Customer Reviews

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

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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!

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.

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.