Kara Swanson

Kara and her husband Seth are a Pacific Northwest family of 6. They enjoy camping, hiking, mountain biking, and getting outside in all kinds of PNW weather. They enjoy homeschooling, visiting National Parks, and growing some of their own food! You can follow along on their adventures on Instagram @karalswanson.

Milk x Whiskey Adventure Proof Diaper Bag Review

Woman hiking next to a river

“Diaper bag” and “adventure” are two words that usually don’t appear together in the same sentence. When I think of a diaper bag, I usually picture an overstuffed tote bag or a feminine looking backpack. Our active family has 4 kids age 0-8 and we usually carry way more on adventures than would fit in … Read more

Budget Camping Meal Plan

It seems nearly everyone is feeling the pinch these days of increased grocery prices. Planning meals for camping doesn’t have to be expensive! While pre-packaged freeze-dried camping meals can be convenient, they are not cheap – often over $6 per serving! While top ramen and hot dogs have their place, we put together some budget … Read more

Gardening with Kids

Blonde girl and boy holding carrots outside

Gardening with kids can be done at any age, in any size yard (or apartment!), and requires very little equipment to start. The benefits of gardening with kids are nearly endless. They learn patience, biology, where food comes from, how to try new things, and studies have shown that gardening can even improve health! As … Read more

Caves with Kids

Girl in pink jacket and boy in blue jacket with headlamps in a cave

Caves are a unique and exciting part of nature to explore with kids. There are estimated to be more than 45,000 caves in the US with The National Park Service managing over 4,700! While no exact count exists, there are likely millions of caves worldwide. These caves are home to diverse and often fragile ecosystems … Read more

Getting Outside With Medically Complex Kids

Toddler boy in a swimming pool wearing a blue hat

Getting outside with medically complex kids comes with the normal challenges of taking kids outside, but also comes with a completely unique set of obstacles to overcome and logistics to coordinate. More and more research is coming out showing evidence of improved physical, emotional, and mental health in children that spend regular time outside. This … Read more

Trail Etiquette For Kids

Two children hiking on a path in summer

Trail Etiquette For Kids When we take kids on the trail, not only are we raising the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, we are raising nature protectors and defenders. Taking the time to teach kids trail etiquette for kids will give everyone the best outdoor experience and create an environment of sustainability. Kids are always … Read more