Growing Up Outdoors (Part 1)

OutGrown Blog Growing Up Outdoors (Part 1)
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OutGrown Admin

Jan 18, 2022

Welcome to this three part series from our guest blogger, Mary Finley! Mary shares her story of raising her kids to be outdoorsy through all the challenges and changes that life has thrown their way.

Nature has always been a large part of my life. Growing up, we spent much of our time on our property on the Shenandoah River and camping and hiking in state and national parks, as well as swimming and camping at the beach. Those are some of my best memories from my childhood.

In 2001, I found myself back at home, living in my childhood town with my mom in her house. I was in my mid-twenties and had given birth to my firstborn, my son, after being on bedrest most of my pregnancy. Before that, I had been a nanny in Southern California, spending weekdays by the ocean at Cardiff by the Sea and spending weekends doing anything and everything outdoors, so I knew being outside was something I wanted for my son and I.

Not everyone who loves the outdoor life starts out this way, though. I have friends that are not naturally drawn to the outdoors and others who found it later in life, but I grew up with parents who would have fit into today’s “outdoor mold” perfectly. We grew up in canoes and kayaks on the Shenandoah River, and in our family van traveling on the weekends to camp or go to the beach. My dad had us packing our backpacks before I stopped carrying a teddy bear and calculating water needs for a weekend trip for math exercises.

A month into my son’s life, our understanding of a lot of things changed. I was a single mom with a new baby, and a lot of physical recovery was needed. My son was born, August 11th, 2001. On his one-month birthday, as with everyone in the United States, I found myself standing in my living room watching the world change while holding a tiny new life. It caused a strange reaction in me. I took action. Education was always important to my family and a heavy emphasis was put on graduating college, which was something I had not yet accomplished. I am privileged to have had a mom that fully supported my new motivation and goals, and I quickly found myself, having realized how unpredictable and short life can be after the tragedy of 9-11, a full-time college student and single mom… who still loved the outdoors!

Luckily my mom lived in a townhouse neighborhood that sat within walking distance to a county park lake. Walking down and around the lake daily, however briefly, helped quell my obsession with being near the water and outside and helped give me brain breaks for trying to do it all as a new mom. Slowly but surely, my daily walks with my son to the end of the block transitioned to walks down to the lake, and then into laps around the lake.

I quickly realized my everyday “city” stroller was not cutting it on the dirt trail riddled with tree roots and the occasional set of stairs. I upgraded to an off-road stroller with fat wheels like a mountain bike and a padded harness type strap for my little one to be securely fastened into while I went for my daily brain break of hiking, kid in tow, around our little lake.

When I wasn’t in class, my son was along for the ride. Childcare is expensive and complicated and it varied over time what that looked like, from my grandmother watching him during each individual hour of class and me returning between each class to check in and nurse my little one while he was an infant to him slowly turning into an active toddler in full time daycare while I finished up that last bit of school, you can guarantee any time I wasn’t in need of required childcare, you found him, most days, literally strapped onto me along for the ride.

When he wasn’t in the stroller on daily walks fit in between classes, homework, grocery shopping, or chores he was strapped into a front carrier then quickly switched to a hiking pack. My first born was not small! By a few months old he was nearly twenty pounds. Luckily for this hiking mom, being a do it all single parent meant he was always on a hip, in a front pack, or in a backpack.

As he grew, so did I, learning more about parenting and hiking with babies, and growing in my strength and ability physically going from near total bedrest to mile long hikes with kid in tow. I think the hardest things about those days became the greatest. Being the sole caregiver meant I grew along with him. Not having the choice to “handoff” to someone else, or trade who carried him meant every trip out the door I discovered new ways to “make it work” and new muscles I didn’t know I had!

I learned that I could stick a few diapers and snacks and a bottle or cup in the zipper pouch of a backpack, or in the pouch of the stroller and my son was pretty happy to be outside and on the go. By the time my son was mobile, he was running ahead of me on the trails and scrambling rocks alongside me on trails in our local parks all the way up to trails like Little Stoney Man in Shenandoah National Park at three years old.

