Go A d v e
e r u t n
SPRING /SUMMER 2014
M AGAZ I N E GoAdventureMom.com
PERFECT NEWBORN PHOTOS 6 tips from a pro
GETTING YOUR KIDS OUTDOORS Start an adventure group
Connect. Explore. Refresh.
BRING THE BIRDS TO THE YARD Tips for attracting birds
SPRING /SUMMER 2014
Be part of raising a generation of nature-loving outdoorsy children. Adventure Mom offers easyto-replicate exploration ideas and field tested product reviews that enhance outdoor recreation. We also supply family travel tips, colorful infographics and family focused articles designed to inspire family activities and togetherness. To submit a product for future review, email us info@goadventuremom.com subject line “Review” and our team of field testers will get back to you!
We’d love to hear from you! Let’s stay in touch: info@goadventuremom.com 801-901-0515 Twitter twitter.com/GoAdventureMom Facebook facebook/GoAdventureMom Instagram instagram/GoAdventureMom Pinterest pinterest.com/GoAdventureMom
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Featured Adventure Mom Bios Meet our team of real women, adventurous gals who love their kids and want to enjoy nature with them. Is this you? Kathy Dalton: Adventure Mom’s founder is off on a new adventure adding a new baby making her and husband Jon parents of three! As a former ski instructor, Kathy has taken her love for outdoor recreation and through the power of social media share her passion with the world. Kristin Sokol: I’m an early thirties mother of two and wife to a husband who is pretty much the wind beneath my wings (and the money behind my debit card). I enjoy writing and laughing at the things I write. Mary Edwards: I’m in my late 30′s and a mother of 6-yearold twin girls. We enjoy adventures outdoors, from catching butterflies to dipping toes in rivers, to making S’mores up the canyon. Christine Bowman: I am the token baby boomer in this group. The one who is stalling when it comes to elastic waistband pants and evenings in the recliner. Mae Kiggins loves the outdoors and grew up hiking and camping in the Rockies. In college she studied natural resources and worked as a park ranger, research assistant and policy intern. These days her adventures include her two children (1 and 4) and husband. Mae also blogs at Mommy Loves Trees. Jamie Moesser is a mother of two and is a blogger at HobbyMamas.com. She is a compulsive volunteer, waterskier, wakeboarder, scrapbooker, dirt biker, fiction writer, reader, flyfisher, geocacher, r/c car driver, camper, gamer, etc. etc.
We aim to create the next generation of children who love the outdoors by offering easy-to-replicate exploration ideas through field tested product reviews, family travel tips, colorful info graphics and family focused articles.
Guest contributors Cover Photo: Camille Cluff Fox cover photo captures her inspired family outdoor activity - canoeing. Photography tips: Lori Espstein, senior photo editor, National Georaphic Kids. Start An Outdoor Adventure Group: Tanya Koob lives in Calgary, Canada on the doorstep of the Rockies.
“
Not all those who Wander are lost. J.R.R. Tolkien
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Contents table of
Garden with your kids!
Page 16
Spring/Summer 2014
Adventures in Self Worth
6
Tips for Photographing Newborns
8
Coughlans Bug Eye Headlamp for Kids
9
Olds School Games 10 Snow Canyon: A Mini Zion’s National park
12
What Kid Wouldn’t “Erupt” to Hike a Volcano? 14 Easy Gardening Tips for Kids
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Around the World in a Summer 18 Why Start a Family Outdoor Adventure Group?
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Attract birds to your yard
Page 28 Become a Fly Fishing Mom
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No Blisters + Cool Feet = Happy kids 26 How to Attract Birds
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Spending Time Outdoors Together Strengthens Family Relationships 32 What does your Gym Bag Do for you?
