OutGrown Blog

Hello, Hike it Baby friends! I am Jessica Carrillo Alatorre, Executive Director of Hike it Baby. You can read more about me and my history with Hike it Baby here. I want to share with you the background on Hike it Baby’s journey in understanding and incorporating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) practices in our work. Leave No Family Behind As you may be aware, Shanti Hodges, our founder, started this organization with the intent that we welcome and include all families. Leave no family behind was one of the first statements that defined Hike it Baby as an organization. It started as a meaningful practice on the trail, ensuring no one was left behind while changing a diaper, feeding their kiddo, tying their shoe, or taking their time to let their postpartum body get used to a new activity. It soon grew beyond the trails to include meeting the needs of all families no matter their backgrounds, races, ethnicities, physical abilities, sexual orientations, genders, relationships, ages, sizes, shapes, languages and more. Being inclusive and welcoming is important to creating a flourishing community.   It seems like a no brainer in a lot of ways, but the world we live in is complicated. As an organization, we’re trying to build communities across North America, and often those communities have their own unique personalities and needs to consider. We began asking ourselves how to create a basic set of guidelines and support tools to help ourselves and our ambassadors grow more welcoming HiB communities wherever they were.  Recognizing the Need for Change We want to hold ourselves to a higher standard and inspire authentic change. We acknowledge just saying we welcome everyone is not enough; we have to make real invitations as well. We have grown tremendously, reaching over 350 cities in just a few short years. We’re trying to build an entire organization around the ideas of community, the outdoors, and supporting families with babies and young children. When we look at our organization with a bird’s eye perspective, we don’t always see a lot of diversity or variety among the people who join us on our hikes. HiB communities don’t always reflect the makeup of their local communities. Towns with over 50% black populations may have a HiB branch that has never had a black person join one of their hikes. As a leadership team and as a board of directors, we didn’t feel like we were demonstrating the welcoming, no family left behind representation we wanted Hike it Baby to reflect. We also hear a lot from you, our community members, about not always feeling welcome. Or seeing our own organization’s social media posts not reflect the diversity that makes your families feel like they belong on a hike with us. With those kinds of observations, we knew we needed to make some big changes.  Trial & Error We have done a lot of trial and error along the way. We are by no means experts. Our staff is a small team of part-time people who are passionate about the organization they work for. They don’t get paid a lot, but they give everything of themselves in every way they can. Most are also busy parents, trying to juggle working from home with their family’s needs. Our board is also made up of mostly parents, everyone has a full-time job in addition to the hours they contribute to Hike it Baby (meaning they volunteer significant time to help us do our work in addition to supporting our governance). Everyone loves this organization so much and wants to make it the very best it can be.  But as I said, we aren’t experts.  Our effort to form a Community Values team, composed of volunteers, with the intent of helping identify and address problem areas was unsuccessful for multiple reasons. We did not establish the purpose of this team clearly for ourselves or our volunteer participants. We also didn’t do the work we needed to understand what we were trying to address, how we could accomplish change, or how it aligned with our overall mission. At the time, our mission was still fluid and our purpose was a little different to each person you asked. It led to little action and A LOT of frustration.  Hike it Baby Mission, Vision & Values We knew we could be better and that we needed help, so we added new board members who could bring experience and focus to our EDI approach. We learned we needed to start with centering our mission, vision, and values (MVV) in a way that prioritized EDI as a central part of our efforts. We held our first face-to-face board meeting and strategy session in September 2018. It was the first time we had made any attempt to centralize our definitions of HiB and our long term place in the world. From that meeting, we developed our updated MVV and the beginnings of our first 3-year strategic plan. Both centered EDI as key elements of our work and framed them in context to the bigger picture of what role HiB serves to families who want to connect in the outdoors. In June 2019, our board and I participated in our first training on EDI topics. James Edward Mills, an EDI educator, journalist, and outdoorsman with a long history in the industry provided a great introduction to the historical context of disparities in the outdoor world and why marginalized communities may not feel welcome in joining groups like HiB to get outside. It got our minds turning on how we could start to work within our ranks to make more concerted efforts to build communities that did more than just say they were welcoming.  Equity Assessment We also started an organization-wide equity assessment process. We invited a variety of volunteers in an attempt to get more diverse thoughts as we completed the steps. In the end, we had staff and board members who participated. We learned a lot and identified five initial action item areas. These areas included drafting and posting an equity statement on our website, beginning a culture of transparent conversation and reflection around our learning and efforts, both internally and externally, revising ambassador training to become more centered around our mission, vision, and values, developing clear guidelines that include EDI as part of our evaluation of our external partnerships, and including EDI language in job descriptions and linking EDI related goals in staff work plans.  Continuous Progress At this point in time, I am proud to say we have made a lot of progress in many of these areas. We have launched our new equity statement here. This blog post is our first public communication in our efforts to be more transparent about our learning and the work we’re doing. We have also created several new systems to make EDI topics a priority in our internal conversations. These include Slack channels where we share and discuss articles, podcasts, and other learning materials and a JEDI workgroup made up of staff, board members, and volunteers to help us continuously advance the work and our conversations.  As Executive Director, I have signed the Diversify Outdoors Equity Pledge for CEOs, committing myself to continue this work at HiB on a long term basis. Each department in HiB has language in its strategic goals that incorporates EDI efforts into their programs. We have been releasing content with a focus on trying to show more diverse reflections of families in the outdoors. We still have a long way to go, but this is a key focus for us and one we feel passionate about. This year, we are also working with James Mills to develop a staff training that will be the jumping-off point for our longer-term planning around implementing EDI into all of our programs, but especially community development, membership, and content.  The Future of EDI at Hike it Baby I provide this list of examples not as a way to show you how we’re measuring up, but as a way to share our continued efforts. We fully recognize that this is not enough. We need to keep learning and working to make changes. We are messing up often. We will keep messing up. But we’re here. We’re trying. We want to do better. We invite you, our community members and supporters to help us stay accountable. Please continue to tell us when we’ve made a mistake. Please tell us how we can do better to make our space more welcoming to you. Also, because we’re only human, please tell us when we’re doing something right, too. We love hearing from you and we love your passion and commitment to making HiB the best community it can be. Together we’re raising a generation to love the outdoors AND each other! About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Photo courtesy of Michelle Craig.

