Q U I C K HI T S | 03 . 20
YOUTH MOVEMENT AV I D 4 A DV EN T U R E C A M P S ACCORDING TO HARVARD MEDICAL
School, getting kids outside improves everything from their executive functioning to their socialization skills. But with kids more glued to screens and indoor activities than ever before, how to get them out? Boulder-based Avid4 Adventure (avid4.com) has the answer with programs for kids aged 3 to 18. Enroll your toddler in a basic strider bike class or your high school senior in a multi-day, multi-sport expedition. My wife and I signed our 5-year-old daughter Rosie up for a week-long Explorer Camp, which included biking, hiking, kayaking, and canoeing—plus art, music, and yoga. Each morning, Rosie’s group tackled a new adventure—from long bike rides to paddling trips on Boulder Reservoir—the kids guzzled water while resting in the shade between activities. Every afternoon I found them sitting in a circle, sharing their favorite moments, lessons they learned, and expressing gratitude. On our bike rides home, my daughter bubbled over with stories and how excited she was for the next day of adventure. David Secunda, founder of Avid4 Adventure, wanted to provide a way for kids to love the outdoors and to become future stewards of our planet. “Outdoor experiences are punctuation points in our lives that shape our confidence and character. Our camps give kids both a place to start and plenty of room to grow outdoors as they build skills in a wide range of adventure sports,” he says. Paul Dreyer, the organization’s Chief Empowerment Officer, says Avid4 camps are expanding into California, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington. The organization is also finding ways to provide financial aid to families who can’t afford the full price of the programs and has steady yet ambitious plans to continue to expand.
On the last day of Rosie’s camp, her director gathered all of the groups for a closing ceremony. Each group selected one person who best exemplified the value of “Live Empowered’—the one of the eight core values of the Avid4 Adventure program that this particular camp session focused on—and they were each called up to be recognized. Each of the kids called up had some sort of smile on their face, from big toothy grins to awkwardly trying to manage the swell of emotion they had never felt before this. They were all proud, if not even a little embarrassed to have been selected by their peers as outstanding. But the fact that these kids are valuing such positive qualities is a nice glimpse into the hope of the future. —Cameron Martindell
chili, et al., but Tomasita’s (tomasitas. com) stands out. It shares a parking lot with the historic Santa Fe Depot train station, which gives restless kids something to explore while you wait for your table. For an easy café lunch, check out Ecco Espresso and Gelato (eccogelato.com), with Italianstyle gelato and espresso as well as delicious panini sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Just two blocks from the Santa Fe Plaza, it’s a prime place to gather food for a picnic. When it’s time for a fancy meal, book reservations at The Compound (compoundrestaurant. com), owned by Chef Mark Kiffin, a James-Beard-award-winning Best Chef of the Southwest. It’s a nice, easy walk from downtown and offers a 20% discount to anyone with a sameday Ski Santa Fe lift ticket.
EAT, SLEEP, PLAY: SKI SANTA FE
SLEEP
LO O K I N G F O R A G R E AT SP R I N G B R E A K G E TAWAY W I T H P L EN T Y O F D RY SN OW, G R EEN C H I L I , A N D I N T ER - D I M EN S I O N A L I N S TA L L AT I O N A RT— W I T H O U T T H E C ROW DS ? H E A D TO T H E L A N D O F EN C H A N T M EN T.
EAT
No surprise, Santa Fe is full of incredible places for enchiladas, tamales, green
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The battery-operated Cauldryn gives you the ability to adjust the temperature of the drink in your mug via easy-to-operate controls and an LCD readout. It’ll brew coffee or keep your hot cocoa warm for up to 10 hours. You can also plug it into a wall or vehicle outlet. Accessories include a blender base for mixed drinks and a percolator to make coffee. $70-150 | CAULDRYN.COM
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E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / M A R C H 2 0 2 0
Since there isn’t any on-mountain lodging at Ski Santa Fe, the only options are in town—but that’s a good thing in one of the best art and food cities in the West. Right downtown and near the road up to the ski area is the Southwestern-styled Inn on the Alameda (innonthealameda. com), with large, comfortable rooms, a friendly and accommodating staff, and an incredible breakfast buffet spread. A little north of town near the village of Tesuque, the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe (fourseasons.com/santafe) is a relaxing all-inclusive option, a godsend after a day of skiing. Kids are
GEAR WE LOVE LEATHERMAN FREE K4X
With the Free, you get a clip-style knife with nine one-hand access tools—including functional spring action scissors and three screwdrivers. The serrated blade proves its worth hacking through chopped wood to make kindling, and the pocket clip can be adjusted for rightor left-hand, tip-up carry. $90 | LEATHERMAN.COM
SOUTHERN CHARM SKI SANTA FE IS A HIDDEN GEM WITH SWEET, LIGHT SNOW AT THE TAIL END OF THE ROCKIES. / PHOTO BY DAVE COX
welcomed with activities like cookie decorating, s’more roasting, and minime-sized robes and slippers. Parents will love the spa options and the inroom Chiminea-style fire places.
play
You can spend several full days on the piste and in the trees at the surprising Ski Santa Fe (skisantafe.com), a 30-minute drive from downtown. Seven lifts provide access to 660 acres of terrain for all abilities as well as on-mountain dining. Drop your munchkin at ski school (conveniently located adjacent to the parking lot) and head for Gayway, a long screaming blue with a big view of town. When hunger gnaws, snarf cafeteria-style meals at the La Casa Lodge, or pub-style grub at Totemoff ’s Bar & Grill. Spend your in-town days visiting kid-friendly venues like the eclectic and wild Meow Wolf (meowwolf.com) experience (teens will love it and adults can get just as lost in this playground) and the Santa Fe Children’s Museum (santafechildrensmuseum.org) full of science-focused activities for younger children. Parents can head back to Meow Wolf in the evening to see bands including Grouplove, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Pussy Riot who will all be playing in the venue this spring. —C.M.
BOOK NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ATLAS OF THE NATIONAL PARKS
Author and adventurer Jonathan Waterman, who worked for years as a climbing ranger in Denali, poured a lifetime of love into this compendium of the country’s treasured parks. In this coffee table must-have, he dives into the natural wonders and cultural histories of all 62 of them, along with the stunning photos you expect from Nat Geo. $65 | PENGUGINRANDOMHOUSE.COM