Kids Who Explore

By Kids Who ExploreKids & Family

Kids Who Explore episodes

July 13, 2021Ep. 24 Second Hand Adventure Gear with Rowan Rocskar
Rowan Rocskar is the Public Relations Manager at Kids Who Explore. She is mama to 1-year-old Stevie. The Rocskar family lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, which is a short drive to the Rocky Mountains! Rowan and Stevie embarked on many adventures (mostly hikes!) while Rowan was off on her 13-month maternity leave from work. Rowan still tries to get out to the mountains at least once a week, and is now learning to go a bit slower to let Stevie explore too.

Secondhand gear is more responsible for the planet. Rowan suggests trying before buying. Rent items or borrow items to decide if they are worth the purchase.

The Adventure Essentials:
Comfy footwear
Food and water

Safety items

Where to look for Secondhand Gear:
Facebook Marketplace
Thrift and consignment stores

Friends – lend and don’t forget to give back

Kijiji (in Canada)

*Tip: Try looking at surrounding areas or areas your friends live in*

Items you shouldn’t get secondhand:
Car seats (due to expiry and/or risk of a past car accident)
Personal Floatation Devices (if it has been repaired or altered)

Helmets (due to expiry and/or risk of a past fall)

Bear spray (due to expiry and/or considered a weapon)

For carriers, make sure you try them on!

Rowan also suggests limiting consumption.
Try a no gift birthday party!
Other ideas for gifts: group gifts, donations, experiences, education money

Rowan challenges you to check out the Buy Nothing Project in your area!

https://buynothingproject.org

(Items gifted from the community)

Or…Rent items (in Calgary) from:

https://ruckify.com

Follow Rowan at:

IG: @rowanexplores

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.
27 min
July 06, 2021Ep. 23 Summer Bucket List with Kids
Our Summer Bucket List:
Hike
Road Trip

Picnic

Swim

Paddle Board

Backyard Games

BBQ

Festival

Seasonal Café

Camp

Canoe/Kayak

Fish

Bike

Rock Climb (hire local guide)

Grounding/Earthing

Bird Watch

Sail/Boat

Local Outdoor Theatre

*You should not feel the need to fill time when your child is bored. Down time, or quiet time is super important, and needed, by both children and parents. It's also important for your child to have unplanned time so that when they are "bored", they are able to find their own ways to busy themselves that is unstructured. This allows their creativity and imagination to flow.*

Get Kids Involved:
Allow them to make the list
Write each adventure idea on popsicle sticks and place in a jar (pull one out at a time for a surprise adventure)

Tip: Pack the car before the kids!

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

Production: @ kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.
37 min
June 29, 2021Ep. 22 Gentle Parenting Outside with M.J. Singletary-Villalobos
MJ Singletary-Villalobos practices Gentle Parenting, but there are many other names for it - Conscious Parenting. Mindful Parenting. Respectful Parenting. He believes that all of them come down to a long-term approach in regards to both discipline and the relationship one has with their children. He believes the parent-child relationship should focus on respect and seeing a child as a whole person (no matter their age). From parenting without the use of fear, to handling meltdowns on the trail respectfully, MJ is here for all of it!

Skills of gentle parenting:
Love
Patience

Positive Affirmations

Treating yourself AND others with love and respect

NEVER using fear as a guide

In modern society, we separate nature and life…but, in reality, they are one. MJ says that the root of a loving relationship with our children is the same root of our love for nature. He calls on us to empower our children; to let them lead.

When it comes to child meltdowns on the trail:
Don’t worry about concurring the summit; concur your relationship
Get on their level

Let them talk and lead the conversation

Accept their emotion

Be a “safe spot”

Don’t tell them what to think or feel

*In America, a lot of highway systems make nature inaccessible for various classes

Call to action: Get involved. Vote. Speak at town halls. Advocate with non-profits that make nature accessible. In nature, do unto others as you would want done unto you. Be a gentle person, not just a gentle parent.

Book recommendation: Raising Cain by Dan Kindlon, PhD & Michael Thompson PhD

Find MJ Singletary-Villalobos’ book, A Flower Never Picks Itself via Amazon

Follow MJ:

IG: @verdelobosproject

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.
25 min
June 22, 2021Ep. 21 Snacks on the Trail with Dr. Ashley Toporowski
Continual snacking, which Dr. Ashley calls “grazing,” increases the chance of cavities, so she suggests sticking to somewhat of a “scheduled” snack schedule, especially on adventures!

