OutGrown Blog

The most meaningful and formative moments in my life have been spent outdoors. I grew up having outdoor adventures nearly every day on the quiet, rocky coast of Long Island Sound in Southeastern Connecticut. During spring and summer, I’d wake up, walk the few hundred yards down to the beach and spend all day fishing and crabbing. In fall and winter, I’d hike into the thick woods behind my house exploring the maze of trails, catching bugs and chasing birds along the way. These days, safety concerns and urban sprawl have created fewer opportunities for kids to explore the wild and open space like I did. But as a father of one, I want my kid to have the chance to make a connection with nature. In particular, as the father of a daughter I want her to have the chance to learn all the wonderful lessons the wild can teach. Here are the five big reasons it’s important to me to raise an adventure-loving outdoors-girl. 1.  Dad & Daughter Time First, the selfish one. Hiking, camping and exploring in the outdoors gives me the chance to strengthen my relationship with my daughter. I call it “Dadventure time.” OK, so maybe it’s not totally selfish. Getting outside is a healthy activity for us to share with each other. It gets her outside breathing fresh air and exercising her body. It also gives my daughter and me the chance to create healthy habits and powerful memories. We hear so much about the importance of fathers being role models to sons. But, we’re only just now beginning to fully appreciate the positive role fathers can have with daughters. Starting at infancy, a girl begins to develop expectations about men from her father. And just as my relationship with my wife is a template for my daughter’s relationship with a partner when she grows up, my relationship with nature sets a standard for how my daughter will view it…which leads me to reason #2. 2.  It’s Good For Her. Like, Really Good. For starters, spending time in nature is good for my daughter mentally and physically. It increases her creativity, improves her ability to concentrate, and decreases her chances of becoming obese. It’s no surprise. Even the very conservative American Academy of Pediatrics says 60 minutes of daily unstructured free play is “essential to children’s physical and mental health.” Research conducted by the U.S.’s State Education and Environment Roundtable showed that schools using “outdoor classrooms and nature-based experiential education were associated with significant student gains in social studies, science, language arts, and math.” Unfortunately, kids are spending less time in nature. In her book, The Nature Fix, Florence Williams notes that participation in outdoor sports including hiking, camping, and cycling declined 15% between 2006 to 2014 among six to twelve-year-olds. She squarely points a finger at the rise of mobile device usage. So, ditch the digital stuff whenever you can. I always find that when I leave the TV off and keep the tablets out of view my daughter naturally chooses to play outside or reach for art supplies. 3. It’s Good For The Environment I love the outdoors. So does my wife. We spend vacations camping, hiking, and exploring deserts, wilderness, and quiet coastlines. I mean, we got married deep in the woods near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. So, it breaks my heart to see our wild places shrinking. Research performed by conservation biologist Jeremy Kerr of the University of Ottawa recently found that only 23% of Earth’s land can be classified as wilderness anymore. That’s a 10% drop from just 20 years ago. As parents, you and I have a secret weapon. One of the best ways to protect the environment is by educating our kids on its importance. And that’s easy. Just get your kids outside and they immediately get it. Dylan Tomine, author of Closer To The Ground, talks about living in the Pacific Northwest and teaching his two kids to fish for salmon, catch dungeness crab, and pick wild mushrooms from the time they were toddlers. Through it all, his kids come to appreciate the rhythms of seasons, learn about the fragility of nature, and the rewarding work involved in sustainable living. I’m not much of a hunter and gatherer, but I’m finding that just getting my daughter outside is helping her develop her own relationship with nature and understanding the importance of protecting the environment. Starting at age 4, she began identifying plants, flowers, and birds. She already talks about the interconnectedness of things in nature—how bees need flowers to make honey, and flowers need bees to pollenate, and how humans need plants for oxygen and plants need humans for carbon dioxide. It amazes me sometimes that a kid has a better understanding of how the environment works than many adults. 4. It Makes Her More Confident By the time American women reach middle age, 25% of them will be on, or will have taken anti-depressants. Today, five times more kids take prescribed drugs for emotional or behavioral problems than they did 20 years ago. Simply spending time outdoors has been shown to be an effective form of treatment for these issues. Research performed through Chiba University in Japan and published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, shows that hiking through the woods decreases blood pressure by 1.4% and resting heart rate by 6%. I also see that when my daughter spends time hiking and exploring wild places it makes her more confident in herself. Nature can be a little scary and every time my daughter faces a new fear of, say, crossing a cold stream, or hiking a steep hill, or even just getting a little too cold, she comes out the other side with new knowledge that makes her stronger and more confident that she can take on the next challenge. 5. Because She Loves It…Usually If she didn’t love the outdoors I wouldn’t push it on her. I think that’s important. One of our jobs as parents is to listen to our kids. Listen to what they’re interested in and help them explore their subjects of choice safely. I’m thrilled that my daughter loves camping and hiking and playing in the dirt. But, if she didn’t care for it, I wouldn’t push it on her. That’s not to say that some days it’s not difficult to get her out the door and on the trail. Or that we don’t have tears on the trail. Sometimes she just wants to have an inside day (so do I!). She’s got plenty of other interests too, like school. Now in first grade, she’s become a wiz in math and loves art class. But, she really comes alive in the wild. In fact, she reminds me to stop and smell the flowers. Literally. She’ll stop for minutes at a time on the trail just smelling or admiring a patch of butter and eggs, shooting stars, or Indian paintbrush. She’ll get close to the ground and ask me to do the same. I’m happy to do it because in those moments when both of us have hands and knees covered in dirt I remember the real lesson in nature is to slow down and enjoy the journey. Forget about the destination, don’t worry about reaching the end of the trail, and be in the moment. Just like when I was a kid. Photos courtesy of Steve Lemig. Steve is our Guest Editor for the month of June to help us celebrate Father's Day. 

