave it for. And what better way to celebrate than a long weekend with good food, good friends, and good fun?! If you’re going out to the campground this Memorial Day weekend, here’s everything you’ll need to be the life of the lot.

Festive Food

No good party goes without good food, and when you’re celebrating something special, it’s even better when you make the food themed! Whether it be a fruit platter with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries arranged to look like a flag, layered red, white, and blue Jello, or festive s’more dip, you and your guests will fill up on goodies AND patriotic pride. Don’t have time to sit down and plan your entire weekend of meals? Check out Saving Money Camping’s 5 Day Memorial Day Camping Meal Plan!

Patriotic Playlist

What’s the first song (besides the National Anthem!) that comes to mind when you think of Patriotic songs? Is it Only In America by Brooks & Dun? American Soldier, or Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue by Toby Keith? Regardless of what it is or what genre you prefer, start the party off by cranking your favorite songs! But don’t worry about wasting your phone’s battery and trying to finagle a louder sound from those small speakers, kick it up a notch by playing music from the Pandora App on your DISH® Wally Receiver by connecting to a KICKER Bullfrog Bluetooth Speaker with the Bluetooth Adapter!

Yard Games

Looking to have a little competition or just want to have something for your guests to do outside of eating and mingling? Yard games are the perfect solution! Cornhole (or bean bags, depending on where you’re from), ladder golf, giant Jenga, or even Connect 4, are all ones that you can DIY with a little help from Little House of Four, or ask guests to bring if you just don’t have the time. If you have some friends that love to compete, create a tournament for one, or all the games that goes throughout the weekend!

American Flag

While we know that Memorial Day is a time to remember all of those that have passed, our fallen soldiers, whether we knew them personally or not, are ones that we take a little extra time for this weekend. One way to remind ourselves to this is by hanging an American Flag. No matter if it’s a smaller one that the kids wave, or one of the huge ones you see flying high above a Perkins, let the flag be a simple reminder for you to think about the ones who gave it all.

Decorations

We’ll admit, we LOVE a themed party, let alone an entire weekend, but Memorial Day and the 4^th of July seem to have a required Red, White, and Blue theme, and we’re all about it.  Check out this DIY bandana tablecloth from This Grandma Is Fun (TGIF) or this one with jean pockets used to hold utensils if you have the time, or just hang some streamers and balloons from the awning of your RV and let the food and beverages do the talking!

Outdoor Theater

One of the biggest perks of Memorial Day weekend is that we get THREE whole nights at the campground! Kick the weekend off or wind down the festivities by watching some movies on your Outdoor Movie Theater Screen! “But I don’t have an outdoor movie theater screen?” We thought you’d say that, which is why we want to show you how you can build the ULTIMATE outdoor movie theater that will cost you less than $25!

Playmaker Antenna Bundle + DVR

And what do you need to shine those movies bright onto that screen? The perfect Satellite Antenna Bundle! Catch a flick that’s scheduled to play on TV, or record your favorites at home and take them with you on your DVR Wally Upgrade! Record up to 100 hours of your favorite shows and movies to watch as a group or just keep the kids occupied while the parents keep the party going. Not sure if the Playmaker is best Antenna for you and your family? Take the quiz or follow the road map above to find out! But just between you and me, you can get $50 off a Playmaker Dual Bundle and $35 off a Playmaker Bundle this Thursday, May 16^th through Monday, May 20^th!*

                                                                                                                   *Offer expires at 11:59 pm on 5/20/219

Red, White, and Booze….I mean Blue

Mocktails or Cocktails drinks are a great way to add to the theme of the weekend! For the kiddos make a batch of this Captain America inspired mocktail from This Worthey Life and for the big kids (ya know, those of us who are 21+) whip up some Red, White, and BOOM Firecracker cocktails! Not sold on those? Here are 20 MORE patriotic drinks to enjoy from The Soccer Mom!  

A Grill

And last, but certainly not least, let’s fire up those grills! Or if you’re feeling super outdoorsy, get out those tripods with the grill racks connected and put ‘em over the campfire! It wouldn’t be a proper Memorial Day celebration without a BBQ, would it? Whether you’re cookin’ hotdogs, brats, hamburgers, or veggies, there’s nothing like that smoky grill flavor to get those taste buds ready for Summer!

We think we have all our bases covered, but just in case we missed anything, check out our Memorial Day Camping board on Pinterest!