Canoeing and Kayaking With Your Family

 

Canoeing and Kayaking With Your Family

Life as a Boulder county resident can be tough. With an average of 300 days of sunshine each year and one of the healthiest, most active populations in the country, the options for outdoor activities are endless as are the number of people who enjoy such activities. At times I wonder whether there was an application process that I missed for admission into Boulder. It seems as though every Boulderite excels at a minimum of three activities that would be considered extreme in most other areas of the country. Those who are not proficient mountain bikers, climbers and whitewater paddlers can seem to be in the minority.

In a community of such tremendous athletes it can be intimidating to ask such simple questions as, “Where can I go kayaking or canoeing for a nice mellow day?” You may run the risk of having that mellow day interpreted as Class IV rapids with only two portages and a dash of Grade III scrambling to the put-in. This type of sandbagging seems to be an affliction from which many of the extreme Boulderites suffer.

I certainly need more than one set of hands to count the number of times that recommendations for “mellow” days have turned into epic and unexpected adventures. While this can be fun, it is probably not the best experience to have when you are simply looking for a pleasant Sunday afternoon activity to share with your 7 and 9 year olds.

If your definition of mellow does not include a hair-raising adrenaline rush, take a deep breath and relax. You are not amongst the minority, in fact there are many others in Boulder and along the Front Range who are looking for the very same kind of mellow days that you are. Fortunately, in addition to the vast array of options available to those seeking a heart-pounding, palms-sweating type of experience, there is an equal number of options for those seeking a bit more mental and physical relaxation in a beautiful setting.

The plethora of outdoor activity options has necessitated the emergence of a number of outdoor gear companies. They will be able to outfit you with any of the gear that you might need from a canoe and paddles to PFDs properly fitted to any and all of your family members. If you would like to spend a day out on the water either kayaking or canoeing with the family, but don’t have any of the appropriate gear you can contact several companies in the Boulder/Denver area:

• Avid4 Adventure can arrange the occasional rental and can be reached at 720-249-2412. Even better, Avid4 holds a massive warehouse sale in the Fall of lightly used gear so that you can purchase your own gear at below wholesale prices.
• Confluence Kayaks in Denver rents boats for $25 per day, $15 per half day, $50 per weekend and $75 per week. They can be reached at 303-433-3676.
• Colorado Sports Rentals in Arvada rents canoes, which start at $40 and go up $15 with each additional day. This rental includes a trailer for towing, though they do not offer kayak rentals. They can be reached at 303-467-0200.

If you would prefer to dodge the added stress of doubling the length of your car by trailing a canoe or stacking a mound of kayaks on the roof of your energy-efficient sedan, you might consider paddling the Gunnison River on a family camping trip with Avid4 Adventure or heading to a spot that rents boats right from the shores of the calm flat water lakes around Colorado. The Boulder Reservoir rents boats by the hour. Canoes cost $8 per hour, one person kayaks are $10 per hour and two person kayaks are $15 per hour. Washington Park in Denver rents canoes for $15 per hour; you can get in touch with their rental office at 720-254-6612

Once you have sufficiently and safely outfitted yourself and your family members it will be time to select the perfect location for your flat water adventure. In the Boulder/Denver area a number of state parks have reservoirs which allow kayaking and canoeing. These are some locations frequented by Avid4 Adventure Multi-sport Day Camp and 2-week Advanced Camps.
• Chatfield State Park in Highlands Ranch
• Bear Creek Lake Park in Lakewood
• Cherry Creek State Park in Denver
• Boulder Reservoir in Boulder

If you are hoping to escape the hustle and bustle of the Boulder and Denver crowds, you might consider:
• Gross Reservoir, although you can only paddle from Memorial Day through September 30. In about twenty-five minutes you will find yourself in the foothills just west of Boulder on a small, beautiful and calm reservoir with plenty of shoreline and no motorboats.
• Redfeather Lakes or the Horsetooth Reservoir up near Fort Collins. The Arapahoe National Recreation Area has a variety of options for water activities as well as camping opportunities. There are five reservoirs in the area, though Monarch Lake and Willow Creek may be the best options as they have no motor boat and no-wake policies. Other options in the general area include Carter Lake Reservoir, Boyd Lake, Lonetree Reservoir and Dowdy Lake.

