There's no-such thing as bad weather

1000 Hours Outdoors - Arctic Blast Update

This story is the first in a multi-part series by Heidi Harsin, wife, mom, co-founder of Acton, and the reason Acton Academy Lincoln exists. If it weren't for her momma heart pushing her to find a refreshing approach to our children's education we wouldn't have discovered Acton.

​I came across a great analogy the other day comparing the “witching hour” we, as parents, all know and love - to the second half of February. The long, exhausting time period you just wish would hurry by. We’re definitely there. I find myself checking my weather app an unhealthy number of times, as if checking it will hurry these frigid temps along.

We rounded out the month of January with 25 hours outdoors, about 5 hours less than I would have liked. I see that number and it looks so small and yet I KNOW that many of those hours required some real effort, time and tears to make it out the door. So, we’ll take them.

In just 25 short hours I’ve already learned a few great lessons:

• Hot chocolate + marshmallows = a simple pleasure
• "Sweet exhaustion" is a beautiful term and after your children have spend HOURS outdoors in the cold and snow- that’s exactly where they’re at.
• Favorite winter hack, trying to have the dryer empty so that when we come inside all the cold, wet gear gets thrown right in. This is an extra sweet idea if you’re headed back out shortly, the girls LOVE putting back on their warm, snuggly clothes straight from the dryer.
• We’re absolutely doing things that we NEVER would have done in the past. My personal favorite, a 90-minute, Saturday afternoon hike through our neighborhood “woods” with snow falling all around us. Hands down one of my favorite experiences since becoming a family of five.

Here’s what I also know- we MISSED our outdoor time during the frigid temps. The other day our 3 year old asked when it was going to snow again, so they could go outside and scoop. THEY are missing their outdoor time. We have extra energy that’s hard to get rid of, lots of LOUD voices inside that we’re used to using up in the great outdoors

I’m already making plans for how we can knock out some chunks of time once those temps hit the 30s and 40s...40s...a heat wave. Bring it on!

We spent almost an hour outdoors one night after work this week. It was a balmy 15 degrees and we were ALL so happy, rosy red cheeks and all. Our middle said, “oh wow, it’s so warm”. It’s all about perspective, dressing warm and find a big mountain of snow to climb!

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Heidi Harsin

In 2021, our family is on a quest to experience 1000 hours outdoors. Heidi will post monthly updates on our journey. We invite you to follow our journey and hope it inspires your family to live life outdoors.

Outdoor time will also be a staple at Acton Lincoln. We plan to implement Forest School Fridays later this spring and build an outdoor classroom as soon as the weather allows.

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