Best Foods for Teeth:
Cheese
Raw Vegetables

Nuts

Eggs

Fruits

Crunchy foods (ie. apples)

Foods that Increase Chances of Cavities:
Foods high in sugar
Foods high in carbs

Sticky foods (ie. crackers, that get stuck in teeth)

If you’re going to eat chocolate, chocolate over 70% cocoa is best for teeth (still in moderation)

This doesn’t mean not to have any of the “foods that increase chances of cavities”; it just means balancing those foods with foods that are good for your teeth! Also, after eating, drink water to wash away the excess food and sugars.

Another tip: Chewing xylitol gum or sugar-free gum after eating can help, because it promotes the saliva in your mouth, allowing the mouth to repair the enamel.

Drinking:
On adventures with kids, bring a straw cup!
Kids need water after age 1.

Before age 1, water is just for practice, as you do not want water to displace a breastmilk or formula feed.

Book Recommendation: Big Steps - We’re Going to the Dentist

*Reminder: Children should visit the dentist for the first time at 1-year-old, or 6 months after first tooth erupts*

Follow Dr. Ashley at: IG: @drashleytop

Thank you to Bloom Nutrition for supporting today’s podcast! Find them on IG: @yourbloomnutrition or at www.yourbloomnutrition.com

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.
22 min
June 15, 2021 Ep. 20 Tick Safety with 3 Moms Organics
On today’s episode, we sit down with Jennifer and LJ, the founders and owners of 3 Moms Organics, which carries a product we love, TickWise. TickWise is an organic, DEET-free, family safe, insect repellent, that also repels ticks, among many other bugs! Their product is EPA compliant, and is registered in all 50 states in the US. It is sold in over 300 stores and that number is increasing every day. It is also sold on Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Lowes.com. Furthermore, 3 Moms Organics was recently certified as a prestigious Women-Owned Small Business. Both Jennifer and LJ have lived in the Hamptons of New York for all their adult life. They have both raised families in East Hampton and learned early on the dangers of ticks, and the diseases they carry. LJ’s children have each been infected with tick-borne diseases multiple times, as have Jennifer’s. The tick problem has gotten so bad in East Hampton that you cannot even step onto your lawn without finding at least one crawling up your leg. LJ shares her story of having Neurological Lyme Disease [Neurological Lyme Disease requires a Deet-Free product]. We learn how LJ’s tick knowledge, paired with Jennifer’s essential oil knowledge, sent them down the path to protect their children from ticks (and now, thankfully, many other people)! All the Tick Safety Tips: Spray Permethrin on your shoes (spray it outside, and let it dry before wearing; repeat every 2 weeks) Spray yourself (with TickWise) Spray your belongings, including your backpack For babies, do not spray hands or face, but you can spray their clothes, their carrier, their stroller, etc. Wear light-coloured clothing, so you can easily spot ticks Tuck your pants into your tall socks Wear clothes that cover your skin Avoid walking in long grass; although, ticks can also be found in short grass, depending location, and closer to trail where they are looking to feed Use a lint roller (or duct tape) right after adventuring, to take off any ticks that are hanging on clothing At home, strip down, and put your clothing in the dryer on high heat for 1 hour (ticks do not like high heat) Shower and do a thorough tick check, especially warm areas of your body, and your hair Be cognisant of anything that is itchy once inside – look before you scratch! If You Find a Tick: If you find a tick around your house, get rid of it If a tick is found on you, remove it immediately with needle-nose tweezers, or a tick twister (remove it slowly, and make sure all of the tick is removed) If the tick has bitten you, put it in a bottle or a plastic bag to send in for testing (do not put it in tape) – check www.tickreport.com If a tick has bitten you, do the full 28-days of antibiotics (as that brackets the life cycle of the bacteria) – testing for Lyme disease in people is very flawed. The CDC says that just because you test negative, does not mean you don’t have Lyme disease. Testing is only 30% positive **Don’t do the “soap on a cotton ball trick” to remove a tick, because it could leave some of the tick behind, or the tick could regurgitate their stomach contents Facts about Ticks that will Scare You (Sorry!) They can sense when someone has walked in the last 5 hours There is a type of tick that can reproduce without a male Mice, rabbits, deer, squirrels carry them around Possums eat ticks TickWise Spray Info: It’s been field tested for its efficacy It’s registered in all 50 states in the US It lasts for 2 hours for ticks, and 1.75 hours for mosquitos; then it must be re-applied It is also good for dogs, but not cats. **If you’re trying to keep ticks away from the yard, it’s best to set up tick boxes, because if you spray the yard, it negatively impacts other animals** Follow: Website: https://www.3momsorganics.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/3momsorganics/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3momsorganics/ Shop at: Website: https://www.3momsorganics.com Amaz