Jessica Carrillo Alatorre is the Executive Director of Hike it Baby. She has been an active participant in Hike it Baby since she joined with her firstborn child, Natalie, in the summer of 2014. She and her husband, Chris, had moved to Portland, Oregon while Jessica was five months pregnant. Once Natalie was born, Jessica started attending her hospital’s new mom group. It was there that she heard about Hike it Baby and decided to check it out.  Finding  Community with Hike it Baby She followed the Facebook group briefly before gaining the courage to join a hike specifically for new moms. At the hike, she met some of the original Portland hiking crew, including Hike it Baby Founder, Shanti Hodges. Jessica was hooked. She loved getting outside with her daughter. Jessica had grown up loving the outdoors, and this was something she always wanted to pass on to her kids. Now, she had found a group to help her do just that. Additionally, she found a community and connection in a new town as a new mom. Everyone was super nice and welcoming! Jessica became more involved with the Hike it Baby group when there was a post that caught her attention. Shanti’s husband had left for his 3-week work shift in Alaska, and Shanti was sick alone at home with her young son, Mason. Shanti needed help with her son so she could get rest and recover. Jessica saw that Shanti lived nearby and offered to take Mason to a local park for a few hours. Jessica and Shanti’s friendship grew and Shanti shared with Jessica her dreams for the future of Hike it Baby. Shanti was getting ready to launch an Indiegogo fundraiser to raise money to support the organization. Jessica happily brainstormed business ideas for different rewards and ways to get people excited to crowdfund. Soon, Jessica became a part of the main group of Hike it Baby volunteers, picking up whatever jobs needed to be done, organizing volunteers, and helping Shanti plan the future.  Hike it Baby's Growth As the organization grew, spreading into new cities and states, getting more of a following on social media, and encouraging more families to hike, Jessica and Shanti continued working to create a structure for the organization. There was a concentrated group of key volunteers, and eventually, staff members who supported the work and shared the load. Jessica started putting Natalie into daycare so she could focus more time and energy on Hike it Baby’s needs. She took on the title of Operations Manager, even though she was still volunteering her time. Together, Jessica and Shanti were building an organization that welcomed parents to work with their kids in the background. Calls often had a crying baby or screaming toddler asking for more snacks. But everyone made room, welcoming and supporting the juggling act that parenthood required.  Building a Non-Profit Organization In 2016, HiB made the decision to transition the organization to a nonprofit. A broader leadership team and a small board of directors were assembled. Jessica served as the Board Secretary in addition to her role as Operations Manager. She also went back to school to finish earning her bachelor’s degree. She had found a program for Management and Organizational Leadership that was a good fit for the work she was doing at Hike it Baby. Additionally, she was pregnant with her second daughter, Elisabeth! The challenges of juggling multiple roles and responsibilities were sometimes stressful, but Jessica felt more fulfilled than she had before. She had a clear purpose with Hike it Baby and a drive to see it succeed.  Transitioning to the Executive Director Role In 2017, just a few months after Elisabeth was born, Jessica graduated with her bachelor’s degree from George Fox University. She continued to support Hike it Baby through growth and transition as the leadership team shifted and new people stepped up. In 2018, after a lot of careful consideration, Shanti made it clear that she didn’t feel her place was at the head of the organization as Executive Director. She wanted to help with the long term vision and strategy development and handle less of the day to day responsibilities. That following summer, Jessica stepped out of her board role and into an interim Executive Director role. Shanti continued as board President. In June of 2019, Jessica was given the Executive Director role as a permanent position. Shanti began to scale back even more in an effort to focus on her family and Mason’s developing needs as they began to identify his neurodiverse nature while preparing for public school transitions.  Jessica is someone who brings a long history with the organization and a proven record of stable leadership, team management, and adaptability. Shanti often describes her as the backbone of Hike it Baby. She has spent a lot of her time behind the scenes, but as she has taken on her Executive Director role, she is stepping into the forefront and leading the organization with passion, dedication, calmness, and balance. Both the board and the staff have a lot of faith in Jessica and look to her to carry Hike it Baby forward into the future as the organization grows.  About Jessica Jessica lives in Beaverton, OR, just outside of Portland. She and her husband Chris have two beautiful daughters, Natalie (born in 2014) and Elisabeth (born in 2017). They also have a Great Pyrenees dog named Oberon (king of the fairies!). As a family, they love hiking the mountain trails near home and adventuring in the Columbia Gorge to explore waterfalls. When they can, they also enjoy visiting the beaches of San Diego, where Chris grew up, and the redwoods along the coast of southern Oregon where Jessica grew up. Even though she’s the youngest and the smallest, Beth is the biggest hike champion of the family, asking “We go on a hikeababy?” regularly. Join a community of like-minded parents and caregivers with a shared mission of connecting families with babies and young children to the outdoors and each other. Learn about Hike it Baby membership options and join the fun today! About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.   Photos courtesy of Jessica Carrillo Alatorre.

