People often ask how our family’s National Park adventure started, but the truth is that exploring has always been part of who we are.
Long before Scout and About Kids existed, we were the kind of family that loved road trips, weekend adventures, museums, historical sites, and discovering new places together. I grew up traveling with my own family, and I wanted my children to experience that same sense of curiosity and wonder. In 2021, we moved from Chicago, Illinois, to Casa Grande, Arizona to be closer to my mom after my dad passed away. Looking back, moving to Arizona was one of the best decisions we’ve made since becoming parents. We absolutely love living here. The sunshine, beautiful desert landscapes, incredible history, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure have transformed the way our family lives, learns, and explores together.
As we settled into Arizona life, we quickly realized that summer in the desert presents a unique opportunity. Instead of spending the hottest months indoors, we decided to become “reverse snowbirds” and travel during the summer while much of the country was enjoying milder weather. In 2022, we set out on our first big summer road trip. We didn’t have a detailed itinerary or a long list of reservations. Our only real destination was Fargo, North Dakota, where we planned to spend several weeks with family. Everything else was left open for discovery along the way.
During that trip, we stopped at Bear Country USA in South Dakota and visited Mount Rushmore National Memorial. It was there that the kids earned their very first Junior Ranger badge. They were instantly hooked. The hands-on activities, the chance to learn about the site, and the excitement of earning a badge transformed a simple stop into something unforgettable.
On our way home, we visited Arches National Park—our family’s first of the “Big 63” National Parks. Standing beneath the towering red rock formations, the kids were amazed by the beauty of the park. Somewhere between the hikes, the viewpoints, and the wonder of seeing a place unlike anything they had experienced before, they made a bold declaration: they wanted to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks before they graduated from high school.
At the time, none of us realized how much that single goal would change our lives. What started as a family challenge soon became a passion, then an adventure, and eventually the beginning of Scout and About Kids. That first Junior Ranger badge and that first National Park visit sparked something much bigger than we ever imagined—and it was only the beginning.
What is on YOUR bucket list? Tell us in the comments below!