Some of the more gratifying moments as a parent are when our kids emulate our better tendencies and qualities.  One day I rounded the corner to find my daughter pushing her plastic shopping cart down the hall at high speed, crashing into the corners at every turn. I was instantly annoyed until she informed me that she was out for a run and was taking her stuffed animals out in their running stroller so they could have fun. She had them gently tucked in with blankets and had packed toys, snacks, and water for everyone. I softened instantly – who needs pristine walls when we had a little runner on our hands? Running is different with a Toddler Somewhere a little after a year, my daughter started walking and stopped napping in the stroller (or pretty much ever…) and my well-choreographed running plan fell apart a little. I pushed aside my stubborn adherence to ritual and we switched to a new time and changed a few of our habits and were back up to enjoying our runs again. Running with a baby has its challenges, but toddlers suddenly have an all new set of needs. Whining and snack demanding aside, they are way more fun running buddies. If your toddler has run in the stroller since they were a baby, then they will be used to the routine of running. It is harder to start from scratch, but most of these suggestions would work just as well if this is their first time heading out for the open road with you. Make running fun for everyone The most important factor is your attitude about running; how you approach running each time will impact how they feel about hopping into the stroller. You don’t have to go for a run; you get to go for a run. They are not just getting in the stroller ... they are going for an adventure or going to see the flowers, squirrels, or construction trucks. For toddlers, involving them in the process in whatever way you can makes it more fun and exciting for them. Before you leave the house, let your child pick what toys or books they want to bring with them in the stroller. At times, we have even had a stash of toys that were only for the stroller so she was excited to get to play with them on the run. Bring quadruple the amount of snacks you normally would. Snacks keep them entertained and not hungry and therefore happier. In most strollers, they sit comfortably so they can really eat anything except the messiest of snacks. Try and pick a spot to run that has a fun pit stop or destination for them. I love to try to start and end at a playground so she knows at the end she will get her chance to play also. Be willing to get some extra cardio in to sing, chat, and answer questions on your run. Point out fun sights on the route or give them ideas of things to look for (birds, airplanes, squirrels). Also, you can involve them in the workout by cheering you on or even holding a stop watch and keeping time for you once they are older. We sometimes play Motorboat at the end of the workout (motorboat, motorboat goes so slow – walk, goes so fast – jog, step on the gas – sprint). This is good for short intervals and lots of child giggles. Try to manage your expectations, but don’t make excuses. Your kiddo is going to have an off day and you are not going to get your workout in on some days. Just because they are whining or fussy, if you put a little bit of extra effort in, you can still get done what you wanted to and change their mood for the better. Don't give up on your goals Once you can find ways to keep your active little one happy, you can also start getting more creative with incorporating different workouts into your running. If you are doing more serious training, be sure to warm up, stretch and cool down. I always stretch in front of the stroller so she can see me. Sometimes, I even let her hop out and stretch with me. Don’t be afraid of incorporating intervals, sprinting or hills into your stroller running. You should be more conscious of your effort level and what feels safe, but you can still build strength, speed, and endurance while pushing the stroller. Plan what workout you intend to do ahead of time so you can be better prepared mentally and able to make the event go smoothly. Keep setting big goals for yourself. Your path to get there will be different, but you don’t have to shelve your dreams of running a half marathon, a full marathon, a triathlon…and beyond. It’s fun to keep track of small victories and PRs too – longest stroller run, stroller 5K fastest time, fastest time running a certain familiar loop. These milestones are sometimes harder fought than the ones on race day. I am often surprised how far and long my daughter will tolerate and even enjoy running if I explain what we are going to do and why I want to run that far to accomplish my goal of completing a race. It’s all about keeping it a positive experience. Involve them in the process and achievement A huge part of successful running with my daughter, that my husband was much more adamant about than I was at first, is if I am going to race, then she is going to come and see me race. He told me that she was putting in the hours in the stroller and she could tell how important running is to me. Therefore, she needed to see the culmination. She has seen me in the hot sun and the cold rain, sprinting by with a smile, and shuffling along trying to hide the pain. She has seen me run across the finish line and scoop her up in triumph. And she has seen me stumble across the finish line barely able to pick her off the ground. She watches Mom running, persevering, and accomplishing goals and she feels like she is part of that process and that achievement.