While the kids in our lives may consider our constant reminders to drink more water an annoying form of nagging, we have the science to back us up. Water makes up about 60 percent of an adult human body, making proper hydration crucial for body systems to function properly. Exercising can deplete this percentage quickly, leaving you feeling tired, dizzy, and even nauseous if you don’t drink enough fluids to replenish what you lose. But how much water do adults and kids need while participating in an exercise such as hiking? Here we will discuss how much water kids and adults need while exercising and provide tips for staying hydrated on the trail. How much water do you need? There are a number of factors that determine the appropriate amount of water needed to stay hydrated while being active. These include age, exercise intensity, duration of exercise, weather, and even your body type. In general, an adult needs about half a liter of water every hour during moderate exercise in moderate temperatures. According to WebMD, toddlers need to drink about 2-4 cups of water per day, and 4-8 year olds drink about 5 cups of water per day. When active, they will need about 2-3 cups more before and after the activity. When temperature, duration, humidity or altitude increase, more water is needed to sustain the body. Trail Hydration Tips: Make water available and convenient If your water is shoved into the bottom of your pack, you are less likely to reach for it until you are really feeling thirsty. Keep water close at hand by using the mesh pockets on the side of most hiking packs, clipping it close by with a carabiner, or using a hydration reservoir. If they are able, have children carry their own water so they don’t need to constantly ask you for a drink. A kid-size bottle with a built-in filter is the perfect size for small hands and small hiking packs. We like the size and shape of the Lifestraw Play Filter Water Bottle. Pre-hydrate This is especially important for longer hikes and hot days. Drinking plenty of water the night before and morning of a hike can ensure that you start out well-hydrated and ready for your adventure. Lighten the load Choosing a trail that provides a water source, such as a creek or lake, means you can refill your water without having to haul more with you. Be sure to choose a durable water bottle with a built-in filtration device to ensure clean water straight from the source. The Lifestraw Go Filter Water Bottle is a great option to remove bacteria, parasites, microplastics, chlorine, and organic chemical matter. If heavy metals are also an issue in your area, consider the advanced filtration technology of the Lifewstraw Flex or the Lifestraw Play Bottle or kids. Drink often Rather than waiting until you feel thirsty (or waiting for the “I’m thirsty!” complaints from your kiddos), sipping on water often throughout a hike can ensure that you stay hydrated. Once you feel thirsty, you are already moving towards dehydration! Don’t forget about altitude! Your body loses water via respiration approximately twice as fast at higher altitudes, so be sure to drink more when hiking at higher elevations! Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration While prevention is key, knowing the signs of dehydration is important in order to counteract the effects quickly. Early signs include thirst, decreased energy, and dry mouth. As dehydration sets in, more serious symptoms show up.  These include headaches, muscle cramps, nausea, confusion, irritability, and less frequent urination. If any of these symptoms are present, it’s important to stop activity, find a shady spot to sit and relax, rehydrate with water, and cool down body temperature.  Checking in with your kiddos often, and yes, “nagging” them, to make sure they are drinking plenty of water can mean the difference between a fun family adventure and a scary situation! For more information and expert advice on the prevention and treatment of dehydration for adults and kids of all ages, check out this article. Join a community of like-minded parents and caregivers with a shared mission of connecting families with babies and young children to the outdoors and each other. Learn about Hike it Baby membership options and join the fun today! ABOUT HIKE IT BABY Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Images courtesy of Jessica Human. This post is sponsored by Lifestraw, however, we would not recommend something that our children do not love. 

As we start to see the spring light at the end of the winter tunnel, it’s time to think about shedding our heavy winter footwear in favor of lighter alternatives. But with so many options, how do you choose the right shoes for your family? One shoe feature we find to be extra important, especially for little hikers, is shoe weight. A shoe that is “lightweight” means exactly what it sounds like: it weighs less than a traditional shoe. They are generally made of durable materials such as reinforced nylon or polyester. These materials offer durability while also being super lightweight and breathable, keeping feet cool and comfortable as the temperatures increase. Read on to discover why and when your kiddo would benefit from wearing lightweight shoes on outdoor adventures. Why are Lightweight Shoes Important? “But Moooom! My feet hurt!” cried my son’s trail buddy at a Hike it Baby event early last summer. I was surprised since he was usually the runner of the group. I looked down and noticed he was wearing clunky hiking boots as opposed to his normal hiking shoes. His mom mentioned that he left those shoes at a friend’s house. The clunky boots were his back-up pair. At the end of the hike, he quickly pulled off his boots and sweat-soaked socks, letting out a sigh of relief. It made me realize just how important proper footwear can be on outdoor adventures. Heavy shoes take more work to walk in. They make it harder to maneuver around obstacles, especially for young explorers testing boundaries by climbing rocks and skipping down trails. Lightweight shoes tend to be more flexible and breathable, preventing little feet from getting overheated. This is important because children’s feet sweat 2-3 times MORE than adult feet! Just keep in mind that not all lightweight shoes are created equal. The slip-on jelly shoes may be lightweight, but wouldn’t do well on a trail. We recommend a shoe that also comes with superior traction and is made with durable upper materials (like ripstop nylon) such as the ultralight Big Kid’s Altalight Low Shoe from Merrell. When are Lightweight Shoes Important? While there are a number of situations when a lightweight shoe is important for kiddos, here is a list of our top three: When you need a transition shoe Kids tend to have busy schedules these days, regardless of their age. A shoe that goes from school hallways to neighborhood sidewalks to a dirt trail and even a creek crossing is ideal for our little explorers. Lightweight shoes are generally easy to clean, fast to dry, and durable no matter where their feet may take them. When Traveling Destination hiking? Heading out for spring break or summer vacations? Bring a packable shoe that can go the distance without weighing you down (and adding extra baggage fees). Better yet, outfit the whole family with lightweight shoes by checking out the adult version of the Altalight Series or the Little Kids Bare Steps Collection. When Feet Need to be Both Cool and Supported As temperatures warm up, a breathable shoe that keeps your kiddo’s feet supported without overheating will be essential! Added bonus: It is a proven Hike it Baby fact that comfortable feet reduce the amount of whining heard on a hike… just ask any of our 300+ branches! What are your favorite lightweight hiking shoes? Let us know in the comments below! Join a community of like-minded parents and caregivers with a shared mission of connecting families with babies and young children to the outdoors and each other. Learn about Hike it Baby membership options and join the fun today! About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Images courtesy of Deanna Curry. This post is sponsored by Merrell, however, we would not recommend something that our children do not love. 

