By Drea Kane
Despite the fact that I lived and breathed the outdoors before becoming a parent, I now tend to think about getting outside with my children far more often than I actually get out with them. I know I’m not alone in this, because when I started an outdoor playgroup in my community, almost a hundred parents showed true interest. But at trip time each week, very few people – if any – showed up. More times than not, it was just me with my two children, scampering along looking at ferns and slugs.
If it were easy, every one would have done it
Week after week, no-shows apologized. Some parents stated they didn’t trust their kids not to take off into the woods like huskies, never to return.
Many parents wouldn’t do the trips if it rained, or was chilly, or too buggy, or too sunny. And although my trips included one themed activity per month, one friend told me I should add entertainment to the trips so the kids wouldn’t get bored. “Just walking in the woods is not going to go over well!” she exclaimed. (I knew what she meant because I spent years planning activities for themed day camps and summer school programs; human-introduced entertainment is a wonderful way to get kids outside, and I love what it offers. But the snow angels you create or the berries you happen upon can be just as exciting as the clues and candy you might hide for a scavenger hunt, and one reason I started the playgroup was to teach my kids to enjoy and appreciate what nature offers up on its own.
My weekly high point
Parents gave other reasons for not doing the trips: they got caught up in errands, or realized too late they didn’t leave enough time to prepare, or they forgot about the trips entirely. They experienced illness or exhaustion, last-minute engagements, and children unwilling to leave the house. These I completely understood, as the same sorts of things were happening in my family too. Many times it was only because I’d committed to leading the trips that I ever actually made it to the trailhead.
Luckily for me, the regular, planned outdoor activity quickly became my weekly high point, presenting some of the most rewarding interactions I have had with my children. It had another unexpected consequence: because it was a regular event, I worked out the kinks involved in getting my kids outside, and after a few months the old obstacles fell away.
Planning for upcoming trips For starters, because I had to communicate details about upcoming trips one month prior, I planned and prepared for trips in advance, and I put the dates on my calendar so I could schedule around them. Somehow this made it less excusable to not follow through.
I learned how to pack for family outings
I learned how to pack for these slower-paced family outings, something I needed to do despite years of trip leading experience. I included warm layers and rain gear for all, but also extra clothing for potty accidents; healthy foods that my kids would actually eat and enjoy (our favorites are cheese and crackers, carrot sticks, and homemade granola bars); and a first aid kit that made sense for us – mostly sunscreen, band aids, blister treatments, tape, gauze and trauma shears. I also had to learn the best way to fit everything in my pack, since the kids were not likely to carry their share for long!
My children love nature and the great outdoors
Most importantly, my children learned what to expect. They quickly discovered that not only would whining not end the trips, it made trips less fun. They learned how to dress and what to bring along for themselves. After realizing I would walk with them at whatever pace they set, exploring the surroundings and matching their curiosity, they looked forward to having my attention without the distraction of phones and computers, television and toys. They figured out that each location was unique, and there was always something to see and do beyond simply, “walking in the woods”. We watched a snake eat a frog; explored towering boulders and massive, tangled tree roots; and discovered some perfect sledding hills. On one trip we happened upon a pristine and private lake in the middle of the woods; on another we got to see bald eagles on the shore of Lake Champlain. The kids are learning how to leave what they find, when and how to cede the trail when passing others, and how to go to the bathroom outdoors. After a gradual introduction to all this, together we learned how far they could actually hike. The joy and pride on their faces when reaching the car again made the final half hour of complaint worthwhile, every time. They discovered the reward inherent in meeting challenges and following through. Who can measure the confidence and self-assuredness such experiences bring? All I know is that the kids stopped dragging their feet about outdoor time and began to ask for it.
My outdoor playgroup
As to my playgroup, I’ve altered my promotions to better reach my demographic, and parents continue to contact me to get involved. But the obstacles to following through are as large as ever for everyone. My own life has gotten busier and the group now meets only once a month, but that is consistent enough to reap the same rewards. I’m grateful we experienced those initial, regular outings to erase our fear of the unknown, making our trips a special time we could all count on, enjoyed by all of us.
Tips on Making Family Outdoor Trips Happen:
1. Plan in advance, scheduling other obligations around your trips whenever possible.
2. Commit to getting out regularly, so everyone knows they can count on it, and so you can fine-tune your packing lists.
3. Join an outdoor play group or invite friends along for added incentive.
4. Be prepared to listen to some whining; use humor or redirection to move past it without giving in. Your children are looking to see how committed you are to the trips and will follow your lead.
5. If possible, start with less intimidating places: short loops or nature trails, with interesting sights such as beaver dams or nesting birds.
6. As everyone learns the routine and gains confidence, introduce slightly longer trips with some surprise, such as a lean-to or picnic table or waterfall.
7. Most importantly, be careful not to stress the destination as much as the journey. If you don’t get far, that’s okay! It’s more important to provide a stress-free environment where your children feel they have your time and attention, leading to a positive experience that everyone will want to repeat.
Drea Kane is a very productive writer, journalist and outdoor educator in Vermont. She blogs about raising her two children at Rerun and Jungles Clown , blogs about working with a local rescue squad in 802 Rescue and organizes her own outdoor playgroup.
