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Backyard Solutions to Nature-Deficit Disorder

10/19/2022

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Image via Pixabay


Nature-Deficit Disorder is a condition caused by spending too much time indoors, cut off from sunlight and fresh air. This is often the result of modern technology and living situations, which encourage us to handle boredom and discontentment without even getting off the couch. However, all of this inactivity can cause serious problems, both mentally and physically — especially for our children. So today, Our 4 Outdoors shares some tips to help you eliminate this problem before it starts.
 
Understanding the Problem
 
There’s no question that advances in technology and living situations have done wonders for human health – not to mention our lifespan. But all those advancements come with a cost. These days, many kids spend far too much time with their devices, meaning that they aren’t getting the fresh air and exercise they need, not to mention the Vitamin D from sunlight.
 
Unfortunately, this problem impacts adults as well as children. As this feeling of disconnection with nature increases, we find ourselves experiencing reduced attention spans, increased problems with obesity, and higher instances of both physical and emotional illnesses, including stress, irritability, and feelings of unfulfillment and uselessness. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way!
 
What You Can Do About It
 
Luckily, you don’t have to haul your family to the closest beach or national park to get them straightened out. In fact, there are so many great ways you can keep your kids healthy — and outdoors — right in your own backyard, from painting to constructing your own ninja warrior course for your kids.
 
You can also stock up on fresh air, relaxation, and exercise at the same time by hitting the trails for a little mountain biking. In fact, nature also has a way of making learning fun – even if it’s only in your own backyard! Check out these great ideas from Earth Science Jr which include fossil hunting and backyard astronomy. And if you thought reading was a strictly indoor activity, click here for 6 Ways You Can Learn to Enjoy Reading Outside.
 
If you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of games that don’t require any equipment at all. On the other hand, you could always consider investing in your own basketball court or backyard playground or swing set, especially if you anticipate your kids using them for years to come.
 
Also, if you’re a dog-owner, you’re in luck! Taking your dog for walks (or runs) is a great way to keep your pet happy and healthy while also getting exercise and fresh air for you and our family. A quick tip, though: you might want to invest in a dog collar with a GPS chip, in case you and your exercise buddy get separated.
 
The good thing about addressing nature-deficit disorder is that it doesn’t take a lot of money or time — all you need to do is get outside! And with these resources, you should have plenty of inspiration to help get everyone detached from tech and off the couch for a while!
 
Our 4 Outdoors strives to fill this website with ideas, tips, and helpful guides to inspire and inform you about the ways we get our (Formerly 4, now 8 kids) outdoors, in order to help you get your kids outdoors too! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
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How You Can Instill Self-Care Principles in Your Child, So That They Thrive in the Days Ahead

8/31/2022

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Picture of family having fun outdoors
Image Credit: Yan Krukov via Pexels

This is a guest post from our friend Laura Pearson at http://edutude.net/ . We love her perspective on this topic and hope you'll check out her website of learning resources.

The pace at which we live life is getting busier and busier, thanks in part to technology and the fact that we live in an ambitious world, where there is always just one more thing to get in a day. The same is true for our kids who can also feel overextended when it comes to school, their friends, and their hobbies which can leave them wanting more time for themselves, but they may be unsure of how to get there. Here are a few self-care principles you can instill in your child so that they can thrive in the days ahead, presented by Our 4 Outdoors.

Teach Them Healthy Basic Habits

Teaching your kids how to take care of themselves from a young age from healthy grooming habits to taking pride in their appearance, to eating better, are the types of basic life principles that can become part of your child’s daily habits so that they grow to feel more confident within themselves.
 
Teach your kids about the importance of good work/life balance. Even though they may not have traditional jobs for a while, they feel stress from school and household responsibilities, too. Show them the value of taking breaks and doing mental health checks throughout the day. And fill the kitchen with healthy snacks and pause to talk about how they feel after eating apple chips and string cheese versus cookies and chips. Highlighting these small steps can help your kids learn how to manage their own stress levels now and in the future.

