Dineo Dowd is an adventurous mom. She’s at her best when she’s exploring the outdoors, and she’s been taking daughter Armani on hikes for years.
Dineo has overcome challenges to accessing the outdoors — and now she’s written two books to inspire parents and kids to face fears, embrace nature and go take a hike!
First, please tell us about Adventure Day.
Adventure Day is a children’s picture book dedicated to the outdoors to motivate early walkers to get outdoors and explore nature with their parents. Adventure Day is about a mother and a daughter hiking to a majestic waterfall, Parfrey’s Glen, in Baraboo, with their new friends. I was inspired by the beauty of Baraboo and my daughter, who loves the waterfalls and reading her nature books.
What led you to write Sunset Hike? And what is this book about?
Sunset Hike was inspired by my childhood experiences growing up in South Africa. I didn’t have any opportunities to get on the trails because of my fears and being told that hiking is not for people of color. I also believed that the outdoors was for men and a forest is a scary place with wild animals roaming around. The book is about a little girl going on a sunset hike for the first time to overcome her fears, with the help of her best friend. It also teaches kids about the change of season and gets them excited to explore nature.
Sunset Hike is for kids ages three to ten. The book covers the gear needed for the sunset hike, good rules for hiking, the games you can play to keep kids entertained, like making up songs, and reading books when you take a break and enjoy nature
Both books have a young girl as the lead character. Why did you choose that and why is that important to you?
When I wrote both books I wanted to have girls leading because of my childhood experiences. I’m hoping to break the fear of hiking and prove that the outdoors is for everyone and anything is possible. I want every girl to read the book and see the characters that look like them leading the way and making them feel important like superheroes.
What does hiking and being outside mean to you? How about to your family?
Hiking is my life. Everything I do has to be outside. I hardly go to the coffee shop; I’d rather have my meetings on the trails. I’m a better person outside: I’m free, I’m happy, I smile more, I have great ideas. And I manage the family better when I spend more time outside. Outside time is very important with my family. We take morning hikes, or sunset walks around the neighborhood after dinner.
Do you have any advice or tips for hiking and exploring with young kids?
Bring snacks and water, play games, go with the flow, print out scavenger hunt sheets (the kids love finding things), go early in the morning after breakfast while the kids are still in the moods, prepare a day before and let the kids pack their backpacks.
What hikes or trips are you most looking forward to this summer?
This summer we have lots of camping trips that include hiking. I’m looking forward to checking out Wildcat State Park this year; we have heard great things and can’t wait. We have been to thirty-three Wisconsin state parks so far and, hopefully, we will check out the rest by the end of fall. It’s our goal.
Photos courtesy of Dineo Dowd.