  When I first found out I was pregnant with my daughter, I was instantly overwhelmed, so I proceeded to do what I normally did to process any new information in my life – I went out for a run. The miles cleared my mind and gave me the space to solidify my emotions. I came back joyful about the new chapter in my life, though apprehensive about the things that I would lose. Running was at the top of that list. It seems so silly, but it’s a constant in my life that keeps me steady. I am happy to report that through careful research and hard work, running has never left my life throughout the process of having a child. Countless training miles, many races (topping out at a marathon and half ironman triathlon so far), and one spunky little 3-year-old running buddy later and I am still going strong. I’d like to share what worked for us in learning to run with a plus one. From the beginning of the journey... One of my biggest suggestions to women who want to continue running after they have a baby is to never stop running during the pregnancy and post-natal process. Of course, each pregnancy is different so you must talk to your doctor to make sure that physical activity is safe for you. If you stay active throughout pregnancy in whatever way you can (running until about 8 months and then swimming and walking worked for me), then it will be much easier to resume following your birth. Also, use some time in the last long weeks of waiting and sleepless nights to research what running stroller you want and buy it as one of your early baby purchases. Don’t wait until they are old enough to run in it to buy one, and make sure to buy the car seat adapter when you're ready to start walking. I personally think that if you want to train for races or other goals other than light jogging, then this is a worthy place to splurge a little and get a great stroller. Start walking Once your little one is born, start walking with them in the stroller with the car seat adapter as soon as you are ready to leave the house. From the first time my daughter went in the stroller, I tried to keep it a happy place for her. If she didn't enjoy being in the seat, I would take her out and put her in a carrier and just push the stroller. All the time spent pushing while walking really allows you to get the feel of the stroller. Walking also helps you feel better, get outside, and gently get back into activity during the healing process. I was lucky enough not to have a C-section, but if that is the case for you or if you had any complications, you should get your doctor’s approval before any activity. In the early days, going solo for short distances for me was less stressful because I didn’t have anyone else’s schedule to conform to, so we could go whenever we wanted to and go at our own pace so that I could easily attend to my daughter’s newborn needs. Working your way back up As you feel better and your baby is a little older, try incorporating short bursts (slowly for only 100-200 yards) on level ground to help your body feel what it feels like to run again. When you are healed but your baby is not ready to run in the stroller yet (2-6 months) and you are lucky enough to have someone watch them for a bit, try to get out and run without the stroller to rebuild your strength and endurance before adding a large weight in front of you. Six months is the generally accepted age when it is safe for a healthy baby to run in the jogging stroller forward facing without a car seat. We talked to our pediatrician and this age was her recommendation, but, again, all kids are different. I started my daughter out with a special head support pillow, but found that a rolled-up blanket around her head worked as well.   Keep the environment fun From the first time that she sat in the jogging stroller, I tried to keep a consistent, happy, and fun environment so that her association with running with Mama was positive. Nurse or feed the baby right before a run. Give them a favorite toy or comfort item or even a new toy that they have not seen sometimes to keep them entertained. Learn what time of day works best for your child. Playing music on my cell phone tucked into one of the pockets always kept my daughter calmer when she was a baby. One of the most important considerations is to dress your infant appropriately for the weather. A baby who is warm or cool enough is a happy baby. Consider that if it is cold, they will get a little bit of wind on them and be a bit colder than standing still or even just walking. If it is warm and sunny, their legs often stick out of the shade so apply sunscreen or put a light blanket over them. The stroller is beneficial because you can easily stash extra layers and supplies for yourself and the baby. I had a “crying rule” with my daughter that when she started to cry or fuss, instead of stopping right away, I would pick a landmark in the distance and if she was still upset at that point, then I would stop and try to address the problem. More often than not, in the two or three minutes it took me to get there, she would have settled down. This way, I could continue the flow of my run but had a concrete plan to calm her down if necessary. Make sure your stroller has a place for a water bottle so you can stay well hydrated and take care of your needs too. Once you have established a routine for yourself and your baby that works for both of you, you can focus more on the actual running. Getting your running groove back Sometime soon after you start stroller running, it is very helpful to ask someone to come run with you. Through the course of a run, switch off between running with the stroller and running without it so you can feel how your form is changing when you grab the stroller and you can make adjustments and try out a few positions to see what gets you closest to your actual running form. When you are starting out, try to run more with time goals instead of distance goals in mind. Keep in mind that you will most likely be slower with the stroller at first and learning to be flexible with incorporating another little person’s needs and rhythms into your runs. Try to find a paved bike or walking trail to run on instead of just sidewalks; having to cross streets can be unnerving and waiting on signals can break up your rhythm when running as well as disrupt your child if they are napping. If you don’t have this option then try to stay moving while waiting as it can help to keep your flow and keep the baby more content. Know how the stroller works Finally, know your stroller and how it works. Know how to change the tires, adjust the brakes if it has them, and adjust all the straps. Spend some time familiarizing yourself with all the features so you don’t get stuck dealing with an issue when you are miles from your car. Have fun! Enjoy the experience. Your attitude will directly affect your baby’s mood and how successful the run will be. Enjoy the freedom of doing what you love and sharing it with your child. Know that your running will evolve as your child gets older and you will cherish the time together in new and rewarding ways. Most importantly, continue setting goals and pushing yourself to achieve them. Suggested items to always bring on a run with a baby: Cell phone Water Formula for baby or any accessories necessary for you to nurse Extra warming or cooling mechanism (warm jacket can work for you and to put over your kiddo and extra water bottle to pour on you or dab on the baby to cool off) Blanket (for warmth, to use as a shade, or to wet and use to cool down) Diapers and wipes Pepper spray/self-defense tool (obviously up to you, but consider that you are extra vulnerable with a stroller if running during less busy times). A Tire Pump can always be handy in the event of a flat Check back in tomorrow for my follow up post on tips for running with a toddler as your child gets older and more active on their own and as your running journey further changes. Editors Note: Kirby uses a fixed wheel jogging stroller. For those of you with the swivel wheel option, it is important to lock the wheel while running or on trail.  Find more safety tips here. Additionally, our friends at BOB have some great video resources for maintaining your stroller   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.  

