Kids Who Explore

What if your kid doesn’t like getting outdoors? There’s still hope, at any age…and Kika Vila-Nova is here to share that with us! Her 12-year-old daughter has finally embraced her mama’s love for the outdoors. Tune in to hear tips on helping your child embrace nature, plus hear some great Utah recommendations! 

Kika Vila-Nova moved to the USA from Brazil in 2001 to pursue a Master's Degree in Chlidren's Theatre. She fell in love with Utah and all the diverse landscape and that is where she has chosen to raise her 12-year-old daughter. Kika loves to shares their adventures, life as an immigrant and a single mom exploring Utah. 

Some Utah Recommendations: 

• Salt Lake City  

How to Help Your Kid LIKE Going Outside: 

• Be persistent  

Recommendation: Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty  

Follow Kika on IG: @kikassadventures 

Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities:

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.  

The Musser family is the definition of chosen family! From being foster parents to 34 children, to now travelling the United States on a bus with their family of four (plus a dog), to homeschooling in nature, they are here to teach us about respecting the earth, enjoying nature, and leaving no trace! 

The Musser family calls themselves a misfit family of four that squeezes themselves (plus a slightly feral pup) into an 18 foot mini skoolie, to live the full time nomad life. Their eldest - Buckets - was adopted from foster care. Their son - Monkey - they are legal guardians of. And their puppy - Dingo - is a rescue mutt found running with a wild pack of dogs. The Tall One works remotely as an electrical engineer designing power and lighting for new construction to pay the bills, while Minnie plays paparazzi and writes for a couple outlets about their wild adventures. They love skiing, rock climbing, trail running, hiking, backpacking and all things that include getting dirty. Minnie just completed a hike on the pacific crest trail from Mexico to Canada and together as a family they are training to safely mountaineer.  

Leave No Trace 

• Do not litter 

Kids suggest making picking up trash a game, like I Spy! 

“Do something about it…put in action to make the world better!” 

The Musser family likes to spend money on experiences rather than things. This year they are spending their adventure money on a Power Pass that gets you access to ski within 4 states. 

https://www.thepowerpass.ski 

Follow IG: @runawaymusbus 

Website: www.runawaymusbus.com 

Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities:

Production: @kpmediaproductions.

Music: @michaelferraro_music.  

We love adventure wish lists and the fall season brings so much to wish for! Tune in to hear what’s on our bucket lists for the fall, and snag some ideas for your families!

• Larch Hike

Tripod Recommendation - Small Portable Tripod for your hiking pack (Logics)

Thank you to Sawyer for sponsoring today’s episode! https://besawyer.com

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.

It’s no surprise that we love our planet. We love nature, and we want to protect it! Today’s episode teaches us how to lessen our impact on the environment through recycling and compost. Michelle Dias, an expert in the two, teaches us what the three R’s should REALLY be, (with a C mixed in there)! 

The Three R’s: 

• REDUCE (as much as possible, first) 

Michelle Dias, born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, studied Biology at the University of Calgary. She now works for the Waste & Recycling Services at the City of Calgary. She has been a naturalist and environmental educator for over 20 years, and has always felt curious and inspired by nature. 

Fun Fact: Michelle did a blended program with her two children for school, which included home school, as well as outdoor school. It’s called Windsor Park.  

Some of the information below will be Calgary, AB specific, so please check the rules for the recycling and composting programs in your municipality.  

REDUCE: 

• Try products with less packaging, like laundry detergent strips, or bar shampoo and conditioner 

REUSE: 

• Get things second-hand 

RECYCLE: 

• The three categories of recycling are: Containers (plastic, tin, glass…think kitchen and bathroom packaging), paper, plastic bags 

COMPOST: 

• [In Calgary, specifically] no food packaging and plastic can be composted, even if it says compostable (remember, it also takes a lot of resources to make compostable containers) 

*Terra Cycle is a company that recycles old items like toothpaste and other mixed material items. Michelle thinks it’s worth looking at the energy spent on shipping one item at a time; we don’t want to negate the benefit.* 

https://www.terracycle.com/en-CA/ 

City of Calgary Waste and Recycling: https://www.calgary.ca/uep/wrs/waste-and-recycling-services.html 

Library programs: https://calgarylibrary.ca/events-and-programs/programs/talking-trash-with-waste-and-recycling/ 

Virtual KWE Planet Cleanup: https://kidswhoexplore.com/events/virtual-kids-who-explore-planet-cleanup/ 

Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities:

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.  

Kids do better outdoors! As do parents, for that matter!! Being a breastfeeding mom shouldn’t keep you indoors, so, what is the best way to nurse while adventuring? Between KOJO breastfeeding activewear and Petra Sporinova’s tips, you should be set! 

Petra Sporinova is an active mom of 2 little boys. She moved from Slovakia to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, which was quite the adventure in itself, and now is happy to daily put on her KOJO breastfeeding activewear and adventure with her sons! KOJO is a brand that is made in Europe, and run by two moms, one being Petra. It is focused on sustainability and child-parent bonding, and we can’t forget, getting outside!  

Advice for adventuring with a new baby: 

• Start slow 

Nursing-specific clothing is great for adventures, especially when it’s colder on the trail, to keep your middle section warm. However, KOJO is expanding to casual wear, as well as clothing for kids.  

