Lemondrop

Camping! It's great in theory. The sleeping bags, the junk food, communing with nature and your friends ... But the cold nights and bug bites? Not so much. Avoid the poison oak and haunted forest with a camp-in party that keeps you from the worst parts of the wilderness.

Besides, it's the 20th anniversary of the camping-lite classic "Troop Beverly Hills," so why not celebrate the ultimate in camping-allergic cinema (and the foundation of pre-Rilo Kiley Jenny Lewis), by hosting your own camp-in.

Invite
Let your friends know the campground is open for the season with an invite that reminds them of their Girl Scout days. On large circles of cardboard (trace a bar coaster for size), sketch on basic badges for your friends' individual talents (for merit in flirting, or excellent storytelling). On the back, jot down party specifics: when, where and what guests should pack in their duffels.


Decor
To turn you city hovel into an expansive campground you don't need much more than a tent and some twigs. Set up at least one outdoor tent and instruct guests to bring sleeping bags (though they can always go home and sleep in a real bed if they're wusses). If you've got camping stools and chairs put those out as well. Set up a faux fire by surrounding a group of pillar candles (real or LED if your guests can't be trusted -- just think about what Smokey the Bear would do) with a stone circle. Then add other forest ephemera where you can -- fake branches, wooden signs, stuffed animals, AstroTurf. Go wild.

Food
Serve up classics like hot dogs, chili beans and granola snacks.

Games
Resist popping in a movie, and instead run your shindig like you don't have electricity. Pull out old-fashioned board or card games to keep folks entertained.

Fun
Pass a flashlight around and tell scary stories as you roast s'mores. (If you don't have a fireplace, pop the marshmallows in the broiler.)

Drinks
Keep hydrated and warm without turning the heat up. Serve up classic hot toddies in inexpensive thermoses. Or make use of those additional marshmallows with a spiked hot chocolate. (Add whiskey to jazz up plain varieties.) Set out a classic red ice chest filled with soda and beer as well. But be sure you aren't too sauced to protect yourself from wilderness predators (bears often winter in apartment complexes) by having non-alcoholic libations like apple cider on hand.