Looking for Adventure

Posted: Jun 3, 2009 8:30 PM
Updated: Jun 3, 2009 8:30 PM

Tired of trolling the mall, playing the local mini-golf course, and engaging in all the other been-there-done-that pastimes in your town? Don’t despair. “There are probably all sorts of exciting, inexpensive activities available in your area that you don’t know about,” says Nancy Worrell, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Backyard Adventures (Alpha 2008). “All it takes to find them is a few phone calls and Internet searches.” We’ll help you get started.

Go underground Exploring caves is a cool way to spend a summer day -- literally. In fact, it could be so chilly down there among the magnificent stalagmites and stalactites that you’ll need to wear a sweater. The National Caves Association has listings of more than 100 caves around the country that provide guided tours and expeditions, such as Moaning Cavern in Vallecito, Calif., which is so high it could contain the Statue of Liberty. There, you can take a walking tour, zip down a zip line or even learn how to rappel. Other caves feature additional fun activities.
Approximate cost: from $14 per person for a walking tour to $65 for a rappelling experience

Hunt for unburied treasure Ever heard of geocaching? It’s an addictive game using clues, puzzles and GPS devices to search for containers -- called geocaches -- that are hidden in outdoor locations, often in plain sight. A geocache will usually contain small goodies and a logbook to sign to prove you found it. There are currently more than 770,000 concealed geocaches around the world. To find several near you, visit the official geocaching Web site, type in your zip code and start searching! Your family can also hide a geocache for others to find. Check out the Web site for more info, tips and rules.
Approximate cost: $0 (GPS device necessary. It costs anywhere from $80 to $600.)

Climb the walls If you and your kids love heights, you can get all the thrills of scaling mountains (minus any real dangers) at an indoor rock climbing gym. Many go beyond basic walls, housing huge, elaborate boulders that simulate real mountains, some over 100 feet high. Most gyms conduct classes for new climbers and provide necessary equipment. So go ahead and challenge gravity! For a listing of rock climbing facilities in your area, visit the North America Climbing Walls section of the Indoor Rock Climbing Web site.
Approximate cost: $30 to $60 per class or climbing session

Ride a river If there’s a river nearby, chances are you have an easy, exciting and cheap way to beat the heat just waiting for you: tubing. Floating down a river in special inner tubes with handles is a great, get-wet adventure for families with kids ages 10 and up. You can ride on your own or in a double-sized tube that you share with your child. Tubing usually takes place in calm waters, although there may be small rapids. Trips last about three hours, and companies generally provide life jackets, lockers for your clothes and changing facilities. Just don’t forget your sunscreen! Visit the River Tubing Web site (.info) to find a location near you.
Approximate cost: $15-25 per person