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Meet Boone…an 11-year-old boy who has realized he needs to be outside. Do humans really need to be outside? Aren’t human needs more like, oxygen, food, water, shelter, and sleep? With the basic needs, every human needs time outside. Boone discovered this. His parents discovered what happened to Boone when he did not get outside. These discoveries about time outside are for you-adult, or child we need time outside.

Rather that write an article about the benefits of being outside, it was my choice to write a short novel about the life of Boone-outside. The purpose of the book is to allow those who read it to see examples of what time outside is like and what it does to those who spend time under the sun and moon away from the interior spaces we have made to “shelter” us from nature.

We need mystery, surprise and wonder in our lives. The absolute best place to find these is outside. Each chapter of the Adventures of Boone…All About Me…At First comes from personal experience. That means the content of every chapter actually happened-the book is based on real events. These events happened to me or to our grandchildren as we spent time outside together.

Yes, I am the author, yes, I am biased-Boone is a good book. It’s not a great piece of literature though. It is not a classic. But The Adventures of Boone is an important book. My wish is that every family would make the ideas found in the Adventures of Boone a part of their family life. The principle of time outside is meant for every human to experience. God did not put Adam and Eve in a building. God put them in a garden. While the “garden” called earth has been spoiled by our activities it still holds the power and divine nature of its Creator.

I really would like it for you to get your copy of the Adventures of Boone. In it you will read of the adventures of Boone-but you will also find resources for families to consider as they plan to have family adventures outside. You will find Bible scripture which supports and teaches us about spending time in God’s creation. The book is not only a story, it is designed to be a resource.

To encourage you to get your copy I have included a portion of the beginning of the book. This portion comes from the Introduction “Near Disaster.”

First ice had become one of Boone’s favorite times of the

year. He couldn’t exactly explain why. Perhaps it was walking

on a hard surface. That surface was liquid water in his warm water

memories. Perhaps it was seeing an underwater word through

clear ice. He found pleasure in exploring the frozen surface of a

lake before snow covered the artistry of fresh ice. It was always

beautiful. He was sure that a chance to go fishing was part of

first ice thrills. There was another reason. If you asked him, he

would admit that the hint of danger added to the thrill.

He was on first ice now, his grandfather behind him pulling

the portable fish house and their gear. Boone was leading. An ice

chisel in his hand, it was his job to continually check for ice depth.

It was actually easy. With every other step Boone raised the chisel

and plunged it iceward. If his downward and forceful stroke did

not plunge the chisel through the ice, it was safe to walk on.

But...if it plunged through...it was a sign to stop immediately.

The next step was backward, away from the dangerous thin ice.

As they walked, Boone checking and Grandpa pulling the

fish house, Grandpa reminded Boone to slide his hand through

the loop in the chisel rope. “That way you’ll not lose the chisel

if it breaks through. And Boone, if something unexpected

happens and you find yourself breaking through flip the chisel

to horizontal. It may be enough to hold you up and keep you

from going under.”

Boone’s ‘yes’ answer did not reveal his thoughts about

breaking through the ice. He was frightened by the thought of

it, but his pride did not allow him to say that to his grandfather.

With the heavy clothes and boots he was wearing he was sure he

would sink like a rock. Oh, it would be cold, he thought.

As Boone looked at the ice they walked on, he could see

cracks from top to bottom of the ice sheet. The ice cracked from

expanding and contracting, but was still solid.

As if he could understand Boone’s thoughts, his grandpa

said, “Boone, the cracks look about five or six inches deep. We

are on ice safe for walking.” Boone thought so too.

It happened while they were talking about the beautiful ice

patterns formed from a warm day yesterday. Where the thin coat

of snow on the ice had melted there were patches of ice needles.

They were black and raised from the surface of the rest of the

ice. His grandpa pointed them out first. Once Boone was aware

of them, he was fascinated by them. Thinking back, Boone

thought that was the reason he stopped plunging the chisel down

to check the ice. He just kept walking looking for ice needles.

He had no warning. There was a slight cracking sound, then

Boone felt himself falling into the water. He tried flipping the

chisel horizontal.

For a moment the chisel held him up. His boots filled with

ice water. He felt the frigid water soak his socks.

A second crack occurred just before Boone’s head went

underwater. The freezing shock of the cold water made him

gasp. He had enough sense to not open his mouth and gulp in

the cold water. Then he felt himself sinking.

His split-second response was not fear – he realized he had

to shake off the chisel or he would never be able to swim back

to the surface. His water-soaked mitten came off with the chisel.

He tried to kick to the surface. His water-soaked boots held him

back. His lungs were desperate for a breath by now. Then he felt

his feet touch bottom. He could not remember how he got his

boots off, only that he pushed up from the bottom in a desperate

motion to get back to the surface – and air.

When his head broke the surface, he heard a loud gasp –

and realized it was his own. He went under again, but this time

not far. He remembered that he knew how to tread water. As he

held his arms out and circle paddled, he slowly kicked his feet.

His head came above the water again...and stayed there as he

continued to swim in place. By now he realized how sharp and

piercing the cold water was. He knew he would not stay up much

longer, already his arms and legs felt too heavy to move.

Then he saw a rope sailing over him. It landed exactly over

his head. How? Where? He heard Grandpa say, “Put it under

your arms.”

With great difficulty and ever stiffening arms, Boone did

it. He felt himself bump against the edge of the ice. He heard

a shout, “KICK! KICK!” Boone kicked with his remaining

strength. Then he was sliding on safe ice…

Click on the link to get your copy of the Adventures of Boone

It is my honest opinion…you will not be disappointed as you read about Boone, then go outside!