Where ever you end up and how ever you get yourself there, once you arrive remember to take a few moments upon arrival to close your eyes and take a deep breath. Listen to the sounds around you, even if the dominant sound is that of your five year old asking when they can get in the boat for the 74th time in the past hour, and remember to enjoy yourself. Remember to have your child teach you about the importance of the T-Grip, ask them to point out the gun-whales and the thwarts on the canoe, have them demonstrate the proper way to enter a kayak that is on the water. If your child seems avid for more adventures, make sure to check out Avid4 Adventure Paddlesports Intensives or Kayak Intensives. Whatever you do, make sure you relax and enjoy the mellow day that you are about to share with your family!


Virginia Sanford is a veteran employee of Avid4 Adventure and specializes in programming for 5&6 year olds. When she is not with Avid4, she is likely off exploring, climbing, reading, or traveling.

California Dreaming

Living at 7,000 feet in the San Bernardino National Forest is great, but after six months of four-plus feet of snow on the ground, early March found me craving some sunny, warm weather; some ocean waves; and some pretty scenery to climb and hike in. After a bit of research into Southern California’s beachfront camping, I found the Leo Carrillo State Beach Campground, just north of Malibu. For just $35 a night I, along with car filled with my favorite people, could camp a half-mile from the beach in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. We craved a snow-free weekend and the sun’s warmth, so we headed off the snow covered mountains of San Bernardino and into the more populated realms of California.

The first day we (myself and two friends, Justin and Matt) explored Echo Cliffs in what turned out to be a rock climbing adventure extraordinaire. The approach was over an hour, filled with stream crossings and scrambling uphill only to slide back downhill, the cliffs always in sight, beckoning us ahead.. Once we found the tops of the climbs we discovered it’s easy to miss the ‘drainage’ used to climb down to the bottom of the cliff (more of a creek than a drainage this time of year), and were continuously thwarted by trees, boulders, waterfalls and loose dirt and rocks in our attempts to get to the base of the cliff. Finally, after bushwhacking down a near-vertical gully, we found what we’d been seeking – bolted rock.

By this point it was almost three in the afternoon, and we didn’t have a whole lot of daylight left. We did, however, find someone with a guidebook and enough knowledge to point us in the direction of some easier routes. Justin was the real climber of our group, complete with his own gear and motivation, whereas I mostly tag along and climb every third route. Matt had never been climbing on real rock before, and we were looking forward to getting him up the wall. We spent the next hour or two climbing until it began raining and then, deciding it was time to meet up with the rest of our group, we climbed up the creek and headed back to the car.

Once we were down the mountain, we headed to the beach to watch the sunset and play in the sand. It was definitely one of the prettier sunsets I’ve seen, and we had a great time running around the beach before heading back to the campsite for dinner and bed.
The next morning we woke up full of energy and started our day by climbing the big sycamore tree in our campsite. Then we headed off to Point Dume, where seaside cliffs provide rock climbing options right on the beach. We scrambled our way up the cliff trail to set up a top rope, where we found a group of schoolchildren, kindergarten-aged, playing at the top of the cliff and learning about the history of California and the local ecosystem. The kids were completely engrossed in their lesson, and it was great to know they were getting a regular dose of experiential learning.

We spent the rest of the day climbing and hiking along the coast, scrambling over tide pools and volcanic rocks, playing barefoot and watching crabs. Mary-Helen and Matt drew toe circles in the sand, standing on one foot and trying to draw a complete circle with the other foot without falling over; I chased waves, running in and out of the surf; and we all tried to catch sand fleas and looked for starfish clinging to the rocks. By mid-afternoon it was time to go home, back up the mountain to the snow and the cold. But the beach had been everything we’d needed – a fantastic weekend of good people, beautiful scenery and all of our favorite pastimes.