The Hike it Baby 30 Challenge is the solution for those of us wondering what to do with our families in the wake of the COVID-19. The response to the virus has closed schools and public spaces, sent us to work from home and canceled events. We are being told to practice social distancing, but often social activities are how we keep our families entertained and feeling sane.  The Hike it Baby 30 Challenge Enter the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge! The Hike it Baby 30 Challenge encourages families to get outside more often, challenging each other to hike 30 miles in 30 days or spend time outside 30 minutes a day, three times a week. All participants are eligible to win premium daily prizes and giveaways from Challenge sponsors such as L.L.Bean, Merrell, Sunday Afternoons, Joules, Joovy and more! All funds raised during the Challenge directly support Hike it Baby’s mission of connecting families with young children to nature and each other.  Since the Hike it Baby Challenge is a personal challenge, it’s super easy to participate as an individual or with your immediate family. Here are a few ways you can take on the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge on your own. Get Outside in Your Own Backyard or Neighborhood Even with social distancing and quarantine, there is nothing that says going outside is harmful. In fact, getting outside during the COVID-19 or other outbreaks could help you stay healthier. You don’t have to be doing epic adventures to make your outdoor time count. So head out your door and play, read a book outside, make a craft, or do a backyard scavenger hunt. Check out these resources for making the most of your outdoor time: Outdoor activities for preschoolers Outdoor activities for toddlers Outdoor activities for infants Family Hikes If you feel comfortable, take a solo hike or hike just with your immediate family. To participate in the Challenge you don’t have to be a current member of Hike it Baby or associated with a Hike it Baby branch. Outdoor spaces, like hiking trails, allow you to distance yourself the recommended 6-10 feet from non-family members. Pick less traveled trails and enjoy one-on-one time with your family.  Make the Challenge Your Own There is no hard and fast rule that you have to hike 30 miles in 30 days or spend 30 minutes outside 3 times a week. Many Hike it Baby community members have adapted the Challenge to make it their own. Goals may include a specific number of minutes outside for the month, your own mileage goal, a separate goal for each member of your family, or simply just getting outside every day.  Engage with the Challenge Facebook Group Every Challenge participant is invited to join the Challenge Facebook group, which links participants from all over the globe. Sharing photos, sharing ideas, and discussing the Challenge with other participants gives you community and connection virtually.  Share the Challenge with Friends and Family The Challenge is open to current Hike it Baby 30 members, but you can sign-up for the free 30-day membership trial and join the Challenge! Get your friends and extended family involved. Exchange Challenge adventures with each other on your own social media pages - try going live on Facebook or Instagram from your backyard or the trail. Talk about how you and your immediate family are using the outdoors to manage COVID-19. The Challenge is an engaging way to bring your loved ones together via technology when you can’t be together in person. Getting outside, even if it's alone in your yard, is a great way to deal with the anxiety and stress, let your kids get out the pent up energy, and let the fresh air reset and restore each of you. Get outside by joining the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge!  The Challenge begins on April 1. Register today!  About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Photos courtesy of Deanna Curry and Amy Diebold.

Plenty of research has emerged in recent years about the overall health benefits of spending time outdoors, from positive childhood development to lowering the risk factors of high blood pressure and improving memory. Intuitively, we know nature is good for human health. But does time in nature play a role in disease prevention? As we work to contain the rapid and global spread of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) through self-quarantine and limiting physical contact with others, let’s look at the relationship between nature and keeping communicable disease at bay. The Outdoors Can Improve Your Overall Health In the coming months, the CDC expects most of the U.S. population will be exposed to the virus (Yale Medicine). While doctors learn more about transmission, Yale Medicine infectious diseases specialist Joseph Vinetz, MD says, “The best thing you can do at this point is to take care of yourself the way you would to prevent yourself from getting the flu.” Here are a few ways the outdoors plays a role in keeping you healthy:  Vitamin D Going outside helps boost your vitamin D intake, which is important for your immune system, as well as your bones, blood cells, and mineral absorption.  Sleep The outdoors helps set your sleep cycle, resulting in better sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep, infection-fighting antibodies and cells are reduced.  Organic Goodness Many plants put substances, including organic compounds called phytoncides, into the air that seem to boost immune function. Sunlight also seems to energize special cells in your immune system called T cells that help fight infection (WebMD). Physical Activity Typically, people are more active when they go outdoors - walking, riding a bike, or kicking around a ball for example. Getting in 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to brisk activity can help your immune system keep viruses at bay.  Fresh Air Indoor air can be dirty with pollen, mold, dust, and pet dander. The outdoors, as long as it's not being polluted by heavy industrial activity, offers fresher air. Fresh air benefits a number of systems in your body including your digestive and cardiovascular systems. Fresh air boosts immunity by increasing the amount of oxygen we get, in turn helping white blood cells function properly to kill bacteria and germs.  The Outdoors Can Limit Exposure Being outside, even in a community space such as a park or hiking trail, doesn’t pose the same risks as being indoors in a public space. We know that the coronavirus spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Outdoor spaces also allow you to more easily distance yourself the recommended 6-10 feet from non-family members.   “It’s safer to be outside than inside when it comes to disease transmission. When people congregate together and someone sneezes or coughs, droplets get onto objects that people touch, and then people touch their face,” David Nieman, Dr.PH., health professor at Appalachian State University and director of the Human Performance Lab at the North Carolina Research Campus explains.  