Growing up, it was not uncommon for us to be seen playing in the dirt, going barefoot, and riding our bikes until the porch lights came on. Things may be different today, but it is still such a great feeling to get outside with the kids and enjoy nature. No matter where you might hang your hat – nature is closer than you think. And it is worth taking the time to get up and get outside.
Research has shown that children who play outside have lower stress levels and more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems and are more likely to become environmentally conscious in the future. This goes for us as adults too!
We are lucky enough to have a nice piece of land where we live. We spend a lot of time outdoors riding horses, raising chickens, planting and gardening. When we are not spending time outside at home, our family adventures always include geocaching. If you have not had a geocaching experience, you should make time to check it out. It is fun for the entire family.
The Ad Council and the US Forest Service will be launching a campaign to motivate families to get out and explore the outdoors. Saturday, June 11th, is National Get Outdoors Day and we want to encourage everyone to make the time – get up and get outside!
Some of our most cherished time with the kids is when we are outdoors. We especially love our Cub Scout camping trips. It teaches our kids to rely on their own skills and knowledge while appreciating the outdoors. It gives us time to disconnect from the insanity of the world, explore the wonders that nature has to offer, and even make up our own fun family traditions.
National Get Outdoors Day will include a series of events offering traditional and nontraditional outdoor activities across the nation.
Events may include special guests like Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl and free admissions to our national forests so families can experience activities like fishing, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and archery. Just use this simple interactive map tool to search for nearby activities. Or Visit the “Get Your Pass” section of www.everykidinapark.gov, complete an online activity, and download a personalized pass for free entry onto federal lands and waters locations.
There are thousands of National parks all over the U.S. that are just waiting to be explored. Our most recent outdoor adventure was a trip to Zion Nation Park, which is one of the best kept secrets of all of the national parks. There are so many beautiful areas to explore. The kids played in the river and we went on several hikes to explore the most beautiful mountains and cliffs we have ever seen. And if you have never explored the inside of a canyon, you need to make this happen.
Engage your senses, spend some quality family time and expand your imagination with some fun outdoor activities. Share your family fun on Instagram using the hashtag #ForestFotog. And to make things a little more exciting, starting Saturday, June 11th, and running for several weeks, Discover the Forest will post a creative photo of the forest and ask followers to replicate the photo with their family and participate using #Getoutdoors16. Who doesn’t love a great scavenger hunt?