Pick up a new hobby this summer! Page 22
34
We found it! The perfect gym bag
Page 34
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Adventures in Self Worth By Christine Bowman
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Adventures in Self Worth • Go Adventure Magazine • Spring/Summer 2014
My dad taught me the value of sweat-in-your-eyes hard work when I was young. He simply didn’t have the same definition of Summer Vacation that I did. So I learned how to work hard and to not say, “I’m bored.” No siree! No boredom around here. And although I greatly appreciate the fact that today I’m a machine when it comes to getting the job done {thank you daddy}, I think there’s a higher ethic than the standard do-your-chores-or-else scenario. What if that hard work also included a big helping of service to others? There’s something about the combination of doing something hard, a thing that seems beyond your grasp, and then reaching it for someone else. What a difference that can make! Enter true self-worth Hard work combined with service is an honest to goodness winning recipe children desperately need in a world of “what’s in it for me.” Robert Brooks, a faculty member at Harvard Medical School, defines self- worth as “including the feelings and thoughts that individuals have about their competence and worth, about their abilities to make a difference, to confront rather than retreat from challenges, to learn from both success and failure, and to treat themselves and others with respect.” www.drrobertbrooks.com Self-worth gives children a strong inner purpose and direction in life. Additionally, they learn to see they are significant in the lives of others, and recognize they have the ability to make a difference. Another fact from a research study entitled “The Troubled Journey” by the Search Institute examined the lives of 47,000 U.S. public school children in grades 5-12 and found that those who served just one hour or more a week were less likely to be involved in at-risk behaviors than those who are not active in volunteering (Benson & Roehlkepartain, 1993). http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED365920 So where are those opportunities to serve as a family hiding? Now for the Shameless Plug: I’ve been closely involved with a Utah event called Millie’s Princess
5k Run/Walk for the past three years. The proceeds help local families lift the financial burden childhood cancer brings on an already devastating situation. It has been astonishing for me to watch these ittybitty ones trying to run the children’s 1k version of the race. It’s hard… some of them just sit down and cry, but encouraged by other runners and family members, these children prevail and the joy on their faces is so memorable. When and Where There’s a 2014 Millie’s Princess 5k Run/Walk scheduled for St. George, Utah, on June 7 and in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 21. Races in Dallas, Phoenix, and New York City will be produced in 2015. If you’re interested in hosting a Millie’s Princess 5k Run/Walk in your city or for more information or to make a donation to the foundation, see www.milliesprincessfoundation.org or contact higherstandard@me.com. If running is not your thing, your children can create their own fundraising event for Millie’s Princess Foundation or other worthy causes. There are more kid-friendly volunteer opportunities listed on www.idealist.org too. Develop Compassion The more kids develop compassion for others, the more meaning they will bring into their own lives, and yours. Now that’s an adventure.
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tips for photoraphing newborns By Lori Epstein, senior photo editor, National Geographic Kids
Photo by William H. Majoros
Seek out ideas Browse the internet and books for photos and poses that you can use as inspiration. But remember: Many newborn photographers often composite multiple images together to get that perfect shot! Use natural light Turn off your flash and open the window shades. Position the baby at an angle to a window as this creates soft shadows, which add critical depth to an attractive portrait. Blankets are your friend Keep your baby comfortable by using an electric blanket. Other big blankets can be used as a backdrop, especially ones with chunky textures that work well in contrast to your baby’s soft, smooth skin. Drape the blanket on your bed and over the headboard to create an easy backdrop. Sneak in some practical tools Stick a wee-wee pad under a blanket, just in case, and use a bobby pillow to help pose
your baby. To help soothe your baby, download a white noise app on your smartphone, turn up the volume and put the phone under the blanket near your baby. Get in the picture Hand the camera over to someone and let them photograph you with your baby. These photos will be priceless for your child as he or she grows up. Make Prints! Don’t let those photos sit in your camera! Print them out and share them! Lori Epstein is the National Geographic Kids senior photo editor behind the heartwarming and inspirational Welcome to the World baby keepsake book. An accomplished photographer herself, she has photographed five books for National Geographic and contributed to dozens more.
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COGHLAN’S BUG EYE HEADLAMP FOR KIDS By Mae Kiggins On our latest camping trip we had the opportunity to try out the Coghlan’s Bug-Eye Headlight for kids. My son was beyond excited to finally have a own headlight. Does it show in his picture?
Pros
• Good size - My son is 4 and a half (the headlight is technically for ages 6 and up) and the headlight stayed on his head. Although in all honesty, my son is tall for his age.
• Tilts – You can adjust the light to tilt at whatever angle you need.
• Price – It is a very affordable option for a headlight. Plus, when it gets broken you don’t feel so bad.
• Durability – We have not had the light for long and we have only used it on one camping trip, so I cannot say how many years it will last. But I did allow my son to keep it in his room for a week and do whatever he wanted. It survived. I was
Area for improvement
• Brightness – We wish the light was a little brighter. It didn’t really give off enough light for my son to be completely confident walking or playing. Overall, I would recommend this product for new, first-time or frugal campers. We look forward to my son having his own headlight for our future camping trips.
impressed.
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Old School Games for a sick day at home
After watching as much TV and movies as any humans should, we’ve created a list of good old school games activities to do on a sick day. Lucky for us we got some fun little vintage old school games that helped us pass the time while being sick. See our list of fun games and links to where you can get them.
By Kristin Sokol
Hula-hooping Did you forget how much fun it was to hulahoop? We bought these nifty hoops at Wal-Mart for $5. We’ve been giving them as birthday gifts when the kids get invited to neighborhood parties. The kids love the challenge and love to hula multiple hoops. Endless hours of fun and a sneaky way to get some exercise in. Chinese Jump Rope Remember this goody from elementary school? My daughter got her fun Chinese Jump Rope for Christmas and we’ve loved playing. It’s perfect inside too. Super-hero acrobatics I have such fond memories doing this when I was kid. My favorite thing is to see all the tricks my two kiddies can twist and turn themselves into. Play Jacks Grandma got this fun little game for my girls. They’ve had a ball trying to master this game. Cats Cradle Remember this little string game? We got this cute string and book that demonstrates how to play several games and make several intricate shapes from the string. My daughter and I have had hours of fun with it. Also bought from Amazon.
