Kids Who Explore Parent Edition

Ep. 11 52 Hikes Challenge in 2021 - Cindy Dowsett Spotlight

This isn’t just an episode about one of the mamas behind the scenes of KWE, it’s an episode about challenging yourself! Adventure mama, Cindy Dowsett, challenged herself in 2021 to complete 52 hikes. In this episode, she discusses how she’s including her kids in this adventure and some great Alberta hikes she has planned. We are in awe and can’t wait to cheer her on!

Learn more about the Triple Crown Canmore Challenge: https://rockymountainadaptive.com/triple-crown-canmore/

Follow Cindy at: IG: @cldowsett & @springbankwellness www.springbankwellness.com

Read more about Cindy and other KWE mamas: https://kidswhoexplore.ca/about-us/mamas-behind-the-scenes/

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

Production: @kpmediaproductions Music: @michaelferraro_music

Ep. 10 Babywearing 101 with Vanessa Shynkaruk

Some benefits of baby-wearing:

• Bonding
• Simulating the womb
• Producing oxytocin
• Offering safety for baby
• Allowing the adult to get things done (hands-free)
• Giving child access and engagement in the outdoors

 

Some baby-wearing safety tips:

• Baby close enough to kiss
• If baby on back (see below for when to put baby on back), make sure you can turn your neck around and see them
• Allowing an open airway for baby; chin away from chest (1 to 2 fingers can fit in between their chin and chest…especially for a newborn) & fabric away from their face
• Check your work; and check every 20-30 minutes in addition
• Make sure baby’s torso is well supported by carrier (watch with stretchy wraps)
• Baby’s legs should be in an M-shape
• Usually carrier should reach from baby’s knee to knee

 

*Baby forward-facing on adult’s front can cause overstimulation, can be too hammock-like with lack of support for baby, and can tilt adult’s pelvis out in a poor position causing back pain* That being said, Vanessa just loves seeing baby’s being worn, so if it’s working for you and baby, then it’s working for you and baby!

To switch to back-wearing, make sure:

• Baby has enough neck strength
• Baby is over 6 months
• Baby is able to sit unassisted
• The instruction manual of carrier says baby is able to be back-worn

 

Some of KWE’s fav soft-structured carriers:

• Tula Free to Grow
• Ergo Baby 360
• Onya Baby
• Ring Sling

 

Some of KWE’s fav hiking packs:

• Osprey Poco
• Deuter 3

 

Some bonus things Vanessa loves:

• Uppy Mama Store in Red Deer, Alberta
• Nuun Tablets for energy!
• She reminds you to find a local educator!

 

Follow Vanessa on IG: @vangrowyeg 

Massage Therapy Edmonton: https://pinehealth.ca/

Doula Care: https://www.fullcirclebirthcollective.com/

 

Thank you so much to Springbank Wellness for sponsoring today’s episode!

IG: @springbankwellness https://springbankwellness.com

 

Production: @kpmediaproductions

Music: @michaelferraro_music

Ep. 9 What‘s In Our Hiking Packs

Our Hiking Packs: 

 

For on your body: 

-clothes [Tip: pack layers. Ideally wear lighter colours and full coverage to protect from the sun and ticks] -rain cover & extra rain gear -hat & sunglasses -sunscreen -tick spray -trail runners or hiking boots  

 

For in your belly: 

-squeeze packs (not just for kids) -fruit -veggies and hummus -sandwiches -“treats” -water (in bottles and/or a hydration pack) 

 

For baby: -milk [for nursing mamas: in cold temperatures, nursing workout gear is great – we like Kojo Activewear] -diapers & wipes -change pad [or use a blanket or a seat you’ve packed] -flip cover [to avoid blow outs] *We love changing baby in the car at the trail head, if you can. Put the front seat down in the winter, or use trunk space in the summer* 

 

All the other good stuff: -something to sit on (Rumpl Stash Mat or Z Seat) -scavenger hunt -satellite phone  -first aid kit [Tip: KT Tape is helpful for avoiding blisters] -hiking poles  

-bear spray (and Scat Belt to carry it) 

 

Secondhand gear is good to keep your eye out for at the end of the season, or on Facebook Market Place.  

 

Safety Tip: Never let car go under half a tank of gas.  

 

Remember to keep hiking fun for kids. We love games, like safely playing Hide & Seek with an adult, or packing a hiking scavenger hunt, hiking bingo, or “I Spy” to keep their little eyes out while exploring!  

Links: Rumpl Stash Mat – www.tinyurl.com/um65ykp2 

Z Seat - www.thermarest.com/seating/seats/z-seat/z-seat.html  Tick spray - www.3momsorganics.com 

Scavenger Hunt – www.laurenrodycheberle.com/2020/07/21/hiking-scavenger-hunt/ 

Kojo Activewear – www.kojo.shop/en/  Oma + Jo Trapper Hats - www.omaandjo.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.  

Ep. 8 Postpartum Depression and the Outdoors with Autumn Kuenzi

Disclaimer: Nothing we say in this episode is medical advice. Please talk to your doctor (and your family) to recognize signs of PPD and PPA in you.  

Autumn Kuenzi and her family live and explore in Oregon, in a valley near Salem. Her family loves Smith Rock State Park for rock climbing! She is also a big fan of hot springs – because who wouldn’t love a big hot tub nature-made?  

While this episode dives into Autumn’s personal experience with PPD and PPA, it highlights how nature is what healed her! 

Autumn’s fun tip for thriving during car trips with kids: Dollar Store finds & SNACKS! 

