Monday, November 14, 2011

Moonlit Ski Adventures + Challenge

We love getting outside as a family and we do it every day (I feel like a broken record, but in case you haven't heard it before, we have a "15 minute" rule.  Even in the worst conditions, we are outside with our kids 15 minutes a day.)

I think that it is really easy to get stuck in the box of what you DO outside.  Go to the park, go on a run (and keep kids occupied in a stroller,) go hiking, go skiing, go on a nature walk.  Whatever your family does best is what you do most.  All of these things are wonderful and are certainly nothing to discredit.  However, sometimes we just need to try something new and challenge our minds, bodies and spirits (and those of our children) to keep our experiences exciting and fresh.

One thing that we love to do occasionally (and so wish we could do more) are moon-lit ski adventures.  Husband and I actually took a moonlit ski on our second date (is that trust, or what?!?!) Now we bundle the kids up in the Chariot, bring our headlamps as back up, and venture out on the trail (or not...)  It is amazing how a trail or scenery that is so familiar in the day time can be so different at night.

And yes, sometimes that different can be a little scary.  You of course have to take precautions.  We go slower and enjoy our surroundings, we pack extra extra gear, water, and food, and we make sure to make noise so we don't startle any 4-legged furry animal out on his own moonlit trek.  We are usually on familiar trails (especially at night.)




Posing where we had taken a picture two years prior on our second date!
This winter with two kids (and one old enough to appreciate the adventure) we are excited to explore outside in different ways.  We believe in appreciating nature in ALL its forms (darkness included) and develop a respect (including the safety aspect) for that in our kids.  Now all we need is some SNOW! :)
Everyday

This week over at Active Kids Club, they have teamed up with Polarn O. Pyret, to encourage families to get outside EVERY day this week with the "Every Day is Play Day Week."


Here's the challenge:
As a parent and educator. Like both Polarn O. Pyret and ActiveKidsClub.com Facebook pages and during the week of Novemeber 14th - 19th share your fun ideas with us on how you embrace the elements. Get deals, win prizes and participate in chats on how we can best embrace the elements with some fun outdoor play ideas.


If you are an educator let us know how you get your kids outside at your school for recess or how you incorporate outdoor learning in your curriculum.


Don't miss this incredible opportunity.  Yes, it is a challenge and may not be easy, but your kids will thank you for it! (and YOU will be a better person because of it!)

7 comments:

  1. Great story and challenge. There's a park in Calgary that is decorated every winter for Christmas with hundreds of lights. Lots of people ski or snowshoe through the park. It's something we should really do some night with our son this year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi,
    I love Moonlit ski adventures and cross country skiing. I live in a big city and we do urban bushing skiing in the parks and ravines,but I miss our Moonlit skiing in the forest. Just grab the skies and go for a skiing adventure.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great Post! I totally want to go on a moonlit adventure now! What great pics!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great Post! I totally want to go on a moonlit adventure now! What great pics!

    ReplyDelete
  5. that sounds fun! We have the 2 kid chariot, isn't it the best "trailer" ever!?

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've never cross country skied so I would love to see a post with more info on that. I'm also local to Utah so recommendations on trails would be cool. This is seriously temping me to purchase the ski kit for my chariot...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for all the great comments! Maura, I will def. do a post this winter about cross country skiing and if you live near groomed trails (we are in Wyoming, not Utah) the ski attachment is AWESOME. We love that we can ski and the kids are in their own little "fort"!

    ReplyDelete