Washington State University Spokane’s Post

Quick little article I put together for North Park - NOW!

New walking brochure guides you through Flemish Brabant on 12 routes

30 Interesting Facts about Chickasaw National Recreation Area

 Hiking with kids is a great way to get them connected to the outdoors at a young age, but it can also be intimidating for the parent planner. We challenge you to get the kids in your life out on the trail this summer, because part of preserving wilderness for future generations is teaching youth to appreciate and enjoy nature. Here are ten tips to help: https://lnkd.in/emQBNG4W

Summer is around the corner in Michigan! As the days get longer and warmer, we're daydreaming about all the outdoor adventures awaiting us... Whether it's picnics in the park, beach days with friends, or hiking through scenic trails, we want to know: what's your favorite thing to do outside when the sun is shining? Share your summer bucket list in the comments below. ☀️🍉 #SummerFun #OutdoorAdventures #ShareYourFavorites

Another plug for the west Michigan destination of Saugatuck, just 3 hours from Chicago, before moving onto new horizons, and something most people don't realize—it offers hiking. Some of it is quite good. See the one-mile trail up Mount Baldhead below, which we did last summer. Here are a few more routes to check out if you plan to be in the area: 1. Saugatuck Dunes State Park: Offers 13+ miles of wooded and sandy hiking trails and 2.5 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. (We loved our visit here. Google search "gather and go saugatuck dunes" to see my day-visit guide.) 2. Tallmadge Woods: 2.6-mile Crow's Nest loop, which we plan to do on our upcoming visit. 3. Saugatuck Natural Harbor Area: Walk this 2.7-mile loop of interconnecting trails along the dune top for Lake Michigan views. It's best done in the late afternoon to get that golden light.

From steep climbs to stunning sunsets, my recent hike to Mt. Brown Hut was a powerful reminder of how the outdoors can test and teach us in profound ways. 7 years ago I had the privilige to study one semester of 'Sustainability & Outdoor Education' at Ara Institute of Canterbury. This experience made me fall in love with New Zealand's tramps (overnight hikes). I came back to NZ for more of this at the start of 2024. I believe so much education can be done in the big outdoors. It amazes me how many lessons you can learn on a 'simple' walk in the bush. These are often lessons that you don't get taught at school. Recently, I made a video documenting my trip up to Mt. Brown Hut with Jans de Jong On the first day our physical and mental strength was put to test. A 4 hour hike up the mountain challenged us in multiple ways: Physical and Physiological aspects: - Base endurance - Climbing skills - Balance - Strength - Flexibility - Coordination Mental abilities: - Resilience - Gratitude - Perseverance - Positive mindset - Teamwork - Patience - Adaptability The outdoors is a powerful teacher. I encourage everyone to embrace nature and use it as a tool for personal growth and development. Whether it’s a short walk in the park or an overnight hike, the lessons you learn and the strength you build can be truly transformative. Stay tuned for 'Day 2' of this incredible adventure, and feel free to check out the video to see the journey in action! 🎥✨ Let me know what the outdoors has taught you in the comments! https://lnkd.in/ezXHrQYe #OutdoorEducation #HikingAdventures #MtBrownHut #NewZealand #Sustainability #PersonalGrowth #DreamChasersPerformance #Adventure #Life #AdventureVlog #PerformanceCoaching

What can you do to ensure that when your residents step outside this summer, they have a positive experience? This is the time of year when everyone is out and about, ready to enjoy communal spaces to the fullest. Here are our 5 most inspiring tips for engaging your community this summer: ☀️ Studies have shown a link between access to green spaces and overall wellbeing. Prioritize green areas in your community for happier, healthier residents. ☀️ Ask your community what safety needs they have. Adequate lighting, signage, pathways, and maintained playgrounds all help residents feel safer when they step outside. ☀️ Summer brings out the cyclists! What can you do to improve your cycling network? ☀️ Local art, culture, and heritage are the things that help communities feel proud of where they live. Incorporate these elements into your public spaces to help them feel inviting and add character. ☀️ We all know the feeling of spotting a brilliant initiative in another town and wishing we could take it home with us. This summer, tap into your residents' travel experiences and turn them into a wellspring of inspiration for your own community. Want to see how communities are putting these ideas into action? Link in the comments 👇