Shortly after our daughter was born, we splurged and invested in a used pop-up camper, setting a goal of camping once a month during the season. That first year, we learned some valuable things about camping with an infant, applicable whether you’re in a tent, pop-up or RV. Tips for Camping with an Infant: 1. Getting there is half the battle with a baby.  Start by exploring nearby camping sites. We mostly stayed within 3-4 hours of home and still enjoyed a variety of places. 2. Leave plenty of time for diaper changes, nursing sessions, the unexpected, on your drive. Most babies get hungry, need to be changed, or simply need a break from the car seat every two to three hours. 3. Leave right before nap time and keep an arsenal of toys ready to entertain your little one! 4. Bring a play yard. We used a Pack ’N Play for our daughter to sleep in, avoiding any concerns about her managing to wiggle off of the bed. During the day, we stowed it on one of the beds to keep it out of the way without having to fold it up. 5. A play yard comes in handy for more than just nighttime. When you first arrive at camp, your little one likely won’t want to be in the car any longer, so set up your play yard first (make sure it’s easily accessible before you leave home), place it in the shade (or cover it with a sheet for shade), and use a mosquito net to protect against bugs if necessary. This allows your baby to watch you and leaves your hands free to set up camp. 6. The play yard can also be used to keep baby safe and your hands free while cooking over the fire! 7. Pack minimally, but not too minimally. You don’t need every single thing you use at home, but it’s also not convenient to run out of clothes or diapers. Bring a small bottle of detergent and a clothesline if you want to wash and reuse (take humidity into consideration though!). Pay attention to what you actually use. 8. Look at the forecast and consider your temps. Babies' bodies don’t regulate temperature like adults'. Are you camping at the beach? Bring cool-weather clothes and plan to spend the hottest part of the day indoors. Going to the mountains where temperatures fluctuate throughout the day? Layers - lots of layers. Need warmth for nighttime but baby isn’t old enough for blankets? Bring multiple sleepers to layer and a thick sleep sack, along with a knit hat and socks for both feet and hands. 9. Other things to throw in: Multi-use burp cloths, a sun hat, sunscreen (when your pediatrician gives you the okay to use it), baby carrier, a Rubbermaid or similar bin for bathing, and a Bumbo or other infant seat if your baby is eating solids. (The Bumbo can double as a dog bowl. Guess how I know?) 10. Most of all, have fun! You may be surprised how much even a young infant will enjoy camping! Our daughter noticed the chirping of the birds, was mesmerized by campfires and loved the sand in her toes.  Of course, she adored hiking! What about you - do you have any tips or tricks to camping with a baby? What were your experiences? This post is sponsored by Easy Camp. At Easy Out Camp Inc., we are passionate about camping and we believe that everyone should experience the enjoyment of living outdoors at least once in their lifetime. We want to make the outdoors easy for everyone – a fun, vibrant environment in which to enjoy the freedom of life. And our aim is to play the fullest role in making a fantastic camping experience that creates great memories – including developing an exciting online community where you can meet new friends and find inspiration and advice. Easy Out Camp Inc.– “Just Add People.” More information is available at www.easycamp.com 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.    

Have you read any good books lately? We like to share reviews on books that our members have read that are hiking- or outdoors-related. From infants board books to adult page-turners, we love to hear about what you are reading! Share a book review with us on this form and we may feature it in an upcoming blog post! Reviews: [gallery link="file" ids="650976,650974,650973"] Shannon McDonald, from the Baltimore branch, reviewed these three books for us! Miss Maple's Seeds by Eliza Wheeler Miss Maple nurtures seeds that haven't been planted in spring and cares and prepares them for the following spring. Will You Carry Me? by Helene Van Rossum This is the perfect book for kids age 2+. When it's time to leave the playground, this mom creatively motivates her child to get home without being carried. Dirty Gert by Tedd Arnold Making mud pies and dirt french fries! Gert makes herself at home in mud as an infant. As she grows, she remains fascinated. One fateful rain shower turns Gert into a plant ... her family still loves their Gert! [gallery link="file" columns="2" ids="650972,650971"] Kristi Field, from the Salt Lake City branch, reviewed this book for us! A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen This book is a favorite in our house. It's witty, hilarious and will get the kiddos laughing. It's not just for the young ones either. Our 9-year-old LOVES this book! There are two others by this author that are just as good as well! Moriah Butler, from the Milwaukee branch, reviewed this book for us! Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis A stick is a stick ... until you use your imagination. Anything can happen when a stick is discovered, from fishing poles to battle swords. This book is short and to the point. An easy read for preschoolers. After reading, head to the trails to find out what else a stick can be. Hike it Baby now has a Goodreads Group! Join today and add books to our bookshelf! Looking for more member reviews? Search our blog for other Book Review posts! Want to share a book that you love about the outdoors? Submit your review here to be included in an upcoming blog post!

Wife. Mother. Naturalist.  Author.  Adventurer. Conservationist. Mardy Murie has been called the “Grandmother of the Conservation Movement.” Along with her husband, Olaus, she played a key role in preserving forever some of the country’s last wild places. Who is Mardy Murie? Margaret Elizabeth Thomas was born on August 18, 1902, in Seattle, Washington, to parents who divorced when she was young. Her mother remarried, and she spent much of her childhood in Fairbanks, Alaska, where her stepfather served as Assistant U.S. Attorney. She left Alaska to attend college in the lower 48, but met the love of her life on a trip home one summer. A neighbor introduced her to a young scientist for the U.S. Biological Survey studying caribou in Alaska. She married Olaus Murie on August 1924 at a 3 a.m. sunrise wedding ceremony in a log chapel on the banks of the Yukon River.  