To All the Dads Who Inspired Us to Love the Outdoors
This article was originally published in June 2018.
As a community of families, it is so inspiring to hear where our love for the outdoors began. Some of us have been exploring since we were babies. Others of us just recently discovered a passion for the outdoors. But one common thread is we all have role models who introduced us to the outdoors, and for many of us, that person is our dad.
We asked members of our community to share how their dad – or brother, or husband or grandpa – helped shape their love for the outdoors.
You are My Rock
My dad has always been so supportive of me and my siblings, regardless of the situation. Any time I was working through something, having a rough day or excited about something, he would ask me to take a walk with him, no matter the weather. He has always believed that fresh air clears the head and calms the nerves. We would walk for miles and talk things through. He would give me advice when I asked for it, encourage me to follow my heart and be confident when making decisions, and learn from my mistakes (and I have had some mistakes). No matter the situation, he has always been my rock, and we still go on long walks every time we get to visit. And now anytime I need to clear my head, I step outside and let the fresh air calm me, just like he taught me. - Becca Hosley, Southern Adirondacks, NY, Branch Photo: Becca Hosley
You Empowered Me
Growing up, we spent our summers sailing, hiking and camping. What stands out most about my dad is he made it fun. We played fun games, told silly stories and he always had a smile on his face. I also remember how he included me in the 'work.' He let me help set up camp, steer the sailboat and cook at campouts. I felt empowered, strong, and incredibly connected during those times. And now, it's these same lessons that I aim to pass along to my two boys! - Christina Merhar, Snohomish, WA, Branch
Photo: Christina Merhar
You Raised Me to Love All Things Outdoors
Here I am with my dad before heading out on a backpacking trip to Oak Creek Canyon, AZ. This was before me entering 7th grade. My dad raised me to love all things outdoors ... hiking, camping, backpacking, you name it. It was a big part of our life growing up. - Colette Clarke, Harrisburg, PA, Branch
Photo: Colette Clark
You Taught Me There's Beauty in the Small Things
My dad was never into the typical outdoor experiences like hiking, backpacking and camping. I remember we went camping only ONE time as a family when I was a kid. However, one of my dad's favorite activities was to visit the beach. I grew up in Eugene, Oregon, and the beach was only a 45-minute drive away. We would spend hours walking the beach, playing in the surf and searching for treasures to take home (Leave No Trace didn't exist in our vocabulary back then). I owe it to my dad for teaching me that there's beauty in the small things like watching the waves roll in, feeling the sand slip between your fingers, and finding an unbroken sand dollar. - Katy Severe , Des Moines, IA, Branch
Photo: Katy Severe
Here's a little more about OutGrown:
We're a national, 501c3 nonprofit with over a decade of experience helping families get outside with their babies and young children. We believe it is critical to include and center families from birth because it is a crucial developmental time for both the infant and the parent, where we can create a life-long, multi-generational impact. We know that we protect what we love and we're helping families build a loving connection with the outdoors so they can value and protect it for generations to come. As a community-driven organization, we have been working with indigenous, Latine, BIPOC, immigrant & refugee, and rural families to co-design multilingual and culturally relevant solutions in our programming. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteers. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org
EDITORS NOTE:
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