Gary and Camille

For my first interviews, I decided to interview my parents. They have always emphasized family bonding activities growing up, so I thought they would be a wonderful starting point. Here's my interview with my Dad, Gary.

Here's me and my Dad on our favorite mountain hike.

What kinds of activities do you typically do for family recreation?

-Hiking, I'd say hiking.

In your opinion, what are the main benefits and downsides of family recreation?

-The benefit is that it brings us all together and forms a bond with all of us. The downside is if you do too much recreation, and that's your only focus, it's a directionless life.

As a child, what was your favorite family activity? Why?

- Probably going out do dinner as a family because we didn't do it very often, maybe once a year.

What is your current favorite family recreation activity to do? Why?

-I would say hiking because it involves physical activity, teamwork, and once we depart on a hike, no matter how bad it gets, or how disaffected my children or grandchildren are, they have to keep going. They can't quit. No one can pick them up and take them home.

If you childhood favorite has changed in adulthood, what do you think brought about that change?

-It was just a realization that hiking took us into nature. We didn't do that when I was a kid. We worked, and that's basically it. And then I realized that mother nature was right out there waiting for us.

Please share a funny or meaningful experience that occurred on one of your family adventures.

-I would say a recent one would be when you and I and Mom went to Hidden Valley in Ogden. We had a very nice walk together on a wonderful day. We saw that beautiful view of Mount Ogden. I will remember that as long as I live. Another one would be when we all made it to the top of King's Peak.

Is there an activity you wish your family did together when you were growing up? Why?

-I think it would have been fun to go on more trips together. We just didn't have the money or the time.

Now for my Mom, Camille.

My Mom and Dad.

What kinds of activities do you typically do for family recreation?

-Hiking, playing outside, the kids have races. When you kids were little we played baseball, we did all kinds of things. We'd have races around the house.

In your opinion, what are the main benefits and downsides of family recreation?

-The downsides, I can't think of any. The benefits would be being Katniss, being outside, being together out in nature, feeling close to each other. Closer to God.

As a child, what was your favorite family activity? Why?

-My family used to get together on family night and play games. We'd have a lesson and then a game. I like doing stuff with my family. Everybody laughs and has fun. Like being with my sisters, nothing better. We laugh so hard.

What is your current favorite family recreation activity to do? Why?

-Definitely hiking with everybody, hiking up to Boulder Lake. It makes the little kids feel like they've accomplished something, done something hard. The reward is playing in the water, having s'mores, and then coming down.

If your childhood favorite has changed in adulthood, what do you think brought about that change?

-Because I married somebody who didn't like games particularly, but like hiking.

Please share a funny or meaningful experience that occurred on one of your family adventures.

-The little kids taking off their clothes and jumping in the lake. The little kids taking off their diapers and playing in the water. It was so cute and funny.

Is there an activity you wish your family did together when you were growing up? Why?

-I would have liked my family to hike more because Jill and I did a little bit. My Dad liked to do stuff like that. Biking maybe. We didn’t do anything physical, I did that by myself.

     To conclude, it's obvious that my parents love family time, especially those hiking experiences. I didn't always have this love of hiking like my parents. Growing up I hated hiking, but I've learned to love it the older I've gotten. There are some important aspects of hiking that should be incorporated in other family activities. These elements are communication time, challenge, and rewarding for children. I think if you have these aspects, the family activities will be quite successful.