In this episode with my friend and yours, Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside, you’ll hear Ginny and I talk about the relational aspect of spending time outdoors. But we cover so much more! If you know me at all, you will not be surprised to hear I cried twice in this episode. I also came away so inspired. I know you will too. 

Here's some more of what we talked about: 

The connecting power of books and this quote by Kim John Payne: “In a world where almost everyone is a writer or content developer it takes an act of humility and intent to become a reader.” 

The principle from 19th century British educator and philosopher, Charlotte Mason, that changed everything for Ginny when she didn’t like life as a mom: children should be outside 4-6 hours whenever the weather is tolerable. 

Getting outside is a way to grow our faith: we see God’s character through His creation 

How reading this book reminded Ginny that God gives us hands on spiritual principles through His creation: Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children 

Ginny’s answer for what to do when it’s hard to get outside with our kids: “It's almost always hard and that’s why we have a goal for it. You don’t have a goal for things that are easy.” 

Alastair Humphreys reminds us that sometimes the hardest step to take is the one out our own front door: The Doorstep Mile: Live More Adventurously Every Day. 

And yes, it is worth getting our kids outdoors even though it’s hard because it teaches: grit, resilience, and gratitude. 

Books that remind us of this: The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self and There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom’s Secret for Raising Healthy, Resilient and Confidant Kids. 

I share one of our family mottos as found in my book, Adventuring Together: It will make a great story later. 

Ginny tells us how she’s chasing joy right now: with more analog activities like cross stitch from Caterpillar Cross Stitch, reading more fiction like The German Wife, taking walks, baking sourdough, playing the piano and using her hands as inspired by Jill Winger and her book Old Fashioned On Purpose: Cultivating a Slower, More Joyful Life. 

Ginny and I remember that we owe our meeting to the fabulous Ainsley Arment of Wild and Free 

Be sure to read Ginny’s newest book: Until the Streetlights Come On: How a Return to Play Brightens Our Present and Prepares Kids for an Uncertain Future. 

You can listen to Ginny’s podcast here. 

You can follow her on Instagram here. 

And you can learn more about her global movement, 1000 Hours Outside, here. 

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to this podcast, and I’d be so very grateful if you leave a review of the podcast on iTunes.  

Reviews are incredibly helpful to me as a new podcaster. 

Thank you for listening and being part of my team. 

I love you guys! 

Greta