Bike exploring: Help for Heroes
OS GetOutside Champion, Helen Pollard, takes us on a great Mountain Bike (MTB) route used as part of the delivery of MTB leadership training to Phoenix House staff in collaboration with Cycling UK.
By Bel Dixon
We solve your winter family adventures dilemmas, so you can enjoy time-savvy, low-cost, close-to-home family fun outside.
When we asked parents what got in the way of winter family adventures you could feel the angst. People who wanted desperately to do the right thing but felt frustrated by schedules and finances, access and safety.
So, how can you overcome these obstacles?
PARENTS! I'm researching the things that make it harder for you to enjoy awesome, family, mini-adventures outdoors.
— Belinda Dixon (@BelDixon) November 7, 2018
What tends to get in the way?#GetOutside #PleaseReTweet pic.twitter.com/oGqgQIqez1
We asked GetOutside Champions and ace family adventurers Jen and Sim Benson, and daughter Eva for their tips and tricks. Their answers feature in a fun, fresh-air filled 30 minute podcast.
It covers things like finding time to explore closer to home, enjoying dark nights, spending less on kit, harnessing tech, firing up our imaginations and even, yes avoiding “I want to go home!”.
Listen in to hear how you can have fab family mini-adventures right through the winter months.
Some common themes cropped up in answer to this question... one of the biggest was time, in relation to homework, school, dark nights and getting to adventures. Another was money – spending on gear and kit, activities, transport and accommodation.
On week days in the winter it's too dark and they have a lot of homework. At the weekend they have clubs and homework - but we always drag them out with the help of snacks and a dog!
— Rubbastuff (@Rubbastuff) November 7, 2018
Aside from logistics, mindset is a big barrier, thinking too big, too far, not enough time, not possible. Costs and access to gear can be a barrier too. Always thought a group of parents sharing gear would have been cool.
— Stuart & Kirstie (@familyonabike) November 7, 2018
Safety, confidence and skills loomed large too – not being sure enough of our own experience to keep youngsters safe, perhaps being a lone parent, or being worried about controlling little ones. Tech was another biggy, (those mobile phones!) as were wet weather, dark nights and the plaintive cry “I want to go home!”
So many things! Weather and darkness in Scotland at this time of year, time, cost, one parent with chronic illness, and I think most importantly is my own lack of confidence in taking them out to do stuff ourselves.
— Vicki Provan (@vicki_provan) November 7, 2018
The fact that I wear my 4 month old and my 3 year old is too fast for/doesn’t listen to me. She has one speed, and it’s “zoom!” Really it’s a safety thing. I wish I could trust her more.
— Allyson (@diatom_ally) November 7, 2018
But the good news is our podcast GetOutside - the Winter Family Adventure edition tackles all these issues. In it Jen and Sim Benson, and seven year-old daughter Eva detail tips and tricks that can really, really help. They outline ways to enjoy time-savvy, low-cost, close-to-home family winter adventures that harness creativity, imagination, dark nights and great tech.
They also reassure parents that in even being concerned about spending enough time outside as a family, you’re already doing great things. And it may be that a few simple changes mean you can do even more. To find out how listen now or download the podcast below.
DOWNLOAD HERE
Jen and Sim Benson are Ordnance Survey GetOutside Champions, guidebook writers and photographers. Their books include: Amazing Family Adventures; The Adventurer's Guide to Britain and Wild Running.
The podcast was recorded and edited by GetOutside Champion, Bel Dixon.
By Bel Dixon
Bel is a life-explorer, newby-climber, student-kayaker, joyful surf-rider, hiker, sea-swimmer, smiler.
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