Buchanan, a dedicated outdoorsman and longtime adventure journalist for Men's Journal and Outside magazines, wrote this book with one goal in mind: To help parents get their kids outside and active.
"Kids spend an average of 44 hours a week in front of TVs, computers and video games," he says, "and pediatricians are treating fewer broken bones today and more repetitive motion injuries."
Using his experiences with his own young children as examples, the author walks readers breezily through the steps it takes to travel and play in nature. Based in Boulder, Colorado -- where the author says "the hip meet to trip" -- the Buchanans have camped in the rain, hiked through mosquitoes, skied in the cold, rafted through hailstorms and even pierced ears with fish hooks ... all in the name of research for this handy how-to book.
Buchanan gives every parent tips on how to make fishing trips with kids not only successful, but simply happen. Ski trips, hiking trips, cycling trips -- even trips to the local waterpark are covered. Here are some of Buchanan's hard-earned tactics:
SKIING
The author admits up front the sport of skiing comes with an awful lot of equipment, most of which parents end up carrying. Buchanan likens lugging ski equipment to hauling a "mix of brooms, pans, cantaloupes and eggs," and offers tips on how to make it less painful.
I found his advice on balancing two sets of adult skis on your shoulders while holding kids' skis in your hands as counterweights especially helpful. It works!
Despite the hassles, skiing together as a family is "worth every tantrum, dropped pole and sunburn," the author assures us.
CAMPING
The best part of the book may be Buchanan's reciting of his Universal Marshmallow Allotment Doctrine. How many of these gooey treats are good for kids? Buchanan insists "three each is plenty."
The expert recommends car camping for the inexperienced.
"In a way, car camping is a lot like setting your tent up in your living room," he says, "you're never too far away from the luxuries of home, be it a bathroom, bowl of Cheerios or Barney."
He compares tent camping with RV tripping with kids, and recommends bringing along other families with kids for playmates.
However you do it though, Buchanan says camping is one of the best trips you can make as a family. "It instils life's basic lessons of food, shelter and clothing," he says, "which are usually taken for granted."
PADDLING
Buchanan, former editor of Paddling magazine, is no stranger to fast water. But he's not above taking his kids to the most basic form of the sport.
"Cringe if you will," he writes, "but even taking your kids to waterparks will instil a love of recreating with water."
For multi-day trips the author suggests leisurely schedules. Just watch the noses of kids, he warns: "Sand will stick to the nose drool of a 2-year-old and stay there until someone wipes it!"
FISHING
While Canadians are no strangers to fishing, Buchanan's tips for getting kids started are fresh and quick. Get them to practice casting before the trip in a large field, he suggests, and don't forget to the tape the hook up or cut it off completely.
Keep the first few fishing trips short so kids don't lose interest. Teach your kids patience. And most important, practice patience yourself.
Patience required indeed ... the book Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids is full of how to channel it, see helipress.com.
LORIKNOWLES.COM
Making peace with winter2010 NAIAS Preview Raises $2 Million for Children’s Charities
