The Family Adventure Project

Family Adventure Stories

Inspiring families to live adventurously, promoting independent family adventure

Stories adventurous families have written about their experiences and submitted to us for publication. The stories are in their own words and reproduced here with permission. We welcome contributions for other stories to feature here.
More details of what we're looking for here.

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The List	This I Believe
For years the Schulz family used their 40 foot yacht 'Regina' as a second home for several months of the year. But in 2005 they decided to move in and make it their main residence and took off for a year at sea. In this piece, written on the last leg of the voyage, Leon Shulz reflects on their year out, the hopes and fears they had and those they realised, the sacrifices made and rewards reaped and the prospect of creating a different life to the one they left behind.	Climbing aboard a bicycle to tour with your children can be a daunting thought, the reality can be challenging yet the rewards are beyond words. Nancy Sathre-Vogel took 12 months out with her husband John and 8 year old twins Davy and Daryl to cycle 9,300 miles around North America. Here, Nancy tries to put into words just why she does it and why she believes it's important.

Kids go wild in Northland	Lee Ho
After cycling 4000km around New Zealand, British visitors Stuart Wickes and Kirstie Pelling know all about magic moments. Read about the magic of the final week of their tour, cycling, swimming, kayaking and sand boarding in the Far North of New Zealand. Written for and published in New Zealand's Wilderness Magazine, October 2005. Link above or download pdf version (1.65mB).	For two long time land-lubbers, the idea of exploring the open seas was exciting and nerve wracking; the prospect of learning to sail with toddlers terrrifying. After a two day crash course Stuart Wickes and Kirstie Pelling were let loose with toddlers and a charter yacht in New Zealand's Bay of Islands. Written for and published in New Zealand's Wilderness Magazine, February 2006. Link above or download a pdf version (1.5mB).

Adventures with a laptop	An Adventurous Pregnancy
Not exactly a family adventure story but a story about how technology can shape your family adventure. Travelling with a laptop can add a whole new dimension to being on the road, as Kirstie Pelling discovered when she found herself travelling with one she thought she didn't want. Kirstie is a director of The Family Adventure Project. Download as pdf version. (3.2mB)	Pregnancy needn't mean sitting at home waiting for the baby to drop. Taking your pre-born on the road can add a whole new dimension to pregnancy, as Kirstie Pelling discovered when she found herself pregnant six weeks into a ten month active, round the world family adventure. Kirstie is a director of The Family Adventure Project. Download as pdf version (670kB).

Cycle toddling: an adventure in parenting	Finding independence by bicycle: a journey through Denmark with my daughter
For many people a trip to the shops with toddlers is adventure enough. Adventuring with little ones certainly presents its own challenges, including the attitudes of people who tell you it's plain irresponsible. Here Stuart Wickes and Kirstie Pelling recount their first tentative steps in touring with toddlers and show how, with practice, all sorts of things are possible.... whatever people say.	In 1999 Angela Devas bought a trailer bike, packed her ageing camping gear and took her six year old daughter, Catherine, on the road. Their ride through Denmark was the start of a long journey they would make together in life as they forged a new family unit. Read this story of new beginnings written by Angela for the Family Adventure Project.

Reserved for your story!	Family on a Bike BC A Honeymoon Adventure Story
Write a story for The Family Adventure Project and it could be featured here. More details of what we're looking for here.	Before the Family on a Bike became a family, Stuart and Kirstie had an adventure or two on their honeymoon biking tour in South America. Not strictly family adventure but it's where they first saw the possibilities and literally conceived the Family on a Bike. This is where it all began!