This past Saturday our family embarked on a Macatawa-Greenway Adventure: we went canoeing and kayaking! The beauty of this trip was that it was more than just life jackets and oars to paddle: it was a learning trip.

The wonderful folks at Holland’s Outdoor Discovery Center not only guided us down the Greenway safely, teaching the basics of maneuvering our watercrafts, but they launched us on a true nature adventure! We saw three turtles sunbathing, found out what duck weed is, spotted a Great Blue Heron and an Egret, and witnessed the “exploding” seedpod of the “Touch Me Not” plant!

If that doesn’t have you wringing your hands in envy or picking up the phone to plan your own trip, here are nine other reasons to book a trip before winter:

1. Give your kids the opportunity to help one another learn about water safety.

2. Aid your kids in understanding the basics of canoe paddling; an under-appreciated life skill if ever.

3. Soak up the beauty of sunlight on water.

4. Enjoy being small and low while nature towers above; channel your inner Moses.

5. Develop patience as you slowly paddle single-file in the narrow marsh.

6. Give little ones the opportunity to answer the question, "Who's tired??"

7. Get up close and personal with Duck Weed, apparently an integral part of this ecosystem.

8. Have a contest to see how many turtles your boys can spot!

9. Make memories that will last forever!

Q4U: What has been a highlight to YOUR summer?