Need help getting your kids outside this summer?

Summer in Wisconsin seems to go by in the blink of an eye! I don’t know about you, but I always feel like I need to spend every possible moment outside to soak up summer before it vanishes and we are again braving the frosty wind and snow.

REI wants to help you find ways to enjoy the beautiful summer weather by making it easy to find outdoor activities to do as a family. REI developed the REI Family Adventure program as a fun and engaging way to encourage more kids to get outdoors this summer. The program, which launches today, is designed to help remove any barriers that may be keeping kids from recreating outside, inspire interest in the natural world and get them started on a lifetime of outdoor recreation and stewardship.

Here’s how it works:

• Kids start by picking up (or downloading) their own Adventure Journal, which is available at any REI location or online at REI.com.
• Families can find detailed descriptions of family-friendly hikes and bike rides in their area at any REI store or REI.com. www.REI.com/family-adventure
• After completing at least one outdoor activity, kids can send in the tear-off postcard from their journal to receive a certificate of completion.
• The link, www.REI.com/family-adventure features an interactive map. If you click on Wisconsin it pulls up the Milwaukee-area hiking and biking trails. Each hike features a list of items families should bring with them as well as driving directions to the trails.

In addition to the Family Adventure program, REI is helping kids and families get connected with the great outdoors and each other through family trips with REI Adventures and free store classes and events. For a list of the free in-store events families can visit their local REI store page. Here is a link to the REI store in Milwaukee .

Families can also take advantage of advice from REI’s local experts to plan fun, healthy and budget-friendly ways to spend time outdoors. REI has checklists, tips and videos to help parents easily plan campouts and day trips for their kids at http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/family.

There are also some great upcoming national events, such as:

• Great American Backyard Camp-Out: Saturday, June 26 F
• Fee-free weekends at national parks: August 14-15, and September 25

Thanks to REI for providing me with a preview of this program and sponsoring this post.