Jessi Burg is a 1st year staff with Avid4 Adventure. She just moved to Longmont after spending last year frolciking in the forests and mountains of California.

What Do Avid4 Adventure Leaders Do When They Are Not at Camp?

So what do some of the most fun, creative and energetic people do when they’re not teaching at Avid 4 Adventure? If my coworkers are anything like me, they are likely to spend a lot of time scheming. Good scheming, of course. The type of clever planning that allows them the maximum vacation time while meeting the basic requirements of life. You see, there exists a core of individuals that have found the greatest experiences in life often have to do with nature. Time spent camping, climbing, biking or paddling is the time against which we measure all other moments. It’s a healthy addiction. It’s a great time. And most importantly, it makes us who we are.

I have two resumes. The first resume lists things like “Lived in Bolivia for a year” and “Climbed the Grand Teton via five distinct routes.” It talks about the events that have made my life worth living. It discusses ice climbing, particular sunsets, days of depending upon a climbing partner on remote granite domes. It uses adjectives like “spectacular” and adverbial sentence fragments like “recklessly beautiful.” It employs phrases like “life-changing experience” and “integration of profound wisdom.” This is the resume I hope people will read at my funeral, so they understand that I lived and loved life. Many people don’t understand this resume.

The other resume is drier. It has bolded categories in uninteresting, conservative fonts. The categories are predictable: Education, Career Objective, Work Experience, Noteworthy Skills. Most of it is in 12-point Times New Roman and is boring. Don’t mistake me, it’s sincere. However, if you look carefully you’ll notice something curious. It appears that the longest job I kept fell shy of a year. You’ll also notice extensive gaps of time between jobs. But if you held both resumes side by side you’d see that they fit together seamlessly, like the cliché drawing of the two halves of a broken heart.

There is a problem, though. I may be the only person who has seen both resumes side by side. If you could see both resumes and you cared about the outdoors you’d seen an interesting pattern. (Pay attention! This is where the good scheming comes in.) Five months working with children at a ski resort childcare center followed by two weeks climbing in Utah. Six months at a work-training program for teens followed three months in Ecuador. Four months teaching Spanish to elementary students followed by one week of mountain biking in Jackson, Wyoming. Repeat.

If I may continue speaking for my coworkers, it seems that a career path that only offers us two to three weeks of vacation time is entirely insufficient. How were we supposed to get good at having fun? Part-time and seasonal employment suits us much better; camp life and guiding is the best. Working with youth who are just beginning to discover the joy and freedom of safe outdoor recreation is like looking into a mirror that hurls us back into our personal history. It reminds us of how precious life experience is. It reminds us of growing up and not knowing a lot of things. It reminds of us the glorious paths of learning that lies ahead of the students and ourselves.

In truth, I don’t have two written resumes. But I do constantly plan trips that often lead me to my deeper self while simultaneously drawing me further away from a clean, gapless working history. Still, it’s important to note that outdoor education sums up everything that ever seemed important in life. Outdoors and education. I’m currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Education at Colorado University. I just finished a nine-month employment stint with the Boulder Valley School District – followed by ten days of rock climbing in Nevada. Currently I tutor Spanish, Math, English and Cornell note taking skills.

If there is anything more important than riding my mountain bike or climbing a difficult route, it’s teaching the next generation the skills I have accrued. And I plan on teaching the love of the outdoors in every future gap in my resume.

Erik Dutilly is a 1st year staff with Avid4 Adventure. When he is not climbing, biking, or playing outside, Erik may be tutoring teens or teaching Spanish.

Colorado Outdoor Bill of Rights for Kids!

