"Raising Rippers"

Freelance journalist, mother, ultra runner, Katie Arnold, writes Raising Rippers for Outside online. In her words, her blog is about "bringing up adventurous, outdoor kids."  If you haven't already, her blog is worth checking out.  It is inspiring, humorous, and yes, adventurous.  

Are we sheltering our kids?  Are we allowing them to dictate their days and their parents' days?  Are WE overloading their youth with too many organized activities (sports, dance, gymnastics, music lessons, karate, cooking classes, boy/girl scouts, etc.)?  Whatever happened to free play?  What ever happened to facilitated adventure and giving kids freedom to explore?

I'm not sure where or when playtime became a "chore" and screen-time became the desired activity.  Nonetheless, this generation of youth seems to be missing out on developing the kind of intelligence and common sense that the great wild outdoors teaches us.  I suppose I make a statement like this based on the CDC's stats regarding childhood obesity, being a high school sports coach within the past decade, and simply having young children of my own and witnessing what they are interested in and what their friends are interested in.  Unfair?  Maybe.  But I said it.  And yes, these are just speculations.  But we need to start somewhere.  And we need to start now.  Let's get our kids outside.  Let's get our kids dirty.  Let plant gardens, hike mountains, swim in oceans, and run through fields.  

Enjoy the outdoors!  It's free space.  Can't get any better than that!

Be Well,
MLC