Today was a big milestone for OutdoorKids. We ran our very first Navigation Workshop, and I’m still smiling thinking about how well it went — not because everything was “perfect,” but because the kids showed up curious, brave, and ready to try. That’s the whole point of what we’re building here. And get this: we were a total of 25 participants out there together today. That’s a strong first workshop — and it genuinely felt like a community day. 🧭 Huge thank-you to Hammond Hill First off: thank you to Hammond Hill for hosting us and giving us a place where kids can actually practice real skills in a real environment. It makes a massive difference to have a space where families can spread out, explore, and learn without feeling rushed or “in the way.” We’re grateful for the support and the welcome. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Thank you to the parents To all the parents who brought your kids out — thank you. You’re the reason OutdoorKids works. You made time, packed the snacks, managed the water bottles, handled the “I’m tired / I’m hungry / I need the bathroom” moments, and still stayed present for the learning. But even more than that: you gave your kids something rare — the chance to build confidence through doing, not just watching. 🧒🔥 And to the kids… you crushed it To the kids who came out: You asked great questions. You tried things that felt new. You got turned around, re-oriented, and tried again. You worked together, compared notes, and kept moving. That’s navigation in real life. Navigation isn’t about never getting lost. It’s about learning how to notice clues, make a plan, and calmly find your way back. And you did exactly that. ✅ What we covered (and what I loved seeing) Here are a few highlights from the workshop: How to orient a map (and why “north” matters more than people think) Basic compass skills (and how to use it without overthinking it) Landmarks + “handrails” (using trails, edges, and obvious features to guide you) Pacing + distance awareness (kid-friendly ways to estimate how far you’ve gone)