In an era where screens dominate daily life and schedules are packed with work, school, and organized activities, Christopher Michael Mottino of Gig Harbor, Washington, is championing a simpler approach to family time: getting outdoors. Mottino, a corporate account management professional with a passion for hiking, fishing, camping, and cycling, believes that families often overlook the value of nearby outdoor experiences.
"Some of the best family experiences don't require a complicated plan," Mottino says. "It can be as simple as finding a trail you haven't explored, taking the bikes somewhere different, or spending a few hours fishing. What matters is that you're doing something together and giving yourself time to enjoy where you are."
Living in the Pacific Northwest, Mottino has access to a wealth of outdoor opportunities within short distances. However, he argues that the lesson applies universally: adventure is not measured by how far you travel. People become accustomed to their surroundings and overlook what is nearby. A local park, an unfamiliar walking trail, or a new cycling route can turn an ordinary weekend into a memorable one.
Starting locally makes it easier to weave outdoor recreation into everyday life. Instead of waiting for a vacation, families can grab small windows of opportunity—a free Saturday morning for a hike, a summer evening for a bike ride, or an open weekend for a simple camping trip. Mottino believes these smaller experiences can be just as meaningful as larger adventures.
As a father who coaches and watches his children's sports, Mottino understands the importance of letting kids explore at their own pace. Children may see an outing differently than adults, stopping to inspect an unusual tree, search for wildlife, or ask questions. Mottino encourages parents to view these detours not as interruptions but as the experience itself. Giving children some influence over the outing—letting them choose between trails or help pack—fosters a sense of participation.
Screens are an ordinary part of modern life, but Mottino sees value in creating experiences where they aren't the center of attention. Fishing teaches patience, hiking offers new sights, cycling provides shared movement, and camping changes routines. These activities naturally encourage conversation and interaction. "The idea isn't that everyone has to put technology away forever," Mottino says. "It's just important to have parts of life where you're paying attention to what's happening around you and to the people you're with."
Outdoor adventures come with uncertainty—weather changes, muddy trails, forgotten items, or tired children. Mottino cautions against letting the fear of imperfection keep families from going. Often, those imperfections become part of the memory. A short hike counts even if no summit is reached; a fishing trip can be worthwhile without a catch. The point is the experience itself.
Mottino's appreciation for the outdoors developed alongside his interests in athletics and aviation. Today, he uses those interests to spend meaningful time with his family. He believes consistency matters more than scale. One major trip a year can create memories, but so can smaller experiences repeated throughout childhood: returning to a favorite fishing spot, discovering a new trail each season, or developing a family camping tradition. Over time, these outings become part of a family's shared history and help children build their own relationship with nature.
For families wanting to spend more time outside, Mottino suggests starting with something manageable. Choose a nearby destination, try an activity everyone can enjoy, and leave room for flexibility. Resist the urge to make the outing perfect. As Mottino puts it, "Start where you are." There may be a trail, park, or shoreline nearby that the family has passed dozens of times without exploring. The distance traveled isn't what determines whether an experience matters. Sometimes, creating a lasting family memory begins with nothing more than setting aside an afternoon and heading outside.