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SNOW CANYON: A MINI ZION’S NATIONAL PARK By Mary Edwards
This scenic park quietly tucked amid lava flows and soaring sandstone cliffs is a place everyone should visit when in St. George, Utah. This colorful desert environment boasts of red Navajo sandstone, lava flows, petrified dunes, white rock, sand dunes, and a cinder cone. It’s the perfect place to hike if you have kids or friends who aren’t seasoned hikers for several reasons: • •
Cost $6: You don’t need to stay all day. You can hike and be back for nap-time Short hikes with big payoffs: the colorful views are unbeatable
• • •
Landscape and hiking variety: more than 38 trails Hike/Run/Bike: all are acceptable on these wonderfully kept roads and trails Nature Studies: Join state park sponsored activities for free. Go on a full moon hike or on a sunset nature sketch walk.
I want everyone to discover Snow Canyon. With the declining percentage of Americans engaging in outdoor activities each year, we can show our children how we cherish our environment and help them understand why it’s worth preserving.
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WHAT KID WOULDN’T “ERUPT” TO HIKE A VOLCANO?
By Mary Edwards
How many times have our kids made salt clay volcanoes for geology? You can reinforce what they’ve learned by hiking an old volcano.
younger children may want to stay at the saddle – the view overlooks Snow Canyon and is stunning. Those who continue will summit the cinder cone rim. To the south is Snow Canyon and to the north a smaller cinder cone.
Snow Canyon Cinder Cone Trail While on Spring Break in St. George Utah, my 6 year-olds were up for an adventure with their older cousins. We decided to hike the Cinder Cone Trail at the northern end of Snow Canyon.
This cinder cone and the one summit-ed are part of the Santa Clara Volcano. They are responsible for much of the lava flow covering the area.
Although this is a short hike, it gets steep, slick and rocky after the saddle. Those with
Once we reached the rim, we decided to descend into the volcano. It is just under 100 feet deep. We refueled with water and snacks at the bottom.
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What Kid Wouldn’t “Erupt” to Hike a Volcano? • Go Adventure Magazine • Spring/Summer 2014
Fun Facts to Share with Kids
• • • • • • •
Tips for Hiking this Trail
Cinder cone sits over 500 feet higher than Snow Canyon Crater is elliptical at top and 616 feet across Cinder cone sits over 500 feet higher than Snow Canyon Crater is elliptical at top and 616 feet across 100 feet deep Cinder cones are the simplest type of volcano Cinder cones have a single vent from where the lava came out. The lava turns into cinders which is how the volcano grew in size
• • • •
Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good traction – after the saddle the ascent is basically a scramble Wear long pants and shirt – I learned the hard way that the lava rock is sharp Children under 5 years should stay at the saddle One adult per 2 children
Veyo Volcano Pie Reward everyone after the hike with a drive over to Veyo and buy one of their special volcano pies to celebrate!
Directions to Cinder Cone Trail head Trail head is on the east side of the road one mile north of the Snow Canyon Drive junction with State Route 18. Length 1.5 miles round trip Difficulty Moderate – The steep incline and loose rocks make it difficult.
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Easy Gardening Tips for Kids By Kathy Dalton
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Easy Gardening Tips for Kids • Go Adventure Magazine • Spring/Summer 2014
What kid doesn’t like to play in the dirt? There is something carefree and fun about getting dirty, especially when it’s okay with mom and dad. Gardening together can teach family values like working together, following directions and patience. How to Teach Your Kids About Gardening One way to teach gardening is to plant seed starters together. Seed starters are planted seeds that start growing inside and are transplanted when they are large enough to plant outside. By growing your plants and vegetables on your own, you can save a lot of money by not purchasing plants that have already been started. Planting seeds teaches children to grow their own fruits, herbs, vegetables or flowers. What You Need to Start Seeds Seeds: Planting herbs and vegetables are a nice summer treat. We like to involve the children in this process by allowing them to pick out a few seed packets on their own from the store. Seed starter tray or small container: Seed trays can be purchased at your local grocery store or home improvement store for a few dollars. Small cups do the trick as well Soil,water, sunshine: Some experts prefer to use a soil-less potting mix, but it really comes down to personal preference. Make sure the water can drain properly so the seeds won’t drown or get moldy. Direct sunshine outside may be too harsh on hot days, so setting the seeds in the window sill is a good protected place for them to soak up rays. Other Teaching Ideas After we planted our seed starters, we saved one seed from each and made a little poster using cardstock and some craft glue. We then labeled the seeds; it turns a family memory into a little science project.