Take Time to Talk about Their Feelings

One of the things that children adore most is one-on-one time with you. Therefore, be sure to set aside time in your busy schedule for them to talk to them about their feelings. This way you teach them the importance of opening up about their feelings so that they can manage and overcome negative emotions instead of suppressing them and resorting to unhealthy habits later on.

Encourage Them to be Active

According to statistics, childhood obesity is escalating. That’s why it’s vital to encourage them to get moving at a young age, not only for their physical well-being but for their mental health too. Moreover, you could make exercising together with them a daily habit, which can give you precious time to talk to each other more and strengthen your bond even further.
 
You can even take inspiration from the family at Our 4 Outdoors regarding ways to get your family outside and adventuring. This family does it all, from hiking to rafting, so check them out and learn from their experiences.

Practice the Art of Gratitude

Perhaps one of the most vital traits you can teach your kids is the art of gratitude. Gratitude, together with humility, can help boost your child’s confidence and self-assurance levels so that they become well-adjusted, well-rounded adults who aren't arrogant or overbearing.
 
There is so much competition and comparison nowadays that children are feeling more pressure than ever to live up to a certain perceived standard of excellence. This could, understandably, lead to feelings of frustration and disappointment if they feel that they don't quite measure up to society's standards. In this instance, teaching them how to be grateful in every circumstance could be the saving grace they need to face tough situations with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Be Role Models

According to research, kids learn from the behavior of their parents. Therefore, if you aren’t exhibiting healthy lifestyle patterns, then we cannot expect them to. Essentially, if it all starts with you, and they look up to you, then it may be time to start implementing healthier habits if you feel that there could be room to improve upon. For example, perhaps you’ve left your home to reach a chaotic stage because you’re overworked and just don’t have the time to give it a thorough spring clean. If so, you could start with clearing away the clutter, bringing in more light and fresh air, adding a few houseplants, and even adding a diffuse here and there to your home to make it feel lighter, brighter, calmer, and happier.
 
In summary, self-care is just as vital for kids as it is for adults, perhaps more so in the formative years, when they are capable of learning and absorbing so much that will set the course for the rest of their lives. Take the time to talk about and model healthy habits, and do your best to get outside more as a family. You will all feel better physically and mentally, and your kids will remember that as they grow up.

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Reflections on Martin Luther King Day

