Kids Who Explore

Would you know what to do if you encountered a bear in the outdoors? Would you know the difference between a defensive or predatory encounter? We are here to help keep you educated, so you can explore safely!    Disclaimer that the information we’re provided you today, as well as the information from Bear Safety & More Inc and RecSafe with Wildlife (as we partnered with Kim Titchener), cannot guarantee that animal encounters can be prevented. This information is intended as a guide to help reduce the likelihood of an encounter and provide education in the occurrence of an encounter.   What to Know:  Animals are around us  Best way to reduce encounters is to be prepared  Attacks are extremely rare  Don’t let your kids explore farther than an arm’s length from you   Keep your dog on a leash at all times  Be loud!  Travel in groups of 4 or more  Pay attention to your surroundings (droppings, tracks, dens, torn up tress and logs, digging, berry bushes)  If you spot an animal, leave the area  Carry bear spray in a holster on your body and be ready to use it (Scat Belt brand mentioned) – read the instructions and practice pulling it out  Take a bear safety course  Practice with your kids ahead of time (in a non-scary way)    If Camping:  Know where to store your food – bear-safe garbage bins, bear locker, or in your vehicle (front country camping) and know if your site has it available  Pay attention to your surroundings – garbage, trees/berry bushes/salmon in water, animals that have been feeding, birds of prey    If You Experience an Encounter:  *There are two types of bear encounters: Defensive and Non-Defensive (Predatory) encounters.*  Defensive Bear Encounters - caused by surprising a bear at close range, if cubs are present, or if the bear is feeding  Bears are clearly stressed, aggressive, huffing/jaw popping, salivating/foaming, hunched up, showing signs of discomfort  They can bluff charge or run in a zig-zag pattern   It may be your instinct to yell, act big, and become aggressive too. Please don’t! React by telling the bear you are NOT a threat. De-escalate the situation, back away slowly, talk softly, and prepare your bear spray. If in a group, group up and stay calm. Make your intention to leave the area and not to fight  If the bear attacks, the number one reaction from you is to deploy bear spray. If that’s not possible, lie face down and protect your neck, spread your legs (to brace yourself into the ground), and play dead. Wait until the bear is gone before getting up! Make sure once you begin to move again you know which direction the bear has travelled to avoid another encounter  Most defensive attacks are short. If it continues to attack and the bear has become predatory, you need to change tactics and begin to fight for your life    Non-Defensive (Predatory) Bear Encounters  This encounter is rare and more common with black bears and solo hikers (95% of grizzly bear encounters are defensive and not predatory!)  Bear follows a person, and has a slow, hesitant approach. They can approach confidently, or try to sneak up on you before running towards you and attacking. They appear curious, but this is the situation where they are dangerous!  If you’re in a predatory encounter, show aggression right away! Stand your ground and make sure you let the bear know that you are not vulnerable  Prepare bear spray and deploy if the bear gets close enough  Please Keep Exploring! All of us at Kids Who Explore have had bear encounters, and thankfully they have all ended well. Talking about it definitely adds to nerves about exploring in bear country, but we know being informed is the best way to be! Remember these encounters are rare, equip yourself with the knowledge and gear you need to stay safe!    Thank you to Mounts Store for supporting today’s podcast! www.mountsstore.com to check them out.    Today’s Host: @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Have you ever wondered if becoming a parent will change your adventures? Have you ever wondering what travelling the world would look like with kids? Meghan J. Ward wondered too, and she made it happen. She tells us all about it in her books, and today on the podcast!    Meghan J. Ward is a writer, editor, digital content specialist and all-around storyteller based in Banff, Canada (Treaty 7 territory), and mama of two. An avid outdoor adventurer with a voracious appetite to understand her surroundings, she has established herself as a mountain historian and an authoritative voice in the Rockies outdoor and travel scene. She has authored four Canadian Rockies photo/travel books, which she collaborated on with her husband, Paul Zizka, a celebrated landscape photographer/ She is also the author of a children’s book, The Wonders That I Find, and a travelogue/memoir, Lights to Guide Me Home.    Parenting during travel amplifies parenting. And in response to the “they won’t remember this” comments, babies remember in their bodies, in their cells, even if they cannot access the stories.    