This week’s Weekly Wrap-Up episode is full of family fun, real-life parenting wins (and a few flops), and an honest look at what it means to prioritize the outdoors in the chaos of everyday life.

Host Rachel dives into:
-  A family hammock day at Camp Catalpa
-  Hammock reading + Mel Robbins’ Let Them
-  Kid crafts in the wild
-  Creek exploring at Belleau Woods Park
-  Surviving (or not surviving) the great Kentucky Cicada Invasion
- Outdoor adult time with music & food trucks
- Real talk: balancing busy work weeks with the choice to opt outside 

This Week’s Takeaway:
You can do both. Even in the busiest seasons, making room for nature—whether it’s a quick hammock swing, a trail walk, or a music night under the stars—is always worth it. 🛠️ Coming Next Week:
Outdoor crafts you can do at home with your kids—free, fun, and easy on the budget.

Trail Talk Tuesday | Episode 2

Welcome back to Trail Talk Tuesday, a mini-series from the #OptOutside: KY & Beyond podcast where we hit the trails, swap stories, and soak up the sunshine — one adventure at a time! This week, our plan to explore the University of Kentucky Arboretum didn’t go quite as expected… because the Kentucky Children’s Garden was closed. But instead of packing it in, we packed up the car and made a pivot — and ended up discovering the hidden gem that is Belleau Woods Park in South Lexington! In this episode:

• Why doing your trail research matters (lesson learned!)
• Everything to know about Belleau Woods Park — including parking, playgrounds, and a lovely little creek
• Real talk on going with the flow and letting your kids (and yourself) get a little muddy
• What we packed for our impromptu picnic
• Why nature and water are the ultimate cure for chaos

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or just someone looking to get outside more this summer, today’s episode is your reminder that even when plans fall through — there’s still adventure around the corner. 🌿

📍 Locations Mentioned:

• University of Kentucky Arboretum
• Belleau Woods Park Info (Search: Belleau Woods Park)

📷 Don’t forget to check out our photos and behind-the-scenes moments from this outing on Instagram and TikTok @optoutsidepod

🎧 Tune in Sunday for the next full #OptOutside episode: Cost-Friendly Crafts & Snacks you can enjoy outdoors with your family!

Welcome back to #OptOutside: KY & Beyond!

This week is all about FREE (or nearly free!) fun you can find in your own backyard. If you're ready to make summer magic without draining your wallet, this is the episode for you! We’re talking about:

• Why your local library is a summer superhero
• How to make the most of your Parks & Rec Department
• Where to find Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) for free fun + parent downtime
• The power of mom Facebook groups for hidden gems
• Our weekly K’s Korner: a kid-friendly moment to start your episode with smiles
• This week’s Extra Credit Assignment
• And a teaser for next week’s episode on crafts and snack hacks!

Whether you're in KY, CA, TN—or anywhere beyond—this episode is packed with universal tips to help you get outside, get connected, and get inspired.

📝 Extra Credit: Find something free in your community and add it to your calendar!
Let us know what you found on IG or TikTok @optoutsidepod 🌞

Because no matter the budget, there's always room for sunshine.


Chatsworth, CA
https://www.lapl.org/kids
https://www.laparks.org/dos

Springfield, TN

https://www.youseemore.com/springfieldpl/calendar.asp
https://secure.rec1.com/TN/springfield-tn/catalog/index?filter=dGFiJTVCMjA1MDIlNUQ9MSZzZWFyY2g9JnJlbnRhbCU1QmZyb20lNUQ9JnJlbnRhbCU1QnRvJTVEPSY4OTE0NmZkMmRlODhjYzMyMGM4MWZkNjY0NzM5ZThhND00MjkzNzkwNDhjZTA5YzdmNzI2NzVkMTE1NzQyNTA2OQ==

Richmond, KY
 https://www.madisonlibrary.org/locations/richmond
https://richmondky.gov/departments/parks_recreation/index.php?fbclid=IwY2xjawKqz5VleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEyQldLQVFsa3VBdmRWZ3JEAR55flt9uXCiOR0QB-lvBiI4sKGnRfprrYdOTjXzHdCkXcYcSHX-sMCpDBgKKA_aem_bBU9j0jXhva7l_mulYgZ6A

Lets go to Camp Catalpa! 

This is a 0.8 loop located on the northeast side of Lake Reba.

Welcome to the very first episode of #Opt Outside: KY & Beyond!
Today’s topic: prepping for summer success so that you’re not caught scrambling for swim shoes, sunscreen, or sanity. 📍 In This Episode:

• Why prepping now helps you say yes to spontaneous fun later
• How to organize outdoor gear using what you already have
• Creative ways to get kids involved (hello, scavenger hunt!)
• The two summer setups every parent needs
• Budget-friendly wins (like a $7.99 bathing suit!)
• The importance of prepping for crafts, snacks, and YOU-time
• First segment of K’s Korner – complete with silly jokes for the littles
• Your first summer homework assignment!

🛠 Resources + Downloads:
✅ Summer Prep Checklists available on Instagram: @optoutside
✅ Behind-the-scenes photos of “the cabinet shed thingy” and more 💬 Got snack or craft ideas? Send them in for a chance to be featured! 🎧 Next week’s episode: “Fun for Free: Budget-Friendly Summer Adventures in Your Community”

Hey there and welcome to the very first episode of #Opt Outside: KY & Beyond – a podcast where we trade screen time for sunshine and make epic summer memories on a budget!

I’m your host, Rachel – a coffee-loving, nature-chasing, always-on-the-go mom who recently swapped the palm trees of Southern California for the rolling green hills of Kentucky. I’m a former paraeducator, parks and rec pro, USPS mail carrier, and now stay-at-home mom, podcaster, and founder of Momcast Productions.

Whether you’ve got weekends off, evenings free, or a whole summer to spend outdoors – this show is your go-to for low-cost, high-impact adventures with your kids (and some grown-up fun too). Let's turn chaos into connection and create a summer to remember!

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @optoutsidepod
TikTok: @optoutsidepod

Welcome to #Opt Outside! 

This podcast is for you if:
✅ You need to unplug the kids and recharge yourself
✅ You’ve ever said, “Put the tablet down… but also please don’t talk to me right now”
✅ You’ve packed 7 snacks and somehow it still wasn’t enough
✅ You want a summer full of memories, not debt

We will be taking over the outdoors this summer; laughing and making memories along the way!