Wildschooling, noun; a progressive parenting philosophy which encourages the creativity, curiosity, and joy that children naturally express. by Nicolette Sowder - When my oldest daughter turned preschool age, my husband and I began having conversations about what we wanted her schooling to look and feel like. We found that aspects of the local school system and … [Read more...]
Hiking in Asheville – 15 Must-Hike Trails For Kids
by Stephanie Harper - Asheville is the epitome of a mountain town complete with endless eateries, urban jaunts, and organic living--but it's the hiking in Asheville that will entice your outdoorsy family to stay forever. With the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding the city in all directions and one million acres of protected forest and park land, there is no shortage of … [Read more...]
Family Adventure for All Abilities Among the Trees at Ramblewild
by Jean Grant - We are a family of wanderers and nature lovers. Our lures: local trails, national parks, road trips, puddles, and oceans…or unique rock formations along the roadside. We reside in a state that is composed of 60 percent trees, with some towns in the western region over 90 percent forested. Though we are the third most-densely populated state, our inhabitants … [Read more...]
10 Reasons Why You Should Add Patagonia To Your Family’s Bucket List
by Cathy Brown - When it comes to unplugging and connecting with nature, there aren’t many places on earth that are more perfect for outdoor families looking for adventure, than Patagonia. Pristine, raw, and laced with a good mix between the Wild West (none less than Butch Cassady took up exile here) and Latino warmth and hospitality, there are endless outdoor adventures for … [Read more...]
Women On The Snow: Empowering women to seek out backcountry and elevated skiing experiences
by Amy Whitley - On a sunny, bluebird February day, I found myself linking turns in the soft, forgiving powder of the Squaw Valley California backcountry, far from the crowded ski lifts. The month before, I joined a group of fellow women skiers in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah, for some camaraderie on the snow and a day of dedicated on-piste instruction. In both instances, I … [Read more...]
30+ Fall Family Adventures in Rockford, Illinois
by Stephanie Harper - Fall is the perfect time to visit Rockford, Illinois as the colors are bright and leaf-peeping is the showstopper, while taking in the sights. With weather dropping comfortably in the 40’s, there’s plenty of activities to keep you warm all day! Rockford is just one of the cities that borders along Rock River and is an hour-long drive from Chicago. With … [Read more...]
USA Road Trip Planner – 10 Best National Parks in Southwestern US
by Jean Grant - Planning a family road trip to the Southwest? Try this epic USA road trip itinerary which hits the 10 best national parks in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Our family made a slight modification of the classic Grand Circle road trip for our April school break, soaking in 10 destinations, including US national parks and monuments, national forests, … [Read more...]
Royal Gorge, Colorado – Top 4 Adventurous Activities & Accommodations
by Tami Mittan - "You do want to consider water levels when taking a family white water rafting", counseled the Echo Canyon Rafting Expeditions manager. We had asked him about our 7 year old going on the intermediate rapids half-day trip in Colorado's Royal Gorge. "Too low can be a bit boring, too high can be pretty intense. But right now… it's perfect. Just pure fun!" The … [Read more...]
My Outdoor Family: We stopped living the “dream” to live OUR dream
by Jessica Sueiro - When Will and I first met, he was an accountant and I was a graphic designer. We loved adventure and outdoor activities, but we were limited solely to weekends and two-week vacation adventures. At the time we lived in Los Angeles and our normal weekend outdoor activities consisted of hiking Runyan Canyon in LA with our dog. We had very few vacation weeks … [Read more...]
Colorado’s Sylvan Dale Ranch Offers Outdoor Fun for All Ages
by Tami Mittan - Guest or dude ranch vacations are gaining in popularity as a top choice for family travelers. All-inclusive properties like Colorado's Sylvan Dale Ranch offer a taste of Western lifestyle, along with plenty of outdoor activities. If you are looking for some refreshing, unplugged fun, it just may be the perfect fit. Are dude ranch vacations well suited for a … [Read more...]
My Outdoor Family: When three-nagers meet intentional parenting
by Lindsey Lebowitz - In 2005, my husband and I moved to Colorado from Florida. We moved across the country for a change, a sense of adventure, and the Rocky Mountains. Our 480-foot studio apartment was only $500 a month. Our jobs were not serious, and with limited responsibilities, we explored this great state together. We hiked over 12 hours to summit and descent Long’s Peak. … [Read more...]
Oland, Sweden: An island paradise for family adventure addicts
by Linda McGurk - The stereotypical outdoor family vacation in Sweden involves at least three things: camping near the sea, chasing the elusive sun, and wearing matching, dorky family sweat suits. On the Swedish island of Oland, a long, narrow strip of land in the Baltic Sea off the country’s east coast, you can have it all. No wonder Oland, Sweden is one of the country’s most … [Read more...]
20 Japanese Botanical Garden Design Ideas To Inspire Your Outdoor Space
A traditional Japanese botanical garden design is often divided into three main styles: chisen-teien (pond garden), karesansui (rock garden, also known as Zen garden) and roji (simple, rustic garden for a tea house), which exemplifies a simplistic minimalism, tempered by tranquility. A proper Japanese botanical garden design is a place of solitude and relaxation, where each … [Read more...]
40+ Things To Do In Eau Claire : A Wisconsin Family Vacation Guide
by Karen Ung - “We are passionate not pretentious,” says Troy Hoyt as we sip his Soul Brewed Coffee in the soon-to-open Shift Cyclery and Coffee Bar. The same could be said of family friendly destination Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Hoyt’s home town of 65,000 which is tucked between Madison and the Twin Cities. Touted as “mini Portland,” Eau Claire boasts a vibrant arts and music … [Read more...]
5 Family-Friendly Hikes in Thailand
by Melanie Grosjean - Thailand has much to offer family travelers, from exciting attractions comprising Bangkok tourism to beautiful beaches with plenty of water and sand to keep the kids happy. However, there are also a number of exciting places to hike in Thailand and several of these are family-friendly. | Related: Hiking Cinque Terre's Famous Blue Trail With Kids … [Read more...]
How To Ski: Expert advice for outdoor family winter fun
by Amy Whitley - Downhill (Alpine) skiing together has always been one of those core fibers of my family, an activity we all do together that is woven into the fabric of our shared history. I grew up skiing with my parents and sister high in the Eastern Sierra Nevada in Northern California, back in the days of long, skinny sticks strapped to your feet and fashionable neon … [Read more...]
Forest Bathing Connects Us to Nature and Better Health
by Jennifer Fontaine - According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Americans on average spend over 90 percent of their time indoors. All that time indoors generally means less exercise and more exposure to toxins from synthetic building materials, home furnishings, personal care products, pesticides, household cleaners, and more. Enter forest … [Read more...]