Book Recommendation: Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman    Follow Meghan J. Ward:  Website: https://www.meghanjoyward.com  Books: https://www.meghanjoyward.com/books-1  IG: @meghanjward  Husband IG: @paulzizkaphoto       Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities: https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/    Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Do you have picture-perfect images of what it could look like to garden with your kids? It doesn’t need to be fancy. Elissa likes to tell people it can be as easy as you want it to be, and your own trail and error will take you far!    Elissa is wife to Tobin. She is a wetland biologist, and mama to two boys, aged 5.5 years and 3 months. Before having kids, she worked as a wildlife biologist specializing in birds, and then an environmental educator. She grew up competitively horseback riding and now works part-time as a riding instructor and farm/nature teacher for children. Elissa and her family live on a small suburban farm with chickens, horses, a large garden, berry patch, and fruit orchard. They love to travel, mountain bike, ski, rock climb, hike, bikepack, and camp as a family.     Benefits of Gardening with Kids:  Easy way for kids to learn how to fail  Trail and error can teach them a lot!  They learn how to properly weed and identify plants   Then have to care for something by watering it regularly   Promotes healthy eating  Encourages motor skills  Reduces stress  Teaches patience, resilience and responsibility  Improves mood  Educates about the natural world and biological process  Strengthens family connections  Nurtures self-confidence  Gets you outside, and gets you grounding!     Types of Gardens:  Container gardens  In-ground gardens  Community gardens    Some Good Foods to Start With:  Snap peas  Carrots  Kale   Tomatoes - from a start instead of seed   Strawberries - from a start instead of seed (and/or in a hanging pot)  Green onions (can grow in water in a glass by the window)    Fun Kid-Friendly Tips:  Tomatoes go out after Mother’s Day   Check your growing zone to determine frost dates and when to seed   Give kids spray bottle instead of hose (or small watering can)   Plant large seed size (easy to grab for kids)   Through trial and error learn which plants need sunnier spots, when to leave a sprinkle of seeds, how deep you should seed, etc.   Raised beds are perfect height for little gardeners  When seeding, can use a measuring tape for a visual marker (plus math skills!); Younger kids, you can draw a visual line with your finger   Kids can use popsicle sticks to label veggies/fruit   Kids can use scissors for harvesting   Give them a “yes spot” to dig     Other Gardening Tips:  Planting native plants to your region requires less water and less artificial fertilizer  Good irrigation system (or neighbours watering) can help if you’re away  Raised beds and/or hardware mesh can help to keep wildlife from eating your food!  You can line beds with metal, depending on the wood   Book Recommendation: Nature Play at Home   Follow Elissa on IG: @seattlestorys    Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities: https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/     Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music  

Tighten Your Tinkler meets Kids Who Explore, because we all want to support postpartum women, so they can get back to doing all the things they love to do outside.     Christina Walsh is a physical therapist and co-founder of Tighten Your Tinkler. She’s a New Orleans mama of two who lived with pelvic floor issues herself. She supports postpartum women holistically through prolapse, diastasis recti, and more. The program helps women solve pelvic floor issues without kegels or internal vaginal devices.     Tighten Your Tinkler:  Functional training from a need they experienced themselves  You can do it at home with your children!  Helps with incontinence, sleeping through the night without needing to pee, and painful sex    When You Resume Activity Postpartum:  Make sure you’re cleared by your providers  If you’re having extra drainage, your body is asking you to slow down  Pelvic floor pressure or heaviness, back pain, or leakage – tune back into your body, slow down, and work your way back into it more gently     Why Kegels Aren’t Always the Answer:  You’re only getting stronger in ONE position  Can cause over tightening  You don’t need the pelvic floor to be a conscious muscle      Uneven terrain adds extra weight. When you ask more from your body, be gentle. You don’t have to live with discomfort, AND also, go slow!    So much of pelvic floor function is linked to the nervous system. Fight or Flight response links to bladder – so, take yourself out of that stressed state.     Immediately Postpartum:  Listen to body  Visit a Webster-certified chiro (adjust pubic joint)  Avoid high impact activity while breastfeeding   90/90 decompression technique!! Check link below   Don’t push pee out   Use Squatty Potty   Get enough fibre and stay hydrated  Go easy on your body!  Build strength     It’s never too late. Menopause can cause a shift of hormones as well, but they’ve seen success after people living with incontinence for over 28 years.     Links:  Decompression Position (to relax back, hips, and pelvic floor):  https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/backandhiprelief  5-minute Root Cause Quiz: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6C9SJ36    Book Suggestion:  Hunt Gather Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff  https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-42-why-to-avoid-kid-centered-activities-with-michaeleen-doucleff/    Follow Tighten Your Tinkler:  Website: www.tightenyourtinkler.com  IG: @tighten.your.tinkler  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tightenyourtinkler        Discount Code LAUREN gets you $50 off  https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com    Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities: https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/  Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