They left on their honeymoon the next day—a 6-month, 500-mile boat and dogsled caribou research trip through northern Alaska. Mardy quickly became a naturalist herself, and thereafter accompanied Olaus on his research trips, later bringing their three children along too. The Muries moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in 1927 when Olaus was sent to study the dwindling elk herd. Olaus resigned from the Biological Survey in 1945 and became President of the Wilderness Society and Mardy served as Secretary. Their ranch soon became the unofficial headquarters of the Society, hosting board meetings, debates and discussions from the 1940s to the 1960s. Some consider their home the birthplace of the modern conservation movement. Olaus died in 1963, but Mardy continued the work they began together for four more decades. She wrote letters, attended hearings, testified before Congress and gave speeches on wilderness. She worked tirelessly until the end.  She died at home on October 19, 2003, at the age of 101. Accomplishments Olaus and Mardy were instrumental in the creation of Jackson Hole National Monument, and later Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. They personally led the movement to create the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska (1960), even leading the expedition of biologists in 1956 to gather data in support of the idea. The Muries played key roles in the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964, which, to date, has protected 110 million acres of land in pristine condition. The idea behind the act was birthed at the Murie Ranch. In 1975, Mardy was chosen to be part of a task force that traveled to Alaska to identify land to be included in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. Her testimony was key to the passage of the act in 1980, which protected over 100 million acres of land in Alaska as national parks, national monuments, wild and scenic rivers, recreation areas, national wildlife refuges, and conservation areas. It is still considered the greatest preservation legislation in U.S. history. Mardy authored Two in the Far North (1962), Wapiti Wilderness (1966) and Island Between. Mardy received the Audubon Medal (1980), the John Muir Award (1983), the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1998), and several honorary doctorates for her work. Love of Nature Mardy once said, “I think most of my philosophy could be expressed in a very few words that were found on an old tombstone in Cumberland, England. Olaus put them on a plaque hanging over our mantlepiece:  'The wonder of the world, the beauty and the power, the shapes of things, their colours, lights and shades—these I saw. Look ye also while life lasts.'" The beauty of Alaska and the mountains of Wyoming, her husband’s contagious passion for wildlife, the years spent living in a tent outdoors with her family in wilderness areas—these drew Mardy into a life of conservation.  For her, it began with love—of a place, of a man, of wilderness. QUICK FACTS Mardy was the first female graduate of the University of Alaska in 1924. The Muries were the inspiration for John Denver’s song “A Song for All Lovers” Mardy’s half-sister, Louise, married Olaus’ half-brother, Adolph, who was also a biologist. Olaus and Adolph pioneered the ecological approach to wildlife management on public lands still in use today–one that validates the role of predators in the ecosystem. The Muries' ranch is now part of Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, and home to the Murie Center, an organization whose mission is to inspire rising conservation leaders. CONNECTING TO KIDS Want to share Mardy’s legacy with your kids? Here are several ways to do that. Read Mardy Murie Did! Grandmother of Conservation  by Jequita Potts McDaniel. Read Friends of the Earth: A History of American Environmentalism with 21 Activities for Kids by Pat McCarthy. There’s a fascinating chapter on Mardy Murie among other key conservationsists. Learn more about the areas preserved by the Wilderness Act by completing the NPS Wilderness Explorer: Junior Ranger Activities and Adventures for 8 and Up booklet. Visit the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge website to see photos of a place Mardy loved and fought to preserve

Guest Blogger Melissa Morrison talks about finding nature close to suburban Detroit and what makes certain trails her favorite. When we moved back to Michigan five years ago, hiking trails and outdoor time played a big role in where we would live. Like others, we had to be centrally located to our jobs, which ruled out much of the lush National Forest that Michigan has to offer, but thankfully, suburban Detroit has hundreds of trail systems. We have two favorite trails that we frequent near our home in Shelby Township, Michigan. 1. Anna Wilcox and Harold Warnes Nature Sanctuary This trail is located just three miles from our house making it our “go-to” trail. The trail winds through 45 acres of floodplain forest in one of Michigan’s most endangered habitats. This sanctuary takes you through a forest filled with trees and wildflowers. Finally, there is a clear stream that runs through the forest and is a magnet for wildlife like the clubtail dragonfly, wild turkey and the great horned owl. Why we love this trail: A short 5-minute drive to the trailhead makes this trail easily accessible at any point throughout the day. Need a Sunday morning energize? How about an after dinner wind-down? No problem, this trail makes both easy. The trail is only one mile. If the kids aren’t feeling a long hike, no problem, we can pick up the pace and be done relatively quickly. But if we want, we can spend a few hours taking our time exploring every nook and cranny. Wildflowers galore. Spring and autumn are our favorite times to visit this trail. There are lots of great spring flowers to find and beautiful color changes to experience in the fall 2. Stoney Creek Metropark This 4,461 scenic park has over 40 miles of paved and unpaved paths and includes a 500-acre lake that's great for swimming and fishing. We frequent quite a few different trails (and activities) here, but this is usually our longer hike, so we pick different trails within the mountain bike section of the park. Why we love this trail: We are deep in the woods here and have a better feeling of being on a longer trip. The trails are marked well and my kids love navigating the trails. It’s been a good way to get them used to navigating a trail system (we also print the trail map so they can get used to reading a map). The kids love that they can go to the playground or nature center when we are finished. This is approximately a 15-minute drive from our house. These are just two of the many trail systems we have in our area. Even though we aren’t able to escape to a national forest, these trails allow us get outside as a family and do what we love. What are some of your favorite trails? Melissa lives in Michigan with her husband and two children. You can read more about their travels and outdoor activities at www.ollyandhue.com.

