SummitOutdoorsGear.com

Guest Author:  Lynny Young

What happened to the Summer days of adventure?
Summer is coming and for many kids, this means sleeping late and logging long hours on their gaming systems.  I think it is time to bring back the days of adventure and exploration!

If you were a child of the ’60’s like me, your childhood was spent cherishing every minute you spent outdoors exploring with your friends. We played soccer and baseball on the front lawn, the boys and girls joined in hop scotch and jump roping, and we zipped along the sidewalks with roller skates strapped to our feet. Times were simpler then.  Our parents didn’t think twice about allowing us to ride our bicycles across town just for the possibility of capturing polliwogs in the creek.

Boredom rarely happened!

Last Summer, I noticed a number of my young Facebook friends repeatedly updated their status by saying they had nothing to look forward to in their day.  Several just flat out posted, “BORED AGAIN!”

Let’s awaken our sense of family adventure!
This is the first blog post in a series where I will be showcasing some outdoor adventure parks, and obstacle course locations where you and your family can improve your balance, test your strength, and find new successes while having an amazing time outdoors.

Ready to start?
Squaw Valley Adventure Center
1960 Squaw Valley Road, Squaw Valley, CA – (530) 386-1044
Rope Courses, Headwall Climbing Wall, Skyjump Bungee Trampoline

Located a few steps away from Squaw Valley Ski Resort off Highway 89, you and your family can find many opportunities for adventure, team building, and opportunities to strengthen your body while pushing yourself beyond your fears.  The Adventure Center is open April through mid-November.  This site has both indoor and outdoors courses.

Fun times on Bungee Trampolines:

Holiday Valley Sky High Adventure Park
 Ellicottville, NY – (716) 699-2345
Aerial Adventure Courses, Zip Lines, Mountain Roller Coaster

The Aerial Park offers 8 bridge and rope platform courses built over a four acre region of the park. The courses vary in elevation and difficulty. Children ages 7 years or older can participate.  In addition to climbing, do your best Tarzan and Jane impressions as you fly through the air on one of the courses six zip lines.  

Park City Mountain Resort
1345 Lowell Ave., Park City, UT – (800) 222-7275
Flying Eagle Zip Line, Alpine Coaster, Adventure Climbing Zone, Alpine Slide

Of all the adventures open at Park City Mountain Resort, the Alpine Slide caught my eye.  You and your family can sled down a 3,000 foot luge-like track! Children at least two years of age can ride the slide when accompanied by and adult. Kids who are at least 48″ tall can pilot their own sled just like the adults.

Roller coasters more your speed? Hop into the one person coaster car and experience a rush to the the end!

Where do you set your adventurous side free?
Have a favorite place your family frequents for outdoor adventure?  Leave a comment and help us build this resource for other families.

If you enjoyed this post, consider subscribing to the blog and stay tuned for our next round of outdoor activities for families and thrill seekers alike.