National Outdoor Leadership School - Index

National Outdoor Leadership School - brochure - Index

“Just like on a NOLS course, it is important to give
your kids time to lead and engage them in planning,
otherwise it is not as valuable,” says NOLS Executive
Director John Gans, who took a 4-month trip around
the world with his wife and three kids in 2007.
ahead and check on seat belts, nearby medical facilities,
and safety equipment for adventure activities. In
the end, there is almost always something that happens
that you didn’t prepare for, so stay calm and flexible.
Though in the end, “having the right kind of
themed band aid (bug tattoo, Disney, etc.) is a placebo
more effective than anything modern man has actually
developed,” says Barrett.
Quality Time
Traveling with children can open doors and experiences
that don’t happen in a group of just adults. Involve
your children in the experience and delight in
We’re Flexing Our Muscle to Get You Great
HOTEL DEALS
RATES FROM
$ 56
Barrett Green
Gans Photo Archives
the unexpected bridges that they build along the way
within countries, cultures and your own family. Sure,
pouring over a map with your kid takes more time,
but the lessons learned and time spent together is more
important than speedy travel and well-positioned photos.
It’s quality over quantity.
“Except for fish,” warns Barrett. “A whole bunch
of minnows or water bugs outranks a good sized bass
over a period of two hours any day.”
Also remember that all grand travels begin with
an easy first step. Griff and his wife don’t have another
safari in their future, but they have plenty of fun times
planned in their own backyard. “My wife and I met on
a cycling ride. With Patrick along, we don’t do it the
same way—long road rides are now shorter trips
around town—but it is still a good workout and a
whole lot of fun.”
As those with grown kids know too well, memories
will last a lifetime, but the opportunities won’t.
Though the Gans family planned their trip around
destinations, it was evident as they returned home
that it was the faces, not the places, that made their
adventure so memorable. “We love our life in Lander
and appreciate that we have different interests,” he
says. “But it is an incredible opportunity to have a
sustained, intense experience with your family, knowing
that you might not have that again,” he says.
Tools to make your trip
fun and successful:
For the kid-sized gear: www.rei.com/kids
To share photos and tales from your travels with
friends and family: www.mytripjournal.com
Several NOLS alumni trips are designed for grads
and their familes: www.nols.edu/alumni/trips
A NOLS travel partner, Lindblad Expeditions,
offers many family-friendly trips:
www.expeditions.com
The benefits of a NOLS education are many—skills, experience, wilderness,
leadership—and now there’s more. We’re leveraging the strength of
our over 100,000 grads to gain valuable benefits for our alumni and staff.
We’ve arranged for NOLS staff and grads to receive discounted, business-style
lodging at Club Quarters properties in New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington DC,
Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, and London. Rates start as low as $56/night.
Some restrictions apply and availability varies. Contact the NOLS Alumni department
at (800) 332-4280 or alumni@nols.edu for details.
[ BECAUSE EVEN HONED WILDERNESS TRAVELERS]
DESERVE A NICE HOTEL ROOM NOW AND THEN.
SPRING 2008
BOOK REVIEW
Kids Go Wild: Adventures in
the Canadian Rockies
Written by Sarah Burke, illustrated by
Katie Steele. © 2007 by Sarah Burke
REVIEW BY JESSICA FULLER
Kids Go Wild: Adventures in the Canadian Rockies,
written by NOLS grad Sarah Burke and illustrated
by Katie Steele, puts into words and pictures the
fun and excitement that comes with spending a
night in the wilderness. This children’s book follows
two young friends, Zack and Sumey, on an
overnight backpacking trip with Zack’s parents. The
two kids act as tour guides for the clueless parents,
and the story moves through all the stages of a
successful trip, from packing to campsite selection
to enjoying the journey along the way.
The story itself is entertaining and chock full
of good EB, LNT and familial TLC. Though a bit
long for a bedtime story, the book would be perfect
to give a 7- to 10-year-old before going on
an overnight excursion to introduce them to the
experience and get both questions and excitement
rolling. Every few pages, there are also
backcountry tips and nature facts that mirror
Sumey and Zack’s good choices and scenic observations
throughout their adventure.
From page one, when Sumey arrives for the
trip exclaiming, “I’m ready to go, and I’ve told my
dad where I’ll be!” the story is full of great backcountry
etiquette and safety precautions. Sumey
and Zack pick up trash they find, correct dad
when he begins wandering off trail, and pick up
their campsite in the morning. Burke empowers
her characters to make good choices and passes
that on to readers, and Steele’s chalk illustrations
are fun and colorful. The book also addresses the
realities of Canadian Rocky Mountain travel,
specifically bears, without being scary.
Whether you are planning an overnight excursion
to the book’s setting of Alberta, or simply
exploring your local state park on a day hike, Kids
Go Wild offers good tips to any age adventurer. It
is a great way to get your actual or inner child excited
about getting outdoors.
Author Sarah Burke and illustrator Katie Steele have
self-published this literary treat and print on 50%
recycled paper. One percent of gross sales is donated
to environmental organizations fighting global
warming. Available for $12.95, the best way to find
Kids Go Wild is through Café Books at (403) 678-
0908 or Second Story Books at (403) 609-2368.
WILDERNESS QUIZ
Answer: Zapovedniks are Russia’s protected
nature reserves and national parks. The first
Zapovednik was designated in 1916 on the
eastern shore of Lake Baikal. There are now
100 Zapovedniks protecting over 33.5 million
hectares (82.7 million acres) of diverse wilderness
across Russia. The Zapovednik system accounts
for 2.1 percent of the country’s territory.
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