If your kids are anything like mine, gone are the days when they were interested in Disney type vacations. They are constantly talking about travels to unique places and I’m bombarded with seeing a lot of humble brag posts from other families!
A year ago, I was in your shoes, not sure what to plan and where to start. Yes, the beaches are nice but that is just another place to lose my family to their phones. I wanted to create memories before my kids leave the nest and connections that will reinforce the family bond.
I found Epic Trek
During one of these planning episodes, I found Epic Trek, a company specializing in helping families of all ages match up to a great adventure! In taking their quiz as a first step, I was intrigued when we were matched up to hiking. I never thought of myself as a hiker (unless you consider couch to the refrigerator as a hike) and was skeptical about whether or not we should move forward. I had no idea how to plan and was in search of The Ultimate Guide To Planning The Best Vacation With Teens and with all of the craziness of lockdowns and postponements of the past year, I was so glad I did. Now the whole family is active and we find time to connect without technology. My advice, try it! Here is just a sample of the outdoor adventures you can be matched up with when you take Epic Trek’s Proprietary Quiz:
1 – Hiking
I was shocked to find all of the beautiful parks and scenery within a 4-hour drive or less to our home. Kids these days are so glued to their phones and social media, they were more than happy to give a good hike to a waterfall near us a try so that they could post it on TikTok. The reasons to go initially changed drastically as my kids started to enjoy the challenges of navigating certain trails. We gave them the map and let them lead the way and the rush of reaching the destination from their own independence and hard work absolutely changed them. I find my kids approaching life in a more positive way, with resilience, appreciation, and a sense of adventure. And bonus, we all feel a sense of wellbeing and connectedness!
2 – Canoeing or Rafting
While it’s contingent upon season and weather, getting out on a lake or river is exhilarating. Many areas of the country have rivers that are easily accessible and, many times, provide opportunities to rent boats or schedule adventures. Whether your family is looking for an active adventure in a white water raft down flowing rapids or a lazy tubing adventure down a river, getting out there is easy and makes for a fulfilling day with the family.
3 – Scavenger Hunt or Geocaching
Go big or small, a scavenger hunt is sure to engage the whole crew. You can create your own scavenger hunt outside with your kids or you can join a planned scavenger hunt or geocaching activity. Getting the whole family in on the hunt combines a sense of adventure with the thrill of reaching a shared goal. There are millions of geocaching locations around the country and many are near you. Simply download an app and get started on your family adventure today!
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