Tips for feeding babies on the trail: 

• Practise nursing in different positions at home 

Petra says she loves nursing, because it’s good for nourishment, connection, and convenience! 

Follow KOJO on IG: @kojo_activewear 

Petra’s Suggestions: 

Book: Breastfeeding for Busy Moms – the Handbook! by Heather ONeal 

Documentary: Deadliest Journeys  

Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities:

Production: @kpmediaproductions.

Music: @michaelferraro_music.  

How much screen time should we have? How much screen time should our children have? How do we set limits? And should we all try a screen time detox?! Today, the mamas talk about their relationship with TV and screens, and how they are trying to raise their kids in the digital age! 

Lauren’s Relationship with TV –  

She gave up TV for Lent in Grade 4, and never went back to it. She never turns on the TV by herself and only watches it with true intention, like picking a documentary with her husband or watching a music show with her parents. Currently, her daughter doesn’t get any screen time. 

Adrianna’s Relationship with TV – 

She is very casual about TV. At times it gets thrown on or used as background noise. Sometimes she’s into a true crime series or a romantic movie. Usually her attention isn’t ON the TV. Her son is fascinated by the TV, especially when it comes to watching sports with Dad! 

Cindy’s Relationship with TV –  

She grew up not watching a lot of TV, but doing movie nights with “snackie dinner” (charcuterie) with her family. When her oldest child became a toddler, she introduced him to TV and tablets. Now with two kids, she tries to watch the amount of time they spend on devices and tries to choose educational shows.  

Book Recommendation:  

The Enchanted Hour by Meghan Cox Gurdon  

[Discusses reading & shares studies on kids’ brains watching screens versus reading and looking at pictures!] 

Some Ideas for Screen Time: 

• Choose intentional times to use it, like family movie night 

Ways to Watch Your Kids NOT Through a Screen: 

• Try to be on phone mostly when kids are napping (or tell kids what you are doing on phone) 

While travelling, or at restaurants, we hope to use screens as the last resort, instead of the first.  

Thank you to Elements Inc. for supporting today’s episode! Check them out to shop, or find in-store locations at www.patagoniaelements.ca 

Production: @kpmediaproductions.

Music: @michaelferraro_music. 

Tips for Car Rides with Kids:

• Scavenger Hunts!

Tips to Make it Easier to Get Outside:

• “Fake it” and keep that smile on – you’ll start to feel it

Businesses:

• Rad Mums (follow on IG: @radmums_): An outdoor community in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for Mums who want to explore without their kids

Follow Tara on IG: @rockymountainminis

Thank you to Elements Inc. for supporting today’s episode! Check them out to shop, or find in-store locations at www.patagoniaelements.ca

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music. 

Tanya Vanthuyne lives in Edson, Alberta, a very small town located about an hour east of the Rockies. She has two sons. Her oldest, who is on the spectrum, loves water and low impact activities. Her youngest is always pushing the boundaries on new adventures. Her family loves camping, hiking, paddle boarding, snowboarding, and pretty much anything active outdoors.She believes life doesn't have to change completely when you have kids - it just requires a little adjusting, extra patience, and always a Plan A, B, C and D.  Tanya always says "YOU create your kids’ normal" She suggests pushing out the noise of what "society says is the norm" and being confident in raising your kids with the life that makes your heart happy. 

Tips for paddle boarding with a baby (have them wearing a life jacket): 

• Start slow 

Get in the water! Let your kids see you do it! 

Keep hikes interesting: 

• Play games 

GoPro Advice for Beginners: 

• Take photos in “time lapse” 

Thank you to Sawyer for sponsoring today’s episode! https://besawyer.com 

Production: @ kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music. 

A question that comes up from our community again and again, in many forms, is how to get your kid(s) outside...how to inspire your kid(s) to WANT to get outside. 

Here are some of our tips: 

• Start them young 

Some ideas for getting outside after injuries: 

• Keep it simple and adventure in the backyard 

We end up talking a lot about the benefits of “Grounding” (also known as “Earthing”) in this episode. Stay tuned for a whole future episode on this topic. Sneak peek: It helps with pain and inflammation.  

Some ideas for volunteering with kids in the outdoors: 

• Big Brothers/Big Sisters 

Balloons mentioned (remember to recycle):  

Zuru BunchO Balloons 

Thank you to Rumpl for supporting today’s episode! Use EXPLORE15 for 15% your first order at www.rumpl.com 

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.  

John O’Sullivan is an internationally known TEDx Speaker, and the founder of the Changing the Game Project since 2012. He is the author of two #1 bestselling books, Changing the Game and Every Moment Matters.  On top of that, he is a leading youth sports blogger, a host of his own podcast Way of Champions, former professional soccer player, and a coach and consultant for over 20 years in sports such as soccer, football, lacrosse, swimming, rugby, and more! He is also a huge advocate for positive coaching. 

Sport Parents Should: 

• Follow their children’s lead in how competitive they want to be 

How Parents Can Inspire Kids to Get Outside: 

• Value free play 

Follow John: 

• Twitter & IG: CTGProjectHQ  

Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities: https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/ 

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.