OutGrown Blog

CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR FRIENDS AT L.L.BEAN Time spent together outdoors as a family and with community is the focus for OutGrown’s “Bring it Outside” program. We encourage and support parents in getting outside with their children by providing pathways and nurturing relationships that lead to a life-long love of nature. It all began with a hike—a venture outdoors that was much more than a breath of fresh air and stretching of legs with babies in tow. It was the start of a supportive community and an opportunity to overcome the isolation that new parents often experience. Making friends and finding judgment-free environments and low-pressure spaces in which to breathe fresh air are integral in helping new families build connections and habits of spending time together outside. It’s the power of community building in action—something we witnessed as our organization grew—but we realized that those who may need this community the most were challenged by accessibility or lack of support. As an organization, we knew that getting outside was beneficial for children and parents alike—but there was something missing So, we set out to find ways to bridge those gaps. Bridging the Gap Our organization started with community-led hike events that any family could lead, and every family was welcome to join. Thousands of adults, babies, and young children have joined an average of 1,200 hike events each month across North America. And yet, we see a gap in who shows up. We realized that families who might need us most—families experiencing higher rates of stress, more isolation, with less support, and fewer resources due to cultural, physical, socio-economic, language, and other barriers integral to their identities—were not showing up and joining our events. We asked why and began to understand the gaps in our programming that made it difficult. Some of these gaps include language barriers, transportation issues, homes where both parents work full-time jobs, lack of exposure or experience with getting outside as a healthy opportunity, a sense that going outside was either not safe or not welcoming for their particular family due to historical exclusion, social interactions that felt unsafe, or other experiences that didn’t build positive relationships with the idea of going outside. That’s when we built the “Bring it Outside” program. Bring it Outside offers a solution, led by community We began working with community organizations that provide resources to these families so we could learn how to best serve them. We connected with community partners that support families in the local area, from early learning hubs to hospitals, land managers, and everything in between. Including other organizations in our programming helps weave a more robust network of support that can last beyond a single encounter with a family. Then we built a workshop series and facilitator training to offer hands-on learning opportunities that answered questions about the basics of getting outside. We applied for grants and worked with outdoor brands to get funding and gear donations. We hired facilitators that represented the communities we were trying to serve, spoke the languages of the families we wanted to connect with, and who could directly identify with the challenges families face—and importantly—who also wanted to share their love and passion for getting outside. Bring it Outside’s ultimate goal Our ultimate goal is to get more families into the outdoors together—for little ones to grow up with a positive connection to nature, for parents to feel comfortable and support each other getting outside, and to help them build community and empower them to host regular outdoor events and activities. The result: a long-lasting and self-sustained OutGrown community hub. Today, our Bring it Outside program offers a series of facilitated workshops to the families we look to serve. Each workshop has a how-to component, a hands-on activity or engagement, and a community-building element. We aim to host workshops in the same place and time in nearby nature spaces that are accessible for the community we are serving. Printed materials, curriculum, and conversation are offered in different languages based on the needs of our participants and surrounding community. We also provide support in the form of transportation, gear, materials, supplies, and snacks. We ensure our facilitators are ready to answer questions, help, and generally make each workshop a fun, low-barrier opportunity for families to connect, bond, and build confidence. At the end of the program series, we offer a one-day family festival that brings together the families in the program, extends an invitation to other families in the community, and have local organizations bring tables and activities to share about their services while engaging families in a fun day outside. Beyond our workshops, our facilitators host regular hike events in their local community. They use the same Hike it Baby/OutGrown framework of “hike” being a loose term that includes park and plays, urban strolls, and more traditional trail hikes. It’s amazing to see what we have become as an organization and community. We can’t do it alone It requires much hard work to find funding, build and support community relationships, and identify, train, and support the local facilitators who make this program possible. However, we are seeing great success so far and have an overwhelming request to keep it going where we have started it and spread it to more communities. Partnerships and support from those like L.L.Bean has allowed us to help Latinx and immigrant families, rural families in southern Oregon, refugee families in the Portland Metro area, and Latina women in Elizabeth, NJ. If you would like to learn more about Bring it Outside and how to get involved nationally or in your local community, please contact us at info@weareoutgrown.org. Click below to play our Bring it Outside Video. Video: Photographs by Jenn Canjar 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 as Hike it Baby, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteers. You can find additional information on all of our programs at WeAreOutGrown.org EDITOR’S NOTE: We're thrilled that you are reading this article from OutGrown. Our team is dedicated to bringing you valuable content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain. However, creating quality content comes with its costs. It's the result of the dedication and hard work of our writers, editors, and volunteers who truly believe in the mission of connecting families with young children to nature and fostering community. As a non-profit organization, we rely on the support of our amazing community. If you are in a position to help, we kindly ask for your contribution to help us expand our reach and continue providing valuable content for everyone. No matter the amount, every contribution counts and allows us to keep growing and making a difference together.