So, while the outdoors doesn’t stop the spread of disease, you can feel more confident that you are limiting exposure when outside. Sunlight vs Coronavirus Scientists believe that the coronavirus can live on surfaces for multiple days. On cardboard, it can live up to 24 hours and on metal and plastic the virus can survive up to 3-4 days. However, some of the latest data shows that the coronavirus does not last very long on objects outdoors because of the exposure to sunlight. “In general, objects outside should have very little virus on them,” explains David Nieman, Dr.PH. Ian Lipkin, director of the Columbia University's Center for Infection and Immunity, has been studying the coronavirus. He says sunlight can help break down viruses that have been transmitted to surfaces. “UV light breaks down nucleic acid. It almost sterilizes [surfaces]. If you’re outside, it’s generally cleaner than inside simply because of that UV light,” he says. In fact, UV light is so effective at killing bacteria and viruses it’s often used in hospitals to sterilize equipment. Despite this information, we urge you to use extreme caution when it comes to playground equipment and shared outdoor toys. There is always the potential for contamination on these items.  And if you do use these items, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly as soon as possible after use. The Outdoors and Your Mental Health These are extremely unsettling, uncertain and isolating times. There is an unprecedented amount of stress, anxiety, and depression in connection with facing this virus. Not only are the effects of the coronavirus itself alarming, but social distancing can also affect your mental health.  Researchers at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City have found that there are significant mental health benefits to be gained from participating in outdoor activities. Outdoor time resulted in reductions in stress and anxiety and an elevated mood after spending time in nature. The overall positive effects documented in these studies were often described using terms such as “psychological healing," "increased sense of well-being,” and “restorative.”  Beyond the benefits of being outside that keep you healthier overall, time spent outside during the threat of disease or infection, such as with the coronavirus, is one of the safest things you can do to improve your physical and mental wellbeing.  The Hike it Baby 30 Challenge The Hike it Baby 30 Challenge starts April 1st and encourages all families to spend more time outside. During this time when many communities are facing social limitations associated with the coronavirus, the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge can be done individually or with just your family. Outdoor time can be spent anywhere you feel comfortable, from your backyard to a park or hiking trail. Additionally, the Challenge Facebook group, where participants are sharing their adventures, photos, and motivating each other through comments and discussions, gives you community and connection in a virtual setting. Learn more and register today! About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Photos Courtesy of Stephanie Jacobson. Sources: https://www.yalemedicine.org/stories/2019-novel-coronavirus/ https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-nature https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus-resource-center https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a31439358/running-during-coronavirus/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/02/what-happens-to-coronavirus-covid-19-in-warmer-spring-temperatures/#close https://www.kuow.org/stories/make-kids-get-togethers-small-outdoors-and-low-contact-doctors-say https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cravings/201909/nature-s-role-in-mental-illness-prevention-or-treatment

For the young non-profit organization Hike it Baby, the largest yearly fundraiser is their bi-annual Hike it Baby 30 Challenge, which encourages families to spend more time outside. The personal goal for participants of the Challenge - spend 30 minutes outside at least three times a week, or hike at least 30 miles in 30 days. While this remains the central goal, many families set their own to make the Challenge work for them, such as no days with zero time outside or total minutes spent outside during the month. The first of the two 2020 Challenges kicks off April 1, 2020, and registration for the Challenge opens March 16, 2020.  Hike it Baby 30 History The Challenge began in 2014 when Hike it Baby’s founder Shanti Hodges and a friend created a personal goal to hike the 30-mile long Wildwood Trail outside of Portland, Oregon in 30 days. They decided to turn their challenge into a fundraiser for Hike it Baby. How Hike it Baby 30 Works Since 2014, the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge has encouraged hundreds of families to spend more time outdoors. Participants make a donation to the organization to join the Challenge. Participants receive access to a private Challenge Facebook group, resources and tools to make the Challenge a success, and a completion sticker. Additionally, all participants are eligible to win premium daily prizes and giveaways from Challenge sponsors such as L.L.Bean, Merrell, Sunday Afternoons, Joules, Joovy and more! All funds raised during the Challenge directly support Hike it Baby’s mission of connecting families with young children to nature and each other. Get Involved During this time when many communities are facing social limitations associated with the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus), the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge can be done individually or with just your family. Outdoor time can be spent anywhere you feel comfortable, from your backyard to a park or hiking trail. Additionally, the Challenge Facebook group, where participants are sharing their adventures, photos, and motivating each other through comments and discussions, gives you community and connection in a virtual setting. “The Hike it Baby 30 Challenge is a great way for anyone to encourage more outdoor time in their lives. From young, single people to grandparents, we want everyone to make going outside a priority - whether it be taking a hike to hanging out in the backyard or going on a walk down the street,” comments Hike it Baby Executive Director, Jessica Carrillo Alatorre.  Create a Connection with Nature The Hike it Baby 30 Challenge isn’t about the miles. It's about connecting with nature and finding encouragement and motivation from those around you with the same goal. As we move into spring weather across most of the Northern Hemisphere, April is the perfect time to encourage more time outdoors. Join Hike it Baby in the Challenge and help support our mission of connecting families with young children to the outdoors and each other. Register for the April Hike it Baby 30 Challenge today!  Read more about the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge: How We Get More Families on Trail with the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge Hike it Baby 30 Challenge Inspiring Stories Why Join the Hike it Baby 30 Challenge About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Nature Provides Learning Opportunities Research shows time and again children who explore natural playgrounds use their imagination more, work cooperatively, are more active, get creative, problem solve, and play longer than children enjoying the more traditional swing, slide, and climbing structure playgrounds. Schools, community programs, and parks and recreation officials have taken note of this research and are adding natural playscapes to better engage children (see research articles listed below for further reading). The best part is, creating these valuable play spaces is not expensive or difficult. Children do not need large natural playgrounds to benefit. Children will find ways to engage with and learn from the materials they are given. These natural play areas can be added to any outdoor space, no matter how tiny. Here are tips for creating a natural playground in your own space. 