[johnnydoxx]

When the weather gets nice, I will be playing outdoors 'for real' (not just practicing on the porch). Included are outdoor jam sessions, our family reunion, and just for fun in the park.

I just play chords and sing, no lead. I can sing loud enough to be heard quite a ways off (at least 60 feet, I'd guess).
I have some doubt that my acoustic will be loud enough for outdoors. For strumming, I just use my thumb.

I can't test it until the weather gets warmer, but I thought I'd ask for some opinions, because I may need to change some thing(s) and need time to practice.

So:
1. Is an acoustic strummed by thumb loud enough in, say a park pavilion, for people sitting 30 feet away to hear? Assume road traffic is not an issue.

2. If not, is it worthwhile to learn strumming with finger's nails or with a pick? I am not real enthused about either but will go there if that would work.

3. Or will a small amp and a microphone for the acoustic be a better solution? (Switching to an electro-acoustic or adding pickups to my acoustic are not options).

All opinions/advice appreciated, especially from 'been there -done that' experiences.