40 min
June 08, 2021 Ep. 19 Backcountry Camping 101 with John Dowsett
Cindy Dowsett, from Kids Who Explore, along with her husband, John Dowsett, are sharing their knowledge! How to Book for Backcountry Camping: choose site via Provincial or National Park sites (albertaparks.ca) book a reservation and then it’s usually first come first serve for specific spots How to Get to Backcountry Camping Site: hike in pack everything in a chariot and bike in canoe in! What to Expect: usually zero service many locations have bear locks and fire wood, but some have no amenities don’t expect a lot of sleep sometimes there are communal cooking areas, sometimes not How to Start with Kids: plan for one night (maybe two) pick a close location (smaller hike to get into site, for example) Safety Tips: always watch kids make a “safety circle” with a stick around the fire for kids not to cross pack warm, “winter” gear even in the summer (plan for all weather) Backcountry Camping Packing List: Backcountry tent Sleeping mats Sleeping bags Hiking backpack Garbage bags Clothes (layers) Hiking boots Hat/sunglasses Food Water Water filter Camping stove and pots Backcountry plates/bowls/mugs/utensils Propane for stove Backcountry dish soap Headlamp/flashlight Fire starter/matches First aid kit (Benadryl for allergies (bee sting), After Sun, After Bite, Band-Aids, Antiseptic wipes, Polysporin, Tylenol, Dehydration packages, Water filtration tablets, etc.) Sewing kit/patch kit Toiletries Toilet paper Hand sanitizer Susncreen/Bug spray Bear spray Camera Day hike pack, whistle, knife, rope, duct tape Hand/foot warmers Extra batteries ID Backcountry permit (if required) Rain covers Satellite phone Games Backcountry Camping Additionals for Baby: Baby carrier Diapers Wipes Layers (wool base layers and socks, fleece mid-layer, waterproof outer layer, neck warmer, mitts, boots or slippers) & extra layers! Sleep sac Milk Soother Toys Sunhat/Sunglasses *Don’t over pack! It will get heavy! Many items are backcountry camping specific, so they are much lighter and smaller to pack down.* Borrow or rent to get started, if you don’t want to commit to buying everything. 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.
31 min
June 01, 2021 Ep. 18 Becoming a Climbing Family with Annika Mang
About Annika: Annika Mang is a content creator, storyteller, writer, and photographer. Her book, Hikes for Families: A Guide to the Canadian Rockies has over 45 family-friendly hikes. In 2014, she created the Born to Explore Adventurous platform founded on the belief that “Adventuring does not end when you have children, it is only the beginning.” She has lived all over Western Canada with her family, including three months in a van! Although she hiked as a kid herself, her love for hiking really flourished in University. She has recently started a new initiative called Trail Collectiv, that determines difficulty level of hikes in 5 different categories, making it more clear for families what is accessible to them! She also shares which hikes are friendly for all-terrain strollers. Annika loves rock climbing, because it allows her and her family to see nature from a new perspective. Starting Rock Climbing with Your Kids: Get certified [Annika took the Outdoor Climbing Course through the Calgary Climbing Gym – they used an ACMG Certified Instructor] Be able to climb a 5.10 in the gym Learn to create proper anchors and how to set up with proper etiquette Pick a location with smooth ground and not a lot of rock fall Check in with locals from the area for suggestions Always think of safety first! Make It Happen: Bring your kids by 2-years-old up to a hold to “hang” Let your kids see you enjoying it! Find friends interested in taking turns between watching the kids and climbing Recommendations for Rock Climbing Spots in Alberta with Kids: Wasootch (https://www.thecrag.com/en/climbing/canada/kananaskis-country/area/11922961) -Sunshine Rock (https://www.thecrag.com/en/climbing/canada/alberta/banff/area/547764147) Not Recommended for Rock Climbing in Alberta with Kids: Grassi Lakes Links: Calgary Climbing Gym (to certify) – www.calgaryclimbing.com Mountain Guides (to certify) – https://yamnuska.com/mountain-guides/ Follow Annika: IG: @borntobeadventurous Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BorntobeAdventurous/ Follow Trail Collectiv: IG: @trailcollectiv Find Annika’s Book: Her Website – https://www.borntobeadventurous.com The Great Outdoors Store Calgary - https://www.thegreatoutdoorscalgary.ca Valhalla Pure Canmore - https://vpo.ca/topic/VPO.StoreLocator.Canmore All Out Kids Online - https://alloutkids.com Thank you to Sawyer for sponsoring today’s episode! https://besawyer.com Production: @ kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.
