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...]
Who are Outdoor Families?
Outdoor Families Magazine is not a research based entity, however, we do work hard to break down barriers and concentrate on an overall goal to inspire families, young and old, to spend time outside together in nature. Using existing research, common themes were identified that show benefits and barriers to individuals and their families with regard to outdoor recreation. The … [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...]
Columbia River Gorge Hikes Along the Historic Columbia River Highway
by Kelsey Ivey - In a day's trip by car from Portland, Oregon, travel along the Historic Columbia River Highway to the deep, magical beauty of this lush region, and the Columbia River Gorge. Whether you have an afternoon, a day, or a week, you can take this journey amid trails once traveled by the early pioneers, see amazing modern engineering feats and spot wildlife in a place … [Read more...]
Notable Summer Reads for Outdoor Families
by Kelly Johnson - Your local library's shelves are probably filled with nature books for kids. But how is a parent to know which specific concepts to promote, like biophillia, for instance, a term describing humans' inherent love of nature, or ecophobia, a fear resulting from too much exposure, too young, to environmental problems and the pressure to "save" nature? Which … [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...]
