This post is by regular contributor Tricia Hogbin of Little Eco Footprints.
Much of my family’s outdoor time on weekdays is spent in an urban environment. A typical day’s outdoor activity for Little Eco (my daughter) includes a quick walk around the block with the dog in the morning, some backyard play at preschool, and a ‘Green Hour’ in the afternoon. Our ‘Green Hour’ rarely extends beyond our urban suburb and is mostly spent visiting a local park, walking or cycling around our neighbourhood, or playing or gardening in our backyard.
I love urban nature and am always surprised by what we encounter, yet it’s not enough. I want Little Eco to know and love the ‘real’ nature. So on weekends we try and make-up for our urban weekdays by going on an adventure.
Last weekend it was canoeing. It was Little Eco’s first canoe trip and I wasn’t certain she would enjoy it. I was expecting her to be a little apprehensive and thought she would become restless after an hour or so. But she surprised me. She loved it. She spotted wildlife, splashed in the water, and had a go at paddling. After around three hours canoeing she was calmer and happier than I’d seen her in ages.
Some of her other favourite weekend adventures include….
bushwalking,
horse riding,
camping,
swimming,
cycling,
and simply playing in the bush.
I can already see her expressing the benefits of this time with nature. These moments of adventure build her confidence. They expose her to new sights and experiences. They stretch her comfort levels. They improve her strength and fitness. And most importantly they connect her with nature.
How about you? Have you taken your children on an outdoor adventure recently? Have you noticed the confidence that comes with completing an adventure?
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