When we asked Amy, who teaches at an outdoor school if there were any cons to learning in the outdoors, she couldn’t think of even one! However, she could name endless pros. Tune in to hear all of them!    Amy started her teaching career in Japan for a year and then came back home to Canada and has been working for Sturgeon Public Schools since. She has been teaching kindergarten for the past 14 years. A few years back, she read "There's No Such Thing As Bad Weather" by Linda Åkeson McGurkand together with another kindergarten teacher and principal, they made a proposal to their school board to run an outdoor kindergarten program. This is now officially their second year of the program. She has two daughters and three stepdaughters, and you can find them skating, sledding, going for walks, exploring new places, playing games in the backyard, and having fires. On top of that, her family is trying to get 1000 hours outside this year.     Benefits of Outdoor Learning:  Allows for play-based learning   Children can direct play  Allows for greater regulation and more joy!  Getting outside [especially before noon] helps regulate the circadian rhythm and helps sleep patterns   Suits many diverse learning needs and is inclusive to everyone   Lends well to boosting moods  Lessens the time needed for classroom management – kids don’t need to sit still or “stop running”  Kids learn to problem-solve together   Offers opportunities for risk-taking and adds to resilience     Sturgeon Heights School:  Their school is not a forest school [forest schools have very specific regulations and go through a certification process]  Their school follows the Alberta curriculum, and does it all while including lots of outdoor time (minimum 2 hours per day)  They are now adding outdoor schooling for up to Grade 3!   Provincial regulations allow them to take the kids outside until -25 degrees Celsius (with wind chill)  They have people come to them for “field trip” experiences  They have not found a negative to being outside more!    Kids are naturally curious learners. We don’t need to be worried about if they are learning outside…they are!    If we as adults lead, they will follow [us outside]!    Item Recommendations:  Heated Vest & Travel Hammock    Book Recommendation:  There's No Such Thing As Bad Weather by Linda Åkeson McGurk    Follow Sturgeon Public Schools at:  IG: @openairkindergarten or @sturgeonheightsschool      Thank you to Morrison Outdoors for sponsoring today’s podcast! Find more at: www.morrisonoutdoors.com  Use code FREECANADA within Canada from March 1-March 31, 2023 for free shipping on orders over $50!    Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Kids Who Explore really enjoys social media. It’s a place where we’ve formed a beautiful community, share stories, help others, and become inspired. Unfortunately, it’s not always that way…    Reminders When You’re Viewing Social Media:  You aren’t seeing the whole picture, or always getting the whole context   Triggers are INSIDE people – look inside if you’re triggered  It’s never okay to be rude; you can “move along” without commenting   They aren’t just accounts - they are humans   Ask questions if you don’t understand   Follow those who make you happy     Reminders If You’ve Received Hurtful Comments:  Give empathy to those who are triggered, even though it’s never okay to be rude  You can block those if needed    We appreciate your positivity at KWE!    Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities: https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/  Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Have you wondered if you should attempt snowshoeing with a toddler? We will let you know on today’s episode (plus, lots of other outdoor winter sport tips!).    Check back on other winter sport podcasts:  Learning to Enjoy Winter: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-92-learning-to-enjoy-winter-with-erin-gallimore/  Teaching Toddlers to Snowboard: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-94-teaching-toddlers-to-snowboard-with-dr-ashley-top/  Learning to Ski: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-95-learning-to-ski-with-coach-nelly/  Choosing the Best Ski Gear: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-97-choosing-the-best-ski-gear-on-a-budget-with-coach-nelly/  Taking Your Kids Skating for the First Time: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-91-taking-your-kids-skating-for-the-first-time/    Snowshoeing Tips (for toddlers, and beyond):  Rent snowshoes for toddlers – go in and make sure they fit with winter boots   Use the washroom before layering up!  Go with a friend to feed off of  Check expectations!  Go to a park or backyard (not a big, deep snow trail)  Bring a sled as backup!! Give them choices  Do what you’re encouraging, and have fun yourself   Small exposures add up  Plus, get YOUR snowshoes on before strapping up kids or babywearing    Other Winter Tips:  Practice wearing gloves ahead of time [hand warmers are a great backup to hold (even without gloves)]  Have something to look forward to after the adventure – often to warm you up!!      Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities: https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/  Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music