Colorado Lt. Governor Barbara O’Brien recently announced the Colorado Outdoor Bill of Rights for kids. Help your children achieve their rights on an Avid4 Adventure Family Camping Trip. Her goal through this initiative is that ALL Colorado kids should have the opportunity to:

1. Camp out under the stars.
2. Follow a trail, ride it or walk it, and be respectful of everyone’s right to use the trail.
3. Play in a creek or river: fish, wade, paddle, or skip a stone.
4. Experience the wonders of Colorado’s four seasons: wildflowers, abundant sunshine, the changing aspen leaves, and fresh powder snow.
5. Visit a working farm or ranch.
6. Enjoy the view from the top of a mountain.
7. Identify Colorado’s official state wildlife and plants in their natural habitat.
8. Explore one of the dozens of local, state, and national parks in Colorado.
9. Play in the dirt and learn about the world from the ground up.
10. Plant a seed for other Colorado kids to enjoy in the future.

Avid4 Adventure is proud to support the Lt. Governor in her mission and encourage all parents, schools, organizations, and communities to help all children achieve their Colorado outdoor rights.

Sunny Winter Afternoons

Winter is a great opportunity to get the family together for an afternoon adventure in the sun and snow. Kids are home from school; nothing beats rounding them up, getting the snow gear on, grabbing the dog and taking an expedition to the local green space, park, or path. With Colorado’s sunny winter days, one does not need to bundle up like Randy from The Christmas Story to venture outside. A couple layers… snow pants, boots, jacket, gloves, and a hat are all that is needed for a great afternoon. Snowshoes, sleds, Yak-Tracks, and cross-country skis are entirely optional. Being outside and moving around is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the season. One of my favorite spots to take the family is the local Gunbarrel green space path, which eventually spills out into an even bigger open space, Gunbarrel Hill. There are countless tracks, birds, and other wild life to spot. To learn more about animal tracking, plant identification, and shelter-building, check out the Avid4 Primitive Skills camp at the end of the summer. A couple of hours in the fresh air and sun is all that is needed to recharge your battery and help you and your family make the most of your time together during the season.

See you on the trail…

Matt Mowen is a teacher, studying to be a Counselor, and is expecting his first child in Spring 2010. Look for him back with Avid4 Adventure for another season this summer.

Mountain Biking with your Family

Looking for an activity that your whole family can do together? Mountain biking is a great option. Together, you can ride miles of trails and experience nature in a way you never have before. Many mountain bike trails in and around Boulder County offer amazing scenic viewpoints along the way where you and your family can stop, take in the breathtaking views, and enjoy a well-earned snack. Trails are ever-changing, which will keep the excitement factor high for both you and your kids. If your child cannot get enough with you, check out an Avid4 mountain biking intensive. Or, if your child wants to develop advanced skills in a one-day program, sign up for our brand new Extreme Adventures.

Mountain biking is also a fun, intense, full-body workout. While pedaling works out your heart and lungs, climbing, descending, and riding through rough terrain works out muscles in the legs, core, arms, and chest. For growing children especially, mountain biking is a great way to start an active, exciting, healthy lifestyle that can last a lifetime.

Gear and skills you will need: First, make sure everyone in your family has a mountain bike (with knobby tires) and a helmet. It’s especially important that your bikes are durable enough to handle trails. Any local bike shop should be able to help you ensure this. Other items that are important to have on a ride are enough water (one water pack per person is a good idea), food for when you get hungry, gloves, eye protection, and trail maps. When you get more involved and go on longer bike trails, it is important that you have the proper skills and tools to fix a breakdown. Bike shops around town offer maintenance classes to teach you bike repair fundamentals. Make sure to carry a multi-tool, air pump, spare tube, and patch kit in case of a flat tire or other glitch.

Getting ready and getting on the trail: If you or your children have never ridden off-road before, make sure you’re all comfortable with more bumpy terrain. You can start to do this by riding on grass. Once you’re comfortable with the feeling, try riding on gravel paths (like those at the end of the Boulder Creek Path). When you’re ready, you can then move up doubletrack dirt trails, like those at Marshall Mesa’s Community Ditch Trail. Then, slowly work your way up to easier singletrack dirt trails. Once your whole family is ready and feeling a little adventurous, there is a wide selection of more technical trails throughout Boulder County. Be aware that these trails may include obstacles such as rocks, roots, and tight switchback turns, so make sure everyone’s really ready before you go.

