Family Adventure Vacations: How to
Choose and Prepare for "The Trip of a Lifetime"
By Ken Streater
"The best family vacation we have ever had".
"In this fast
paced world I never get the time to spend with my teenagers. This is an
excellent way to stop the clock and have fun with them. Thanks for the trip of
a lifetime!"
"My goal was to have a special time with my
granddaughter&endash;and we did. She does not stop talking about all the
things she accomplished! I cannot think of anything I would have liked
differently. Keep up the good work!"
Wonderful comments like these are
regularly heard by adventure travel outfitters from their clients. Whether it
is on a rafting trip, at a dude ranch, or participating in a wildlife
expedition, outdoor adventure vacations seem to be some of the most satisfying
and rewarding holidays for families. What is it about these vacations that make
them so memorable and enjoyable? And what planning steps are suggested to
families considering an outdoor adventure for their next family vacation to
help make that trip impactful as those described above?
Family
adventure travel vacations are successful in large part because of the
challenges they provide and the camaraderie that results from successfully
meeting those challenges. There is nothing like climbing up on a horse for the
first time and pulling on the reins to get it to gallop through a mountain
meadow, or paddling a bouncing raft through eight-foot waves.
 Successfully
steering your horse or helping paddle a raft through a rapid are what makes
adventure vacations so rewarding. What a great feeling it is to face a
challenge and do well! And, when you do this as a member of a group or team,
everyone celebrates! When was the last time your family worked and played
together to overcome a common challenge!?!? Simply put, the teamwork required
in most adventure activities brings people together, friends, strangers, and
families alike.
It is very important to be as prepared as possible for
any adventure travel vacation. Correctly preparing yourself and your family is
the first step towards a successful outdoor adventure. The following
suggestions may work for your family as you consider and plan your next
adventure vacation:
Choose the Correct Adventure Vacation for your
Family
Perhaps the most important decision you can make regarding an
adventure travel family vacation is which adventure to choose. As seen in this
guidebook alone, there are myriads of choices. Trips range from one-day river
trips near your hometown to multi-day wildlife safaris in the distant corners
of the earth.
So how do you choose? Consider asking yourself the
following questions to help you decide:
Is my family or are most
members of my family adventurous? In other words, is our family one that enjoys
or would enjoy facing exciting challenges?
If you answered no to this, then
perhaps adventure travel vacations are not right for you and your family. If
you answered yes, then the following questions should further assist you in
deciding which adventure travel offerings are best for your family.
Do
we or would we like to camp and spend time outdoors?
Since most adventure
travel holidays involve spending time outdoors and camping, it is important to
at least feel comfortable with the idea of sleeping in a tent, being out in the
sun all day, etc.
What experience do we have with the activities we are
considering?
If you have haven't participated in the activity or activities
that are the feature of the vacation you are considering (rafting, backpacking,
horseback riding, four-wheel driving, etc.), it might be best try the activity
on a local and shorter term basis. For example, a one-day raft trip should
indicate to you whether or not your family would enjoy a longer wilderness
river trip.
 Have
we ever traveled overseas as a family on a more typical vacation?
Vacations
that include creature comforts (such as hotels and restaurants) in a foreign
country can often be challenging in their own right, as cultural and schedule
differences can cause difficulties. When considering an overseas adventure
vacation it is important to know that your family will be able to deal with the
cultural and amenities differences of another country, as well as the
challenges that adventure activities can provide.
Do the outfitters we
are considering have experience running trips with families who have never
participated on an adventure travel vacation?
This is a very important
question to ask the companies you are considering for your adventure vacation.
Outfitters with experience have likely developed an approach to guiding trips
that help first-timers with all aspects of their adventure, from helping with
tent set-up to having extra activities available for children.
What
type of elements do we most enjoy or would we most enjoy? In other words, is
mine a family of water-loving swimmers, land-loving hikers, or...?
This
question ultimately decides what type of adventure vacation may be best suited
for your family. If you have a family that loves to hike, then consider a
backpacking or hiking with pack animals trip. If your family loves water then
rafting down a wilderness river may be best.
With all of the options
now available to families looking for adventure travel, it is a safe bet that
you will find many vacations that will prove to be as satisfying and rewarding
to you as they were to the folks who were quoted above!
Once you have narrowed down the
choices or have selected the adventure vacation that is well suited to your
family, consider the following suggestions as a way to best prepare you and
your child(ren) for the big adventure.
Involve Your Kids In Planning
Getting your child(ren) excited about specific aspects of the trip will
help engage them during the trip itself. If you are so inclined, take some time
before you travel to show them maps, list animals that may be encountered on
your trip, and discuss what type of activities will be included on the trip,
etc. Above all else, consider each child's abilities and personality to ensure
they have a fun and rewarding adventure without getting in over their heads.
Plan A Trip-Long Project
A trip-long project may help your
child(ren) enjoy the trip even more, and can provide a valuable record for
lifelong memories. One popular option is to buy your child a disposable camera
and have them create a photo essay of pictures they've taken. Another good idea
is to create a journal for your children to write in each evening at camp. They
can write, draw pictures, press flowers and go home with a running record of
the trip.
 Watch The Weather
Once on
the trip, watch the weather and heed advice from your guides in order to assure
your comfort. As you know, children (especially small ones) are more
susceptible to the elements than most adults. Bring lots of waterproof
sunscreen and have your child apply it several times a day. However, do not
apply sunscreen to your or their forehead. If it drips in your eyes from
splashing or perspiration it can sting. Also, have your child wear a hat with a
bill. Also, make sure that you have closely followed the gear and clothing
requirements before the trip, in order for you and your children to be as
comfortable as possible.
Drink Lots Of Water
Dehydration may be the
biggest hazard on any adventure trip, and the first sign is often a bad mood.
Bring water bottles and have your whole family drink lots of fresh water.This
is probably the most important thing you can do to ensure everyone has a good
time.
Share Activities
Most adventure travel outfitters encourage
everyone to do as much or as little as they want to in camp and at other times
while on the trip. If your children like to participate and lend hands, most
outfitters welcome it! When deciding on a trip, find out from potential
outfitters exactly how much hands-on participation there can be!
Hopefully, these suggestions inspire you and your family to participate
in adventure travel vacations. And, we hope that should your next family
vacation be filled with outdoor adventures that you too feel that your holiday
was "the most incredible vacation we have ever had!"
Other articles
about family adventure travel and family rafting trips:
What to Expect on a Family Adventure Travel Vacation
Rivers of the Northwest:
Great Family River Rafting Trips!
Glaciers: A Cool Experience for
Family Adventures |
