A longtime backpacker, climber and skier, author Michael Lanza, along with his 9-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter, embarked on a yearlong trip through our national parks. It was an ambitious adventure designed to immerse them in the natural world and to learn more about the effects climate change was having on these important landscapes. He chronicled the journey in his book “Before They’re Gone — A Family’s Year-Long Quest to Explore America’s Most Endangered National Parks” (Beacon Press).
Here, he shares five ways to encourage the next generation of outdoor adventurers.
1. Encourage outside play.
A slew of experts agree that regular, unstructured outside play is critical for a child’s healthy development.
To that end, “Kick them out of the house,” advises Lanza. “Kids today often want to play indoors where the electronics are. Insist they play outside — but also, give them the freedom to roam within boundaries appropriate for their ages. That way, they can explore and not get bored.”
It also helps to plan regular activity as a family: cross-country or downhill skiing, hiking on local trails, biking, even walking around your neighborhood or local community, Lanza advises.
2. Start slow.
When the time is right for adventure, take baby steps. “Begin with short hikes and gradually work up to longer outings,” advises Lanza, who gathered personal experience as a field editor with Backpacker magazine. “Evaluate your child’s readiness for something new based not just on its physical difficulty, but how well your child handled previous experiences that presented comparable stress.”
Lanza’s yearlong trip included sea kayaking and wilderness camping in Glacier Bay, Alaska. He determined his children were ready for such an outing because they had previously backpacked, rock climbed, floated and camped on a wilderness river, and cross-country skied through snowstorms.
Contact: www.NPS.gov/glba.
3. Communicate.
Lanza believes in one important rule: no whining. “Tell your children they can talk about any situation they’re not happy with, but draw the line at complaining just to complain. Everyone will be happier.”
At the same time, he advises including them in the decision-making process, so they have a sense of control over their own fate, which, he says, goes a long way toward relieving stress, no matter what our age.
According to Lanza, Grand Teton, Yosemite, Zion, Glacier and Rocky Mountain National Parks all offer hiking and backpacking options that are ideal for beginners and families.
Contact: www.NPS.gov; www.VisitUtah.com; www.Colorado.com; www.ExploreWhitefish.com.
4. Be flexible.
Whether rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park, cross-country skiing in Yellowstone or canoeing in the Everglades with his kids, Lanza made a point to be flexible.
Parents should “focus on the journey rather than the destination,” advises Lanza. “And have Plan B at the ready.”
Contact: www.NPS.gov; www.VisitCalifornia.com; www.VisitMT.com; www.VisitFlorida.com.
5. On the trail with teens.
No matter what kind of trip is planned, allowing a teenage son or daughter to invite a friend along is often a good strategy. It can be a little trickier when planning an outdoor adventure. “You want to make sure he or she is up to the challenges the trip may present,” explained Lanza.
