Tips and Gadgets
Bivy Sacks »
Posted on June 23, 2011When heading out on a long back pack trip where keeping weight to a minimum is essential, we have found great luck with waterproof bivy sacks. They weigh in at a couple of pounds and fit into a very small stuff sack. You won’t have the joy of sharing a tent together, but they are easy to unroll and climb into. The main thing is getting use to the feeling of being inside what amounts to a body bag. I find that on clear nights, I get over the creepy, claustrophobic feelings by sleeping on top of it, or by sleeping with the head portion unzipped and pulled down around my chest. Happy sleeping!
Yurts! »
Posted on May 15, 2011Here in Colorado, we are fortunate to have several recreational areas with rentable yurts (a tent like structure which is canvas over a deck and wooden frame). While not as luxurious as a cabin or the well-known 10th Mountain Hut System near Vail, the advantage of the smaller yurts is that you can rent them just for your own family or group. While sharing a large cabin with strangers can be very fun, it’s not always the best when traveling with younger children who need to go to bed at a reasonable hour or who may disturb the group with preschool mood swings. They are also great structures for having outdoor experiences while still enjoying the comfort of a mattress. We hope you enjoy.
Crunch It and Recycle! »
Posted on May 10, 2011Do you want to enjoy the outdoors and help the environment at the same time? The makers of the Jet Boil cooking system with their “Crunch it” tool make it easy. Simply drain your fuel canister of any remaining gas and then punch a few holes in the cylinder. This lets the folks know at recycling center that your canister is completely empty, thus it can be recycled. When using Coleman brand tanks, use their Green Key system for the same purpose.
Resale Outdoorsman’s Equipment! »
Posted on March 26, 2011This past week I stumbled on a Denver shop on South Broadway, close to Army Surplus, that just opened its doors. The Outdoorsman’s Attic specializes in outdoor equipment sold on consignment. While the selection was small for their first week, I quickly walked out with climbing equipment, an old pair of crampons for my son to put up on the wall with his other classic equipment, a fabulous rescue shovel and a scuba bag. All were in great condition for about a third of the cost. What a great place for cleaning out your old gear and selling what you don’t need anymore. Even better, this would be a great place to pick up equipment for your kids and then resell it once they have jumped up in size. The Outdoorsman’s Attic can be reached at 303-781-3626 or via email: info@outdoorsmansattic.com. Those of you that are not living in the Denver area, let us know of similar outdoor consignment shops that we could visit.
Man Alive! Radio »
Posted on March 13, 2011Need some manly listening on the radio? Check out Man Alive! Radio (http://www.castlerockradio.com) with host, Captain Coy Theobalt as he discusses parenting with passion, joy, and gratitude. Last month’s topic was: “Adventure Dads: Family Fun with Our Sons and Daughters”. He and guest, Doug Gertner, Ph.D. (http://www.gratefuldad.org) talked about being playful men, being supportive of the interests of our kids, and how to make time to play and have fun.
A Simple Curve »
Posted on March 13, 2011Travis sent me an email about the movie, A Simple Curve. As a new father and past contributor to AdventureDad (http://adventuredad.org/236/adventures/a-father-and-son-go-ultra/) he felt that you would enjoy watching it (available on Netflix). Travis writes: “It’s about being a dad, woodworking, and the outdoors”. Thanks for the tip Trav!
A Father-Son Rite of Passage Opportunity »
Posted on February 21, 20115 Night Father-Son Adventures in Australia
“Not every successful man is a good father. But every good father is a successful man.” (R. Duvall)
Darren Lewis of Fathering Adventures facilitates 5 Night Father-Son Adventures in Australia, and provides ongoing coaching for Dads who desire to be deliberate, engaged, intentional, and strategic in their significant role as fathers to their children.
The 5 Night Father-Son Adventures have a 2-fold purpose…
- To strengthen the father-son relationship, and to educate, equip, and enable Dads so that their experience is not just limited to a 5 Night adventure.
- To provide a path, a way, a masculine journey, a rite-of-passage into authentic manhood, which has been lost since the onset of the Industrial Revolution.
The 5 Night Father-Son Adventures feature full-day, professionally-guided outdoor adventures, such as white-water rafting, dual sea kayaking, snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, and hiking. Each evening features a multimedia presentation which provides training and instruction in the way of authentic manhood… speaking into matters such as what is a real man, how does a real man act, and how does a real man treats and relates to a woman etc.
Here’s what one Dad from Arkansas had to say…
Men, if you are looking for a concentrated time with your son to build character and a vision of what a man is, and maybe craft your own vision for what it means yourself, consider Father Adventures. It may be the greatest investment you make in your sons life and your relationship.
If you have a son aged 13 and up… there’s no maximum age limit, and it’s never too late… then bring him along to a 5 Night Father-Son Adventure with us and other father-son pairs from around the world. Register your interest at http://www.fatheringadventures.com.au/5_night_father_son_adventures.php .
Selecting Snowshoes »
Posted on February 3, 2011Snowshoeing is one of our favorite winter activities. Good exercise in a land of peace, beauty and quiet. At the same time, one can become overwhelmed by the options when selecting a snowshoe for you and your kids. For us, it’s all about the binding system. We hope this clip helps make it a little bit easier.
Chump Change Adventures »
Posted on January 15, 2011I just got hooked up with a new site which features low cost to free adventure activities in the Denver metro and mountain areas. Chump Change Adventures (http://www.ChumpChangeAdventures.com) organizes adventures by audience (children, teens, families, couples) as well as by type of adventure. In addition to outdoor activities, it has listings for classes, seasonal, and business opportunities. I especially enjoyed the calendar of events which included a complete listing of REI classes for the beginner through experienced outdoor enthusiast. Sharon Otto, the founder of Chump Change Adventures hopes to expand her site to other cities around the country.
Good luck Sharon!
A Dad Takes Charge of ADHD »
Posted on January 1, 2011I recently spoke with a dad whose middle school son has been struggling academically due to ADHD symptoms. Missing assignments, disorganization, lost homework, and poor study habits were the norm and each day became a struggle. Fighting over homework was having a seriously negative impact on their father/son relationship as well as the whole family.
Finally, one day, an idea struck the dad who was a business man with a home office. “I realized that my son needed much more support and direct involvement on the front end rather than having me get upset with him late in the evening. So, I decided to turn my office into a war room for my son and I. I went over to Office Max and bought a white board, table and calendar. We track assignments and deadlines and use the visuals to help him break down long term projects. Each night we review the tasks for the day and then work next to each other in the office. It has completely changed the dynamics around homework and his grades have been moving up steadily.”
Great idea dad. While we want our kids to be developing independence and responsible work habits, there are many students with ADHD or learning challenges who struggle each day with organization and follow through. In addition to their neurologically based struggles there is the ever increasing quantity of homework on today’s students. These two factors can end in daily battles for the whole family. By increasing his involvement, this dad took a daily negative chore and turned it into a positive connecting opportunity for both of them.