Before my brother or I ever started in the cub scout program, my parents were well on their way to teaching us a love for the outdoors. I think my first memories of the outdoors were at around age 2. We went up either Big or Little Cotton Wood Canyon and had a picnic and a snowball fight... IN THE SUMMER! So began my love of outdoors.

By the time I was 5 I had learned many outdoor games. This are the kind you see little kids playing in the street or around the neighborhood, usually in the summer months. To this day, I still love to play them when ever I can. Most adults seem to hate them, but my parents never were ashamed to play them with us, so why should I be to play with children or adults?

By the time I was 8, I had been on over a dozen camp outs. Before I was 12, I had been on camping trips that were a few days long. I learned to love to camp. Besides camping out, we often slept out in our back yard. While these were not really camp outs, we did enjoy the stars and the beautiful outdoors that had yet to be spoiled to much in the neighborhood. I have sorely missed camping over the last few years as there have only been about 2 times a year that I have gone. I am going to go more often.

Hiking, biking, roller blading and swimming. These are the activities of older children. When done properly they are also extremely fun for adults and younger children. I do not feel my childhood would be complete without these. No, I don't do them for competition... they are just something, that done right, offers the soul a wonderful experience.

When I was growing up, we grew many of our own vegetables. We also had a few flower beds and trees (some fruit bearing, some not) around the yard. I grew up loving fresh vegetables and fruits. My chore fore many years was watering the trees. Often in the summer, we would help weed the garden and bring in its produce. I have few better memories than eating fresh beans and peas right off the plant as I washed them. They are so sweet and tasty that way; Nice and crunchy too.

My advice here will be repeated multiple times throughout this section of my website. It is a must to use the buddy system in ANY outdoor activity; especially while in the child, teen, or early young adult years. It is always a good idea, when away from home, to take a change of clothes and at least a minimal first aid kit. Also, please know about where you are going and what you will be doing. Many accidents and emergencies in the outdoors can be avoided if people learn a bit about their activity (camping, swimming, etc.) and their destination before they go. Good luck.