Tune in next week for the second blog in this three part series!

ABOUT OUTGROWN

OutGrown is a 501(c)(3) nonproﬁt that works to create a world where everyone can enjoy the physical and mental beneﬁts of spending time outside. We are focused on creating opportunities and removing barriers to access so families with babies and young children can take their ﬁrst steps outside. We believe all families have the right to connect with nature, beneﬁt from spending time outdoors and be inspired to a lifelong love of nature. Since its grassroots inception in 2013, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteer Branch Ambassadors. More information on all of our programs can be found at WeAreOutGrown.org

EDITORS NOTE:

We hope you enjoyed reading this article from OutGrown. We’re working hard to provide our community with content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain you.

But content is not free. It’s built on the hard work and dedication of writers, editors, and volunteers. We make an investment in developing premium content to make it easier for families with young children to connect with nature and each other. We do not ask this lightly, but if you can, please make a contribution and help us extend our reach.

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Have You Heard About the 10-Minute Walk Initiative? Suppose you believe that access to parks and green spaces improves physical and mental health, especially during times of crisis, or that life simply feels better when nature is close by. In that case, you are already aligned with the vision behind the 10 Minute Walk Initiative. Photo by Monique Vargas What Is the 10 Minute Walk Initiative? The 10-Minute Walk Initiative is a nationwide effort to ensure that everyone in the United States has safe, easy access to a quality park within a ten-minute walk of home by the year 2050. This is not just a goal for green-friendly states like California or Colorado. It is a promise for every city, every neighborhood, and every family. Want to know if your city is part of it? Visit the 10 Minute Walk website to see if your mayor has signed on. If you do not see your city listed, you can do what some of our community members have done: sign up for updates and learn how to get involved. You may even be able to encourage your local leaders to take part. If you are part of the OutGrown community, you already know our roots go back to the Hike it Baby movement and its guiding value: Leave No Family Behind. That means no matter your pace, parenting moment, or personal identity, you belong here. Whether you are changing a diaper, feeding your baby, managing a meltdown (yours or theirs), or just starting, we will not leave you behind. But here is the hard truth: Some families are being left behind simply because they do not have access. Parks are too far, sidewalks are unsafe, and transit is unreliable. That is why OutGrown supports the 10-Minute Walk Initiative. Ensuring every family has access to nature is the first step in building an inclusive and equitable future outdoors. OutGrown exists to be a hub of tools, stories, and support for families with babies and young children who want to grow up outside, together. Learn more about our mission and how you can be part of it at WeAreOutGrown.org. About OutGrown OutGrown is a national nonprofit working to ensure that every family, especially those with babies and young children, can experience the benefits of time outside. Since our grassroots beginning in 2013, we have supported more than 300,000 families with the help of thousands of volunteers across the country. We believe nature belongs to all of us from the very beginning. That means creating opportunities, removing barriers, and supporting families in finding their way outdoors, whether that starts with a stroller walk, a community outing, or a quiet moment under the sky. You can learn more and explore our programs at WeAreOutGrown.org. Editor’s Note Thank you for reading. At OutGrown, we believe content should offer more than information. It should create a connection, support real-life caregiving, and reflect how families grow together through nature. Everything we share is made with care by our team and volunteer community. If this piece inspired you or helped you feel more confident in your outdoor journey, we invite you to support our work by donating today. Your contributions help us keep resources free and accessible to all families. Please remember that the experiences and tips shared in this article are for general information only. They are not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or safety advice. Always consult with a qualified provider if you have specific concerns or questions. We are glad you are here. We are growing something meaningful together