 

Find more about Autumn and her family:  IG: @autumnmariahh 

Links:  She Moves Mountains (for rock climbing training)  – www.shemovesmountains.org  Women Who Explore (for finding exploring friends) – IG: @womenwhoeexplore 

Garmin GPS (for safety) - www.garmin.com  Bear Spray (for safety) – Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/jdxms8k8 

Thank you to ik’splor for sponsoring today’s podcast! We love their base layers for our kiddos here at KWE. 

https://iksplor.com 

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music  

 

Ep. 7 Getting Outside Through Story with Dineo Dowd

Sometimes we just can’t get outside. On those days, how can we bring the outdoors indoors? One way, is through story. Dineo Dowd is a mother who saw where books for her daughter were lacking, and chose to fill in the gap by self-publishing her own! She is the author of many kid adventure books, specifically related to hiking, and she is an advocate for diversity in the outdoors! 

 

Find all Dineo Dowd’s books on Amazon https://tinyurl.com/2n5wyrdm 

Follow Dineo on IG: @author_dineodowd @dineodowd 

Tip: Adopt a trail with your family (check local areas or hikeitbaby.com) 

Thank you to Sawyer for sponsoring today's episode!

https://besawyer.com

 

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Ep. 6 Behind the Scenes of KWE

Adrianna Skori may be on what she calls maternity leave, but that hasn’t stopped her from launching Kids Who Explore, with her son being at the forefront of it all! How could he not be, when the spark of KWE was born while she was out hiking while pregnant? 

This episode covers: 

What is KWE? 

Where did the idea come from? 

What do we share on our IG? 

What will you learn being a part of this community? 

Who are our ambassador families? And…our patch! 

Links: IG: @kidswhoexplore Adrianna IG: @adriannaadventures 

Patch ($1 from every patch is donated to Alberta Parks. Made in Canada) - https://kids-who-explore.square.site 

Thank you to our producer @kpmediaproductions & @michaelferraro_music for their music. 

Ep. 5 Bear Safety with Kim Titchener

When we are getting outdoors, whether it’s hiking, biking, fishing, camping, or any other nature adventure, it’s important to remember that we are visitors in the homes of the wildlife who roam there.  

 

How much do you truly know about bears? Do you know how to avoid encounters? Do you know how to handle encounters you come across? 

 

Thankfully, Kim Titchener, owner of Bear Safety & More, gives us a rundown of what to do to protect ourselves and our families in bear territory. 

 

Some tips on the trail: -Keep children attended (do not let them run ahead) -Bear bells and music are not helpful -Use your voice regularly; more people are helpful for multiple tones of voices; the natural sounds of adventure, like branches cracking and footsteps is also helpful 

-Have a communication device with you (ie. Garmin inReach) -Each adult should have a can of bear spray (and know how to use it) 

 

Some tips before you hit the trail: -Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back -Let someone know your vehicle type and license plate -Explore with ID on you 

 

This episode also briefly touches on defensive versus non-defensive bear encounters, and how and when to safely back away, versus make yourself intimidating (and, of course, get your bear spray ready). 

 

Links: 

-Join the RecSafe with Wildlife Community for free today - www.bearsafety.com or www.recsafewithwildlife.com 

-Scat Belt - Thank you for being a wonderful sponsor - www.scatbelt.com -Garmin inReach - https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/561269 

Instagram Links: @bearconflicts @bearsafetyadventures @scatbelt 

Ep. 4 Getting Outside in Winter

Are you struggling to get outside with the cold temperatures, snow, and ice? While some adventures might look like building a snowman in the backyard and others might look like snowshoeing in the backcountry, we have some tips and tricks to help making winter adventures with kids a little easier. 

Layers -  

-2 piece suits once kiddos are out of diapers is key! [Fun tip: A 5 Gallon Paint Bucket with Toilet Training Seat works great in the car] 

-Base layer (wool or synthetics), mid-layer fleece, waterproof or water resistant outer layer (ie. MEC Bunting Suit) 

-Neck warmer, toque/winter hat, waterproof boots, mittens/gloves 

For on the trail -  

-Ice cleats/crampons - for kids, use size XS and then tie on with a zip tie 

-Snowshoes and poles 

-Make sure to follow signage on adventures!  

-Pack a sled!! 

Links -  

-MEC Bunting Suit - https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5034-350/Ursus-Bunting-Suit 

-All Trails to Choose a Trail - https://www.alltrails.com 

Also check the conditions in your area (https://albertaparks.ca for Alberta) 

-Aiare Level 1 Course for Avalanche Safety - https://avtraining.org/aiare-level-1/ 

-Rockies Family Adventures for fun adventure ideas -http://www.rockiesfamilyadventures.com 

Thank you to our producer, @kpmediaproductions. Thank you to @michaelferraro_music for their music. 

Ep. 3 Homeschooling in the Outdoors with Jessica Human

Whether you want to be a homeschooler, you've somehow become a homeschooler during Covid-times, or you have zero interest in ever doing anything homeschool-related, this episode will show you how Jessica Human gets her three busy boys learning in nature. Plus, you'll want to hear the best spots to road trip and explore in Pennsylvania and Maryland, USA!

Jessica Human: IG: @3.little.trees

Thank you to our producer, @kpmediaproductions. Thank you to @michaelferraro_music for their music.

EP. 2 How to Dress [Kids] for Winter Adventures

Layers, layers, layers – that’s a big takeaway from this episode. But, the Kids Who Explore Mamas will give you more details on how to layer your little ones whether you’re babywearing or pulling a sled.

Ad featured B&Me –www.bookerandme.com– use discount code kidswhoexplore20 for 20% off from Feb 9-15, 2021. 

Base layers – Great reference https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/underwear.html 

Mec Bunting Fleece, Cindy referred to - https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5034-350/Ursus-Bunting-Suit

Thank you to our producer, @kpmediaproductions. Thank you to @michaelFerrro_music for their music.