1. Water Water is probably one of the easiest elements to add to a child’s outdoor play area. Whether it is a water table, a hose on cement, or water on a dirt mound, children can use their imagination, find endless ways to enjoy themselves, and learn how water interacts with dirt, sand, cement, leaves, sticks, rocks, and more! 2. Dirt Dirt is usually readily available and almost all children love to dig. This is another very easy way to allow kids to explore nature. Don’t have a yard? Consider adding dirt to a bucket to create the same experience. 3. Mud   Combine these two elements and another natural element is added to the play space. It can be mobile, think mud bucket, wagon or wheelbarrow, or it can be a designated space in the yard for children to explore more openly. Add a few pots and pans, maybe near a stump or add a tree round, and there’s a mud kitchen. Dig a hole and allow children to create their own mud bath. Really, the options are endless, but it might be a good idea to add a small bucket with soapy water and a nail brush to clean those little hands when the mud fun is done.   4. Sand Not everyone has room for a sandbox, but this is an incredible option to allow children the ability to dig and build. This could also be a mobile play area by using a bucket, old wagon, or wheelbarrow for a sand station.  5. Flowers Like butterflies, children love flowers. Creating a space full of flowers that children can explore is a fun way for them to learn about flowers, lifecycles, colors, and more. Sunflowers can be great for making forts with and are quick growers, which can be a good introduction to plants for young kids. 6. Edible Plants A garden can be an amazing way to introduce children to healthy food, but equally important also provides a wonderful way for them to engage with nature. Climbing plants, like thornless berries, beans, snap peas, and many others are wonderful for building edible forts that enchant a child’s imagination. Herb and vegetable gardens can also double as fairy or gnome homes. Not only do the children play outside and reap the benefits of natural play spaces, but the household reaps the benefits of fresh food too. 7. Tree Rounds Tree rounds can be tables, chairs, climbing structures, a kitchen, and so much more. They allow children the ability to use their imagination and learn balance and risk-taking. Not sure how to obtain these open-ended beauties? Try connecting with a local tree company or asking a neighbor who is having their tree cut down if you can have a couple of the rounds.  8. Pebbles/Rocks Like sand and dirt, small pebbles create a perfect environment for digging and building. And larger rocks can be stacked, maneuvered into patterns to form paths, used as small tables or chairs, or really anything else little imaginations can come up with. 9. Sticks Sticks are another very easy element to add to a nature play space. They may seem simple, but they are very versatile and loved by children all over. An example of how sticks can be used is fort building (pair this with a climbing edible plant!), writing or drawing in the dirt/sand, stacking, building homes for toys, and even sorting into sizes or colors. These are a few examples of ways to add nature to a child’s play space. Need some more inspiration? The National Wildlife Federation developed a Nature Play at Home Guidebook and it is full of ideas, including ways to incorporate the elements listed above and more. And, check out this article on Nature Learning Programs. What other elements can you think of to add to a natural play area? Drop us a comment and share your ideas! ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental benefits of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their first steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, benefit from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org    EDITORS NOTE: We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you. But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.

This piece is part of OutGrown’s evergreen content. We revisit and refresh these resources regularly to ensure they remain helpful, relevant, and rooted in care. Author Brenna Jeanneret interviews a mom who found Hike it Baby a game-changer for creating an outdoor community once they had children.  This is a Hike it Baby exclusive piece in Brenna's blog series, How Moms Are Saving the World. Her series highlights the stories of inspiring moms doing the things she believes will help save the world. Visit www.brennajeanneret.com for more stories and to contact her with an idea for her next How Moms Are Saving the World interview. Caregiver Life I don’t know the West side of town as well as I’d like to and, to be honest, it’s a bit intimidating. More traffic, more people, less parking.  I bundle my toddler in his winter gear, while I give long and thorough explanations about why we are parking where we are parking (by a fire hydrant) just to be confronted by the original question at the end of it and it all starts again. I set him delicately on the icy ground next to the car as he continues to question me, and grab our bags. I haphazardly stuff stray items into pockets. I throw my purse over my head and one shoulder, sling the diaper bag across my chest and help my son carry his new narwhal backpack as I hold his little hand and try to steer him away from traffic. “I only parked 2 blocks away…” I think. “...it’s basically just crossing the street…” The ice has melted, been walked on and re-frozen so the final product is like walking across a tiny frozen field of waves that are all at their peaks. Not ideal for a toddler...or a mom running late. As I look up I see a toddler ride by in a stroller so sturdy I swear it has snow chains and winter tires. It’s being pushed by a power walking mom who not only has another baby strapped to her chest, but also is toting a sleek, aerodynamic backpack presumably stuffed with all the kid essentials. She looks confident, purposeful and together. I look on in awe. We approach the corner where I expect to see the cafe I am meeting my friend at only to realize I actually parked 6 blocks away rather than 2. I turn into the wind and look down the street after the stroller and finally make the connection. That was my friend. That was Amy.  Creating an Outdoor Community After Kids We walk in and Amy Schmudlach greets me with a warm, rosy-cheeked smile. I am happy to see her, she always seems to radiate positivity and joy, a rarity among moms with small children, and a downright delight for someone who, up until last month had 3 kids under the age of three!  I met Amy through Hike it Baby one day last spring. At the time, my husband and I exclusively drove our beloved road-tripping van, a 1984 Vanagon (think Scooby-Doo). We had just moved from Portland, Oregon where the vans are a commonality, to Madison, Wisconsin. When Amy asked to see the inside of our van we were happy to oblige. It felt good to meet someone who was as stoked about the van as we are. Her curiosity and sense of awe for it were contagious. We drove away feeling celebrated in our new community.  