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‘The next best thing’: B.C. family organizes ‘stay-at-home’ campout for front-line workers

A Surrey family is asking British Columbians to camp out at home in support of front-line heath workers. Simon Little / Global News

The novel coronavirus pandemic has put the brakes on B.C.’s camping season, but that’s not stopping one Surrey family who is hoping you’ll pitch in to support health-care workers.

Kelly and Hammond Tarry and their kids Piper and Cooper are spearheading the Stay-at-Home B.C. Camp Out.

The idea is simple: set your tent and camping gear up in your yard, your basement or even your living room on April 25, donate a $5 “camping fee” to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), and share your pictures on Facebook.

“In B.C. camping is such a big hobby, lots of people like to do it. It’s an outdoor province,” Kelly told Global News.

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“So why not do it anyway, even though the parks are closed? It’s something you can do easily with little preparation and still get some of that camping atmosphere.

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“It’s the next best thing.”

The Tarrys got the idea from family in the U.K., where a similar idea raising money for the National Health Service (NHS) was such a smash success that it’s become a weekly event.

Kelly, a human resources officer and Hammond, a psychology instructor, are both working from home and say while there are challenges, it’s nothing compared to what front-line workers are currently dealing with.

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“So while we are at home, we should be reminding ourselves that there are others less fortunate that have to go out every day,” said Kelly.

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“We wanted to do something that was fun while we’re stuck at home, but also educate the kids and have them support a greater cause than themselves.”

As of Wednesday, 32 families had signed up for the campout, raising nearly $1,000 for the BCCDC.

B.C. suspended camping in provincial parks in March and completely closed the parks in April to try and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Provincial health officials have urged British Columbians to suspend all non-essential travel, and say restrictions will likely remain in place until at least early summer.

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