Monday, June 18, 2012

Investing in Kids

This little girl is learning how to use my hiking pole. I don't have it extended far. Being two and a half, she doesn't quite get the value of a wrist strap.


The kids are tough. Here they're doing the first glass in a two week swimming course. I've got my puff jacket on, standing near the fence that keeps parents from getting too close to the students.

Its important to invest in our kids. Maybe if they were exposed to wilderness experiences, they would want to protect our natural resourses. Kids belong outdoors, for lengths of time. The sunshine, fresh air and challenges build strong bodies. Look how tough these kids are, swimming in 65 degree weather. Yeah, I know, the pool is heated.
By exposure, I mean a pleasant taste, expanded upon gently. I've been asked many times how a person gets their girl friend to like camping and such. I really don't know. I've loved the wilderness experience all my life. Early on, my mom made sure I got girl scouting and camping trips. She hated it and found a way to make it happen for me.

8 comments:

  1. As hot as it is now in Alabama I try to find fun things to do with the kids. Yesterday I took my kids and a guest to the Y to go swimming for a few hours. Great way to keep cool, train for the next triathlon, and entertain the kids. Surprised there were not more people at the pool. It hit 95 degrees yesterday and today is just as hot! Some times doing a bike ride at the state park and then jumping in the lake afterwards is a good treat. We also will hike to Peavine Falls with the dog and cool off, then have a picnic lunch with a scenic view. It is not hard to work in outdoor activities if you are willing to take the time with the kids.

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  2. I could only fit one set of hiking poles in my suitcase on our recent trip. My daughter Samantha kept borrowing one from me on many of our hikes. Two is definately much better. I was able to powerwalk up hill at a very good pace and hold off the junior high track stars with the trekking poles!

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  3. Yes, Flo I tried one pole on the Colorado Trail after one broke. I wished I'd tried harder to fix it, little knowing what THAT experiment would be like above tree line.

    good application, keep ahead of those track stars

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