Blog listing page

Perhaps it’s the incessant traveler and outdoor nomad in me, but in the last 5 years or so, my desire for more things and extra stuff has all but disappeared. I have always been one to make a gift rather than buy one, but I have also recently become acutely aware of the impact that consumerism has on our increasingly fragile planet. These days I value new experiences, yummy food, the odd meaningful trinket and a reliable sleeping pad. In the spirit of living environmentally connected and being kind to the earth this holiday season, I am sharing a few eco-friendly ways to create personalized, unique, thoughtful gifts that have a very low carbon footprint.

Do you take your natural environment for granted? At times, I know I do. I’m grateful to live in Colorado where beautiful, easily accessible outdoor recreation areas abound. It’s a privilege to have grown up here and experienced the outdoors starting at a young age. However, it’s easy to think that these outdoor spaces will be around to enjoy forever. With climate change and other challenges our planet is facing—the reality is—that’s not for certain.

Every year, Avid4 Adventure awards a few lucky seasonal staff members with the trip of a lifetime. Winners are granted a plane ticket to fly anywhere in the world plus a $500 stipend to spend when they arrive. To enter, staff must submit a video submission describing their dream adventure and how they plan to live by Avid4 Adventure's core values during the trip.

For many of us these days, taking and sharing pictures is a natural part of our daily routine. And the desire to take great photos only heightens when you're with your family are on an exciting adventure in the picturesque outdoors! We all want to capture that perfect picture of our kiddo sending it off of a jump on a mountain bike, paddling a speedy turn in a kayak or climbing to the top of a rock wall.

There are so many amazing moments that happen at Avid4 Adventure summer camps—moments like teaching a child to ride a bike for the first time or seeing a kid finally choose to paddle in a kayak after they've explained, in detail, their extreme fear of water, and so many countless others. However, these experiences are not limited to having an impact on just campers. Experiences at camp also have a profound influence on the instructors as well.