Planning a Family Adventure

One of the most frequent questions we get while traveling is “How do you do this with kids?” Well, to that we simply ask, “What do you think changes because your kids are with you?” The obvious answer to that is…nothing. Ok, that’s not entirely true. There are somethings that change. But mostly, it’s the experience you have with them. Your kids are not just along for the ride. They are there to experience and learn new things, just as you are. Yes, there may be some whining, fighting and complaining. But that’s life. As parents, it’s our sole privilege to guide our children through life’s little journeys and to help them understand lessons as they happen. It’s one of the most significant things we’ll ever do with them. That said, the most common mistake we make as adults is to rush out and attempt to plan the perfect vacation or trip. So perfect in fact that we try to jam pack every waking moment and set a ridiculous schedule to fit everything into. Nobody likes that, not even as adults. So, what do we do? Well, keep it simple. Think to yourself, “When I was age “x, y and z, what did I find fun and a what did I enjoy seeing? Did I enjoy it when Mom and Dad had us on some crazy schedule, or did I have more fun when we just played it by ear?” You’ll find most times, you will all have a better experience if you just answer those questions before planning. And if you still don’t know, ask your kids. Include them in the process. Trust me, they’ll be even more excited if they get to help plan the excursion.

Traveling is about more than seeing new places. It’s about experiencing and learning new things while living life to its fullest. It isn’t any different with kids. You’ll find they have as much to gain from traveling as you do and almost anything can be used as a learning experience. I recall last March, when we were in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, we were exploring with some friends and decided to hike the Maryland Heights Trail on a blustery thirty-degree day. It’s a 2.5-mile hike with a strenuous 700’ vertical rise that had even the adults complaining a bit.

Three-quarters of the way to the top, the girls paused and asked if we could stop and go back to the truck. “Yes, of course” I responded, but first I explained to them that life, not unlike this trail, has it’s easy and difficult parts. It’s twists and turns, ups and downs. These life challenges and how we approach them are what define us as individuals and help make us stronger. With every challenge in life, a lesson is to be learned and the most important thing is to remember what it has taught us. That particular day, the lesson was simply to recognize the relationship between struggle and reward. Do we concede to exhaustion, after our taxing endeavor, only to fall short of our goal? Or, do we press on to the end and realize the fruits of our labor? Ultimately, either path would teach a lesson and we would learn it together, as a family. After a minute or so, they looked back at us and said, “We want to see what we’ve worked so hard for.” So, up the trail we went and see it they did. The view at the top was spectacular; however, it was nowhere near as beautiful as the lesson we learned, that day, as a family.

So how do we build interest into trying new things? Well again, keep it simple. Start small. Pick something that has a quick reward and build from there. For instance, our kids love waterfalls. Two of their favorite places to hike are Crabtree Falls and Roaring Run Furnace, both located in Virginia. Crabtree Falls is just as strenuous as the Maryland Heights trail, but they’ve never complained about it once. Why? Simple. The hike is alongside the East coast’s tallest cascading waterfall the entire length of the trail. What else could you ask for? Obviously, not every trip you embark on will be alongside a beautiful waterfall. But, as I said before, it’s what you make of it. A walk through the woods can be more enticing by looking for specific wildflowers or plants. Sitting near a creek or a lake can be more enjoyable by watching for wildlife or skipping rocks on the surface of the water. Be engaged with your children. Do what you went out there to do. Spend time as a family and in the process, learn a lot about nature and one another.

I want to give you one final thing to think about. It’s a saying that my wife and I hold dearly and is the foundation for who we are as a family. It’s four simple words:  “Family First, Adventure always.”

* OutdoorX4 Magazine – Promoting responsible 4×4 adventure travel and outdoor recreation