summer outdoor activities

  • The Ultimate Summer Challenge

    Are you looking for new ways to improve your photography AND make memories with your kids this summer? Do you want to combine your passion for photos with fun outdoor activities your kids will love? If so, we have the answer! The Ultimate Outdoor Summer Challenge is my way of combining two of my biggest passions (photography and outdoor adventures). Join me as we create some fun memories with your kids and beautifully capture them this summer!

    The Ultimate Summer Challenge

    Run Wild My Child is partnering with Hello Storyteller (an online photography community) to bring you a unique and inspiring summer full of fun outdoor activities and creative photography tips! Whether you’re a newbie photographer looking to learn or an experienced photographer looking for ways to get inspired while making memories with your kids, this challenge will help fuel YOUR creative outlet during your kids’ fun!

    Photo credit: @aspoonfulofwhimsy

    8 weeks of fun!

    Each week (for 8 weeks total), you’ll receive a fully-detailed 4-page PDF containing 2 pages from Run Wild My Child on each outdoor activity and 2 pages from Hello Storyteller filled with photography tips, advice, and inspiration. I’m handling the activity side and we’ve selected 8 simple, yet fun activities designed to get you and your kids outside, exploring and playing together. Paired with each activity, a HelloStoryteller Mentor or Pro will provide instruction and insight on how to photograph and document each of your adventures. From camera settings and creative angles, to the best time of day and location to shoot, to helpful editing suggestions!

    Photo credit: @melindamaephotography

    Activities for the kids

    Each week of our course we roll out a new activity. You don’t need a ton of prep time or planning to pull these activities off. Just a sense of adventure and a desire to have fun and make memories. All the activities are budget-friendly, open-ended, appropriate for all ages, and safe for social distancing. You’ll get creative ways to make each activity fun for your kids (no matter what age), as well as thoughtful tips, gear/packing lists, and suggestions for you as the parent. 

    Our summer activities include: blowing bubbles, nature hike, pool time, bike riding, and more! (We’re not going to ruin the surprise by giving them all away!)

    Our activities were designed to be applicable no matter where you live and can easily be adjusted to fit your schedule, location and comfort level. If you can’t do one of the activities, no worries! We’ll be available in an exclusive Facebook group to help you come up with alternatives or find an activity that will work for your family. 

    Photo credit: @jenniferconnellyphotography

    Who is the course for?

    This course is designed for any parent that wants to spend time with their kids this summer, have fun outdoor activities planned for them and wants to learn how to take better photos of their kids. Here are few of the most common questions I’ve received so far…

    • What if I’m not “outdoorsy”? – While these activities are designed to get you outside as a family, they don’t require you to climb a mountain or hike the Appalachian Trail. We’ll meet you at your comfort level and hopefully gently encourage you to expand your horizons. We’re not going to make you do anything you don’t want to, but I think you’ll be really excited about the activities we have planned. 
    • What if I live in the city?  – You don’t need access to mountains or rolling farmland – a city park or a backyard will suffice for most of these activities. 
    • What if I don’t have a fancy camera? – You don’t need a fancy DSLR to take great photos. Most phones are equipped with amazing cameras and there are tons of simple editing apps that will take your phone photos to the next level! We’ll show you how. 
    • What if I know nothing about taking photos or editing them? – That’s ok! In order to get good (or even get better) you have to start somewhere. We’re here to help hold your hand through the process and answer your questions! 
    • What if I’m already a good (or even amazing) photographer? – Please join us! This challenge will be fun for even expert photographers because it’s all about spending quality time with your kids outside and capturing beautiful moments. You’ll still get a lot out of the activity descriptions and will hopefully get inspired to try some new things. We’d love to have all skill levels represented and would welcome your expertise, feedback and encouragement for our newbies just getting started in their photography career. 
    • What if we’re still socially distancing? – 100% fine! We chose activities that were safe to do distant from others. Some areas are more “open” than others, but we know everyone has a different comfort level. If there are any activities you’re uncomfortable doing, we’ll help come up with alternatives. 

