CragKid on the Sharp End!!! | Cragmama Trip report of her 10 year old son’s first lead climb.
Solo Distance Hiking and Kids: Six Things I Learned | The Trek by Tracy (Scrappy) Buro. Sometimes outdoor parents need to do adventures without their kids, and it’s important to explain why.
Between the Lines: It’s Time To Change Offensive Route Names | Rock and Ice by Andrew Bisharat. “a good test for whether a route name passes the ‘offensive’ test is if it’s something you’d be uncomfortable hearing your own kid talk about climbing”
Independence Day (Hiking, Biking, Fear and Freedom) | The Brave Ski Mom I have also been known to (slightly) “wonder why the non-skiing partner doesn’t just suck it up, sign up for lessons, and get on with falling in love with winter” but this article has a good perspective on what it’s like to be the parent who doesn’t enjoy an outdoor activity.
A Sneak Peak at the Coming Ski Season | The Brave Ski Mom Contingency plans in case resorts don’t open, plus insight into what the southern hemisphere is doing.
Free Printable Kids Hiking Bingo Cards | Hike Like a Woman by Crystal (8/25/21: link no longer available)
What Kids Can Learn from Ashima Shiraishi’s Many Falls | Outside Online by Krista Langlois A children’s book written by one of the best climbers in the world.
Risk Assessment is a Skill That Requires Time to Learn | 1000 Hours Outside by Ginny Yurich This is what I consider to be one of the great benefits of outdoor parenting – teaching our kids to take on risks (safely) and also giving us as parents the opportunity to get used to it gradually as they become adults.
I have also been spending the past month working to understand racism in the outdoor community, how to be a better ally, and learning about the diversity groups that exist to support People of Color and other minority groups. Here is some reading material that I as a white person have found helpful:
The Melanin Base Camp Guide To Outdoor Allyship | Melanin Base Camp by Danielle Williams
Open Letter on Diversity in Our Sport | US Ski and Snowboard Association by Charles A. Harris
Being black while in nature: ‘You’re an endangered species’ | The Guardian by Poppy Noor
Resources For Anti-Racism | NOLS Blog
Here are some groups to consider supporting that are doing work to support diversity in the outdoor community :
(Note: some of these exist as a safe space for the people they represent, but you can still support them financially if you don’t belong to that group)
- Diversify Outdoors
- Outdoor Afro
- Melanin Base Camp
- Native Womens Wilderness
- Venture Out Project
- Unlikely Hikers
I love the Bingo cards, and the pictures on the risk assessment page, as well as the article on 10–30 minutes of sunlight each morning.