Amy is no stranger to the outdoors and her excitement for our van, which we view as a symbol of all things freedom, started to make sense. Her and her husband, Ryan, own Wisconsin Canoe Company. A company Ryan started right out of college with a 15 passenger van and 10 canoes he bought on Craig’s list. It was just meant to be a summer job but it did so well that they kept adding more boats and at some point realized this could be their full-time job.  She is also the co-director of the Free Forest School in Madison, which has grown from its single location last fall to four. After having kids Amy says that finding Hike it Baby was a “game-changer” in terms of finding community.  Hike it Baby Caregivers Get It She and her husband have always held outdoor activity in high regard so once they had kids they didn’t feel anything should change. In fact, when I marveled at their ability to dress and motivate 3 small children for the outdoors during winter she said, “We like the challenge.”  Attitude and perspective are 90% of what makes up my day and dictates how it will go. What an amazing gift to give such a positive outlook to your children.  She felt supported by close friends and family but said she ran into “a lot of judgment” from others for things like taking her 4-week-old out in a canoe, wondering if her kids were warm enough or why she was out at all with her kids on a cold January day. But Hike it Baby moms get it and even encourage it.  She says her goal with Free Forest School is not necessarily to provide a place for those who already get outside, though they are welcome of course, but instead to “...get people excited to [get outside] who wouldn’t otherwise be.”  As I am talking to Amy for this piece our kids start to get antsy and it is obviously time to go. We are in a public place and whenever we get to this point in my toddler's tolerance for adult conversation a ping of panic runs through me. “We have to leave now! Before a meltdown! Before an accident. Before I have to be the mom who picks up my screaming, writhing toddler to physically remove him from the premises!” I look at Amy and think she must really be in a panic because she has a toddler and a baby to extract from the situation, but when I tell her if she needs to cut our conversation short it’s fine and I understand, she looks at me with nothing but calm. She surveys her kids, one of whom is yelling and not pleased to be there, and says “...no, we’re fine.”  I smile at her, her calm washes over me and as I vow to be more like Amy, I think “...yeah, we are fine.”   ABOUT OUTGROWN OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit building a world where families with babies and young children can grow up connected to nature and to each other. We focus on the earliest years of life, providing families with the support, community, and resources they need to feel welcome, included, and confident outdoors. Through volunteer-led communities, nature-based programs, and family-centered tools, we help remove barriers and expand access to outdoor connection. Since our grassroots start in 2013, OutGrown has reached more than 300,000 families across the country, supported by a vibrant network of over 300 volunteer leaders. Learn more at WeAreOutGrown.org EDITOR’S NOTE Thanks for taking the time to read this piece. At OutGrown, we create content rooted in real life, built to support families, reflect lived experiences, and celebrate the small, meaningful ways we connect with nature. Every article, guide, and reflection is part of our mission to make the outdoors feel possible, welcoming, and worth showing up for. If this resource helped you feel more confident, seen, or inspired, we invite you to support our work. We are a small team building something lasting. Your contribution helps us reach more families and keep this work going strong. Donate or learn more at WeAreOutGrown.org Photo courtesy of Jessica Human.

With the vast majority of our planet’s surface covered in water (over 70%!), drinkable water should be easy to find, right? Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Between undrinkable saltwater and pollution in our waterways, clean water can be hard to come by. Even here in the United States, there are sources of water contamination that are making people sick and putting out kids at risk. That’s where effective water filters can be a literal lifesaver. Check out these ways our Hike it Baby families utilize water filtration technology to access clean water every day and everywhere. While Hiking Whether you are on a short hike near your home or on a multi-day trek in the backwoods, clean water is essential. Carrying a water filtration bottle as part of your hiking essentials means that your family will have access to clean water free of bacteria, parasites, and microplastics on any trail with a water source. If your child prefers to carry their own water, the kid-approved Lifestraw Play Bottle is the perfect size to keep your kiddo hydrated on the trail, and comes with added protection against heavy metals such as lead. In Offices and Schools While one would hope that our office buildings and schools have clean water, that is not always the case. Contaminants such as pesticides and lead can enter the water and pose health risks. Thankfully, it is now easier than ever to filter water on the go simply by using a bottle with a built-in filtration system.  For your school-age kiddos, pack their bag with a kid-sized filtration bottle. When Traveling Abroad Travel with kids can be stressful enough without having to worry about where to find clean water wherever you explore. We like the Lifestraw Universal, which fits into most popular water bottle brands and turns your favorite bottle into a water filter. It protects against bacteria, chemicals, parasites, and microplastics so that you can focus on making memories on your next family trip abroad. During Military Deployments Many of the members in our Hike it Baby community belong to military families, some of which experience deployments overseas to countries with very different (or no) water quality standards. Carrying a filter device could mean the difference between contracting a water-borne illness and completing your mission. A collapsible bottle with an included filter is the perfect option. It provides protection against heavy metals, bacteria, parasites, microplastics, and organic chemical matter. You can also use it to draw filtered water for other uses such as hand-washing and tooth-brushing. Look for one that can fold up easily to fit into a pack without taking up too much room. Throughout Pregnancy Women’s bodies are incredible. Not only can we sustain our own health, but we can grow and sustain a new human being on top of it! That amazing ability also means that almost everything a woman takes in also crosses through to the little one she is growing. That makes finding clean water sources that are free from contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides imperative to the growth and well-being of both Mama and baby. A great way to help protect against water-born contaminants is by using a filter bottle when out and about and a home filter when at home to filter out the bad while keeping the essential nutrients like magnesium and potassium. Water filtration systems aren't just for the backcountry. They can be a part of your day-to-day life to ensure you have clean drinking water no matter where you are. Do you use a water filtration system in your daily life? Please share in the comments! About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Image courtesy of Jessica Human. This post is sponsored by Lifestraw, however, we would not recommend something that our children do not love. 

