Editor's note: Heather Longo was so inspired by an article written in OFM's March issue she was compelled to do some research on sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and healthy eating habits. Below are her findings, presented in a very delicious way. Outdoor Families Magazine welcomes responses to articles or columns; email Erin Kirkland, editor, and your essay may be published … [Read more...]
Great Gear: Does Bug Band Really Keep Insects At Bay?
by Melissa Avery - Bugs. They are part of the outdoors, but that doesn't mean we want them all over us, making an experience dreadful for the whole family. Enter Bug Band Insect Repellent wristbands and Towelettes. As an independent adult traveler, I've tried many insect repellent products without putting too much thought into the chemical components. Motherhood, … [Read more...]
My Outdoor Family: “The good about bad camping”
by Clint Tustison "This is camping?" I thought to myself, lying in my tent, shivering, trying to get dry from the downpour happening just outside. I had been a member of the local community Boy Scout troop for a few months when I finally had the chance to go on a real campout. I was ecstatic. This is what Boy Scouts lived for, right? Heading to the outdoors, building a … [Read more...]
Adventure Film Producer Bryan Smith: “Dad-to-be, me”
by Erin Kirkland Award-winning adventure film producer Bryan Smith has probably logged more travel hours than most - exploring on, over, under, and within the planet Earth. He?s hung suspended above sheer rock cliffs, crawled across slippery logs, and faced wild weather situations. It wasn?t until his wife was expecting their first child, however, that Smith came … [Read more...]
Bike Camping with Kids Means Fun On Two Wheels
by David Pulsipher "Don't worry honey; we'll be back tomorrow afternoon!" I was attempting to assure my wife that the bike camping adventure my two sons and I were about to undertake was no different than a typical trip to the park. In some ways I was also trying to reassure my own nerves that I hadn't bitten off more than I could chew. My wife was eight months … [Read more...]
Camp Connections: unique outdoor opportunities for youth far from the mainstream
by Mary Axelson It actually surprised me that connecting with nature could be so darned dirty. My daughter was covered with mud when I picked her up from Laughing Coyote camp near Longmont, Colorado, but she was glowing. No doubt she hoped the natural camouflage would allow an entire tribe of kids to disappear into the landscape and postpone the end of their new approach to … [Read more...]
Great Gear: Hobo rePETe bag from ChicoBag is a stylish option
by Mae Kiggins Ever wonder what happens to the thousands of post-consumer-recycled plastic bottles? In the case of ChicoBag, the company is putting to good use this detrius through construction of fashionable and versatile bags. So serious about their mission are ChicoBag's long-lasting and environmentally-friendly products, they have trademarked the term "rePETe" to … [Read more...]
Weaving a Blanket of Childhood Memories at Avid 4 Adventure Camps
by Jennifer Fontaine As days get longer and the anticipation of summer crescendos, kids everywhere look forward to breaking out of four-walled learning centers and into wide open spaces. The task given us as parents is how to shape their time off into meaningful experiences that may also offer captivating learning opportunities. For many of us, the tradition of … [Read more...]
Taking Kids to New Heights: hiking Colorado’s “14er” mountains
by Heather Mundt - For Coloradans, it's not enough to brag about getting outside with our families and enjoying the beloved Rocky Mountains. It's that those mountains mean we can take "getting outside" to extreme heights. Extreme ColoRADo 14ers. It's not just any old Sunday drive, for instance. We can drive the highest continuous paved road in the United States, Trail Ridge … [Read more...]
Jalapeno-Cashew Cheese Brings Spice to Vegan Diets
by Sarah Henderson Are you salty, or sweet? Stuck on a desert island, which would you choose, brownies or hot wings? Hot fudge sundae, or fries and ketchup? For me, nachos win this query, every time. Our family is vegan, so my nacho habit has undergone alterations over the years as we've shifted to a lifestyle that reflects our respect impacts upon the planet. Plus, there is … [Read more...]
Kids to Parks: Celebrate a national day of outdoor play
by Erin Kirkland In an effort to encourage children of all ages and abilities to spend time in outside spaces this summer, the National Park Trust announces the 5th annual Kids to Parks Day, scheduled for May 16. Created in conjunction with First Lady Michelle Obama?s ?Let?s Move? campaign of 2010, Kids to Parks Day is a low-key, cost-free commitment to exploring a park … [Read more...]
The Circus Tent: A Mother’s Legacy
by Heather Longo Many of my most vivid childhood memories come from family camping trips. Roasting ?banana boats? over a blazing fire, fishing for the next day?s breakfast, and card games set to the sound of raindrops. Camping wasn?t just about time spent near each other, it was family, wrapped in and around a slab of canvas we called "The Circus Tent." You couldn?t miss our … [Read more...]
Family Camping is Cool: Tips and tricks for a successful first outing
by Val Joiner - Begin a discussion about the concept of family camping and you're likely to discover everyone has a very different definition of what true camping is. Whether you're new to the concept, or a longtime veteran of sleeping outdoors, it's easy to notice the wide spectrum of styles; bare-bones minimalism to deluxe RV'ing. The good news? There's room for all, with … [Read more...]
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park: Exploring the Big Island’s explosive history
by Erin Kirkland We could smell Hawai?i Volcanoes National Park before we could see it. The rotten-egg aroma preceding our arrival was unnerving for my 10-year-old, who craned his neck around the backseat in order to locate the source. ?Is a volcano erupting right now?? he quavered, sniffing the air, aware only of the icy, ash-laden monoliths in our home state of Alaska. … [Read more...]
Great Gear: TwinGO Carrier a Wonder for a Mom of Multiples
by Jennifer Bauer - Since the birth of our twins and the beginning of my tandem days, I have lamented the lack of a child carrier that could accommodate two kids. Given the growing number of multiple births in the United States (more than 132,000 twin births in 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control), I was surprised no major manufacturer had, as yet, designed such … [Read more...]
My Outdoor Family: Our Home is Round
by Meriah Nichols Our home is round. It is built in the style of a yurt, perfectly round, but it is not, as it is in Mongolia, a portable residence. Ours is made of stone and copper. It is there for the long run, just as we hope to be. Our family lives completely off the grid, relying primarily on solar power, but with a backup generator. Water comes from the numerous … [Read more...]
SubUrban Outdoors: Praying the long road
by Elizabeth Small Spring has come to New England, but in name only, because winter is behaving like the boyfriend that just won?t accept a breakup. In the beginning, things were thrilling: Cozy nights by the fire, hikes, sled rides full of giggling. But winter and I have grown apart. I want to garden, nature wants to snow. I want to live a life with minimal waste, and this … [Read more...]