1/7/2021

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With the coming of Martin Luther King Day this year we have a lot of thoughts swirling around.  If you didn’t realize this yet, we are two white parents with 3 biological boys and 5 adopted kids.  Our adopted kids cover a wide range of skin colors.  Additionally, we have lived as a family in the Dominican Republic and Abby spent time growing up in Africa.  These experiences in particular, combined with the current state of affairs in the US, have launched us into an anti-racist journey.  Part of that journey connects to our love for the outdoors.  We’ve been listening to, reading and learning about issues around black/brown faces in wild places and really want to be a part of that discussion. (Please know that we are on a journey.  We haven’t arrived and don’t believe we ever will-it will be a lifelong journey.  Have grace with us and know that our hearts are deeply for the children in our care.)So until recently I had no idea that many black/brown people didn’t feel comfortable in the outdoors and in particular, on public lands.  I did realize that we didn’t often see them when we were hiking, biking, boating etc.  I noticed how our kids stood out.  In the unusual event that we would see a black person, their presence jumped out at us.  I knew they weren’t out there but I didn’t really know why.  That’s my white privilege.  I don’t need to know or wonder about it.  I have wondered about the reasons why.  I made some assumptions which might be partly true.  But then I ran across a few podcasts that really helped me to better understand the deeper reasons that many black people don’t feel comfortable in those spaces.  I’ll share those resources in a minute. It’s important to us to engage in the conversation around black/brown faces in wild spaces because those are our kids.  Even though we are white, we are shepherding people of color into adulthood in the US.  We have to engage in this.  We want our kids to grow up loving the outdoors and feeling comfortable being there.  We want to be a part of removing the barriers that black people feel in regards to spending time in our public places.  Being a part of change in this area is tricky.  I’ve educated myself enough to know that I need to tread carefully here.  I can’t work out of a “white savior” mentality.  I have to acknowledge that I don’t have the answers.  We are seeking ways to be a part of the solution instead of just morphing it into another ugly situation.  On the other hand, we have some real skin in the game (no pun intended).  Our kids, whom we love deeply, are people with black/brown skin.  We need to be part of this movement. So, not a lot of answers here.  We are just at the beginning.  Mostly we wanted to invite other white people into a learning and growing process with us.  We want to ask to be included in the conversation.  We would hope to be able to use the skills we have in exploring the outdoors to make those spaces more welcoming and open to people of color. Here are a few resources we have been exploring in this area.  Maybe they will help you on your anti-racist journey.  Or maybe you are a person of color working for equity in this area and are willing to engage with us.  Thanks for being here with us.  Let’s make our public lands truly for each and every American.
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First Name Basis Podcast  https://firstnamebasis.libsyn.com/305-anti-racism-in-the-wild  This podcast, First Name Basis, comes from Jasmine Bradshaw, a black woman who is graciously walking people through how to be on an antiracist journey.
Meat Eater Podcast  https://www.themeateater.com/listen/meateater/ep-230-a-difficult-conversation  -As weird as this may be, Steven Rinella of The MeatEater podcast speaks with Rue Mapp, the founder of Outdoor Afro (https://outdoorafro.com/about/), about their mission and purpose and why there is a need for a group like this.
Outdoor Afro https://outdoorafro.com/about/ -a group working to create safe spaces for black/brown people in the outdoors.  We would love to see a chapter start up in Spokane!  Can we partner with anyone on that??
The Black Outdoors https://www.theblackoutdoors.com/ another group working to make outdoor adventures accessible to POC. 
Thanks for joining us on this journey!  There’s room for all of us out there.
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Free ski school at Lookout Pass

12/8/2019

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If you are interested in teaching your kids how to ski, then you should really consider Lookout Pass.  They  have an awesome Free Ski School program that runs from January through March.  It really is free - you just have to register and make it to one of the first three sessions, and then after that you can get a free lesson every Saturday during the program.

Rentals and lift tickets are not included (if you want to keep skiing after the lesson, you need to buy a ticket), but they are some of the cheapest in the region at only $37 for a full day for youths aged 7-17.  If your kids are under 7, then they are free!

skilookout.com/famous-free-ski-school

Lookout also has a really nice beginner hill that has an appropriate slope and is contoured to keep beginner skiers from going off into the trees.  It's also off to the side, which is safer because you don't have more advanced skiers coming through at faster speeds.  And while it is a little further than some other hills, the fact that it is just off I-90 means that the road there is always well maintained. 

It's a great ski hill for families, so go give them a visit!  Here is a link to their Facebook page as well.

www.facebook.com/SkiLookoutPass/
kids skiing at lookout pass
This was the first time on skis for our Colombian kids. They loved it!
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Kokanee Viewing at Sullivan Lake

10/24/2019

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Late fall can be a tough time to find outdoor activities for kids - it's getting cold for many things, but there isn't enough snow yet for traditional winter activities.  But here is a fun idea - drive north of Spokane to Sullivan Lake and view the Kokanee as they spawn in Harvey Creek.

A Kokanee is actually a Sockeye Salmon that no longer has a outlet to the ocean - they are "landlocked".  Like their anadromous ancestors, these fish travel upstream and turn red as they spawn and die.  This makes them very visible and very beautiful to see, and there are a few local areas where you can partake in this natural wonder.

In Idaho you might consider Trestle Creek on the north side of lake Pend Oreille, and from Spokane you can head north to Sullivan Lake.  Harvey Creek enters this lake from the south end near Noisy Creek Campground.  From the bridge across this creek you can can often see plenty of fish, or walk a short ways upstream to find the pool of fish pictured to the right.

This is a fun fall excursion, because you are going to see lots of fall colors in the trees, and nearby there is another very short hike to Sweet Creek Falls at the rest stop of the same name on Hwy 31.  If you want to stretch your legs more, there are quite a few hiking options along the shores of Sullivan Lake and surrounding area.  A day trip to the NE corner of WA has plenty to offer.

