PHOTOS: Camping Out in Mission Viejo's Oso Viejo Park

If you love Mission Viejo's parks, but wish you could spend more time in them, last Saturday night was the perfect opportunity to do just that.

The city hosted its second-annual campout with almost 300 campers.

Here's more from Councilman Dave Leckness, who founded the campout last year:

Nearly 300 eager residents/campers gathered Saturday, October 20, for the campout on the Oso Creek Trail.

After staking their tents in the late afternoon, campers performed skits, sang songs and swapped stories as darkness fell upon the group. To enjoy nocturnal sights along the Oso Creek, the adventurous took to a flashlight hike down the trail and some took their chances in the Plant Maze. Upon their return, the hikers warmed up to a roaring campfire and roasted s'mores and enjoyed some hot chocolate.

The 300-plus campers, including the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Indian Princesses, gathered again to enjoy time for arts and crafts, and wolf down a breakfast provided by the Mission Viejo Activities Committee.

Many residents relished the opportunity to experience the wilderness snugly located within the surrounding urban environment. Families, neighbors and friends were able to create memories at another event showcasing Mission Viejo's high quality of life.