    Photo credit: @aspoonfulofwhimsy

    When and where?

    If the Ultimate Outdoor Summer Challenge sounds like just the inspiration you need to pick up your camera and get outside with your kids, sign up today! Our course is open for pre-sale right now and the first email will go out June 22nd. All adventures will be rolled out weekly after that. The course wraps up mid-August, just in time for back to school. 

    Photo credit: @jenniferconnellyphotography

    Who’s involved?

    Well, me! Do you need more than that? 😉 Just kidding! Run Wild My Child is handling the outdoor activity side of the challenge and a team of Hello Storyteller photographers will be handing the photography side and doing the teaching. Here are the amazing mamas (and their Instagram handles so you can swoon over their images) that will be putting together the materials for each activity and coaching you through the photography lessons:

    Photo credit: @melindamaephotography

    What’s included?

    • 2-page detailed Activity PDF for each week (8 weeks total)
    • 2-page in-depth Photography PDF for each week (8 weeks total)
    • Membership in an exclusive Facebook Group where you can ask all your summer activity and photography questions, as well as take part in a Live Q&A video with me (Run Wild My Child) and a Hello Storyteller photographer each week!
    • Opportunities to be featured on both Hello Storyteller (@hellostoryteller) and Run Wild My Child’s (@runwild.mychild) Instagram feeds
    • All participants that complete activities all 8 weeks will be entered to win a prize pack of goodies! It’s going to be an awesome prize! 

    Photo credit: @kristcx

    Sign up today

    The pre-order period for The Ultimate Summer Challenge is open NOW!! Whether you’re a newbie photographer wanting to learn or are an experienced photographer wanting fresh inspiration, this challenge has something for everyone. Sign up NOW so you don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity. I can’t wait for you to join us! 

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    More photography resources

    If you’re interested in more photography resources, download our FREE guide with our best tips and tricks for taking better photos of your kids’ outdoor adventures with the camera on your PHONE! From creative composition tips to our favorite editing apps, this guide includes everything you need to know to make the most out of the camera in your pocket!  

     

  • Twist Travel Magazine – Summer Issue

    Twist Travel Magazine Summer issue

    I’m so excited to share the summer edition of Twist Travel Magazine with you today!

    Twist Travel is an online travel magazine that launched a few months ago (this is the second issue). Twist is the brainchild of my friend Andrea Fellman, an awesome ex-pat mom living the wanderlust life (Wanderlust Living) with her family in Barcelona (and previously Costa Rica) and Keryn Means, travel writer (Walking on Travels) and mom of 4. They’ve got an all-star line-up of travel-savvy contributors – writers, bloggers, photographers, entrepreneurs and on-the-road moms. I’m absolutely honored to be a part of it.

    The summer issue of Twist Travel is all about celebrating the traditional all-American summer. It’s got an awesome Southwest summer road trip itinerary, a cool guide to exploring the hidden gems of San Diego and a great article highlighting the fun of spending the summer in New York City with kids. There’s a wonderful list of favorite summer beach and beauty products for moms, a resource to the best ice cream trucks across the States and a couple festive summer recipes for Fourth of July.

    Finally, there’s my personal favorite article and contribution to the issue, a quick guide to summer outdoor adventures. My article is all about getting your entire family outdoors this summer to create amazing childhood memories that don’t cost a fortune! My article starts on page 42 and I’d LOVE it if you checked it out!

    Twist Travel Magazine Summer 2017 - Outdoor Adventures for Families

    But that’s not all, there are also international features on traveling to London, Lisbon, Sintra and Tofino with kids. There are great international hotel recommendations and an in-depth review of a wilderness resort. Plus, there’s a wonderful article about the experience of traveling with just one of your children on a special trip by the founder of Flytographer. I totally want to do this with each of my kids now!

    Each issue of Twist is jam-packed with amazing recommendations, great travel tips and advice, fun features on unique destinations and absolutely gorgeous photography. I hope you’ll check it out and let me know what you think!