Local Mother Uses Hiking to Bond With Her Children
An interest in nature compelled Las Vegas resident, Samira Tamules, 33, to value hiking and camping with her children as a time to bond.
As a single mother with three children ranging from four to 16 years old, Tamules always strives to be a mother instilling the importance of respecting and appreciating nature. As an avid hiker, camper, and rock climber since her youth, she believes that “children’s confidence grows so fast outdoors,” and she’s found that the little one’s behavior is “so much better when they’re outside.”
In particular, Tamules’ family enjoys all types of outdoor activities, including backpacking, camping, climbing, and fishing. While hiking is their favorite pastime, she says, “Sometimes we have to go at a slower pace because Rowan (age four) often gets distracted, but I love watching his wonder at the world.”
Health Benefits of Spending Time Outside
According to an article written for the Harvard Health Blog in 2020, one of the top six reasons that children need to play outside is the need for an appreciation of nature. A child that grows up without experiencing the beauty of nature and learning to appreciate it may not be able to understand what will be lost in the future if we fail to protect the Earth. The article goes on to point out that the future of humanity lies with our planet’s youth and their desire to work toward preserving it.
The website reserveamerica.com has collected evidence for an article describing 10 reasons why going outside is great for the health of your whole family, which was published in 2019. It states that research has shown that “going on a hike in the woods can improve blood pressure, increase mental health and even decrease your risk of cancer. This is true of the young and old alike.”
A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that began in 2018 indicated lower scores on language and thinking exams for children that spent more than two hours a day on screen-time activities.
The study also stated that “young children learn by exploring their environment and watching the adults in their lives and then imitating them. Excessive screen time may lead to a kind of “tunnel vision,” which can be detrimental to overall development.
Finding The Perfect Trail For The Family
For some, it seems difficult to find hiking trails and outdoor activities in or around Las Vegas that are family-friendly and accommodating to children and adults of all ages. However, it isn’t as difficult as one may think. Samira Tamules refused to give up hiking with her older children when she welcomed a new addition to her family in 2018. She made it a goal to find nature-based activities compatible with all her children’s ages.
While keeping her children’s age differences in mind, Samira grew fond of several hiking trails near Las Vegas that work for people of all ages, physical abilities, and fitness levels.
“One of my favorite trails for kids is Calico Tanks at Red Rock. There are tons of rocks for the kids to climb, small tanks, [and] sometimes little frogs! The view from the top is incredible!” Tamules said. “First Creek trail is really short and leads to a seasonal waterfall that’s another favorite for the little ones.”
She also added that getting out on any trail is great. “There’s no need to feel pressure to make it to the top or beat any speed records,” she explained. “The idea is to get outside and enjoy it!”
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Sharing the Experience of Hiking
Paula Tanner, a Las Vegas local who knows Samira Tamules and also enjoys hiking with her family, says that Tamules is spot-on when she describes the need for every family to get outside together and enjoy nature.
“We have hiked there for years with the kids and the dogs!” Tanner said. “The time spent on the trail away from everyday distractions is just what our family needs.”
Another friend of Tamules and former Las Vegas resident of four years, Nina Gross, enjoyed hiking alone before her son was born. After his birth, she realized that spending time outside was beneficial for her toddler. “Samira has it right trying to get her kids outside and getting to know the land,” Gross said. “It’s a way to bond with your kids and get them away from sitting in front of a screen all day.”
The Impacts of Hiking on the Tamules Family
Hiking and enjoying nature in Las Vegas allowed Tamules to bring her family closer together, stating that they found something they enjoy doing together.
“My oldest son is now a competent outdoorsman looking at career options that allow him to be outdoors,” she said. “He has also completed life-changing backpacking trips.”
In her opinion, her two younger children, ages four and 11, have become more flexible and curious about different situations due to their interest in outdoor activities.
“They know how to appreciate simple things.” Tamules find that the best part of all of these outdoor experiences is the fact that she’s able to spend time with her children and “just be present.” She shares that the experience is complete with “No distractions. It’s beautiful.”
In conclusion, Samira Tamules avidly believes that families getting outside and spending quality time together–regardless of the activity–is more about being together and disconnecting as a unit. Tamules believes that outdoor activities encourage her children’s imaginations, build resilience, take them away from screens, and allow them to spend quality time together as a family.”
Follow Samira Tamules’ journey on her Instagram.
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