Parents, baby-sitters or teachers can use gardening as an opportunity to teach growth principles:
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
We start as a seed We need soil to sprout our roots. We need sunshine & water to help us grow. We grow and sprout leaves. We see the fruit of our labors.
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AROUND THE WORLD IN A SUMMER By Whitney Hollingshead
The most memorable learning experiences usually
the wall, you won’t be able to use it for the activity.)
take place when learning is enjoyable. Even if your kids
Also, make sure the area around the map is free from
are out of school for the summer, this doesn’t mean
obstacles that could cause a child to stumble.
they have to be on a vacation from learning. Rather, summer vacation is the perfect time to make learning
Designate one of the week days as “Around the World
enjoyable. Your family budget probably does not
Day”. When the day arrives each week, pick one
include a trip around the world this summer, so here is
child to choose your destination for the day. This is
a travel itinerary that will allow your family to travel the
accomplished by tying the blindfold around the child,
world.
handing them one of the stick on flags, and directing them to the map. You can have the child spin around
What You Will Need
• • • •
a few times before heading to the map to add some
A map of the world (or a globe)
excitement. When the child reaches the map, have
Colored sticky flags (like those used to mark a
them place the sticky flag on the map without feeling
spot on a document)
around on the surface of the map.
A blindfold Access to the internet
The sticky flags work great because you can leave them attached or simply remove them after you
Find the perfect wall in your home to hang up the
have chosen the destination without causing harm to
world map. Make sure you hang it within arm’s reach
your map. If you are using a globe instead of a map,
of your children. (If you hang the map too high on
you may want to have the child spin the globe while
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Around the World in a Summer • Go Adventure Magazine • Spring/Summer 2014 blindfolded. Notify the child when the globe stops spinning and then have them attach the sticky flag. Remove the blindfold and show the child the selected destination. While you can study cities, states, countries, or even geographical places like a rain forest or river, you may want to set your destination type before you have your first Around the World Day. For example, you may want to keep it simple and say that you will study the country where the flag is placed. Next, head to your computer, or use your tablet to research the selected country together. One way to keep things kid friendly is to type in search topics such as “fun facts for kids about Ecuador”. Here are some things you may want to study together about the selected
trip to the country. Head to the
country:
market and purchase ingredients to try making a dish from the country.
• • • • • • • • • • •
What do people eat? What’s the weather like?
Have your kids pack a suitcase with the items you would need. Go on a pretend airplane
What do adults do for work?
ride together. Have your kids use their imagination to
What do kids do for fun?
act out activities like going on a safari, visiting a castle,
What do kids wear?
playing cricket, playing the bagpipes, etc.
Do the kids go to school? What animals live in the country?
Continue this activity once a week for the duration of
What language do people speak?
the summer. By the end of the summer your children
Do the people use different money?
will most likely have visited a dozen countries around
Do the people live in houses?
the world. This is one great summer long activity you
What sports do people play?
can easily carry out at home that will make learning enjoyable for the entire family.
You may want to look up pictures to show your kids. For example, pictures of the people and animals
Whitney Hollingshead loves using her imagination.
that live in the country will help your children picture
She also loves learning and sharing tips, tricks, and fun
a different place. Pictures of famous landmarks,
facts with others. She is an optimist, a dreamer, and a
geographical wonders, and even looking at other maps
professional writer for Buy Dinar. In her spare time she
can be a lot of fun too.
thrives on coming up with fun and creative solutions for everyday opportunities, especially when the
Once you have done some research, brainstorm with
solutions enable her to spend more time with family
your kids some fun things you can do on your pretend
and friends.
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Why Start a Family Outdoor Adventure Group?
By Tanya Koob
Tanya lives in Calgary, Canada on the doorstep of the Rocky Mountains, and loves all things mountain-related. She is the author of the blog, Family Adventures in the Canadian Rockies, rockiesfamilyadventures. com, and the founder of Calgary Outdoor Playgroups.
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Why Start A Family Outdoor Adventur Group? • Go Adventure Magazine • Spring/Summer 2014
If your kids are like mine they have more fun outside when they’re with friends - tag just isn’t as much fun when kids have nobody to chase but mom or the family dog. This is the time of year I start thinking about how I can get my children to play outdoors and love it. Two years ago I started an outdoor playgroup when my son was just 3 years old. I decided our group would focus on toddlers and preschoolers (2 to 5 years old). We met once a week for simple outdoor play and adventures. We began to meet year round, rain or shine. We welcomed everyone to play and get to know us. We gathered as families to play in the mud, wade through creeks, hike the natural areas of my city and venture into the nearby mountains on weekends.