Our adventure crew has grown over the last few months – Adrianna and Lauren both welcomed new little boys into the world, and are now each adventuring with 2 kids, 2-years-old and under. They wanted to share what they’ve learned!    Going in the backyard is great! Stepping out your door is an adventure in itself. That’s our definition of “success.”    Loading Up the Car:  Give yourself WAY more time (get ready the night before even) – allowing time for your kids to also go at their own pace keeps the peace!  Wear the baby to the car, so you can be hands-free and hold other things if needed  Get your kids to help get ready, where their capabilities allow  Get all the kids IN the car, and then strap in kids as you need to (Safety reminders: babies should not stay in bucket seats if it’s not attached to the base in the car or stroller; kids should not be wearing their puffy winter gear/jackets while in their car seats)    At the Adventure:  Pick realistic adventures, so it’s more fun for everyone!  Choose time of day that works best for you – if naps can be on the go, that’s great! Set expectations  Arrive 30 minutes early to get ready (feed baby, change diapers, get layers on, etc.)  Layer up for winter in the car   Have items for your older kiddos if they need to wait for younger ones or feedings (books, nature journals, colouring, cars/dinosaurs)  Know of things to look out for on the adventure to add excitement for the kids   Bring someone with you, if they are willing – extra hands are so helpful!    Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities: https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/    Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Wanna know a way to make adventuring even more fun? With an outdoor adventure club! Echo Shehadeh created her own. Her tips will help so many get outside more, and it may even be a great “New Year’s Goal.”    Echo is a wife and a mom of two beautiful children, soon to be 3! She lives in Central Oregon where the outdoor adventures never end. Before starting her family, she lived, worked, and breathed childhood development and education. That strong foundation helped her know that outside-learning and play serves as a key developmental role in children’s lives. Her soul focus is for her kids to become stewards of the outdoors, educate them about the beautiful world around them, and build resilience, all of this while promoting fun and creating strong bonds!     Book that Inspired Her:  Adventuring Together by Greta Eskridge    Her Club and the Benefits:  Started with three families ages newborn to 7-year-old  Met up once a week. Itinerary was usually adventure, have lunch, and then get everyone home for naps  Older ones teach the younger ones – the Montessori way!  Created strong bonds by going on adventures as a family, and starting them young    Snow Activities:  Sledding  Snow shoeing  Snow painting  Snow volcano experiment  Winter hikes  Summer Activities:  Lake days  Creek hangs  Hikes  Bike rides  Fall in Oregon:   Hood River and go to their “Fruit Loop” – October  Pick apples and go to farms and see fall foliage. Spring fairies too  Summer – lakes and rivers. Check out Sunriver and float the Deschutes River  JUST DO IT! Everyone thrives in the outdoors.   Recommendation fro SPF Clothing:  Black Strap - https://bsbrand.com  Follow Echo on IG: @soimamomnow    Thank you to Keen Footwear for sponsoring today’s podcast! Check out www.keenfootwear.com  Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

There’s no guilt if you’ve used the phrase “be careful” more than a few times, or are still trying to navigate around it, we just want to help put it in another light. Here are some alternatives to “be careful” and WHY!   Risky Play and Nature Education Episode: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-37-risky-play-nature-education-with-brittany-williams/    Be Careful – Why is it Not Good:  Kids don’t understand what it means  They can’t gauge what we are seeing that they aren’t  It can instill fear – they will match your energy   Doesn’t get across what we actually want   What To Do Instead – Be Specific:  “Watch your feet.” “Look out for that branch.”  Being specific takes practise. Even if you say be careful, say, “Be careful, there’s a branch.”  You’ll see/hear them mimic you eventually – “Watch your head”  What To Do Instead – Ask Questions:  What’s your plan?  What’s your next step?  Do you feel safe?  How are you going to get down?  Are you going to go backwards?  