by Ania Krasniewska - Before children, an ideal holiday for me consisted of visiting cities without doing much of anything, lying on great beaches with a stack of books to lose myself. As any parent who's tried to read more than two consecutive sentences in the presence of small tots knows, that vacation style changes when you have children. Our style changed even more when … [Read more...]
Prompting Without Pushing: Guiding children through fear
By Bridgett Ross "Use the brakes! Use the brakes!" I shouted, watching my son soar downhill on his bike and into a parked car. Per my hopes, he took a chance, tried something new, and risked falling. I ran to my crumpled, crying boy. Thankfully, he was not hurt, but the fall shook him. In rock climbing, overcoming fear has always been my biggest challenge. I have some pretty … [Read more...]
Kayaking Georgia’s Tybee Island Region
by Lauren Gay It's hard to believe that only 4 years ago I had never been in a kayak of any kind, but now kayaking has become a favorite activity for my son and me to do together. Living in Tampa, Florida, the Southeast region affords us good fortune of paddling year-round, since even with cold temperatures the waterways don't freeze. On a trip to explore the Savannah/Tybee … [Read more...]
My Outdoor Family: Meet a caterpillar named “Fuzzy”
by Eliana Osborn My son's rain jacket is laid across the back of the sofa. In the split second before calling, Come hang this up, I notice something yellow on the sleeve. Closer up, something fuzzy, perhaps a flower bud knocked off while running by. I lift the yellow cylinder with a piece of paper from the computer. A caterpillar, braving a stormy wet Fairbanks, Alaska … [Read more...]
America’s National Park Service: Gifting the future
by Erin Kirkland - Most national park memories are vivid collections as diverse as the locations themselves. Waking to the sound of a crackling fire and the smell of frying bacon at a campground. Watching a waterfall tumble down a steep canyon trough far, far below. Observing an intricate science of fossils and painted hills. Feeling the solemnity of a ceremony for those lost … [Read more...]
The Case for Napping Outdoors
by Linda McGurk - Winter. The season to enjoy snow sports, drink hot chocolate, light candles, and let your baby nap in a stroller on the back porch. Wait, what? If the idea of letting your baby or toddler sleep outdoors in freezing temperatures seems counterintuitive, irresponsible, or downright dangerous, consider that parents in the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, … [Read more...]
My Outdoor Family: Meet Lauren Gay
by Lauren Gay The great outdoors has been the gift that keeps on giving to my unique family of two. I am mom to a 15-year-old son. Exposing my son to outdoor activities at an early age has not only enriched him, it has also led to a very special bond. Unlike many who love outdoor activities, I grew up very much a city girl, with no exposure to outdoor activities as a child. … [Read more...]
Sharing Memories as Gifts: Treasures to Last a Lifetime
by Suzanne Solsona Without thinking too much about it: What is your most vivid, cherished memory of childhood? Your teenage years? As an adult? I would wager a significant sum of money that your favourite memories centre around something you did, rather than something you had. Or, if it does involve a thing, memories about what you did with that thing and who you were … [Read more...]
Eco-Friendly Gifting for Outdoor Families
by Kate Koch-Sundquist Ask children what's on their holiday wish lists this year and you're bound to get an earful. It runs the gamut from video games and iPads to plastic cars and dolls, and everything in between. And who can blame them? American kids are growing up in a nation of consumers where it's easier to buy something brand new than it is to repair something old or … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Secret Lives of Animals
by Erin Kirkland Any book that offers "tidbits, oddities, and amazing facts" is bound to be a winner with kids. I mean, really, who wouldn't want to learn about a salamander that shoots poison from behind its eyes? Or, maybe, the reason for horns versus antlers??The answers are surprising, enlightening, and downright incredible. Outdoor authors Stacy Tornio and Ken … [Read more...]
Utah’s Sundance Mountain Resort: Tips from a local
by Susan Strayer Looking for a family-friendly a ski vacation? Search no more - the perfect mountain getaway is Sundance Mountain Resort. Situated in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, Sundance Mountain Resort boasts grand views and beautiful scenery while providing ski and snowboard terrain for all levels. At least, I think so. I live there. My husband's job allows him to work … [Read more...]
My Outdoor Family: Beauty and Tragedy
by Andrea Friederici Ross I believe in wonder. Daily life is filled with the mundane: laundry, oil changes, dentist appointments, filtering spam. Routine. Over time, it erodes my spirit, eating away at the core of well-being. So whenever I have an opportunity, I grasp at the concept of wonder. It can be a mother bird feeding her young, beak-to-beak; a particularly … [Read more...]
Alaskan Earth Mamas: Meet an entrepreneur who nourishes body and soul
by Erin Kirkland Interior Alaska winters are famous for temperatures that fall into the double-digits-below-zero category. Between November and March (and sometimes longer), people are indistinguishable for the layers of clothing worn to cover exposed skin and everything, from truck tires to fingertips, has a propensity to freeze solid. This dry, cold section of the 49th … [Read more...]
Being Thankful in Istanbul: History and heritage on the Bosphorus
By Jennifer Fontaine Known for its rich history, centuries-old architecture and robust cultural heritage, Turkey may not be the first place that comes to mind when planning a family vacation. But this ancient land is bursting with family-friendly activities and a chance for kids and grandparents alike to capture a glimpse of old world customs while creating new family … [Read more...]
New River Gorge | Bridges, Camping, & Climbing in West Virginia
by Erica Lineberry - When will we get to go over the bridge?" my 5-year-old son chirped from the backseat, as shadows grew long across the highway. The bridge he was speaking of was none other than New River Gorge Bridge, also known as the second-longest steel arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. It was just another Friday evening in September, which, for our family, meant … [Read more...]
“Rocks in the Water” and Other Life Lessons
by Jackie Semmens My son hikes with one goal in mind - to throw rocks in the water and watch them splash. When we hike, we walk slowly. Every rock we pass must be examined for suitability, and if it passes inspection (which it always does), it is then carried along until another more appropriate rock is found only a few feet later. The type of water does not matter. In my … [Read more...]
My Outdoor Family: The Bonds
Get to know October's "Outdoor Family" by Nicolette Bond Children don't necessarily see nature as something separate from them. I was lucky enough to grow up with parents who encouraged me to run barefoot in the rain, howl at the moon, and play in the mud. My husband and I hope to preserve that connection for our two-year-old daughter Cora and "re-wild" our own … [Read more...]