Here at Hike it Baby, it’s no secret that we love the outdoors. We feel everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy and feel comfortable outside, no matter what Mother Nature has in store. Unfortunately, keeping warm when temperatures drop isn’t always easy. Effective cold-weather gear can come at a hefty price. That’s why we are so excited to share Turtle Fur’s Project Warmth, a program that is near and dear to our hearts from one of our amazing sponsors. What is Project Warmth? Born from a desire to give back to those in need within their community, Turtle Fur created the Project Warmth Initiative in 2008.  When they found themselves with excess inventory and samples, they would run an annual factory sale for their community. In conjunction with the sale, they would reach out to local schools, homeless shelters, and community centers in and around their home base of Morrisville, Vermont, to see if there was a need for cold-weather hats and accessories. The need was there, and each year they expanded their reach to provide cold-weather hats and accessories to more areas. While this initiative started as a way to give back to Turtle Fur’s local community, they wanted to grow the program, which is when #projectwarmth was born on social media. The program has grown successfully and Turtle Fur is now manufacturing products specifically to donate rather than relying on only overruns, samples, etc. “Project warmth started in our community where we saw a need and an opportunity to give back. Because the response was so well received locally, taking care of our home state of Vermont became a priority, then all of New England, and from there it grew to a national program.” Josh Pombar, Director of Marketing, Turtle Fur How it Works If a customer posts a selfie wearing Turtle Fur product on social media, tags them, and includes the hashtag #projectwarmth, a Turtle Fur product is donated. They wanted to get their retailers involved as well, so if a retailer is mentioned (tagged) - they double the donation and donate two items! Just follow these steps: Take a photo wearing your new Turtle Fur product, like the Hike it Baby inspired tube  Include the following in your post: @turtlefur and the hashtag #projectwarmth Tag the store you bought it from (for example @outdoorretailer) for double the donation! Share on any or all of your social media platforms BONUS: Tag @hikeitbaby and Turtle Fur will double the donation! Voila, it’s that simple! Who gets the product? To date, Turtle Fur has donated over 100,000 pieces of cold-weather accessories to over 140 organizations. These organizations include shelters, schools, and hospitals.  A full list of organizations can be found here.  As the initiative gains strength, one of the main goals is to donate to locations in all 50 states, but they need our help. Do you know of an organization that serves people in need of cold-weather accessories? You can submit a quick form with their information here.  One incredible detail that sets Turtle Fur and Project Warmth apart from other retailers is that they don’t donate their product blindly. They contact each organization to discuss how they can customize their order. They personalize their shipments based on the number of people in need, the gender, age of the recipients, and any other important demographics.  Organizations don’t just receive a random “box of hats,” they are getting hand-picked accessories that will make a true difference in the lives of people that need them most. Looking to the Future Turtle Fur has a donation goal of 40,000 pieces for 2020. They also plan to run campaigns and use their reps to identify areas of need across the United States. You can help by both utilizing the #projectwarmth hashtag and filling out the donation form to suggest a donation recipient.  Hike it Baby is proud to have Turtle Fur as one of our partners. Learn more about the partners that support Hike it Baby's mission to connect families with young children to the outdoors and each other. About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. Photo courtesy of Amy Diebold.

Get More People Outside Attending the Outdoor Retailer Conference January 29 - 31, 2020 was an engaging experience fueled by inspiring talks about the future of outdoor recreation to meeting with top brands in the outdoor industry. The major takeaway from Outdoor Retailer 2020 was straightforward: all people need to get outside more. According to a study from the Outdoor Industry Association, only half of Americans went outside to recreate in 2018*. Over 160 million people are missing out on outdoor activities as simple as playing in the yard, taking a walk, or going to the park. At the conference, Jessica Carrillo Alatorre, Hike it Baby Executive Director, and I participated in inspiring presentations from industry leaders about how outdoor recreation and healthy populations go hand-in-hand. How it’s important to acknowledge that getting outside looks different for everyone and that is OK. We don’t have to be climbing mountains or hiking through epic landscapes to be an outdoor person. Getting outside shouldn’t be a feat in itself, getting outside should be normal and accessible for everyone. There is no “doing it wrong” when you go outside. Hike it Baby Executive Director Jessica Carrillo Alatorre and Hike it Baby Director of Communications and Corporate Relations Linzay Davis attend the Outdoor Retailer 2020 Winter Conference. Building Diversity & Inclusion A highlight was meeting with James Edwards Mills, author, and creator of the Joy Trip Project, on how we can build equity, diversity, and inclusion in all levels of the Hike it Baby organization in a thoughtful, sustainable, and committed way that lends impact and keeps us accountable. We also listened to an insightful panel discussion on making waves by being true to ourselves and representing and owning the space we should have in the world. Diversity and inclusion in the outdoors continue to be a major theme at the Outdoor Retailer event and in the outdoor industry as a whole. At one of the largest conference events, a breakfast talk hosted by Camber Outdoors, the discussion revolved around equity and inclusion steps that everyone can take, especially in the workplace. Next year’s event will further this important topic by featuring a panel of people of color and groups traditionally underrepresented in the outdoor space. Brands Enhancing the Outdoor Experience Outdoor Retailer gives us a special opportunity to meet with the brands that support Hike it Baby and our mission of connecting families with babies and young children to the outdoors and to each other. We also introduced new organizations to the Hike it Baby mission and shared in their excitement over the work we are doing and how they can get involved. Lastly, it’s really cool to see all the new gear and products entering the outdoor space. There are some awesome companies out there doing a lot of good, from making sustainable products to helping the outdoors be more accessible.  Hike it Baby partner Turtle Fur's Project Warmth campaign gives back to communities in need across the United States. About Outdoor Retailer Outdoor Retailer, the largest U.S. trade show and premier business event for the outdoor industry, brings together retailers, manufacturers, industry advocates and media to conduct the business of outdoor recreation through trade shows, Outdoor Retailer Magazine, product demo events, media events, and web-based business solutions. Visit outdoorretailer.com for more information. About Hike it Baby Hike it Baby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to getting families outdoors and on trails across the U.S. and internationally, supporting, educating and inspiring families through their more than 300 communities across North America. Since its grassroots inception in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, Hike it Baby is now a growing community of 270,000 families and 500 volunteer branch ambassadors hosting more than 1,600 hikes per month. More information, as well as daily hike schedules, can be found at HikeitBaby.com, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram. *Outdoor Industry Association  Photos courtesy of Linzay Davis.