Be Mama Bear, or Papa Bear, or Auntie Bear, or any other caregiver when you need to be. You may sometimes need to grab them to keep them safe. [Adri mentions having a retractable lease now as Adri is navigating keeping her 2-year-old safe while she’s wearing a newborn in bear country.]  Reserve “Be Careful”, or “Stop” for when it really matters!  Other Things You Can Do:  Be the calm for them   Practise at home   Bend down and get to their height and practise “pause” with them…7000 times   Play green light, red light, yellow light     Thank you to Keen Footwear for sponsoring today’s podcast! Check out www.keenfootwear.com  Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Every season and every weather condition has it’s joy and beauty, and we don’t ever want adventures, fun, and happiness to be limited to sunshine. So, how do we embrace all seasons and all weather conditions?    Live by the quote, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing.” Easier said than done sometimes financial-wise, but having a few quality things can get you far.     Quality Items We Love:  A good pair of base layers can benefit you in all seasons! We love merino wool base layers – gets use in summer and winter!!  Rain gear discussed: FaireChild (Canadian company, expensive, but wonderful for kids…cost per wear is incredible – will get you so far! Adult: Arcteryx…secondhand options [“outlet”] right on their website. Also check Facebook Marketplace)  Patagonia – secondhand options on their website too    Lauren’s Song Edit: “Rain Rain, You Can Stay. We will go outside to play!”    Talk Positively About the Weather, So Your Children See:   Rain - We get to go splash in puddles! Catch rain drops on our tongue. Go to the park with rain pants  Sun - We can cool down in the shade and with a fan. We can find water to enjoy, or hike/explore!  Snow - We can make snow angels, snowmen, sled, ski, snow shoe, make snow balls, etc.   Wind - We can fly a kite!  Some weather conditions are tricky, because you truly can’t be outside…smoky conditions, etc. So, bring the outdoors in!    Ways to Help with Happiness When Not Seeing Sunshine:  Practise Grounding, even through your hands [Learn More on Episode 40: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-40-grounding-in-all-seasons-with-dr-laura-koniver/]   Take Vitamin D - how much, talk to your own care provider  Sneak in any hint of sun you can find    Thank you to Keen Footwear for sponsoring today’s podcast! Check out www.keenfootwear.com  Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Car trips and plane trips - they are both full! The perks of road trips are they give you flexibility to go at your own pace, stop as much as you need, and of course, pack more!! Let’s talk about some things we’ve found to make road trips with toddlers and babies a little bit easier.     Plane Travel with Kids: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-81-travelling-with-kids-with-margaret-bradford/    What to “Play” With:  Like plane, start with nothing…look out windows, talk about what you see, play music  Then, pull out one thing at a time – no mess colouring, books, Pop-It. Some people say dollar store items. Maybe something new that’s exciting  Let them choose music (or podcast)    What Stops Look Like:  It’s recommended young kids aren’t in their car seat for more than 2 hours at a time  Stop to stretch legs and eat  Find a park  Find a mini view point hike/nature walk  Stop at a beach  Embrace anywhere you stop!    Sleep Tips:  Play music that helps them fall asleep  Use soother with clip, so it’s not easy to lose  Wool socks to keep them cozy!    Food:  Pack a cooler  You can never have too much food…we know this!    Bonus Tips:  Pack a toddler toilet!  Have a travel pack/bag/box for each person, so everything is easy to find when in the car  One adult can sit in the backseat with kid(s), if this works for you  Practise with some shorter road trips beforehand  Build excitement before you go and communicate with kids about it   Be flexible! Know that you may need to stop sooner than you would like. Naps may get messed up. Keep expectations at bay!    Thank you to Keen Footwear for sponsoring today’s podcast! Check out www.keenfootwear.com  Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Embracing winter. Enjoying winter. That is our theme this winter. One way we embrace winter is taking our kids out skating. Today we discuss what we did to take our toddlers skating for the first time last year.     Our Skating Comfort Level:  Adrianna was a competitive speed skater, and taught that!  Adrianna’s husband coached hockey growing up   Lauren’s husband is a professional hockey player  Lauren can’t stop on skates…    What We Did:  We chose outdoor locations - the mountains, frozen lake, outdoor rink…free!!   Chose not too cold and not too windy days  Indoor rinks would be good too  Kept it short and sweet (small exposures are key)  Pause for warm drink, and go again!  “Practise” in gear with skate guards at home    Gear:  Bundled up in our 3 layer rule – https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-36-the-three-layer-winter-rule/  Many equipment rental options!  Hockey helmets – Bauer, Youth, Adjustable (with cage option)  Skates – Bauer, Size 7 (borrow or second-hand options)  Bring a sled with blanket   Warm beverage!    