Just Do It

I had the idea a long time ago: I’d organize a camping trip through the church. I’d lead hikes. We would rent canoes and spot meteors, depending on when we went. I told myself over and over that I’d get something on the calendar. Four years went by before our first outing.
Staffing the Environment Commission’s booth at Hometown Holidays was a conflict one year, a watershed event another year. There was a proposal to write for work, and something to do for a professional organization. Then, there’s ballet, taekwondo, tee ball, swimming, and music class. Every time I thought we had found a date, someone who wanted to join in had a conflict. Waiting for the opportunity when there’s ample lead time to plan and no conflicts all the way around meant that years went by without organizing even one trip.
So, we wing it. The trips are loosely planned. We meet someplace where there’s some variety in things to do- swimming, hiking, poking around exhibits in the ranger station. We eat some meals all together, and some as individual families. Maybe we’ll hike together, maybe we won’t. Maybe we’ll see the falls, maybe we won’t. And since we actually do it (with a plan that we’ll do it again), there’s always next time for anyone who missed this outing.

Waiting for the perfect time, and operating under the expectation that everything would be planned out like a cruise, meant that it just wasn’t happening. Making it happen is far more important getting every detail right. Kids need unstructured time outside. There’s ample research that this is good for their bodies and good for their minds. When they meet friends and explore together, it’s also good for their social development.
So, go spend a night or two outside with your kids in the next couple of weeks. It’s a great time of year to do it, and you can even be part of the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Backyard Campout (even if you’re camping somewhere other than a backyard). Don’t overcomplicate, don’t overspend, but have a good time outside.