"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." ~ William Shakespeare
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" A common question children hear in their youth. Most have professions on their radars, such as doctors, teachers, firefighters, astronauts … the list goes on, only not long enough.
"Kids aren't even aware of the job possibilities in the outdoor world at the moment. Like me, I didn't know I could make a career for myself the way I have. I just thought about traditional work. But there are so many opportunities. You can be a guide or work in conservation, or even be a travel writer. There are so many options that can give you purpose and connect you to your surroundings. It just isn't common knowledge so most of what's possible unfortunately flies under the radar."
Lyndie Seddon is the founding owner of Hoodoo Adventure Company. Operating for the last 19 years out of Penticton, she and her team continually evolve to inspire people to spend more time outdoors.
"We offer shuttles, courses and guided tours, we rent out bikes, canoes, kayaks and SUPs, and we have a climbing gym. So, we are an adventure tourism company but that's only a small portion of what we do. On a larger scale, our focus is to engage the community and connect them with the natural world. We break down barriers that keep people from safely accessing the outdoors so they can have a fun experience and interact with their natural surroundings in a responsible way. We do that through our kids outdoor rec programs, summer camps and events. We'll also be launching climbing courses and clinics for kids both indoors and outdoors. There are so many ways to connect young people with the outdoors and we're constantly finding new avenues to make that happen."
While Hoodoo Adventures has plenty to offer youth, that isn't their only focus.
"Often, the biggest barrier for kids to get into the outdoors is their parents. That's because their parents don't understand the outdoors. They don't know how to access it themselves. So educating the parents, and the community in general, is essential for us to have the impact we're aiming for."
Lyndie's passion for getting people outdoors also comes with a sense of responsibility. If people spend enough time outside, they'll connect with their natural surroundings and form a bond. That bond is what will encourage them to care for natural places, minimize their impact, and protect them when necessary.
"The world's getting smaller. People are discovering new places all the time. Part of outdoor rec, particularly with kids, is creating that connection to nature. Without it, they won't respect it. They'll just become those adults who only care about making money, regardless of how they do so, whereas if they have a connection to nature, if they've been amongst it, if they have a respect for it, then they're more likely to become stewards of the land and care for our wild spaces. That's why it's so important for Hoodoo to take a holistic approach with what we do."
That holistic approach and passion for connecting others to nature stem from a deep love for the local area.
"We're very lucky here. There's so much access to incredible places right at our fingertips, yet we aren't known internationally as an adventure destination. I always say if you picked Penticton up and put it somewhere else in the world, like Europe or New Zealand, it would become an adventure Mecca. But for whatever reason, we've remained a hidden gem. It's really nice actually because it gives us an opportunity to grow local tourism in a responsible way. So many places advertise like crazy until they become overrun and it's difficult to enjoy them. That hasn't happened here and I hope it doesn't. This is our chance to grow slowly, in a sustainable way so that everyone can enjoy the outdoors while also looking after it."
Leading by example is the most effective way to inspire others, which is something Lyndie does daily.
"This is more than a job, it's a way to make a difference. That could mean pushing back on a governmental level when it goes against my values, or simply asking more questions that prompt people to think about what's happening around us. Most of all, though, it's about creating connections. If I see a kid whom we've brought joy to their day, or they learned something, it puts a huge smile on my face."
Lyndie is clearly a steward for the local area. From the mountains and vast backcountry to the contrasting aromas of ponderosa pines and sage, she finds inspiration in the stunning landscape around her, which she, in turn, spreads to visitors and throughout the local community.
"We share the region with quite a lot of wildlife. We're living in a very interesting time and the choices we make now can have a big impact on the future. So, I've been taking special notice of our local owls lately because I feel like we all need to be a little wiser."
Ready to connect with nature? Yourself? Community? Get in touch with Lyndie and the team at Hoodoo Adventures. No doubt you'll be inspired.
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