Dads of NWA Newsletter: Our First Campout Adventure!

Hello Dads!

We’re excited to share our very first newsletter, celebrating our recent campout at Devil’s Den, held from September 13–15. A huge thank you to **Caleb Turner** of Turner Works for organizing this fantastic event!

Thanks to our generous sponsors, we were able to offer this campout free of charge to our community. Here’s a special shoutout to those who made it possible:

– Cornerstone Business Solutions – $1,000 (Devin Lyles)
– EXIT Realty Harper Carlton Group – $500 (Joseph Rocko)
– Osage Air** – $500 (Jake Knoedl)
– Natural State Pest Control – $500 (Trent Ragar)
– Turner Works – All campsite fees and coordination (Caleb Turner)
– White Oak Ridge Cattle Company – All ground beef (Seth Holder)
– McLarty Daniel Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram – $300 (Alex Aguilar)
– Signature Bank of Arkansas – $200 plus the grill (Randall Harriman)
– Knockout Hail Repair – $200 (Jason Ray)
– Truks – $100 (Dennis Mitchell)
– Wes Crainshaw – $100
– Tyler Opee Smalling – Eggs
– Williams Sausage – Sausage and bacon (Tanner Gallman)

This campout was a first for my son, Oliver, who is 8 years old. He loved connecting with other kids, while I enjoyed camping for the second time in nearly three decades!

We kicked off the weekend with pizza on Friday night, allowing dads and kids to set up their campsites. After a hearty meal, we gathered around the campfire for s’mores and shared plans for the next day. The kids played Monster—a fun blend of hide-and-seek and tag—before we turned in for the night, enjoying the beautiful 65-degree evening under the stars.

Saturday morning started with breakfast, thanks to the grill from Signature Bank of Arkansas. We feasted on steak, farm-fresh eggs from Tyler Smalling, and bacon. After breakfast, we hiked the scenic Yellow Rock Trail, taking in breathtaking views and cherishing time with our children.

The afternoon brought more fun at Lee Creek, where kids chased minnows and played with shale rocks. Dinner was another community effort, featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, and plenty of bacon! We wrapped up the evening around the campfire, sharing jokes and watching the color-changing flames dance in the night.

Sunday morning saw us cleaning up and packing up with a sense of accomplishment and joy. This event was a resounding success, and we can’t wait to plan another campout in the spring!

Thank you all for being a part of Dads of NWA. We’re excited to build this community together!

Best,

Dads of NWA Team