#kokanee #sullivan lake #noisy creek #harvey creek #spawn
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Time to gear up for ski season!

10/23/2019

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Winter seems to have come a bit early to the Inland Northwest, but this may have you thinking about skiing!  Skiing is fun, but expensive.  One great way to save a little money is to go the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol Ski swap.  This event has been going strong for 50+ years and has over 22,000 items for sale.  It is happening this Saturday from 9a-5p and Sunday from 9a-noon at the Spokane Fair & Expo Center.  Admission is $5, but kids 12 and under are free.  If you need some gear for this coming season, be sure to check it out.  You can get more details at skipatrolskiswap.com/

#skiswap #mtspokane #skiing #skiseason
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Come see us at Auntie's Bookstore!

7/10/2018

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We will be presenting this Wednesday at Auntie's Bookstore in Spokane, WA.  This is our final presentation for the summer, so don't miss it!  We'll give our best tips for creating a memorable family vacation in the parks, including some specifics for Yellowstone, Glacier, and Utah's parks, then finish up with plenty of time for Q&A.  Hope to see you there!
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Seminar at Mountain Gear - Spokane, WA

6/27/2018

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If you are in the Spokane, WA area this Thursday and want to see our slideshow on our best tips for family vacations in the National Parks, then stop by Mountain Gear at 7pm.  We'll give our presentation, which also includes specific tips for Yellowstone, Glacier, and the UT Parks, and then follow it up with plenty of time for Q&A.  See you there!
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Book Release & Presentation

5/31/2018

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Our newest book in our series on taking kids to the National Parks will be released tomorrow, June 1st!  Adventuring With Kids: Glacier National Park will be available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Mountaineers Books, and at many local book sellers that you can find at IndieBound.com.

Also, if you'd like to hear a 30 minute presentation on our best tips for taking kids to the parks, together with some specific recommendations for the parks that we've written about, come by the Barnes & Noble in Spokane Valley, WA this Saturday June 2nd.  See you there!
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Book Review: "The Pursuit of Endurance" by Jennifer Pharr Davis

5/26/2018

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By Harley McAllister

By all accounts I am the most average of endurance athlete.  The longest I’ve run is a mere 10 miles, and the longest I’ve hiked is less than a week.  So, when I saw that Jennifer Pharr Davis, a world class athlete, had written a book titled “Endurance”, I wondered if much that she had written would apply to me or hold my interest.  However, once I started reading, I found it hard to put this book down.

The author once hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, over 2,100 miles, in just 46 days.  That amounts to 47 miles per day on average, and she held the record for the Fastest Known Time for 4 years.  The record has been beaten now a few times, but not by much, and in this book she sets out to provide the backstory of the various record holders in an attempt to find commonality and glean some lessons learned about what it is in the human soul that makes such accomplishments, such feats of endurance, possible.  The results are fascinating, and not a little bit surprising.

After meeting many of the luminaries in the world of “Fastest Known Times” for the nation’s longest trails, what is striking about them is not their similarities but rather their dramatic differences.  Each is an individual with a unique story to tell, and the author tells these stories in a way that is introspective at times and insightful always.  I sort of expected the book to be a summary of what the latest science has to say about nutrition, training, preparation, etc., and how it could be applied to weekend warrior athletes like myself.  What I found instead is that endurance has much more to do with the human spirit, and that its lessons and applications can be applied not just to my fleeting athletic endeavors, but much more to the inevitable ups and downs that life will throw our way.  Each of the athletes in this book has had their own life struggles to deal with and found answers on these long trails that helped them overcome and lead better lives.  In reading about them you will come to see not how different from them you are, but how similar.  And in reading about their lives, challenges, and accomplishments, you are sure to find something in there that inspires you and encourages you to endure on your own long journey of life.
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    Harley & Abby McAllister
    We are an adventurous husband and wife duo who drag our 4 feral kids outside with us as often as we can stand it!  Maybe, just maybe, our adventures will help inspire you! 

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