28 min
May 25, 2021 Ep. 17 Nature is Music - Lauren Rodych-Eberle Spotlight
Lauren Rodych-Eberle is the Communications and Media Director for Kids Who Explore, and her passions with KWE really lie in sharing knowledge, tips and tricks, and promoting even the smallest of adventures! Outside of Kids Who Explore, Lauren is the owner and instructor of Miss Lauren’s Music Studio, where she just released a Preschool Music eCourse: https://laurenrodycheberle.mykajabi.com/store She is releasing her 4th cookbook in 2022 that is specifically for kids! She hopes it helps others pack food on their adventures: https://laurenrodycheberle.com/shop/ In today’s episode, she will also discuss: How she involves her daughter in ALL things How she’s meditated for 4 years consecutively How she’s learned to check safety for different adventure areas, from bears to ticks How KWE and the IG community inspire her to write Links: Jan&Jul Sun Hats: https://janandjul.com/sun-hats/ Follow Lauren at: IG: @laurenrodycheberle; www.laurenrodycheberle.com; or over on Kids Who Explore! 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.
20 min
May 20, 2021 BONUS EPISODE - YYC Outdoor Communities with Tanya Koob
Making friends can be hard! Making friends who want to do the same outdoor activities as you can be even harder! Tanya Koob, a Calgary-based mom, found herself in that predicament 12 years ago, when she first had her son. The solution? She started Facebook groups that brought like-minded, outdoor loving families together! Calgary Outdoor Play Groups run by Tanya: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1570536683159307/ Cross Country Skiing YYC: https://www.facebook.com/groups/562727260820378/ Mighty Mountains Kid Group (6 to 12/14-years-old): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1880664988893275/ Also mentioned – YYC Family Biking on Facebook Other fun suggestions: Geocaching: https://www.geocaching.com/play Bike closed highways: One example is Highway 66 outside Bragg Creek, starting from Elbow Falls to Beaver Dam Flats Campground (check if it is closed before you go) Follow Tanya at: IG: @mountainmomyyc; the Facebook groups listed above; http://www.rockiesfamilyadventures.com Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities: https://kidswhoexplore.ca/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/ Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.
16 min
May 18, 2021 Ep. 16 Camping with Kids with Carrie Malin
Carrie Malin grew up camping. She loves being in the outdoors - camping, hiking, backpacking, and canoeing, joined by her spouse, her son, and her dog! She is the Marketing Manager for Kids Who Explore, and we loved talking all things camping with her! Alberta Camping: https://www.albertaparks.ca To Get Kids Excited to Camp: build up anticipation involve them in packing camping gear let them pack a backpack of toys that they carry Carrie’s Camping Essentials: Tent Sleeping Bag Hammock Head Lamp Tylenol/Advil Google: 10 Must-Bring Camping Essentials Carrie likes to camp May-October, until it gets to -5 degrees Celsius. Tip: Learn to build a fire to keep warm! A perfect camping trip would be 3-4 days for her, but she will take even a night, if that’s all she can get. She loves playing camping games with her son - tag, or X’s & O’s. Her Advice to Beginner Campers: You don’t need fancy gear Start small and add as you need Plan for one night to start, close to home Links: Carrie’s Post, Let’s Get Camping: https://thatoutdoorsyfamily.com/lets-get-camping/ Hug a Tree Foundation: https://www.adventuresmart.ca/programs/hug-a-tree-and-survive/ Follow Carrie at: IG: @__carrielynnn & www.thatoutdoorsyfamily.com 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.
26 min

About Kids Who Explore

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Adrianna Skori, founder and CEO of Kids Who Explore, shares weekly episodes covering all things exploring with kids, from simple walks outside to camping in the backcountry. Expect interviews with…

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Kids Who Explore

Kids Who Explore episodes

About Kids Who Explore