5 Tips for Trail Cleanup Safety

Trail cleanups can be a powerful way for families to give back and connect with nature at the same time. With little ones in tow, safety and simplicity are key. Whether joining a group event or picking up trash on your usual stroll, this guide offers practical tips to help make your next cleanup effort safe, age-appropriate, and meaningful for everyone involved. Winters can be hard on trails. Many will need both cleanup and maintenance come springtime. You can contact your local or state park system to see if they have anything planned, or you can plan your own trail cleanup hike with your Hike it Baby branch! Hike it Baby offers lots of information on organizing a trail cleanup, and safety is a consideration when participating in a trail cleanup. Some of these things may seem like common sense, but it’s always nice to double check your preparedness whenever you try something new (or for the first time in a while). 5 Tips for Trail Cleanup Safety 1. Bring proper cleanup supplies Certain supplies will come in handy during a trail cleanup. This would include gloves, trash grabbers and bags. It’s a good idea to have the littles carry the trash bag instead of picking up trash. They may not know what they should and shouldn’t touch. 2. Work in pairs or groups Sticking together and staying in communication with the organizer are very important. Make sure you have a charged cell phone or walkie-talkie with you. A compass could also come in handy if you're off the beaten path. Make sure someone knows exactly what area your group will be working in. Check in often with the organizer and stay close to your partner or group. Or, if you're hosting the hike, help the group stay together and communicate the meet up locations and times. 3. Bring your normal safety supplies All normal hiking injuries can occur on a trail cleanup. In fact, after winter, the trail will likely be in worse shape than usual, so be prepared. Make sure you pack your typical first aid kit, plus plenty of water and snacks. 4. Give the kiddos simple tasks The concept of trail cleanup is super important to share with our kids beginning at a young age as it teaches them to be stewards for our trails and parks. It’s even better to reinforce as they get older. That being said, not every trail cleanup is organized with young children in mind. If attending a hike organized by another group or parks department, speak to the cleanup organizer before deciding whether or not you will bring young children. Make sure there will be tasks suitable for their age and ability. With supervision and proper gloves and grabbers, tiny people are great at holding trash bags, spying trash, and they love to use trash grabbers! Older kids can also be great to pair with younger kids. If hosting your own hike, make sure you communicate what supplies to bring and provide safety tips during Welcome Circle. 5. Use caution Don't ever touch anything sharp or lift anything too heavy. While you will typically feel totally awesome after participating in a trail cleanup, you might not if you cut yourself and get an infection. After winter, there could be trees or large branches across the trail. Don’t try to be the hero and lift something too heavy on your own. Even professional bodybuilders use a spotter to lift. Bring a notepad with you and document anything you can’t handle. Then give this list to the trail cleanup organizer so that the proper crew can address it. (Or, if you're hosting, contact the parks department with the information.) For toddlers and little kids, have them spot the trash ("I spy!") instead of picking it up. This will ensure they aren't picking up anything dangerous or unsanitary. What are your safety tips for trail cleanup? Have a question about safety while participating in a trail cleanup? Leave a comment or a question below! Read More: 11 Tips for Safety on Trail 3 Trail Safety Tips You Must Know Photos by Vong Hamilton. Hike it Baby hikes are hosted by volunteers who have no professional training and are not experts to guide families on hikes. They are people who want to raise a generation to love the outdoors and they accomplish this by facilitating outings for all to join. Our tips are gathered from collective experience. As with any physical activity, please be sure to check with your healthcare provider and other experts when hiking with your children. About OutGrown OutGrown is a national nonprofit working to ensure that every family, especially those with babies and young children, can experience the benefits of time outside. Since our grassroots beginning in 2013, we have supported more than 300,000 families with the help of thousands of volunteers across the country. We believe nature belongs to all of us from the very beginning. That means creating opportunities, removing barriers, and supporting families in finding their way outdoors, whether that starts with a stroller walk, a community outing, or a quiet moment under the sky. You can learn more and explore our programs at WeAreOutGrown.org. Editor’s Note Thank you for reading. At OutGrown, we believe content should offer more than information. It should create a connection, support real-life caregiving, and reflect how families grow together through nature. Everything we share is made with care by our team and volunteer community. If this piece inspired you or helped you feel more confident in your outdoor journey, we invite you to support our work by donating today. Your contributions help us keep resources free and accessible to all families. Please remember that the experiences and tips shared in this article are for general information only. They are not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or safety advice. Always consult with a qualified provider if you have specific concerns or questions. We are glad you are here. We are growing something meaningful together.