How Families Can Get Outdoors by Kirstin Copeland

Kaleo Nakano is a super energetic and passionate angler who volunteers his time to get local youth fired up to try any kind of fishing. Here he is setting up a young angler for ice fishing at Ward Lake.  

A Ridgway State Park Ranger helps select the right bow for the young ones learning archery skills. This Park along with other Colorado State Parks offer archery lessons every month.

Some of us were born into the outdoors. In my family, outdoor experiences were multi-generational. Both my parents grew up on farms, so I spent my summers on my grandparents' farms. On the farm, we helped feed chickens, cows and pigs, and played outside all day. My dad loved to jeep and climb fourteeners, so we spent a lot of time in the mountains. My husband grew up swimming in rivers and lakes, and hunting with his dad. At the end of the day, we were dirty and tired without a screen in sight. For many of us that grew up on farms and ranches, or in families that boat, fish, hunt, hike, or bike, we kept doing those things because we inherently knew they made us happier and healthier. Many of us even went into jobs that kept us outside on ranches and farms or as rafting guides, biologists, etc.

It wasn't until college and after that I became aware of how many families don't have ties to outdoor experiences. Without those ties, it can be daunting and even dangerous to just jump into many outdoor experiences. I think we all agree that providing as many opportunities as possible for families and kids to be outdoors is a good thing.

Invite Someone Along
If you are lucky enough to have had a lifetime of outdoor experiences, consider asking yourself the next time you are getting ready for that outdoor adventure, "Who can I invite to come along that may want to give this a try?" If you own a boat, or like to fish, hike, or mountain bike, who can you invite along that may not have the equipment, knowledge or know where to go? Offer to take your neighbors to your favorite fishing spot, on a farm tour, or on a walk sponsored by the park naturalist at Colorado National Monument.

Volunteer
If you can't think of anyone you know, consider volunteering for one of the organizations that make it their mission to get families outdoors. Generation Wild Uncompahgre, led by the Montrose Recreation District and funded by GOCO, is a great place to start. Launched in 2023, the Generation Wild coalition helps communities across Colorado introduce kids and families to new outdoor experiences. This inspires them to get outside more often by providing free or low-cost programs that serve our communities and support inclusive access to the outdoors.
Other volunteer options include Colorado Parks and Wildlife state park education programs, Grand Valley or Black Canyon Audubon Society, Montrose Botanical Gardens, The Ute Museum Ethnobotany Gardens, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Colorado National Monument, and the US Fish and Wildlife Hotchkiss Fish Hatchery. In the Grand Junction area, volunteer opportunities abound with Colorado Canyons Association, Friends of Youth and Nature's Together for Resilient Youth program, and Riverside Education Centers' enrichment program for Grand Junction youth. All of these organizations and agencies lead youth field trips, nature outings and education programs during the school year and often in the summer. Give them a call and inquire about their potential need for volunteers with community or youth events.

Opportunities Around Montrose and Ouray Counties
The Mexican American Development Association has hosted hunters education classes, and plans to have more in the future. These classes conclude with an option to hunt with an experienced hunting mentor. Ridgway State Park hosts beginning archery and fishing programs each month during the summer.

Many farms offer tours with close-up looks at behind-the-scenes operations. In the Montrose area, Valley Food Partnership is hosting a Montrose County Fair Farm Tour on July 21st, and they also have cooking classes and other opportunities to learn more about our local farming and ranching. The Billy Goat Farm in Montrose County offers farm tours focused on their hop growing operation. You can learn how it is grown, harvested and processed for the brewery industry. Serendipity Farms is a charming alpaca farm near Montrose where you can meet their alpacas up close, and learn about these gentle animals and the products made from their fur.

Opportunities in Delta County
In Delta County, there are many classes offered by the Learning Council for local food, crafts, and related topics. For music lovers, the "Picking in the Park" series has scheduled free concerts in the Paonia town park every Thursday evening in August. There is an outdoor pool in Hotchkiss that offers water aerobics, in addition to the regular pool activities and swim lessons. The Delta Recreation District offers many classes, and offers the YAK (Youth and Kids) pass that provides free access for youth.

Who can resist the sweet smell of lavender, taste lavender ice cream and take in the eye-popping fields of purple? Each year the North Fork Valley hosts the lavender festival where you can tour several farms and smell or taste the products of this plant. The festival is the last weekend in June, but many of the farms in Palisade and the North Fork Valley offer tours through the summer and provide lavender products at their farm stores.

Opportunities in the Grand Junction Area
In the Grand Junction area, Lincoln Park and its pool are a very popular destination for summer fun. Grand Junction also offers an abundant network of bike trails, from the beginner-friendly paved Riverfront Trail to the more challenging singletrack trails at the Lunch Loops trailhead. The EUREKA! McConnell Science Center has culture and nature passes for checkout, which offer free access to The Art Center and Colorado National Monument, as well as other destinations.

Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Service is hosting a tour of five Mesa County farms and farm stands on September 10. Hear the challenges and successes of Mesa County farming, including presentations on hydroponics, tomatoes, peaches, mixed vegetables, pumpkins and fruit stands. Call (970) 244-1834 for more information.

Everywhere on the Western Slope
In addition, just about every town hosts farmers markets, which are a great way to learn about local farm products. The markets offer scrumptious homegrown goodies in a festive atmosphere.

And don't forget the night sky. How about a night excursion for a dark sky presentation at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park? The Black Canyon Astronomical Society offers these special nights with local experts using their amazing telescopes frequently. Check their Facebook page for upcoming presentations.

​Be the Gentle Nudge
Taking time away from screens and being outdoors can help kids and families both mentally and physically. Many just need a gentle nudge and an enthusiastic, "let's do this!" If you have the time, passion and patience to work with youth and families to provide your knowledge, advice and that gentle nudge—you are golden! Through volunteering, you can be the one that helps motivate a young one and their family to try a new endeavor in the outdoors. Inspiration is waiting!