In this solo recap episode, Run Wild My Child founder Sara McCarty dives into her recent experience at the Outdoor Media Summit (OMS) in Missoula, Montana, sharing highlights from the event and the local adventure scene. Activities include llama trekking, hiking, and fly fishing on the Blackfoot River.

Moving into the OMS experience, Sara breaks down the exciting “new gear speed dating” session, spotlighting standout innovations (which would make great gifts) from a few of our favorite top outdoor brands. She also covers hot topics in the outdoor industry, including the resurgence of print media.

The episode concludes with a special announcement of Run Wild My Child’s People's Choice Award win for Best Online Publication of 2023, celebrating the publication’s achievements and community support.

Run Wild My Child Magazine
RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Sara's Instagram: @sara_mccarty

Destination Missoula
Glacier Country Montana
Swan Mountain Outfitters
Double Arrow Lodge
Blackfoot River Outfitters

Outdoor Media Summit
Coast
Yeti
Simms
Patagonia
Nemo
Osprey
Roofspace

In this episode, we cover the good, the bad, and the ugly of youth sports. We chat about the elusive balance between organized sports and outdoor free play, the time and cost commitments of participating in youth sports, tips for juggling busy schedules, and why, despite the madness, we choose to participate at all! Whether you’re currently navigating the complexities of your child’s sports schedules or if you’re just curious about how youth sports work these day, this episode is going to be packed with real-life stories, advice, stuggles, and strategies to help you and your family figure this all out.

For this episode, co-host Michelle Garrett interviews three moms from the Run Wild My Child team, who all have kids involved in youth sports. Run Wild My Child founder and mom of three, Sara McCarty, California working mom of three, Araceli Gonzalez, and homeschooling mom of two, Nichole Holze.

Run Wild My Child Magazine
RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild

Sara's Instagram: @sara_mccarty
Araceli's Instagram: @roaminggonzalez
Nichole's Instagram: @coleyraeh

Wendy Cox is a photographer, gardening instructor, and mom of four. Her family recently moved from San Diego to Virginia. Wendy talks about how she uses nature to ground and connect her children through the changes and transition from moving across the country, how she beautifully captures kids connecting with nature through photography, and how travel can help kids make real-life connections with what they learn in school.

Run Wild My Child Magazine

RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Wendy's Instagram: @wendycoxphotography

Recommendation: Go Pro Black 12

Wendy's Posts:
Exploring California Redwoods
Hiking Havasupai with Kids
Outer Banks with Kids

In this episode, we discuss everything parents need to know when planning their first international trip with kids. Co-host Michelle Garrett is planning her first international trip with kids. She speaks with RWMC founder Sara McCarty (who just took her kids to Belize) and Travel Expert Jen Barnes (@gofamilyadventure) about topics such as how to pick an international destination, what documentation you need when traveling internationally with kids, budgeting tips for traveling as a family, choosing outdoor excursions and adventures for the whole family, and more!

Coco Beach Resort - 40% off discount for trip through August 2024
Use the code RUNWILDMYCHILD

RWMC post: Exploring Belize with Kids

Run Wild My Child Magazine
RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Jen's Instagram: @gofamilyadventure
Jen's website: Go Family Adventure

Laura Stroup is a mom of 3, nature study creator, author, podcaster, and founder of School of the Wild. Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Ecology with an emphasis in natural resource education. A former wildlife conservation educator and upper school science teacher, she loves traveling, hiking, and reading. Laura talks with us about her nature school and resources, her new book and podcast, getting teens outside, and so much more!

RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Laura's website: www.fireflynatureschool.com
Laura's Instagram: @fireflynatureschool
Laura's book (affil link): Nature School
Laura's podcast: WILD Mysteries
Digital magazine: WILD Mag
Nature school: School of the Wild

How to Use a Pocket Microscope with Kids

Emily Liebel, mom of three, runs an Instagram account called @inclusivelibrary, where she uses books to educate, promote inclusion, understanding, justice, and inspire adventure and creativity. Emily loves showing families how reading and being outdoors can overlap in exciting ways! She currently lives in Utah and explores both mountain and city outdoor spaces weekly with her kids and friends and attends library story times, as well as leads a local story time. Emily’s here to chat with us about how literature and libraries can help busy families get outside in a variety of creative ways.

RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Emily's Instagram: @inclusivelibrary

Posts:
How Public Libraries Can Help Families Get Outside
Spring & Summer Book & Activity Pairings
Fall & Winter Book & Activity Pairings

Emily's recommendation:
Sunday Funday by Katherine Halligan

Amy Bushatz is an outdoor enthusiast and mom to two boys in Anchorage, Alaska. An accomplished reporter and editor, in 2017, Amy redirected her talents to a passion project known as Humans Outside, a movement to spend at least 20 minutes outside, every day. She hosts the Humans Outside podcast, which is all about her personal experiences of spending time outside, as well as travel, adventure, and outdoor living! Amy talks with us about the challenge, what it takes to be an adventurous mom in Alaska, and what getting outside every day has done for her and her family.

RWMC website: www.runwildmychild.com
RWMC Instagram: @runwild.mychild
Humans Outside website: www.humansoutside.com
Use the code WILDCHILD for 20% off your purchase!
Humans Outside Instagram: @humansoutside

Amy's recommendations:
Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam

Sara & Michelle chat about the upcoming holiday gift-giving season and share their recommendations for the best gifts for outdoorsy kids. Gift categories include outdoor adventure gear, outdoor games, backyard toys, classic toys, experience gifts, hands-on nature STEM gifts, gifts for older kids and teens, family gifts, memberships and subscription boxes, and so much more!

For info on each of the products discussed, links to purchase, and lots more ideas, download our FREE gift guide: https://runwildmychild.com/gift-guide-pdf/

Gift Guide 2022
Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy Kids
Outdoor Toys that Promote Creative Play
Experience Gifts for Outdoor Kids
Best Backyard Toys for Kids
Gifts for Outdoor Moms
Favorite Educational Nature Books for Kids
Best Balance Bikes for Toddlers
Favorite Bike Accessories for Kids

Wonder Club Explorers - use the code BEMERRY for 30% off your purchase

Teen Gift Guide from Jen @gofamilyadventure