Adrienne Brand would consider herself an upbeat person most of the time. But when she had her son, something shifted. She remembers feeling disconnected from him in the first few months of his life. She went to a new mama group to help get herself out of the house and it was there that someone told her about Hike it Baby. Once she started hiking with the group she realized that what she had been feeling was postpartum depression and while it wasn't the full on couldn't get out of bed kind of depression, it was holding her back in forming a relationship with her child. Adrienne's struggle with postpartum depression is all too common. One in seven women experience it to varying degrees. For women of color the ratio is higher with one in four reporting feeling postpartum depression. By spending time in nature and with other parents, Adrienne was able to move beyond being a statistic and hike her way to a happier place. Learn about her story by watching the video. Hike it Baby Stories is a new sponsored video series that we are launching this month to help share the stories of our community on trail. This month was brought to you with support from MyMayu footwear for littles who like muddy puddle stomping. If you have a story you think would fit well in this series, please email your story with a photo to [email protected]

Our boys love to be outdoors. When given the freedom to explore, they thrive. I think this is normal for most children. Some of my greatest memories as a child were spent outside with my family. In our busy world, there is freedom in unplugging from the chaos and heading outside, whether it be for an hour to hike, a few days, or sometimes even longer. I want my children to respect nature and understand its ability to heal your soul. When they reflect on their childhood, I want them to remember the moments we spent together outside as a family creating memories, and to pass that on to their children. So when we have an opportunity to fan that flame in them, we take it. Here are just a few ways we do that. GETTING THEM EXCITED WITH THE GEAR  The weather is starting to warm up here in Utah now that Spring is here. This means more time outside, hiking, and camping. We're starting to plan some overnight backpacking trips as a family. The first thing we've started gathering is our gear. So a few weeks ago, I took the boys down to REI and we looked at some new packs for them. When we walked in the store they bolted for the backpack section. Their faces lit up as they tried on each pack. The boys pointed out where they could put their snacks and water. Each of them picked out the color they wanted. They​ were so pumped, and so was I.  It was awesome to see them get so excited about it. FUN! FUN! FUN! ACTIVITIES TO KEEP THEM BUSY If your kids are anything like ours, we have to have many options ready for kiddos that might says those two words that every parent dreads: "I'm bored!" There are so many activities that can be done with the munchkins outside! A scavenger hunt is such a fun way for the whole family to get involved and keep the young ones busy. Before you head out the door, make a list of things to spot on the trails and give them each a pencil. Minimal time invested initially and the kids might spot something they otherwise wouldn't have seen. Another fun activity to play is I Spy. This is one of our kids' favorites! One of the kids spots something on the trail and says, "I Spy..." while providing a clue about the object. We play this one weekly. If you have young ones learning their ABC's, you can gather some sticks and have them position them to make letters. One activity that we're excited to try this summer are sun prints. Using sun print paper or fabric, you can take leaves, flowers, anything you choose, and lay it on the paper. When exposed to the sun, it leaves a print of your object. How cool is that?! GIFT GEAR THEY CAN USE OUTSIDE I've starting being more conscious of what we buy and how it's used. When buying gifts, we get items that they can use outside on camp-outs or hikes. A recent gift the boys received was a set of Walkie Talkies. They love taking them on hikes to talk to each other. In almost every picture I take of us on the trails, you'll see a Walkie Talkie attached to one of our boys. Another great gift is a hydration pack. We bought one for the oldest as a birthday gift and he loves it. Every hike we go on he has it on his back. A compass, slackline, camping pillow...really the options are limitless. When you see them get excited and put it to use, well that is an added bonus. PLAY GAMES THAT HELP THEM BE AWARE My husband started to play a fun game with the kids when we go on hikes. As they lead us down the trail, he'll have one of the boys leading search for bears and the other one search for snakes. It turns into a game as they march down the trail, eyes peeled for wild animals. This is awesome for two reasons. One, they are occupied and having fun keeping an eye out, which in turn means they aren't focused on tired legs or how much farther we plan to go. Second, this teaches them to be aware of their surroundings. It is possible to come upon some animal when we are hiking and they need to be aware of that danger. We've turned it into a game and they love it. FOSTER A GENUINE LOVE I can't even count how many times the boys asked us to go camping last year. If it was up to them I'm pretty sure we would live in a tent somewhere out in the wilderness. When we're out, they spot prints that my oldest is certain are from a wolf. The boys run up hills, point out cool rocks, show me pretty flowers, and observe the mountains. As we try to encourage a love for the outdoors, I can see it already there in our boys. They always end up ahead of us on the trail. I'm the one telling them to slow down so we don't lose anyone. My kids are more free and full of excitement out exploring than they are doing anything else. We try to encourage this love for it, when in reality, it's already present. As parents, we just have to get them out the door. PRETTY SOON IT WILL BE THEIR IDEA As my oldest was putting on his shoes this morning he said, "Mommy, can we go hiking today?" This makes my heart do a happy dance. Especially since we just went on a hike yesterday. To hear his longing to be outside on the trails again is exciting. This means he'd rather be out on a hiking instead of watching TV or playing his Nintendo DS. I count that as a parenting win.  We want to raise our kids in a way that encourages an outdoor and active lifestyle. To do this, we prioritize hiking. We purchase items that they can use outdoors​ exploring and significantly reduce access to TV or other things that appeal to them when inside. This shift in our home has been huge. We hope to continue this trend and encourage other families to do the same as we continue to explore and create memories as a family on the trails. This post is sponsored by Easy Camp. At Easy Out Camp Inc., we are passionate about camping and we believe that everyone should experience the enjoyment of living outdoors at least once in their lifetime. We want to make the outdoors easy for everyone – a fun, vibrant environment in which to enjoy the freedom of life. And our aim is to play the fullest role in making a fantastic camping experience that creates great memories – including developing an exciting online community where you can meet new friends and find inspiration and advice. Easy Out Camp Inc.– “Just Add People.” More information is available at www.easycamp.com