Things to consider when forming your own outdoor family adventure group: Framework • Parental involvement and supervision we necessary to keep the group safe. • Decide the age group • When/where/how often will you meet? • Do you want to plan trips during the week or plan weekend adventures? • What is the focus? Free play in natural areas, hiking, camping trips, structured play with crafts and nature lessons? • Do you want to create a closed group made up of family friends, or do you want to advertise your group through posters, social media and word of mouth? • How big do you want your group to be? Or will you restrict the size? • Who will be the organizer or will you split leadership between a few families? • What guidelines will you follow for weather? Members Depending on the kind of group you plan to create, you may or may not want to advertise. Word of mouth will often do most of your advertising for you so that you’ll never have to make a single poster or flyer.
Last summer we had formed such a tight core group, we spent most of our weekends together camping, hiking, biking, and backcountry paddling trips.
There are many places you can look when trying to recruit members from churches to schools, community clubs, sports groups and family friends. Each person you invite may know another person to invite. Your group will explode from there.
Our motto was: children outside running their crazy into the wind!
Social media is another way to advertise. Form a group or page through Facebook and invite your friends and make it simple for them to invite their friends. This is an easy way to plan events, post photos, and create a vibrant community of likeminded families.
My son is now five years old and the same and new people attend our outdoor playgroup. The kids and their parents have become great friends. Take time for yourself: We organized a weekend ski trip with moms only into a backcountry lodge together last winter. This was just as important as our kid’s playgroup.
When you join or create a family outdoor adventure group, you’ll give your children a support group to grow up, play and learn with. You might even make a new best friend or two.
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Become a
Fly Fishing Mom!
By Jamie Moesser
Spring is a wonderful time, a time of new beginnings and blushing blossoms. It can also be a time of new projects or interests taken on to relieve the stagnation of winter. Fly fishing is a kind of interest that can be a wonderful way to reconnect with nature and learn new things. Moms, even moms with young children, can pick up this hobby and find success and enjoyment. It isn’t something that only men can do. All it takes is a little bit of preparation. Fly fishing is named for the “flies” used as fish attractants, or rather, small, lightweight lures that sit on the surface of the water and look and act like the various bugs or bug eggs that fish like to pick off from just under the surface. It is a sport for those who want to engage with their surroundings, not sit around and wait for the luck of a fish’s whim.
To be successful as a fly fishing mom, you need: • a specialized rod and reel • a few standard flies • a basic understanding of the conditions • some good rocks • and a good lawn. Let me explain. Fly Fishing Rods and Reels It is not necessary to spend a lot of money to get a good fly fishing rod and reel, but it is necessary to get the right kind. It should look something like the image above. I purchased mine for a little over $20 on Amazon, in a kit that included the reel and some basic flies. Fly rods should be long--at least eight feet when you’re just beginning--and have a reel with special, thick fly line and a tapered leader, which is a thinner, clear line closest to the end.
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Become a Fly Fishing Mom • Go Adventure Magazine • Spring/Summer 2014
A few standard flies The best flies imitate the look of various fish prey: mayflies, caddis flies, stoneflies, midges, damselflies, dragonflies, crustaceans, scuds, beetles, or ants who find their way inadvertently onto the water.If you go to a fishing store, you may be overwhelmed by the choices of flies available. It’s better to go to Walmart and to buy a few Adams, Royal Coachmans, and Black Ghosts. Spend as little as possible on them, because chances are that you’ll lose a few as you work on your cast.
A basic understanding of the conditions To have any degree of success when doing fishing of any kind, one needs to understand the conditions. In spring, many lakes in the higher elevations are just losing their shell of ice, and this is when the fish are the hungriest, especially for anything new. However, even one to two weeks after losing that shell, the fish in those lakes may have gobbled up anything within sight and might be too sated to accept anything but the tastiest-looking, most wellplaced flies.
They look like this:
In lakes, streams, and ponds, the best time to fish is between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., as that is when the sun’s rays penetrate the deepest and water temperatures are optimal for fish activity.
Adams Fly
Some good rocks Kids as young as nine or ten can try fly fishing and enjoy it for a while, but for children any younger than that or for a time any longer than that, a good selection of rocks and other outdoor activities is needed for them to be able to enjoy the outdoors while you learn this sport. My five-year-old can entertain himself for hours assembling “rock collections,” but I make sure to designate a special place for him to pile them so that he doesn’t throw them in the water and scare the fish I’m trying to attract.
Royal Coachman Fly
Black Ghost Fly
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Other activities that can maximize your child’s outdoor experience and your fishing efforts are: geocaching and butterfly catching. A good lawn Of all the things needed for a good fly fishing experience, a good cast is most important but is usually the trickiest. There are many YouTube videos that can show you the basics; I learned them from the details provided in the Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia of Fishing, and from my husband, who has been fishing for over 20 years. To minimize frustration and maximize your limited fishing time, it is best to spend some time practicing casting in a wide area of lawn, where there is less risk of your line getting caught
in tree branches. It is easy, when you’re first learning, to flick the line behind you too fast. This often results in the snapping off of a fly mid-cast, and it can be slightly easier to retrieve those lost flies in your front lawn than it would be in a fastmoving river. Fly fishing may seem difficult at first, but it is a beautiful and interesting way to get outside with your family and discover the joys of this world, whether or not you catch a fish. Fly rod picture courtesy of Flickr. Fly pictures courtesy of Amazon. Rock pile picture courtesy of Flickr.
