Celebrating Family Camping Adventures and Environmental Stewardship

I still vividly remember my first camping experience. In the fifth grade, I was invited by my best friend, Kristina, and her family to go on a road trip up the coast from Los Angeles to Napa and touch into Oregon. We stopped along the way and camped for a couple nights at a campsite near a creek. I couldn’t tell you the name of the campsite, but I remember sending my flip-flops floating down the creek, eating beef stroganoff Hamburger Helper, sleeping in a tent for the very first time, figuring out how to use the bathroom in the middle of the night in the dark, and the thrill of being in nature. I was also promised a hot air balloon ride in Napa on that trip, which didn’t happen because of bad weather, but that was okay because I still had a life-changing experience living out of a car and a tent, while playing in a creek all day.

The memories made as a kid can last a lifetime. Providing that same opportunity to your kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews is a treasure. In this issue, we celebrate family trips and camping time. Whether it’s with children or pets, family camping is the best and so rewarding. I took my nephew camping for his first experience and, boy, was it exciting for us both. We almost froze our toes off in Big Bear, California, but we both won’t forget it. And the times I can’t take my dog, Bandit, with me on trips, I’m sad that he’s missing out. He loves being out on the trail as much as I do, maybe even more. There’s never too little to investigate and sniff when in the outdoors.

Also in this issue, we continue to highlight the importance of doing our part and preserving the beautiful landscapes we all enjoy. We’ve partnered with Tread Lightly! for over a year now, and we’re proud to share with you the projects and initiatives they have in the works. We dive a bit deeper in this issue to discuss their purpose and celebrate the growing partnerships they have created in the off-road community to bring awareness to the T.R.E.A.D. principles. We all need to play a part to help preserve our land, so we can keep enjoying the outdoors for years to come.

As you take your friends and families out to enjoy outdoor adventures, teach them the skills and know-how so their children and children’s children can continue to enjoy the same trails, campsites, and natural history we have the honor to experience. Provide the opportunities for youngsters to make everlasting memories and learn how to take care of our precious playgrounds. Those experiences created for kids of all ages are memories they will hopefully cherish a lifetime and will, most likely, pass down to future generations.

Happy trails,
Kelly Nomura
Editor & Brand Manager