Generations in the Wild - KEY INSIGHT: Growing demand for well-developed campgrounds! As co-founder at Outdoorsy, I've always believed in staying closely attuned to what families want from their vacation experience. So our strategy to invest in owning and operating campgrounds was a great way to get to know our guests, face to face. This is even more important as 🌲the $1 trillion outdoor industry is evolving faster than ever and why we launched ‘Generations in the Wild’, Outdoorsy’s inaugural independent research report, which delves into the values and preferences of four generations of RVing American families. 🏕️ One standout discovery is that developed campgrounds are in high demand in 2024. In fact, 8 of 10 families prefer them. The challenge? America’s best RV parks are often booked months in advance. What exactly defines a well-developed campground? We think Outdoorsy Bayfield does a pretty good job of hitting all the marks. Think: ✨ Top-notch facilities: Spotless showers, bathrooms, outdoor kitchens, and inviting community areas. 🌿 Seamless online booking to the outdoors: From pools and pickleball courts to fishing, nature trails and dog friendly areas, easy access to nature for the whole family makes all the difference. 👩💼 Friendly, available staff: A warm Outdoorsy welcome and helpful assistance go a long way in creating a memorable stay. 🌟 Additional perks: Well-stocked general store, great WiFi connection, onsite food options, and enticing swag add extra flair to the camping experience.. What's the bottom line? The outdoor industry is evolving, and developed campgrounds are poised to steal the spotlight. Please 🔍 dive into our Generations in the Wild Travel Report to stay ahead of the curve in the outdoor industry #Outdoorsy #OutdoorIndustry #CampingTrends #ThoughtLeader #GenerationsInTheWild 🏕️

Exploring the outdoors can be challenging for people who use wheelchairs, but it is far from impossible. Achieving accessibility in natural settings requires a collective effort. As part of Bohemian Adventures LLP we always strive to embrace inclusivity in the outdoors. Initially unsure how this would unfold, I suggested to Aditya Mandan that we go without a detailed plan and do like a recce on the trail to identify potential challenges. Aditya was open to the idea and was game. One key learning was that able-bodied allies are essential for supporting wheelchair users. I also discovered that various wheelchairs are suited for different terrains, and while this trail is accessible, not all trails in the park are for people with wheelchairs. The experience underscored the vital importance of inclusive outdoors. It ensures that everyone, regardless of ability, can experience the beauty and serenity of nature. Sunday’s adventure was a reminder of the importance of creating and advocating for accessible trails. Making nature accessible is not just about physical adjustments; it’s about fostering a mindset of inclusivity, where everyone is encouraged to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Our journey was a testament to the power of collaboration and the significance of accessible trails. Despite the initial challenges, the day was filled with discovery, learning, and the joy of being in nature. Aditya’s enthusiasm and the curiosity of Avanti and Anvi made it evident that nature has something to offer everyone, and everyone deserves the opportunity to connect with it. Inclusive adventures like these are crucial. They highlight the need for continued advocacy and action to make more trails and natural areas accessible. The lessons from Sunday’s nature trail will inspire Bohemian Adventures and Anusha Subramanian to push for greater inclusivity in all our outdoor endeavours as we move forward. The beauty of nature is a universal right, and with a joint effort, we can ensure it’s accessible to all. hashtag check this video A trip to Shilonda Trail - Sanjay Gandhi National Park https://lnkd.in/dttGq8p3 #inclusivetreks hashtag #Inclusivetrails hashtag #Outdoors hashtag #AccessibleTravel hashtag #wheelchairadventures hashtag #Adventureawaits hashtag #NatureTrails hashtag #AccessebilityMatters Aditya Mandan Amit Sharma EnAble India Gayatri Gulvady Pallavi Mutalik-Hebbar Guneet Puri