Allow your child to take the lead in their comfort level! You build the experience, and they can choose their own adventure within that. Also, you can always invite friends! The seasons go by so fast – enjoy it!    Thank you to Keen Footwear for sponsoring today’s podcast! Check out www.keenfootwear.com  Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Adrianna Skori had quite the postpartum this time around. What was an “easier birth” and postpartum initially, turned into illness upon illness upon illness. Yet she always found peace in the outdoors, even if it was walking around the hospital.     Some Ways She Let Nature Reset Her:  Walking around the hospital   Allowing visitation between Turner and Nash (brothers) via the playground  Sitting by window in hospital and taking in sunrise and sunset  Playing in the backyard   Nature walks – taking her time, listening to her body, asking for other adult help!    She recommends to reach out to your community and your family and ask for help! Invite in all the love to fill your space. Embrace the beautiful chaos!    Thank you to Keen Footwear for sponsoring today’s podcast! Check out www.keenfootwear.com  Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

The Roberts are a family of 7 who lives in a 40-foot school bus that they converted themselves, travelling all over the USA! Learn the pros and cons of living in such close quarters where adventure is a daily endeavour, with Anna Roberts! Now, the question is, will they travel by boat next?!    Fun Facts About the Roberts:  At the time of recording, they had visited 32 of the 50 states, and 36 of the 63 national parks  Kids range from age 18-months to 12-years-old  They keep track of their locations on sticker maps and notes in phone  For homeschooling, they follow a particular curriculum. Usually work from 9am-12pm, then get outside! They do more school in the summer, so they can take travel days and various times off Their mail gets sent to family and they send pictures. Or they do general delivery to nearest post office, or use Amazon Lockers    Some Noteworthy Destinations So Far:  Joshua Tree  Everglades  Yosemite  All California Parks!  Grand Teton  Glacier National Park     Pros of This Lifestyle:  Time with family  Exploring new places  All the new adventures  They get to make memories with their kids NOW    Cons of This Lifestyle:  Not being able to “hide things” when cleaning  Potential bus breakdowns, and not knowing where that will happen  Proximity to hospitals, if needed    The Roberts did not have everything perfectly planned out! Or ginormous savings. They didn’t have a perfect scenario. Plus, Anna got pregnant! Anna says, if you have a dream or have this idea, just figure out the first step! Don’t let fears and doubts get in the way. Just learn a little bit at a time. They worked so hard for this, and they did not have the perfect scenario. But they just made it happen!  Follow on IG, TIkTok, Facebook: @therobertswerehere  Recommendations:  Kids Ride Shot Gun – the seat (for younger kids) and tow rope for older kids. They use it for their 6-year-old. Great when you have big age ranges in kids, or lots of kids, or to be able to help kids keep up - https://kidsrideshotgun.ca  Listening to: American History Story Tellers – season 6 is all about National Parks     Thank you to Keen Footwear for sponsoring today’s podcast! Check out www.keenfootwear.com  Today’s Host: @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

We hope you can all avoid rattlesnake bites, and Brighton Peachy has tips for that, but in case you or anyone you know ever gets bit by a rattlesnake, we want you to know all the steps to take. Today’s episode is very important! The more you know, the better prepared you can be.    Brighton Peachy, is a Wilderness EMT & a mom of 3 little boys (ages 5,4, and 1). Her family loves getting outdoors through climbing, backpacking, & mountain biking. They recently converted a van that they lived in for the summer as they travel across the country. Before kids, Brighton got her Bachelor's degree in Wilderness Rescue. She has worked as an EMT for the last 8 years in the ER and has also worked on Salt Lake County Search and Rescue Team. She teaches Wilderness First Aid courses to help people feel more prepared going into the backcountry.     Brighton is naturally very afraid of snakes. But learning more has made her feel more confident when coming across them. Summer is “peak” snake season in Utah.     Things You Can Do to Avoid Rattlesnakes and Their Bites:  Listen for the sound of a rattlesnake – they sound like a distinct rattle; try locate direction of rattlesnake, so you don’t get closer  Stay back! – they can strike up to 5 feet and usually forward, so move back and diagonally (or sideways and back)  Teach kids not to approach (keep kids close) – practise this ahead of time  Do not throw rocks or sticks at snake – will cause the snake to attack more; it’s also illegal to hurt a rattlesnake in some areas  Alert others! – determine if it makes sense to continue on adventure or not, because there will likely be more rattlesnakes  You cannot hear baby rattlesnakes, but they will usually hang out on rocks or between rocks, or in the cracks     If Someone Gets Bit by a Rattlesnake:  Move away so you don’t get bit again; Stay calm and remain still - stress and tension can