This photo was taken on an earlier hike I hosted on the same trail at the beginning of the swampy section. Confession: I got my HiB group lost on the last trail hike I hosted. I also accidentally touched a patch of poison ivy growing up a tree. And to round out my hike fail hat trick, I fell down with my toddler on my back in my framed carrier three times in the swamp section of the trail. Did the kids on our hike know anything was wrong? No. Why not? Because we all stayed calm and carried a lot of snacks for this hike. We had a great first half of the hike and then it started to get more difficult as we entered the swamp section. We decided to cut the hike short and go have lunch. Instead, we got lost.  I learned a lot that day, now dubbed by one of our branch's BAs (Branch Ambassadors), Maricar, as "Swamp Shenanigans." Never shall the words "I know a shortcut" ever pass my lips again. Two of our BAs, Maricar (background) and Katie (foreground), in the parking lot after our hike with the first responder vehicles in the background That's how we got lost. I thought we were cutting through an area of the trail that was easy to pass through back toward the parking lot which runs parallel to the trail. Instead, we ended up in some major bushwhacking terrain very quickly and had to circle back. That's when we lost the trail head markers. I realized after speaking with the trail steward later that the trail has very few shortcut options, even though the trail borders a very suburban area. Make sure you're paying attention to other visual cues on the trail. We passed a water tower and other landmarks on the trail that we used to describe our location to the 9-1-1 operator. Yes, we used 9-1-1 to get back onto the trail and out to the parking lot. The operator dispatched an officer to the trail head but we were on the other end so we couldn't hear him shouting for us. The county police sent four squad cars out to our rescue and turned their sirens on so we could follow the sound and get out. Bee loves getting muddy on HiB hikes. This photo was taken at Tiki Love Farm, which is next to the trail. If you stay calm, your kids will stay calm too. We made sure our kids were hydrated and not hungry during the 90 minutes it took to get back on the trail and out to the parking lot. If there is a recording of our 9-1-1 call, you'll hear me singing "The Wheels on the Bus" and the "ABC Song" over and over as I worked to keep my daughter, Bee, calm. Debrief with the group. We did a quick debrief before parting ways. Then the other BA, Katie, did a Facebook Live post that afternoon on our branch's FB page, sharing what we learned on the hike as well as some important reminders about staying safe while hiking. Get back on the trail. As soon as my hiking boots dried off, I put my daughter on my back once again and we went on another hike a few days later. Just like the adage "Get back on the horse," I knew I needed to stop re-playing what happened that day and get back on the trail. Hikes are my daughter's outdoor classroom and I didn't want one bad day to keep her from learning to love the outdoors as I do. Trails and parks are where she's learned to climb, jump and explore. When we come home to our backyard, she knows it's okay to dig in the dirt, pick up kindling sticks with me and help me re-fill our bird feeder. I know we've been on a great hike with HiB when my gaiters are covered in mud and it takes a week for my hiking shoes to dry out. Someday, I'll tell Bee about the time we got lost and leave out the part about me falling down over and over again until I was soaked through. Hiking after the last snowfall of 2017 in Central New Jersey at Duke Farms. Photos courtesy of Maggie F, Maricar K and Ali C.

In this interview series, I'm going to introduce you to park rangers across the United States. Today's post features Jorge Gomes, a park manager at Minnewaska State Park Preserve in New York. What is your name and job title? Jorge Gomes, Park Manager 2, Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Is this the first NY State Park you've worked at? If not, tell me what other parks/nature centers you've worked at. I've only worked within the NY State Park system.  In 1998, I started my career at Minnewaska State Park Preserve—first as a Park Educator for a season and then a Park Ranger for a six years.  In 2005, I accepted a promotion and became a Park Supervisor 1 at the Anthony Wayne Rec. Area of Harriman State Park. In 2006, I accepted a position at Sartaoga Spa State Park as a Park Manager 1. And lastly, in 2009, I returned to my favorite park anywhere, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, as a Park Manager 2. HiB New Paltz comes to  Minnewaska State Park Preserve all the time. Where did you grow up? In the country, a city, or a suburb? I grew up in Pine Bush, NY. It was very rural back then. What did you love about the outdoors as a child? I loved creative play outdoors. We built forts in the woods and pretended everything from cops and robbers to super heroes in those woods. We also had a large stream/small river on our property and swam and boated on it. When did you know you wanted to work in outdoor education? In my senior year of high school.  I had applied to spend a year at a research station in Antarctica because I didn't have a strong career direction and I thought that would give me time to figure it out and do something pretty cool while I was at it!  I didn't get accepted for the position at the research station, so I had to figure something else out, and doing what I loved for work only seemed logical. Who encouraged you to pursue a career in outdoor education? My friends and parents. Also, my professors at Paul Smith's College were inspiring and critical to the development of the skills I needed to get into this field of work. What is the most common question you get from park visitors? "Where is the lake?" The funny thing is they are usually in a parking lot about 500 feet from it when they ask me! How can parents raise kids to love the outdoors? They need to spend good quality outdoor time with their children. Opening the back door at home and telling your kids to go out and play is fine, but families who want their children to appreciate nature for their whole lives need to make getting outside together a part of the family routine. Not everyone likes to camp, so rent a cabin or an RV, but spend time enjoying nature together, hiking, biking or on the water. Anything else you want to share about your job or what you love about nature/being outside? I get so delighted when I see people enjoying the park preserve.  It is the best part of my job.  99% of people are smiling when they return from their adventure.  Minnewaska is a special place. It is geologically unique and loaded with spectacular vistas; with a mix of carriage roads and foot paths, it's great for hiking and biking.  Everyone should come to Minnewaska at least once! Tip: Come during the week if you can; it's far less crowded and you can have the feeling of having it all to yourself if you get out just a short distance on the over 75 miles of trail.