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No Blisters + Cool Feet = Happy Kids By Mary Edwards
Last summer my girl wanted to keep her feet cool on a hike - she chose to wear Crocs and paid for it. Blisters on kids/adults feet are disastrous when hiking. Outdoor adventurers need proper footwear to support them no matter what the terrain or conditions. These Source Outdoor sandals for men, women and kids are best sandals I’ve ever walked in! They are ultra light with soft comfortable foot beds for serious hiking AND they keep feet cool. The high quality traction and non smelly water proof design are perfect for the intensive use by kids who get into water, sand and mud. You simply spray them off. We wore our sandals hiking Zions National Park and Snow Canyon State Park in Utah. There were no complaints about blisters. We got in the water at the Narrows and they were quick drying. We climbed the white rocks and cinder cone trail with excellent traction. I feel like these sandals are and excellent value for the price.
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How to Attract Birds By Kathy Dalton
ByMary Edwards
These are common birds that you may find in your backyard:
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Common Finch Mountain Chickadee Gold Finch American Robin Morning Dove Blue Jay Magpie Anna’s Hummingbird Barn Swallow European Starling Downy Woodpeckers Northern Flicker Common Grosbeak Quail
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How to Attract Birds • Go Adventure Magazine • Spring/Summer 2014
When I was in elementary school, I was a dreamer. And a nerd. Some girls dream of being princesses. My dream? Talking to birds. I was convinced I was the Bird Whisperer. How To Attract Birds Not only was I convinced I could talk to them, but would stand outside my front yard like a statue. I’d wait for them to land on my outstretched hand. I would use mental telepathy and lure them to my fingers. To my dismay, I never had a bird land on my hand. They must not have known I was the Bird Whisperer. Truth be told, I may have watched too many episodes of Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.
Why are the princesses always talking to birds? My fairy tale may not have come true as the Bird Whisperer, but the childhood love for birds has stayed with me throughout the years. When we moved into our first home, we were instantly drawn to their sweet little songs and began to take an interest. We hung bird houses, purchased a bird bath and hung bird feeders and watched the birds go about their merry day. As I’d hand-wash the dishes, I loved looking out the window to see my little friends. I did feel rather Cinderella-like. For almost ten years now, we have been attracting birds to our yard and have been impressed by the species that have been attracted to our little piece of Eden.
Here is a simple guide to attracting birds to your backyard. To start, can you identify the following birds? Answers are on the bottom of page 31!
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How to Attract Birds • Go Adventure Magazine • Spring/Summer 2014
Attracting birds to your backyard is very simple. All
NECTAR
you need is some bird seeds, a water source and
Humming Bird Nectar Recipe
shelter.
4 cups water
1
1 cup sugar Bird Food: Seeds, Suet & Nectar
Bring water to a boil and dissolve sugar in a sauce pan. Let cool until room temperature and pour into
Birds eat seeds, nuts, suet cakes (fat) and nectar.
hummingbird feeder. Do not add red food coloring;
Seeds come in different assortments, and can be
it is known to cause disease in humming birds.
purchased at the grocery store, a bird specialty store, or pet store. You have the option to get seed
2
Water Source
bags with “no-waste,” which means that there aren’t waste materials in them. Sunflower seeds may
Birds need water to drink and bathe. Installing a
sprout, so be aware of them. Woodpeckers love
fountain or a birdbath is a great way to quickly
peanuts and other nuts. Dry bread or crumbs can
attract birds. Be sure that it is flowing water. If it’s not
also be placed outside, just be sure the bread is not
flowing water, like in a birdbath, be sure to change
moldy.
the water daily so the water doesn’t grow fungus.
One note with bird seeds, you may also attract rats
We’ve actually found a leaky sprinkler in our
and squirrels, so use special bird feeders that are
backyard to be the birds favorite water source. It
rodent protected.
puddles up and is perfect for bathing.
Here are recipes for your own suet cakes and
3
Shelter
humming bird nectar: Birds make their own nests. In early spring you SUET
can leave out soft material like twine or pet hair.
Hard Peanut Butter Suet Cake Recipe
After we brush our dogs we pull the hair out of the
2 cups fresh ground suet (fat, can get from butcher)
brushes and place on bushes around our home for
1 cup peanut butter
the birds to gather for their nests.
2 cups yellow corn meal 2 cups fine cracked corn
Making your own bird house is a fun craft that
Melt suet in a saucepan over low heat. Allow it to
can be done with children. Many craft and home
cool thoroughly; then reheat.
improvement stores have little bird house kits that
Add peanut butter, stirring until melted and well
only cost a few dollars. When you hang them but
blended.
sure to hang them high in the tree at least 7-8
Add dry ingredients to the suet-peanut-butter
feet high, away from predators like cats or dogs.
blend, and mix well.
