Blog

Last summer, Meredith signed her 5-year-old son Graham up for Avid4 Adventure’s multi-sport Explorer Camp in Highlands Ranch on a recommendation from a friend. She kept expectations for her first-time camper realistic: “to have fun doing some new activities, make some friends and enjoy the Colorado summer.” What she didn’t expect was for him to … Read More

Like many families with young kids, we don’t have a lot of free time. So naturally, making an effort to get the kids outdoors is something we have to prioritize and schedule! Not only do we have fun getting outside together, but we’ve discovered that practice and repetition are necessary for our kids to master … Read More

Take it outdoors! According to Paul Tough, author of “How Children Succeed, Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character,” the qualities kids will need for success won’t be taught in a classroom because these skills aren’t related to grades or IQ.  Instead, Tough identified a very different set of skills that he believes are … Read More

Campers enjoy outdoor adventures no matter the weather Ever have one of those conversations with your kiddo that makes you tilt your head to the side as you try to process it?  Something along the lines of the following, which happened when I picked up my son, Jack, during one of his Avid4 Adventure weeks. … Read More

How do you empower kids? As a parent, I am always looking for ways to raise enthusiastic and empowered kids. I read parenting books and brainstorm with friends about different techniques to instill confidence in my children and help them gain the courage and strength to successfully surmount whatever curve balls are hurled at them … Read More

At Avid4 Adventure, we think teaching kids to take risks is an essential part of helping them grow into self-assured adults. And while we do everything we can to keep them safe, we also empower them to push their limits as they explore the outdoors. A piece on raising risk-takers in the Chicago Tribune suggests … Read More

Can you hear me now? On a recent family vacation, we took an eco tour to experience how dolphins behave in salt marshes – you know, how they hunted and interacted with each other.  The zodiac boat held 10 people, and while it was sturdy, I wouldn’t have been surprised if we were bounced in … Read More

Don’t let kids have all the fun! SUMMER!!  Summer!  Summmmmmmmer.  Does your level of summer break excitement start to turn to shades of panic when you realize those long lazy days aren’t quite so lazy (but they sure can be long)?  Do your kids are stare at you, waiting for one of your brilliant ideas … Read More

Make way for play! Summer or not, our days are usually hectic, sometimes over-scheduled, and always filled with things to do.  So, how are you going to fill your child’s 70 (give or take) days off from school this summer?  Don’t.  Yup, you heard (errr, read) right.  Don’t.  Instead, open the door, step back and … Read More

Not all risks are bad:  Why we shouldn’t bubble wrap our kids There was a time when my son, Jack, banned me from the skateboard park.  Yes, banned.  It could be because I constantly gasped and hollered, “Are you OK, sweetie” when he fell, which was a lot.  To be fair, I was an equal-opportunity … Read More