When you ask about his childhood, Joshua Fink will fondly recall days spent climbing around in the woods on his parents’ property.  Josh’s father was an avid outdoorsman, and this love of nature was something that was instilled in Josh from an early age. While other children may have participated in more docile activities such as riding bikes or playing with blocks, Josh and his brother, Matt, weren’t satisfied unless they were climbing around outside. The two were frequently spotted hiking, building forts in the trees, and trying to catch small animals as they stayed out in the forest for hours.

On weekends, Josh would frequently embark on climbing expeditions with his father and brother. The trips were a time for bonding, but they also provided a valuable learning experience, as Josh and Matt begin to learn about proper climbing techniques and safety. When they weren’t scaling various local peaks, they were fishing, snowshoeing, canoeing, or participating in other outdoor activities. Josh’s mother learned not to expect to see her husband and sons until darkness fell, and she never worried.

Josh’s entire childhood revolved around outdoor activities. As an adult, his passion for these sports continued. Though his mother assumed he would grow out of these hobbies as he got older, the love of outdoor activities never left Josh. He was always found hiking, fishing, camping, and just spending time in nature. Josh notes that spending time in the outdoors simultaneously relaxes him while also offering a burst of energy.

Though he loves anything having to do with the outside world, as an adult, Josh developed a particular passion for mountain climbing. Matt also became increasingly interested in the sport. As the two got older, they began to look into conquering the world’s most challenging peaks. As boys, they used to vow to summit such spots as Kilimanjaro and Everest, and now it was time to act on this dream. They had read about these exotic destinations in books, and they longed to make the voyage themselves. Throughout the course of their climbing careers, the Fink brothers have conquered such spots as Mount Everest, Kilimanjaro, The Andes, Mount McKinley, and The Matterhorn.

Stop by to visit Joshua Finkor his brother and you’ll see walls lined with photos of the two standing triumphantly atop the toughest peaks in the world. They embarked on these expeditions in groups of twenty, or with only one or two other climbers. Each brother can entertain you for hours with stories of heart-stopping adventures that they encountered on their journeys. Josh notes that these trips were some of the most thrilling experiences of his life, and he was glad to get to share them with his brother.

When he had children of his own, Josh was adamant about instilling this love of the outdoors in his own kids. His daughter, Carrie, and his son, Mike grew up as outdoor enthusiasts too. Along with his wife, Suzanne, the family frequently spent school breaks and long weekends camping, fishing, and hiking. Though mountain climbing had played a major role in Josh’s life in years past, when he became a father he found other ways to enjoy spending time outdoors. Though he didn’t get the same thrills that he did when he was working toward the top of Kilimanjaro, he enjoyed the time relaxing in nature with his family.

Now that his own children are grown, they frequently use these types of activities as a way to spend time together. Though Mike and Carrie are busy with their careers and families of their own, they regularly meet their father for fishing and canoeing trips. This time is important to all of them, especially Josh, who plans to teach his young grandchildren about the finer points of snowshoeing and setting up a tent.

Joshua Fink On Getting Kids Involved in Outdoor Activities

Joshua Fink explains that getting kids involved in outdoor activities is more difficult now than in years past. When Josh was growing up, video games and the Internet weren’t entertainment options. Though there were other ways for kids to play, in many cases, frolicking outside was the most desirable choice. Today’s children, however, have dozens of other choices when it comes to their free time. They can play video games with their friends, watch thousands of television channels, and many of them have their own iPads. This is why it’s even more important to get kids outside and running around. As sedentary activities become more popular, kids lack the fresh air and exercise that comes with spending time in nature.

To pique children’s interest in the world that surrounds them, Joshua Fink offers these tips:

Take a walk after it rains

Children will enjoy splashing in puddles and watching raindrops collecting on flowers and falling from the trees. Point out how streams of water have gathered in gutters. If you’re feeling adventurous, bundle up, bring an umbrella, and take a walk while it’s still raining. This works best during a slight mist; if you hear thunder or see lightning, head inside.

Make mud pies

Little kids love this hands on experience, and will delight in getting to make a mess without repercussions. Bring spoons, cookie cutters, and pie plates and encourage kids to get creative with their concoctions.

Look for shapes in clouds

On a warm day, bring children out to lie in the lawn and look for shapes in the clouds. This is an activity that’s free and fun for people of all ages, and it encourages kids to use their imagination. They may spot a rocket ship, an animal, or a cartoon character.

Grow a garden

Caring for a garden teaches children about many important lessons including how plants grow, responsibility, and the appeal of eating healthy foods.  Let kids pick what types of fruits and vegetables they’d like to grow in the garden, and then have them help you plant these items, water them, and pick them when they’re ready for harvest. They’ll get a thrill out of eating tomatoes, cucumbers, and strawberries that were grown in their own backyard.

Go barefoot (safely)

The best way to truly appreciate the landscape that surrounds you is to go barefoot. Ditch your shoes when you’re walking on the beach, or let mud squish between your toes. It’s one thing to take in the sights around you, but truly feeling them brings the experience to another level. Take care only to go barefoot when you’re sure you won’t step on sharp objects such as glass or thorns.

Joshua Fink is an outdoor enthusiast who has climbed some of the most famous mountains in the world, including Mount Everest. Joshua Fink also enjoys other outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, and snowshoeing; he instilled this love of nature in his children.