FATHliRS: HERE's A FAMllY

ACTJVITY THAT STnL GIVES YOU

FREEDOM TO BE A MAN!
Fiverninuteswith my kids in front
of Mario Brothers? No way! Lock me
up in solitary on Devi!'s Island with
nothing but a Rubie's Cube. Either
way, I'll go insane. I know that I need
to spend time with my children, but
what we do during that time is not
always easy to decide.
What then is a father to do? How
can you spend quality time with your
children - I mean without being either
the ultimate n!!ffieSis to an electronic
Darth Vader or attempting your
own version of "Mr. Mom"?
Many fathers have, no
doubt, experienced the
frustration in
selecting a family
activity that still
allows them the
freedom to be a
man. Video
games, board
games, card
games, ringtoss .. .
wow! Don't,
these just stir
drive to seek and to know are
God-given qualities of manhood.
Conversely, manydomesticpasstimes
tend to strait -jacket the male dtive. To
many fathers, family time becomes a
necessarysacrificeratherthanajoy. I,
for one, enjoy the gift of manhood. I
thrive on the "old paths" of male
virtue. However,manyoftheactivities
that afforded me sa tisfactory
expression were solo pursuits --
hunting, fishing, and the like. Being a
bi-vocational pastor, home-schooling
father,andfree-lancewriter,
I could notjustifyany
When we moved from the flat
lands of south Georgia to the
mountainous terrain of Teunessee,
the elusive ideal family activity finally
emerged -- backpacking! Here, at
last, is an outdoor activity that has the
best of all worlds. The family can
enjoy it together. It's physically
challenging. It ' appeals to the
pioneering spirit. I can do what most
men love to do and yet not
compromise on quality time with my
children. Indeed, the opportunities
to share in their experiences have
never been greater. And, in case you
ladies are skeptical, my wife is every
bitasenthusiasticaboutitas I am.
What are the advantages of
backpacking as a family
activity?
Backpacking has
several elements that
make it very alluring
and rewarding.
First, the nature
of the sport will
take you into
someofthemost
awe-inspiring
scenery in
America.
your manly
$Pirit? Ofcourse
Backpacking: ENJOYING GOO'S CREATION & FAMILY
You trek
away from
the beaten
you can. opt to
pursue a spec-
tator activity,
watching other
men do "man
stuff." However, vicarious enjoyment
isjustnotthesame as doingityourself.
<., Now, I am not trying to sound
"macho" but the fact remains, certain
traits in the male psyche set hirnapart.
Thequestfordorninion, the challenge
of abstract thinking, the adventurous
by Sam Koon, Pastor
Horizon Presbyterian Fellowship
Chattanooga, TN
. track, away
from noisy
camp sites,
additional time away from my family.
Necessity compelled me to find a
single activity involving my entire
family, and still allowing me the
freedom to be what God has made
me. The quest for an ideal family
activity began.
trading
cramped space between Winnebagos
for the wide open wilds of nature.
Second, backpacking is a very
physical and healthful activity. If you
do it regularly, you will build stamina
and perhaps lose weight (1 lost 35
pounds!).
16 THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon February, 1992
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Third, the start-up cost of
backpacking isn't even close to a
camper or cabin in the mountains.
For about $300 to $400 per person,
you can outfit the family. Also, most
of the places where you will backpack
do not charge usage fees. Therefore,
your basic expenses for each trip will
be gas, the food that you pack, and
perhaps a few other useable items.
Most trips cost less than evening at
the bowling alley.
Fourth, backpacking provides an
excellentenvironmentforfunlearning.
As a home-schooler, I am
constantly watching for
learning situations. By
taking Audubon Society
books on the trail, I can
teach my children to
identify the various flora
and fauna of the regions.
This puts a hands-on
dimension to learning that
they find exciting. That's
notallthatweleam,either.
Backpacking is a team
effort. We learn to support
each other and to watch
foroneanother. Economy
of effort is very crucial.
Since a mistake on the u-ail
can be a merciless teacher,
we learn to think ahead and to
anticipate problems.
Fifth, in addition to the excellent
opportunities to see the country,
explore photography, do a little
fly-fishing, and engage in nature
identification, there is yet one more
benclit -- you will find your limits.
More than once, some particularly
difficult trail has nearly exhausted our
physical, mental, andspiritual energy.
The logistics of backpacking rule out
quitting as an option C when you are
five miles from the car, what do you
do?). This aspect has often forced us
to go beyond what we thought
possible. Each time, the results have
been very gratifYing as we met and
conquered a new challenge.
How to get started
Purchasing equipment. Quality
equipment in any sport is expensive.
However, a little smart shopping and
creative improvising can help to cut
your cash outlay. Going to military
surplus stores is one way. Often you
can purchase many needed items there
at much lower prices than theywouJd
be at a full-line outfitter. Remember
tllOugh, some items you don't want to
scrimp on. Make sure that you buy a
high quality backpack with a
comfortable waistbelt suspension
system. You will canyit for miles. An
uncomfortable fit will make the miles
miser-abJeones. Without thewaistbelt,
your shoulders, not your legs, will do
the work. Also, don't cheat yourself
on hiking shoes. There are many
affordably priced brands, but think
quality first. You depend on yourfeet!
A good night's rest makes the
wilderness much more enjoyable. Buy
agoodholofilCorsimilarfiber)sleeping
bag. They compress tightly and pack
Ina,ddition, tlley resist heat
loss when wet so you stay warm and
comfortable in most situations. Add
to this a thermal pad to place between
you and the ground and you have the
essentials. Variations on other articles
of equipment areaswideasyour taste.
Numerous types of backpacking
stoves, . lanterns,
cookware, and clothing
proVide you great
purchasing flexibility.
Initially, we cut comers
here as much as possible
acquiring upgraded
equipment, little by little,
as we grew more serious
about the sport. The
money we saved by not
having to rent a space in
a camp site made this
more possible.
. Getting in shape. To
hit the trail after montl1s
of playing courn potato
will so punish your
system, you are likely to
develop an immediate dislike for
backpacking. So, I recommend two
pre!iminarysteps. First, beginwalking
regularly. It is an excellent practice to
wearyour backpack and load it lightly
(lS to 30lbs.). This will get you used
to the weight on your joints. Second,
take some day hikes that are not too
strenuous. Carefully choose the
topography of the hike to avoid
extremealtitudechanges. Remember,
a full backpack taxes your legs both
up and down hill.
February, 1992 l' TIlE COUNSEL of Chalcedon 17
Gathering knowledge. It is wise to
familiarize yourself with the areas in
which you wish to pack. The various
park services can be extremelyhelpful
here.. Also, your local outfitter will
prove to be an abundant source of
factsandhelps. Backpcu:ker,arnagazme
devpted to the sport, is available at,
most newsstands. I recommen<i you
read. several issues. It is full of helpful
hints for beginners. Your local library
will probably contain several volumes
on the subject as well.
SO, men, get your
families on the trail!
I can honesdy sa)'j no
other recreatio:Oal activity
has had a more positive
impact on my family than
baCkpacking. It is tailor
made to create memorable
family . outings. The
inspiration from vieWing
Gods masterful creation
gives , refreshment and
mental revival to all.
'j. ' .
Family devotions around
a camp fire deep in the
woods onlyin,
the sounds of nature are
times.
Men, are you looking for a single
fa1tli.ly pursuit that would provide
some of the most satisfying family
time? Do you want it sport fuatwill
give ample opportunity for manly
expression? Backpackingcouldbejust
what you've been looking for.n
18 f 'I'HE COUNSEL of Chalcedon February,1991