spread the venom (breathe and think of next steps)  Remove restrictive clothing, jewellery, shoes – swelling is common  Position bite below heart - so venom doesn’t spread  Call 911 for help and/or to let hospital know you’re coming – not all hospitals have the anti-venom and they need time to prepare  Carry the person who was bit or immobilize site – do not run, because again, we don’t want to increase heart rate   Rinse with water and soap – ideally not hand sanitizer; this step can be done in ambulance or at hospital, or earlier if you’re on a backcountry trip     Some No-No’s After Rattlesnake Bites:  Do not suck out venom  Do not apply tourniquet  Do not apply ice  Do not drink caffeine or alcohol  Do not take blood thinning medications like pain killers  Do not increase heart rate  Do not try catch the snake    Do not let the fear of snakes keep you from getting outside! Be prepared.    Pendleton Blanket Recommendation (found at Costco):  https://www.pendleton.ca/    Podcast Recommendation: Out Alive     Follow Brighton on IG and TikTok: @brightonpeachy      Thank you to Keen Footwear for sponsoring today’s podcast! Check out www.keenfootwear.com  Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Raise your hand if you care about our planet! Launne Kolla says she is not perfect, and none of us should expect to be, but trying our best with the knowledge we have can make our earth a little bit greener. Launne graciously does all the hard research for us, to make our gentle footprint a little bit easier to navigate.     Back on episode 64, we met Launne, when we talked all things birding and bird watching. Not only is Launne a Wildlife Biologist for EDI Environmental Dynamics, where she gets to love up on wildlife, she is also on a mission to take care of the earth and teach others how to do the same, with her account Do More Good. Raising two daughters, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, she is also teaching them to love, respect, and nurture the earth!     Episode 64 on Birding: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-64-birding-bird-watching-with-launne-kolla/    Garbage Takeaways:  Buy/consume less and use what you have   Vote with your dollar – think about what you purchase before you buy it, as in where it was made, who made it, what it is made from, and how long it will last  Purchase items with less packaging   Corporations need to make a change – support the “good” ones  Shop in bulk   Bring your own produce bags, or don’t use produce bags    Recycling Takeaways:  Most of the things you throw in your recycling bin cannot get recycled – don’t “wish recycle” – know what can go in there, because wrong items can contaminate the whole bin, or cause harm to the system or workers   Generally, plastics with number 1-7 in the middle of recycle symbol can be recycled   Generally, they only accept items bigger than a deck of cards  Be intentional     Compost Takeaways:  In Calgary, currently, compostable packaging – compostable plates etc., cannot be composted. https://www.calgary.ca/waste/residential/how-composting-works.html[In Seattle they can] Check with your city!  Check if your city has an app  Tips to Compost on your own: Check out Vermicompost – using worms; Mix the browns and the greens – yard waste with food; Sometimes places have a compost drop off, or big gardens or food banks asking for compost  App = Share Waste (can find compost in the area) - https://sharewaste.com    In Canada, there is a single use plastic ban starting in 2022, and will be completed by 2025.    Ep. 31 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle for the Planet with Michelle Dias –   https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-31-reduce-reuse-recycle-for-the-planet-with-michelle-dias/    Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Swaps:  ·      Bring your own coffee mug and water bottle  ·      Use bar shampoos and conditions  ·      Use safety razor  ·      Swap bees wax wraps (or containers), instead of Sarah Wrap  ·      Turn off sprinklers when it’s rainy  ·      Unplug “ghost power”  ·      Delete emails! [1 person sending 65 emails is the same as driving a km in your car]  ·      Pick up garbage you see outside  ·      Pay for carbon offsets [Carbon Zero, vetted by WestJet, or Less Emissions, used by Air Canada]  ·      Shop secondhand   ·      Don’t return clothes unless you KNOW they are going back on the shelf  ·      Say no to Palm Oil, unless it’s “responsible palm oil”    Follow Launne on IG: @do.more.good  Launching blog soon.       Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities: https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/  Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Getting babies outside starts in the womb! Supriya Rajaraman grew up in India, and has now been living in Canada for the last 10 years. She feels like she is breaking barriers in her family and culture by exploring the outdoors, especially while pregnant, and now with her little explorer.    Supriya, along with spouse Karthik, and baby explorer, Tanish, who is 9-months old, love exploring the outdoors together. Keeping it simple, and starting with neighbourhood walks at just 5-days old with Tanish, they now love taking their baby explorer hiking, and plan this year to explore all that Kananaskis Country has to offer.     