WARNING: As you begin to attract more birds, you
Pour into forms or suet-feeders, and cool until
may see Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers,
hardened.
Common Grosbeaks and Coopers Hawks.
goadventuremom.com
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How to Attract Birds • Go Adventure Magazine • Spring/Summer 2014
FAVORITE BIRD
Walk around the backyard flapping your “wings”
Want to know my favorite bird we’ve attracted to
and pretend to be a bird. On a blanket, roll up
our yard? The Lazuli Bunting. The azure blue always
in a ball and pretend to be an egg and “hatch.”
surprises me when I see the Lazuli Bunting on our
Make “cheep cheep” sounds and pretend to be
platform feeder.
birds. If you’re in my backyard, I’ll do different bird impressions for you, but only in our backyard (and if you’re lucky at evo, I will give you my Turkey wabble or best Morning Dove impression). For older kids create a quiz of the 50 State Birds. BIRD BOOKS & RESOURCES Backyard Birds Birds of Utah Field Guide National Geographic Bird Guide www.allaboutbirds.org www.audubon.org/
But be warned, gathering backyard birds means you
www.wasatchaudubon.org/utah_checklist.htm
will also attract predators. These predators are often the most amazing to watch, due to their size and
Believe it or not, about
precision hunting skills. Kestrels, hawks, and owls
three years ago, my
are all hunters.
husband was able to get a wild bird to go
WATCHING FOR BIRDS
to his hand. I may not
You’ll want to keep a pair of binoculars in your
be the Bird Whisperer,
kitchen for viewing birds during the day, that way
but I think we’ve
you won’t need to rummage for them and miss a
done pretty good job
special species of bird.
attracting them to our yard.
INVOLVING CHILDREN IN BIRD WATCHING Getting an inexpensive pair of binoculars is a great way to get kids involved in birding. You can also create bird bingo or a bird scavenger hunt to make
*The Disney Princesses are a trademark of Disney Enterprises, Inc.
it fun for the kids.
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SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS TOGETHER STRENGTHENS FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS By Mae Kiggins
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Spending Time Outdoors Together • Go Adventure Magazine • Spring/Summer 2014
I have a confession to make:
my husband and I have found that spending time outdoors together has many benefits; so much so, that my “indoorsy” husband seeks outdoor opportunities for us.
My husband is not outdoorsy. There are several reasons but the funniest is that he has bad luck with wildlife.
Here are just a few of the benefits we have found from spending time outdoors together:
• For example, we took some youth camping a couple years ago and one evening we laid out some tarps so we could relax next to the fire. Next thing I know my husband is flying up off the ground and a snake is slithering off in the other direction. A snake actually tried to snuggle up to my husband. That is just one of a litany of “bad luck with wildlife” stories. But one of the ironies of life is how having children can change a person. We no longer only do things just to benefit ourselves but we start to gravitate toward activities that strengthen our family relationships. Last summer we did our first major family road trip and it was a game changer for my husband.
•
•
For our trip we did a combination of camping and hotels stays, but we quickly found that we enjoyed our time camping much more. Now I realize that it isn’t always practical to camp and that there are many beneficial and enjoyable indoor activities. But
•
•
Discovering and learning together. Don’t miss seeing the look in your child’s eyes when they throw rock into a river for the first time. The world is an amazing place. Don’t miss the opportunity to share it with your children. Enhances problem solving skills. Part of being outdoors is encountering new situations. This gives children the opportunity to learn to adapt and an opportunity for us as parents to teach and exhibit this skill. How many times have you been camping, forgotten something and there wasn’t any way to purchase the needed item? So you adapt and get creative. Wonderful skill to pass on to our children. Learning to work together. When camping and spending time outdoors, the importance of work can be much more clear. There isn’t pizza only a phone call a way for dinner, there is no shelter unless you hike to or set one up, and warmth isn’t just a push of a button away. If you don’t work together, you don’t survive. Children can readily see the benefits of work and why it is essential. Creating memories. I think this is the #1 reason we spend time outdoors. We are away from technology, jobs, and many of the other distractions of everyday life and are able to more fully focus on each other. Memories are what children take with them into adulthood and what helps build strong family bonds. Remember that outdoor activities can be simple. The important thing is to be outdoors together.river-walk
What benefits does your family see from spending time outdoors together? goadventuremom.com
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What does your gym bag do for you? By Mary Edwards
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34
What does your Gym Bag Do for You? • Go Adventure Magazine • Spring/Summer 2014
Looking for a cute gym bag? We’re busy women on the go. Gear needs to make our lives easier and be durable affordable, and attractive – enabling us to go from the gym to work, to lunch with friends, to running errands.