Are you a #ForceOfNature ? Hike it Baby Founder Shanti Hodges shares her feelings about the Force of Nature campaign by REI and what it means for women to support each other in nature. Upper McCord hike with Hike it Baby Portland (April 3, 2017) A few weeks ago my friend Beth posted a hike and shockingly 20 women (and 26 babies) showed up to hike with us. Of the women three were carrying two children and two were pregnant and carrying toddlers. Do the math on that one and 1/4 of the women in our group were carrying 2 humans! As we stood in the parking lot getting our little ones ready for the hike, I surveyed the group. There were smiles all around. Women were offering each other carriers to borrow and warmer clothes for their kids because there was a slight chill in the air when we started out. It felt so welcoming and I couldn’t help but feel my heart soaring. This is what it looks like when women support each other in nature. But I wasn’t really alone. I had my friend Sunny in my mind with every step I took. When I was 20 years old I did a solo backpacking trip hiking from Aspen, CO up to Conundrum Pass, a hot springs that was 18 miles above Aspen. It was a long hike and pretty intense if my memory serves me correctly. When I got to my campsite I remember how proud I was that I had done this and how strong I felt for having gone for it alone. But I wasn’t really alone. I had my friend Sunny in my mind with every step I took. A year earlier I may not have ever considered doing something like this, but while at University I met this woman who had just come from cycling across New Zealand by herself for a few months. She was only a year older than me but seemed so confident as she talked about pulling off to the side of the road in the middle of nowhere and just sleeping under the stars. I remember being so in awe of her and thinking, if Sunny could do it, so could I. Over the years as I started getting out there and trying different things outdoors, I can say I definitely saw a pattern of when I saw another woman do something, I got inspired and it made me start thinking about whether I could do it or not. Women inspire women. We look to each other in a different way than men do when it comes to stepping into nature and adventure. We don’t necessarily look to compete with each other as men often do (I catch my husband watching videos of other men kayaking and saying things like, “I used to be a badass like that, but not anymore.”) when it comes to the outdoors. First five women I hiked with who inspired "Hike it Baby" to begin. You have these ladies to thank for helping me not freak out and give up that day! Hike it Baby started because when I had my son Mason, I didn’t feel like I had a “Sunny” around to cheerlead me on and get me into the outdoors. In spite of all the time I had spent hiking in my past (right up to the day Mason was born), I suddenly felt like I was starting all over. I’ll never forget the first hike I went on. I met up with 5 women in a park. Two of us had strollers, which was ridiculous because this was not a stroller trail. I had tucked the carrier into the bottom of the stroller, but I still felt like a bumbling idiot when it came to putting it on. I was actually a little embarrassed that I didn’t know what to do with it, or my baby for that matter, so I didn’t ask for help. Instead we headed up a little trail, me pushing a huge stroller up a trail that quickly went from All Access to single track. I was a hot, sweaty, postpartum mess. The women I was with were so supportive, and after about ten minutes they encouraged me to lock the stroller to a tree and showed me how to carry Mason. That was the beginning of Hike it Baby for me. Those first few weeks of getting comfortable on trails, carrying Mason, figuring out what to bring and what was excessive were a huge learning curve, but I got it easily thanks to having women around me give me tips and just keep me going week after week. Women excel quickly with support. Over the last three-and-a-half years I have watched women all around me push further on hikes, get out more often than they ever thought they could, and explore terrain they maybe wouldn’t have before we all started hiking together.   Beth (on the right) has been a constant source of inspiration in getting me on trail during the hard months for the last four years By now you have probably noticed the #ForceOfNature campaign by REI that’s been all over the media. Last month REI came to me and said that I was chosen by their team to be a representative and partner with them in the campaign. Even though I already know that what I’ve been doing is impacting hundreds and maybe thousands of women, it was a huge honor and a reminder that women do inspire other women to get after it. After 20 years of being involved in the outdoors world, it’s exciting to see such a big mainstream brand take a strong stance in helping encourage women to find the adventure in their spirit and unleash it. What’s also great about this campaign though is it’s not about any one sport. It’s about just stepping outside your comfort zone and trying new things. This is an important part in breaking down barriers for women. I can’t tell you how many women have written me over the last few years to thank me for starting an organization that helped them get out there and hike, something that pre-baby they maybe had dabbled in or if they did, they thought would end when they had a baby. This hike would have never happened if I had to go it alone. Anke (The Romaniac) and I hiking on a 30 degree day  This blog isn’t about how awesome Hike it Baby is in getting women out there though or about me. It’s not about how REI is completely awesome for doing this campaign or saying “it’s about time!” This is about recognizing that there’s never been a more important time for women, and all families really, to connect better with nature. And women are the perfect conduits of this message. One way to help make this happen is by pushing constant reminders out there, whether it’s through ad campaigns by REI or organized groups like Hike it Baby. Seeing women getting after it daily in the media, on our personal feeds, or in our neighborhoods helps give us all that nudge after a long day when you find yourself diving down an icky Facebook rabbit hole of angst. I, for one, hope that this beautiful imagery of real women doing things like walking, hiking, yoga, paddling, and camping, keep bombarding me long beyond this campaign. This is the imagery I want my son to look at as he grows up. Real women connecting with nature and sharing that with their families. #ForceOfNature is not about climbing Mt. Everest and hiking the entire Pacific Crest Trail. It’s about connecting with nature and connecting with each other. It’s about encouraging women to try new things in nature before they even know they want to try these things. #ForceOfNature is about all of us taking a moment to recognize that adventure is all around us and nature is just outside your door, even if you live in an urban place. It’s about how we can get out more often and go further if we do it together. I love it. I can’t wait to see how this campaign jams up my newsfeed all month. If you want to participate in the campaign this month here are a few things you can do to help inspire! Plan a hike and label it #ForceOfNature in your hike submission on the Hike it Baby calendar (example:  #ForceOfNature Tryon Creek) Tag your adventures on social media all of May with #ForceOfNature Write about women who have inspired you to get outside (your mother, your friend from college, the pro mountain biker you worship and got to hang out with one summer, the woman who you met on a hike who was carrying TWO children) and tell her story on social media. Purchase the #ForceOfNature bandanas from REI. 73% of the proceeds from these are going to help fund organizations (like Hike it Baby) to help get women outside. Share all of the awesome posts and blogs you see out there from women power websites like these. There are so many more out there, too, so check each of these out to lead you to other amazing gals. Adventure Mamas Initiative, 52 Hike Challenge, Altitude 7, Snow Queen and Scout, She Explores, Outdoor Women’s Alliance, Hike Like a Woman, Tales of a Mountain Mama, Mommy Hiker, Born Wild Project This post was not sponsored by REI and their #ForceofNature campaign. However, I was compensated this month to share my feelings and inspirations about getting outside on my social media. Everything in this article is based on watching the campaigns rolling out and how excited I am to see this taking hold all around me far beyond the "sponsored" campaigns.