Summer Vacation Series-Episode Two Jacob Goes Camping

Escalate the traditional Jacob’s Ladder block to a new level …

all the way to the top floor!

Jacob is going on a whirlwind Summer Vacation. His second stop is a relaxing camping trip at one of our National Parks. What says "summer vacation" more than cooking over an open flame, sleeping under the stars, being surrounded by the sounds of nature and mosquitoes!!

Did you know:

Yellowstone National Park has the most campers per year:

1. State(s): Wyoming, Idaho, Montana

2. Annual overnight stays by car and RV campers: 730,835

3. Total annual overnight stays: 1,417,284

4. Annual recreation visitors: 4,083,937

5. Total park area (acres): 2,219,791

Great Smokey Mountains National Park has the most visitors per year:

13,297,647 visitors in 2023. Far more than No 2 Grand Canyon that only had 4,733,705

Hot Springs National Park is the smallest park with with a mere 5,500 acres.

California is the state with the most national parks - Nine.

Fun Facts About Camping:

• The founder of modern day camping is Thomas Holding.

• Tents have been used since the Iron Age.

• Average age of a camper is 35

• Campfires burn at an average temperature of 900 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Your campfire may be a hazard.

• Camping can relieve stress and depression.

• Crickets can calculate temperature.

• The number 1 rule of camping is "clean your site".

• Lyme disease takes longer to take effect than you'd think.

• Raccoons may sound like cats, but you shouldn't cuddle them.

• The life span of a good tent is 5-6 years.

• 14% of the US population goes camping every year.

General Directions (to make 1 block):

Nine-Patch Units – with a variety of different colors and prints use nine 2.5” squares and stitch them together in rows of 3 to form a nine-patch unit that finishes at 6.5” x 6.5”.

Make 5

Half Square Triangle Units – Using a background color and a main color, cut 2 – 7” squares of each to make 4 matching HSTs. Square them up to 6.5” (see Basic Beginnings for easy HST directions).

Make 4

Arrange the units as block above.

To make our favorite Jacob Goes Camping layout you will need 20 Escalated Jacob blocks, a 2” green inner border and a 3” dark or medium brown outer border.

Where will Jacob go next on his Summer Vacation Adventure???