Families take on challenge to spend more time outside, cut screen time

Maya Soisson, 8, sits along the side of a lake, taking in her surroundings.

Navigating the icy Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park is a challenge for even the most seasoned of hikers, but Marcy Stump, of Northumberland County, tackled the adventure as a way to encourage 13-year-old-son Noah with a concerted effort to spend more time outside as a family.

"Noah challenges me to do things I wouldn't choose to do on my own," she said after their trip Friday afternoon. "Thankfully, he is always there to offer assistance."

"We got to see Adams Falls, which is frozen over. We hiked some of the Falls Trail, but weren't able to hike the whole loop," she said. "We also got to go out on the frozen lake."

The trip was one of many such adventures for the Stump family, which has reconnected with each other and the natural environment thanks to the 1,000 Hours Outside challenge.

​The movement was started by Ginny Yurich, of Michigan, in response to statistics that show average children spend 1,200 hours a year on electronic devices – but only four to seven minutes a day with unstructured time outdoors.

“The entire purpose is to attempt to match nature time with screen time,” she said. “If kids can consume media through screens 1,200 hours a year on average, then the time is there and at least some of it can and should be shifted towards a more productive and healthy outcome!”

Stump heard about the concept via a post several years ago on a homeschool Facebook group.

“I appreciated Ginny’s mission to provide more balance for her kids – and kids across the country,” Stump said. “She started sharing things out with others and it has picked up steam to become a pretty big movement.”

Since then, she has used the 1,000 Hours Outside program as an incentive for her family.
“I don’t want to force it. Some people divide the 1,000 hours into the weeks or days in a year, but we fluctuate depending on the season and opportunities available,” she said.

Jennifer Soisson, of Altoona, first heard of the 1,000 Hours Outside program in December, and it has already become a mainstay for her, her husband and their children.

“Especially with COVID, it has helped us create an intention flow to each day and week,” she said. “With winter, we look forward to our weekend hikes. Long hikes on the weekend make us get our inside chores done during the week.”

By focusing more of their weekends on outdoor hikes and other activities, it takes some of the pressure to be outside on busier week day schedules, Soisson added.

Beyond hiking, the Stump family looks for unique opportunities to stay outdoors during the winter months.

“Of course, we love to hike, but we also look for outdoor employment that hires young kids, such as working at a horse ranch or volunteering at an outdoor festival,” said Stump. “When it snows, we take advantage of that by making interesting things out of ice and snow.”

Soisson enjoys the challenges presented by being outdoors in the winter, adding that the key to success is being prepared.

“Having appropriate clothing, footwear and making the commitment to follow through is important,” she said. “It also helps to find other people who are willing to go, too. It seems a little less intimidating when other people are invested in the cold outdoor experience, too.”

Part of the intentional shift outdoors is finding ways to move every-day activities into the outside frame of mind, according to Stump.

“You can really take a lot of the natural things you do in a day outdoors,” she said. “Kids can work on school work, homework or other activities in an outdoor setting at a picnic table or under a shade tree. You can do more cooking over a campfire in the back yard.”
When purchasing toys or gadgets for your child’s birthday or Christmas gifts, mindfully find those that encourage outdoor activity.

“My son really enjoys riding his Ripstick, which is basically a skateboard on two wheels,” Stump said. “There is a place near our home where the kids can look for fossils. It is important to give the kids some free time to explore on their own, too.”

Soisson has also learned the value in being creative, regardless of the circumstances.
“Living in ‘Graysylvania,’ we’ve learned not to wait for a perfect day, because it just won’t happen,” she said. “We also make sure to include my (8-year-old) daughter in the planning and what things she’d like to climb and explore.”

Ultimately, the results of taking on such a challenge has led to a number of benefits for both families.

“It is creating a tighter bond among our family,” said Soisson. “We even are looking into ways we can further serve and support our local trails and parks.”

Plus, the health benefits are hard to ignore, added Stump.

Marcy Stump and her son, Noah, 13, of Northumberland County, pose for a picture while exploring the frozen trails at Ricketts Glen State Park.

Noah Stump, 13, of Northumberland County, climbs an icy trail at Ricketts Glen State Park.

Scott and Jennifer Soisson share a moment with their 8-year-old daughter, Maya, of Blair County, along a trail.

Creative ways to spend time outdoors in the winter include making colorful items out of ice and other natural materials, like this decoration made by the Stump family.

Marcy Stump, of Northumberland County, poses along a trail with her kids.

Maya Soisson, of Blair County, plays with her dog along a snowy trail.

1000HoursOutside.com offers a variety of creative tracking sheets to help families meet their goals throughout the year.

The Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper would love to hear if your family gets involved with the 1,000 Hour Outside program. Email John Zaktansky with your updates, tips and photos and we'll share some of our favorites on social media to inspire others to get outdoors more in 2021.

Email the Riverkeeper

“We realize we feel better the more time we spend outside,” she said. “I know growing up some of my best memories were made outside, and the way things are changing in the world right now, kids need to be outside now more than ever. Plus, it just doesn’t feel good to be on devices for so many hours a day. I’m not saying that devices are bad, but it is best if there is some balance.”

For more information on the 1,000 Hours Outside program, including creative tracking forms and cool gear to help your family stay committed to the challenge, visit 1000HoursOutside.com

If you live in the Middle Susquehanna watershed and plan to take the 1,000 Hours Outside challenge with your family, keep the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper posted via email. We’d love to share your successes and tips with others.

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