{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ep. 29: Empowering Kids through Outdoor Adventures","description":"Instead of telling kids what to do, we have the kids tell us what to do. It\u2019s an empowering experience to let kids think that way from a young age. -Paul Dreyer   In Episode 29, I'm chatting with Kyle Littman (COO) and Paul Dreyer (CEO) of Avid 4 Adventure. Kyle and Paul are both passionate about empowering kids to choose an outdoor, active lifestyle away from screens. Avid4Adventure is a program for kids in Colorado and California. They teach every kid\u2014from first-time adventurers to experienced athletes, from pre-K through 12th grade\u2014how fun and empowering being active outdoors can be. As campers hike, bike, climb and paddle, they build lasting skills and newfound confidence, igniting a passion for being active that lasts their whole lives.  Why do you think there\u2019s value in getting kids outdoors? Natural consequences: So much of the environment that we live in -- school, playground, etc. -- people have tried to remove risk. We don\u2019t want to avoid risk, we want to lean in where kids have natural consequences. If a kid doesn\u2019t bring a jacket to camp, it\u2019s fine to get wet as opposed to being on top of a mountain in a lightning storm, which is too big of a risk. Lean into more controlled risk, help kids learn from that to make better decisions. Decision-making\/judgment: When kids get taken outdoors, instructors don\u2019t say \u201cdon\u2019t do this, don\u2019t do that.\u201d We ask the kids very open questions\u2026 what\u2019s different about this environment? Instructors help kids with positive risk-taking and developing good judgment. \u201cIt\u2019s sunny out, we should all put our sunscreen on before we go.\u201d How can parents use these skills? Kyle: Start with \u201cwhy?\u201d What would you do? When my 5-year-old comes to me and asks what to wear to soccer practice or asks me to pack the back, I ask, "What do you think you should do? What\u2019s the weather like?" I let her go outside and figure it out. If she decides to wear a t-shirt at this time of year in Colorado, she might be cold, but she\u2019ll learn for next time. Everything from packing for a hike to going to a park allows kids opportunities to learn about natural consequences. Paul: We do environmental briefings with a series of three questions: (1) What\u2019s changing in our environment? (2) Based on the change in environment, what are the big risks?  (3) Okay great, what do you want to do?   Have these briefings all day long - get them in the mindset. Our brain\/risk management decision-making skills are a muscle just like everything else. Kids need to learn to ask themselves what the risks are and then make a couple of rules for themselves in that new environment. What advice do you have for parents who say their kids aren\u2019t "outdoorsy?" Summer camps expose kids to activities that parents might not be very interested in\/wouldn\u2019t expose their kids to. Just don\u2019t typecast your child as someone who doesn\u2019t like to be outside.  Start small. If your child is currently spending a lot of time inside, you might not in one week turn him into a rock climber, but maybe you can get him in the backyard for 10 minutes. If you find that your kids are ready and asking for a larger adventure, there are a lot of actual risks and perceived risks. Reach out for resources to see what the real risks are about activities. Like rock climbing -- people think it\u2019s risky when it\u2019s actually really safe. Links\/Resources Children & Nature Network \u2013 Organization and Community started by Richard Louv. Outdoors Alliance for Kids \u2013 National strategic partnership of organizations from diverse sectors with a common interest in connecting children, youth and families with the outdoors. Richard Louv Videos Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder: A revolutionary book that explains how being outside reduces stress and improves our well being and makes us feel physically better about ourselves. 7 Reasons to Get Outside ","author_name":"Sunshine Parenting","author_url":"https:\/\/sunshine-parenting.com","html":"