This blog is part of our Elevating Voices series in partnership with Meet Alejandria Felipe. Ale is one of Hike it Baby’s Bring it Outside program facilitators and ran the first Turn the Blues Green program series. She’s a mama to two amazing kiddos, and works full time as an Obstetric Nurse in Portland, Oregon. Photo: Andrea Leoncavallo @lionhorsephoto My Childhood Connection to Nature I was born in a small town in Oaxaca. I moved to Oregon at 8-years-old. My memories of Oaxaca were always very green and of clean air. At the time, my family in Oaxaca would harvest fruits, vegetables, and corn. I clearly remember picking my own oranges, mangos, and watermelon. After school, we would spend time taking care of the animals and crops. Therefore, my connection to nature was well established from birth. Alejandrina's daughter and mother in Oaxaca, Mexico. When my family arrived in Oregon, we lived in farming camps, picking strawberries and blueberries. We were isolated from the city because my parents were farm workers. We spent a lot of time outdoors working. At the end of the day, we had very little time to do fun activities. But, we were all happy because we were outside, and it still felt like being in our native country. My upbringing and early memories of Oaxaca provided me with a connection to nature that my other fellow classmates did not have. When you come to the city, and you come to the United States, a lot of families, due to economic barriers, are forced to live in crowded apartments . As a young teen, I did not see the connection of my childhood in Oaxaca to nature, but now as an adult I can see how those early exposures were fundamental. I would miss my time playing in the farm, building houses with rocks and dirt. I simply missed cooking outside and camping, it was our routine in Oaxaca. Our family was fortunate to have a close friendship with an American couple, who took us under their wing, they literally adopted us and took us on outdoor adventures. The couple had the means to take us on day trips to National Parks, to lakes, and out to enjoy walks. Walking on the farm in Oaxaca. I think the biggest thing that we can do as parents in building a connection to nature with our kids is to simply take them outside. How Parents Can Nurture a Connection to Nature For Their Families Let them be free in an open space, whether that is in our backyards, or a park. As they play freely they are building a connection to nature and learning through sensory play. As the pandemic became our new reality, I would let my 2-year-old be outside and soak up the sun with me. I needed to get outdoors, my stress level was less once I got outside. I was able to clear my mind for a few minutes and just breathe. However, this might not be the case for many families. Working families have many disparities that put them at disadvantages in enjoying the outdoors. I would get intimidated to be around experienced hikers, I would start asking myself, “am I wearing the correct carrier, stroller, hiking gear?” But then I realized none of those things matter. I became confident, started walking with supportive friends, and we all learned along the way. Getting outdoors with children should not be that hard. We need to make the outdoors more equitable and normalize what it means to be outdoorsy. I am fortunate to have the means to access nature with my family and expose my kids to green spaces. They are nature conscientious because I took them outside from birth. My pregnancy and postpartum period were all about being outdoors as much as possible. My self-care today still involves a walk outside. When the opportunity came to connect to Hike it Baby, and for me to lead a group of Latina moms, I was excited because this is what I want to do! We started from the basics, like kinds of strollers and carriers to use. Carriers can be scary when you don't know how to use them, it’s one thing seeing someone using it, and it's another thing putting it on and strapping your baby in. By getting more families of color outdoors, and normalizing what it means to be adventurous and outdoorsy, we will create a new generation of outdoor community. As parents, we need more education, we need to give families the tools that they need to explore the outdoors. Alejandrina leading her group of moms on a hike as part of Hike it Baby's Turn the Blues Green Program. La Cuarantena: Dismantling Myths about Postpartum Health There are many myths in our Latino community about the postpartum period and what that means for new mothers. For example, la "Cuarentena." During this period, postpartum mothers are told to stay in bed, have minimal walking, no lifting heavy items, drink warm fluids only, don’t be exposed to cold air, and to wear an abdominal binder (la faja). Plus, our babies must be bundled with many blankets, hats, and mittens, regardless of the weather. Part of my teaching as an Obstetric Nurse is to explain and share with new moms about the importance of moving after having their babies and of decreasing layers on babies for their safety, and to talk to them about SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). I love the idea of a Cuarentana as a supportive family care package. During the postpartum period, every mom is exhausted, and benefits from outside support. However, that does not mean staying indoors with your baby for 40 days. As a new mom, getting outside is a must. Being inside the home is depressing. Postpartum depression is very common, therefore its important to have ways to cope, and sometimes getting outside is your best option. Newborns will sleep better, and mom gets some time to herself walking. My Advice for New Moms Get outside, regardless of cultural beliefs. Taking care of your mind and soul is your personal decision. Whether you’re a first time mom, or it’s your second time, the stress and lack of sleep never changes. Therefore, getting outdoors, breathing in the fresh air, looking at new scenery, it all really helps with depression. Then, find a group of friends, family, another new mom, someone to walk with you and your baby. Spending outdoor time with friends makes it all the more valuable, and you can share the challenges motherhood brings. Last, do not be afraid or concerned whether or not you have the correct equipment to be outside. Your babies are excited to simply be moving and with you. Watch's Ale's Story Here 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 as Hike it Baby, OutGrown is a growing community of 280,000 families and over 300 volunteers. You can find additional information on all of our programs at WeAreOutGrown.org EDITOR’S NOTE: We're thrilled that you are reading this article from OutGrown. Our team is dedicated to bringing you valuable content and resources that inform, inspire, and entertain. However, creating quality content comes with its costs. It's the result of the dedication and hard work of our writers, editors, and volunteers who truly believe in the mission of connecting families with young children to nature and fostering community. As a non-profit organization, we rely on the support of our amazing community. If you are in a position to help, we kindly ask for your contribution to help us expand our reach and continue providing valuable content for everyone. No matter the amount, every contribution counts and allows us to keep growing and making a difference together.