Tube the Spokane River: Experience an urban river adventure with thrilling class I-II rapids. It’s easy with FLOW Adventures, which provides big tubes, PFDs, and shuttle transport (flow-adventures.com). Rent a cooler tube for cold beverages and snacks during your 2-hour float trip, and be sure to wear strap-on water sandals. If you choose to do-it-yourself, […]
10 Family Summertime Adventures Read More »
Learning from those farther along their parenting journey can inspire and encourage the less-experienced among us. Jonathan Johnson and Amy Howko, from Cheney, Wash., have appreciable insights after raising their daughter, Anya, now 17 years old. OTO: What values and attitudes about outdoor recreation and travel did you prioritize and emphasize once you became parents?
Raising A Kid as an Outdoor Family Read More »
Books are one of my few obsessions. Re-reading a great book feels like returning home as I revisit that author’s ideas, insights, experiences, encouragement, or advice. These books inspire me in my resolve to better help my outdoor family be the best version of us—determined adventurers; curious explorers; fun-loving recreationists; caring, informed, and compassionate conservationists.
4 Books for Outdoor Families Read More »
Getting the whole family out on the slopes in the clean, cold mountain air is well worth the effort. These tips, pulled together and passed along after years of ski family experience, will help make sure your family stays warm, dry, and happy on the mountain and that your winter fun doesn’t break the bank.
Stay Warm, Go Slow, Save Money: Tips for Family Fun on the Mountain Read More »
If you ever wondered what it would be like to take your whole family skiing, meet Stan and Kristina Busby who taught all of their 12 children – yes, 12 – to ski. “The challenge for us,” says Stan, “was to make it not about accomplishments, but about just having fun for the day. With
Ski Family Profile: The Busby Dozen Read More »
If there is a story that captures the essence of cyclocross, it’s the story of Ciara MacDonald’s first race at eight years old. Her father, Bryan MacDonald, and two brothers were racing cyclocross at the time. Ciara would bring her bike and ride around the course. At the final race of the season, she insisted
Cyclocross: Family, Spectator, and Rider Friendly Fun! Read More »
What happens when four families—including eight adults and 10 children ages 1-11—go camping together over Memorial Day weekend? Fun, adventure, and lessons learned. Here are fundamental ideas that helped our trip succeed. Plan a trip with like-minded families. My three girlfriends and I are all like-minded women—outdoorsy, non-makeup wearing women in the 38-42
Lessons Learned Camping with Friends and Their Kids Read More »
Fresh-Air Parenting, coined by outdoor writer Katie Arnold in a May 2015 “Outside Magazine” article, asserts that “Letting [children] embrace freedom involves a fair amount of hovering,” and lies along the spectrum between helicopter parenting and free-range parenting. Fresh-air parenting wavers in the middle of these two extremes – somewhat free-range but hovering as needed
Fresh Air Parenting Read More »
5 ways to plan, coordinate, and implement a family camping trip that’s doable and fun and will have kids asking for more.
Create The Ultimate Family Camping Experience Read More »
