Family learning…
…the outdoorS.
First…
If you’re a kid, you should spend a lot of time in the outdoors, exploring and hiking and finding mountains and rivers and new trails.
Second…
If you’re an adult, you should spend a lot of time in the outdoors, exploring and hiking and finding mountains and rivers and new trails.
Third…
If you’re a parent of a child, or children, of any age, including a newborn, you should spend a lot of time in the outdoors, exploring and hiking and finding mountains and rivers and new trails.
Also…
If you have not spent a lot of time hiking or in the outdoors, here is what you should not do:
You should not wait to get the
right clothes,
or the right shoes,
or the right gear,
or the right ages of your children.
You should be safe and smart, of course. But don’t wait for the stars to align and everything to be perfect. Simply get out and start walking. Just like singing is like “…moving your voice up and down,” hiking is basically like walking, only you’re in the outdoors, only you’re (possibly) moving up and down a mountain, and are out in nature and surrounded by pretty natural vegetation and a lack of electrical outlets.
Basically just start and don’t wait for the right month, right clothes, or right ages. Just do it.
So. When in nature…
Be respectful to all living things. The obvious, like not kicking animals or scaring birds. And the less obvious, like not ripping branches off trees.
Leave a small footprint. That means don’t leave trash, garbage, or anything behind.
Stuff that’s helpful to learn a little about.
Note: my plan is to link these individually to blog posts and videos as I write or shoot them. We shall see. Would you like that? Let me know.
How to use a knife.
How to patch yourself up if you hurt yourself up with a knife, or get hurt. So basically, basic first aid.
How to identify clouds.
How to start a fire.
How to find a snack in the woods.
How to build a basic shelter.
How to find drinkable water.
How to navigate.
How to tie a few knots that you can untie. Note: I have not yet learned this well.
Eleven things to take when you go in the woods.
A map and compass. Or someone with you who is super good at not getting lost. That would not be me. I am good at getting lost.
Sunglasses and sunscreen.
First aid kit.
Warm clothes or extra insulation. Like a blanket. Also, take a bandana, because you can use it for a bunch of stuff and also you always look cooler when you wear a bandana.
Flashlight.
Shelter. A tarp, light blanket, or something similar.
Fire starting stuff.
Knife.
Food.
Water.
A book or something to read. Because you should always have one on you.
Also, a pen and paper. To journal, write a story, take notes, or write a farewell if you get lost and it looks like you’re not gonna make it.
Other
Coming soon.