3 Memorable Summer Adventures For Your Family
It can be challenging trying to figure out the perfect vacation that the whole family can enjoy, but summertime brings the opportunity for a myriad of outdoor adventures that are sure to please all. Take advantage of one or more of these escapes that can help promote family bonding with lots of good old fashioned fun as well as exciting activities.
Hop in the Saddle at a Dude Ranch
A stay at a dude ranch offers the chance for the family to ride horses by day and sit around the campfire singing songs and gazing at the stars at night. There are two main types of dude ranches—one is a working dude ranch where you get out and get dirty, working with cattle and horses as well as other livestock. The other is more of a resort dude ranch where horseback riding is the primary activity, but you’ll also have other activities to choose from, such as fishing, off-road adventures, hiking, and swimming.
In the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, Triangle C Dude Ranch offers the best of both worlds. You’ll find luxurious accommodations that feature a full-service spa and fine dining along with horseback riding and dinners around the campfire. This ranch even has special programs for the kids, like the junior wrangler program.
For stepdads who are looking to win over hard-to-please kids and reward mom with a well-deserved trip, it’d be hard to go wrong with a vacation like this. When planning any summertime adventure, keep in mind that there are some essential items mom might forget to bring, so this is dad’s opportunity to save the day. That includes things like replacement lenses for those new Oakley frames, plenty of sunscreen, and a hat for each member of the family.
Surf’s Up at Family Surf Camp
Learning a new activity is a great way to bring the family closer. Wrightsville Beach Family Surf Camp offers instruction tailored for beginners on the picturesque beaches of North Carolina. Water temperatures in the summer are typically idyllic, in the low 80s, so you won’t even need a wetsuit, and waves are perfect for those just learning how to surf. Be sure to bring protective rashguards for the family—rashguards protect against harmful ultraviolet rays and skin irritations when out on the water.
Not only will you learn how to get out on a surfboard, you’ll learn about enchanting sea life, like sea turtles and how to rehabilitate them. The entire vacation is focused on family fun and enjoying an active holiday. The surf camp includes lodging at Shell Island Resort, all of your equipment, some of your meals, and much more.
For the family that enjoys going to the beach, dad is sure to win lots of points with this one.
Kayaking and Camping on Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands
Just off the northwestern tip of Wisconsin, the Apostle Islands are a cluster of 21 isles that offer all types of fascinating adventures. A four-day family kayak trip with Wilderness Inquiry will bring you to secret chambers, sunken shipwrecks, sea caves, historic lighthouses, and sandy beaches. Guides prepare kid-friendly meals and set up your base-camp tent which you’ll venture from each day via kayak to explore all of the sights. While at camp, you’ll enjoy games as well as s’mores around the campfire.
All of your gear is provided, including sea kayaking and camping equipment. You’ll just need to bring your own personal items like appropriate clothing and a sleeping bag. Dad, you might want to bring binoculars as black bears inhabit multiple islands and can sometimes be spotted in the distance. That’s sure to be a thrill that the family will ever forget.