Wherever you go, make sure that mountain bikes are allowed on the trails that you choose. Also, on multi-use trails, make sure everyone in your family stays to the right of the trail, and yields to horses and hikers. Additionally, if you are going downhill, uphill mountain bikers have the right-of-way. For an idea of what trails are in the area, see below. You can also go to www.mtbr.com for listings and reviews of trails throughout the country with their skill levels. Local bike shops also have lots of information about trails and group rides.

Keeping your kids excited: When mountain biking with children, it’s important to start out small and not to push them to hard. Make sure, above all, that they’re having fun. If they are, they’re much more likely to purse the activity and keep going at it. Also, if you know the trail well and you know your kid can handle it, let him/her lead the way for a little bit!

Some local trails:
- Boulder Creek Path/Canyon Trail (paved/gravel)
- Bobolink Trail (mostly gravel)
- Marshall Mesa trail system (doubletrack/singletrack)
- Flatirons Vista (smooth singletrack)
- Betasso Preserve (technical singletrack)
- Heil Ranch (technical singletrack)
- Hall Ranch (technical singletrack)

World-class destinations within striking distance of Boulder include Moab, Fruita, Steamboat Springs, and Crested Butte. Check out an Avid4 Family Trip to any of these premier destinations.

Tsvi Bieler is a great new addition to the team at Avid4 Adventure. He is an avid mountain biker, snowboarder, and all-around outdoor enthusiast.

Skiing with your Kids

Winter is a great time to get outside and spend some time with your kids – not only does the snow give everything a surreal look, it makes for a lot of fun with snowball fights, building snow forts and (my favorite) skiing. Skiing is a great way to spend time with your kids exploring outside, getting exercise and, most importantly, having fun. Unfortunately, while skiing often becomes a child’s favorite winter pastime, just one or two bad experiences can ruin skiing for kids. Luckily, ski hills and resorts have become very child-friendly, making your job even easier. But, in case you’re not sure how to ski to success, here are a few tips.
1. Dress right. Nothing will ruin skiing faster than being wet and cold. Check out Kyle Barker’s tips on dressing for cold weather before you head out.
2. Ski with your kids. Ski schools are great, and a little non-parental instruction can go a long way. But after that hour-long lesson your children are going to want to show you what they learned and where they skied. This is your chance to turn skiing into a super-exciting thing to do with mom and dad instead of just a fun time with other kids.
3. Make a favorite run. Explore the mountain together, come up with a favorite run and name it. For example, I know that at my home hill, ski school kids (and some instructors) love to ski “The Ultimate”, a run that links together the Eyeball Forest, Wacky Weasel Way, Bird Brains and Rainbow Road (believe it or not, this entire run takes place in the ~600 feet of the beginner hill). If your hill doesn’t already have fun run names, make some up.
4. Don’t expect to spend the whole day on the slopes. Be ready to take lots of breaks, and don’t always expect your children to know when they need to stop. Bring a thermos of hot chocolate and lots of snacks, and take full advantage of the warm lodge. And remember, it’s always better to leave early with some extra energy and excitement for the next day on at the hill.
5. Try something new. There’s a good chance you’ll be spending a lot of time on the bunny hill, so mix it up and give yourself a challenge. If you’ve been skiing for your whole life, strap on a snowboard or some telemark gear. If you never managed to lock the heel, maybe it’s time you learned to ski for real. In addition to giving you something to work on and play with, your children are going to get a kick out of watching you take a few spills, and it’ll make learning and falling easier for them, too.
6. Ski by yourself. Everybody needs to have fun skiing, and just because your children can’t ride the big lift doesn’t mean you can’t. Take advantage of ski school or swap parent-duty so that you can take a couple fun runs for yourself.

Aaron Inoue has been working with children in nature for several years. In the summers he leads trips for Avid4 Adventure and in the winter he serves as ski patrol in Idaho.