Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids: A Guide to Getting Your Kids Active in the Great Outdoors [Paperback]

Eugene Buchanan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2010

There is a movement upon us and it's full of parents who refuse to let their children become a statistic of childhood obesity, and who understand the fate of the environment rests with connecting their kids with the outdoors. Outdoors Parents, Outdoor Kids shines a much needed headlamp on helping parents accomplish this and more. With an informative and entertaining look at biking, camping, swimming, paddling, snowsports, hiking, fishing, climbing and more, award-winning author Eugene Buchanan extends parents a helping hand in getting their kids outside and instilling in them a respect for their health and the environment. It's a set of training wheels for first-time parents and an essential guide for hair-pulling veterans.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Trying to hip your kids to the places and sports you love best can be surprisingly hard, even not-fun, that's why Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids is so valuable. Packed with practical advice, but also humor - Buchanan isn't the smug expert who makes you feel like an idiot, but a buddy who's been there - it flags up the challenges you want to consider before everyone, mom and dad included, is ready to throw a tantrum, and offers frequent reminders of why it s absolutely worth the effort. --Brad Wieners, Editor, Men's Journal

I don't know which is more challenging summiting Everest or raising teenagers! As Eugene Buchanan knows, preparation is the key to both endeavors, and his book will help any parent navigate the rewarding outdoor adventures that can be had with their children. This entertaining and informative book showcases how activities of all shapes and sizes can be as fun, informative, challenging and inspirational as making it to the top of the highest peak. --U.S. Senator, Mark Udall, Colorado

A great read that leads the way to healthier kids and a healthier planet, written by one of my favorite writers. Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids gives a fun, healthy, and really cool perspective on the best ways to interact with our world. It s a must-read for anyone who wants healthier, happier kids right now. --Peter Kray, Editor, Ski Press World, Founder Shred White and Blue

About the Author

A former reporter for the Denver Business Journal and 14-year editor-in-chief of Paddler magazine, Eugene Buchanan has written about the outdoors for more than 25 years, from covering the X Games for ESPN.com to working for NBC at the Beijing Olympics. With freelance articles published in the New York Times, Men's Journal, National Geographic Adventure, Sports Afield, Outside, Forbes Life and other publications, his passion for traveling and writing has taken him to more than 30 countries on six continents. A Fellow member of the Explorer's Club and contributor to Men's Journal's The Great Life anthology, he spearheaded the Outdoor Industry Association's Outdoor Idols campaign, honoring teens' accomplishments in the outdoors. His first book, Brothers on the Bashkaus, was released by Fulcrum Publishing in 2007. He lives with his wife, Denise, and daughters, Brooke, 11, and Casey, 7, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, just a block away from the Yampa River.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Heliconia Press (March 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1896980481
• ISBN-13: 978-1896980485
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,152,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eugene Buchanan is the editorinchief of Paddling Life magazine and was the former publisher and editorinchief of Paddler magazine. He is also a freelance writer for national magazines such as Outside, National Geographic Adventure, Men's Journal, and many others. A member of New York's prestigious Explorers Club, he is an avid adventurer with several first descents to his credit. His passion for traveling, writing, and paddling has taken him to more than 30 countries on six continents. Buchanan lives in Steamboat, Colorado, with his wife and two daughers, a block away from the Yampa River, the last remaining freeflowing tributary of the Colorado River.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Outdoor Fun and Fun Outdoors with Kids, November 14, 2011

By 

T. Richards "homeschool momma" (Hillsboro, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids: A Guide to Getting Your Kids Active in the Great Outdoors (Paperback)

I recently received an opportunity to review a new book published in September. Written by Eugene Buchanan, the book is a must for every parent who wants to know how to get their child hooked on the great outdoors. I would recommend it as a perfect gift for any new parent, especially if they have been very active outdoors enthusiasts. This book is a perfect "how-to" for those parents like me who want to turn the TV off but just don't know how.

The activities covered include: bicycling, snowsports (skiing), camping, hiking and backpacking, jogging, paddling, climbing, fishing and swimming. Lots of interesting information, gear reviews, funny stories of what to do (and not do!). The last chapter he gives you plenty of data about current childhood...boring if you don't like statistics, but still good practical information.

Amazingly funny, brilliantly honest and completely memorable, Eugene will have you ready to get your young gang together, trapped strapped into the car, on your way to the local slopes!

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, With Great Information- Sometimes Too Much Info., May 18, 2010

By 

Mrs.CH3 "Mrs. CH3" (Pinellas County, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids: A Guide to Getting Your Kids Active in the Great Outdoors (Paperback)

According to author Eugene Buchanan, "The game is on to get today's kids off video games and into the great outdoors." We all know that childhood obesity is such a great issue in our country.

According to statistics, childhood obesity has almost tripled in the past 30 years. Getting our children active has never been more important than it is now. In an age when we are overloaded by information and technology seems to be changing and moving at the speed of light, we need to remind our children about the wonders of nature.

Looking to get outdoors with your children but don't know where to start? Do you have more than one child and think doing things like skiing, bike riding, climbing or paddling are impossible tasks? Think again! Author and Father Eugene Buchanan has written a step-by-step guide to getting outdoors with your children without losing your mind! Having been through it all with his two daughters, he digs into the history of certain outdoors activities such as biking and takes you through every scenario from from big wheels to training wheels to trail-a-bikes. Whatever you want to attempt, Eugene will walk you through it, highlighting every disaster that could happen- hopefully helping you to avoid it!

I highly recommend this book to even the parents who believe they are expert, outdoors-y parents. My husband and I enjoy hiking, but Eugene has opened my eyes to other things we can do with our daughter- including paddling or (gasp) skiing- things we would never consider doing with her until she were a bit older. I think sometimes Eugene gets a bit too descriptive (I could have done without the history of bicycling- Zzzz), but what's great about this book is you don't have to read it word-for-word, chapter-by-chapter. There are great headings in the book, such as:

* Sea Kayaking with kids
* Tips for the Trail (in re: backpacking) &
* Sledding with kids

These headings can help you find the information you need right away and skip things that you don't want.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great advice to help give kids a passion for sports, October 2, 2010

By 

Jon Wade "Steamboat Local" (Steamboat Springs, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids: A Guide to Getting Your Kids Active in the Great Outdoors (Paperback)

Thanks to Eugene for giving us a well thought out and entertaining book on helping us raise our kids to appreciate sports. If you've ever wanted to help your kids get outdoors more and love this is well worth the read.