Some Interesting Discussions:  The different feelings about activity in pregnancy in different cultures  Listening to your body and your intuition with activity in pregnancy, as well as your care providers' recommendations   Mothering the mother – caring for the mother postpartum     Book Recommendations:  Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May   To Have and to Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma by Molly Millwood, PhD    Don’t be afraid to break barriers and do what works for your family, in all areas of parenting.     Follow on IG: @suppreya  Or on the KWE Calgary Regional Facebook Group        Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities: https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/    Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

We know the outdoors feels good, but did you know it's actually wiring and re-wiring our brains too? Itzel Fernandez Camacho, M.D. is here to tell us all about it!   Itzel Fernandez Camacho is a mom of two, a lifelong learner, and M.D. She previously worked in pediatric rehabilitation, and she considers the outdoors to be the perfect environment to stimulate gross and fine motor skills, coordination, and sees nature as a sensory playground where children have endless opportunities to improve their neurodevelopment. Now, if that’s not a reason to get outside…!    She grew up in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She is currently travelling 3 continents with her family. She enjoys hiking, camping, paddle boarding, walking barefoot, climbing trees, swimming in the ocean, and exploring new cultures.     In Med school, Itzel noticed that they didn’t teach anything about the outdoors. After kids, she thought that rehabilitation should include the outdoors!!     Our Brains in the Outdoors:  Even just looking outdoors or having live plants - your senses are all stimulated  Allows for better concentration, focus, and the ability to memorize better!   Improves behaviour, happiness, and reduces anxiety and depression   Grey matter in brain positively impacted - creating new connections, because the brain is very plastic, especially in the first 3 years of life  Can prevent metabolic disease, help cardiovascular health, lower ADHD symptoms  Exposes you to vitamins that help with bone and muscle growth - giving our children a healthier life!!  Risky play – gets them to make decisions together, work on concentration, and work on physical ability    We are meant to be outdoors. We need to find ways to be exposed to the outdoors every day, and the more time we can.     Grounding in All Seasons with Dr. Laura Koniver episode - https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-40-grounding-in-all-seasons-with-dr-laura-koniver/    Give children time to explore. Don’t rush them. Let them choose what they love. Try not to direct and organize too  much     Book Series Recommendation [on Audio Book]: The Expeditioners    Follow on IG: @tribupassport    Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities: https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/    Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

One thing that can be overwhelming for adventure families is how to feed their babies on the adventure. We hope that by sending some ideas out there, we will inspire you to get out and try it - because actively doing it will help you find what works best for your family!     Tips for all:  Feed in the car before/after adventure  Have more than you think you need when it comes to snacks, always! Life-long lesson  Have something for older kids/toddlers to keep them close: Nature journal, books, scavenger hunt, snacks, their own baby and carrier  Have something to sit on – EZ Seat or Rumpl Blanket, for example     Breastfeeding Tips:  Listen back to episode Ep. 30 Nursing On-The-Trail with Petra Sporinova   about breastfeeding on-the-go - https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-30-nursing-on-the-trail-with-petra-sporinova/  Wear nursing clothing (or what makes you feel comfortable) in all weather…[We partnered with Kojo to make our own - https://kojo.shop/en/produkt/growing-merino-pants-gray-wilderness-kopia/]   Try different positions at home first   You can feed in the front carrier [Check out Babywearing 101 episode: https://kidswhoexplore.com/podcasts/ep-10-babywearing-101-with-vanessa-shynkaruk/]   Normalize breastfeeding in public     Bottle-Feeding Tips:  Start with small adventures to be close to supplies  Steam bottles, prep measurements ahead of time in each bottle, and put in Ziploc bags (or bring entire formula kit in tote bag in adventure wagon, or car)  Use Yeti mug with hot water (or buzz through a drive thru and get hot water, if you forget)  If using premade formula bottles, during cold weather wrap them up in clothing and put them in the middle of your pack, so they don’t freeze  Try ‘not as hot’ bottles at home, to see if your baby can tolerate them   Clean bottles after adventures    Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities: https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/    Today’s Host: @adriannaadventures & @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music