Why I like Fivesse: • Designed by women for women • Separate components keep bag from smelling • Sporty, sleek and feminine • Detail on pockets • Multi-functional
How hard does your gym bag work for you? You might want to ask yourself what you’re using it for. Do you just need a towel, shoes for spinning or dance, a water bottle, and a place to keep keys/ phone/ipod safe? Do you shower and get ready for the day at the gym? If so, a larger bag with more complete storage is ideal. Fivesse gym bags are feminine, sleek bags that won’t take up a lot of space. I had a chance to meet the designers at Winter Outdoor Retailers. They want this women’s bag to feel fun, colorful and full of personality. They also designed them with the purpose to help women go from home – to gym – to home. If you attend spin class/yoga/dance etc and just need a bag to keep your towel, water bottle and shoes then this is a great option. The outside strap can be used for a yoga mat. Retails $99 They also created a bag to help women go from home – to gym – to work with pockets, components to keep organized and the garment bag keeps clothes from getting wrinkled. The shoe compartment and smelly gym clothes are kept separate from the other areas of the bag. Retails $124 bag + $64 garment bag I’ve also used this bag for traveling. The compartments are perfect for keeping organized. The garment bag kept my dress wrinkle free.
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Things to Improve: Limited choice on color scheme. I don’t love pink gear. Black/camel is the only other option. Expensive. I used to take my husband’s duffle bag to the gym for years. I threw everything into the main compartment. It was disorganized making it difficult to easily find my car keys. It was huge, unattractive and unfeminine. Now, when I go to the gym, I am organized and ready for the day. Read the article about Women’s Gear: Who’s Getting it Right in our Winter Magazine. In the spirit of full-disclosure I’ve received material and necessary resources to review this product. No payment was given or expected for this post and all statements and sentiments are my own.
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Make your memories COMPLETE
líllébaby® COMPLETETM offers more carrying positions, features, and years of baby wearing than any other baby carrier. From birth
1
FETAL
. . . and every step of the way
2
INFANT
3
FACE OUT
4
TODDLER
3-4 years (45 lb)
5
HIP
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BACK
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Resources Here are a few of our favorite resources. Do you have a favorite resource or site not listed? Please let us know! info@goadventuremom.com
Sites worth checking out American Hiking Society
americanhiking.org
Great Nature Project
greatnatureproject.org
National Geographic Kids
kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids
Outdoor Industry Women’s Coalition
oiwc.org
Outdoor Industry
outdoorindustry.org
Outdoor Industry Jobs Outdoor Foundation
outdoorindustryjobs.com outdoorfoundation.org
Visit Salt Lake
Mountain Mama Maternity
visitsaltlake.com mountain-mama.com
Joovy Balance Bikes
joovy.com
Blogs you should follow Tales of a Mountain Mama
talesofamountainmama.com
Climb With Kids
climbwithkids.com
Chasqui Mom
A Nature Mom
chasquimom.com anaturemom.com
Bring The Kids
bring-the-kids.com
Rocks and Sun
rocksandsun.com
Get on The Beaten Path Kid Project
getonthebeatenpath.blogspot.ca
kidproject.org
Big Grey Rocks
biggreyrocks.com
Family On Bikes
familyonbikes.org/blog
Nature For Kids
Natureforkids.net
Rockies Family Adventures
rockiesfamilyadventures.com
Wild Tales Of
wildtalesof.com
Mommy Hiker
mommyhiker.com
Walk Simply
walksimply.com
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The Active Explorer
theactiveexplorer.com
A Little Campy
Alittlecampy.com
Adventure Tykes Adventurous Parents
adventuretykes.com
adventurousparents.com
Active Kids Active Family
activekidsactivefamily.blogspot.ca
Val In Real Life
valinreallife.com
Brave Ski Mom
braveskimom.com
Ground Truth Trekking
GroundTruthTrekking.org/blog
Fun Orange County Parks
funorangecountyparks.com
Maybe I Will
maybeiwill.com
HobbyMamas.com
hobbymamas.com
Budget Gourmet Mom
budgetgourmetmom.com
Oliver Blue Photography
oliverbluephotography.com
Our Knight Life
familylifeinlv.com
Mommy Loves Trees
mommylovestrees.blogspot.com
AKontheGO
akonthego.com
ActiveKidsClub
activekidsclub.com
Crag Mama cragmama.com Rockies Girl
rockiesgirl.wordpress.com
Adventurous Moms
adventurousmoms.com
Velo Mom
velomom.com
Back Country With Kids
backcountrywiththekids.com
Moose Fish
moosefish.com
Go Explore Nature
goexplorenature.com
Garage Grown Gear
garagegrowngear.com
Wilderness for Kids
wildernessforkids.com
Active Kids Active Family activekidsactivefamily.com
Mommy Loves Trees
mommylovestrees.BlogSpot.com
The Outdoor Adventure
www.theoutdooradventure.net
goadventuremom.com
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