[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] the year was 1980 the beginning of the
the year was 1980 the beginning of the
the year was 1980 the beginning of the iran-iraq war the deadliest war since
iran-iraq war the deadliest war since
iran-iraq war the deadliest war since World War two over a million people died
World War two over a million people died
World War two over a million people died during this war both sides started
during this war both sides started
during this war both sides started conscripting boys as young as eight
conscripting boys as young as eight
conscripting boys as young as eight years old and forcing them onto the
years old and forcing them onto the
years old and forcing them onto the front line four years into that war I
front line four years into that war I
front line four years into that war I was eight years old plus I was one of
was eight years old plus I was one of
was eight years old plus I was one of five boys in our family the future did
five boys in our family the future did
five boys in our family the future did not look good for us
not look good for us
not look good for us that is when our parents took the bold
that is when our parents took the bold
that is when our parents took the bold move sold everything they had and got us
move sold everything they had and got us
move sold everything they had and got us out of the country to Canada where we
out of the country to Canada where we
out of the country to Canada where we could have a safer space and a brighter
could have a safer space and a brighter
could have a safer space and a brighter future the transition was not easy it
future the transition was not easy it
future the transition was not easy it meant having to get used to new culture
meant having to get used to new culture
meant having to get used to new culture new school to new languages bullying and
new school to new languages bullying and
new school to new languages bullying and generally a very stressful life sure I
generally a very stressful life sure I
generally a very stressful life sure I had escaped war but it felt as though I
had escaped war but it felt as though I
had escaped war but it felt as though I was constantly looking for cover one of
was constantly looking for cover one of
was constantly looking for cover one of the most positive experiences I have
the most positive experiences I have
the most positive experiences I have from those years are the camping trips
from those years are the camping trips
from those years are the camping trips that I would go on with my siblings they
that I would go on with my siblings they
that I would go on with my siblings they were organized by my oldest brother
were organized by my oldest brother
were organized by my oldest brother Maggid who in many ways played a father
Maggid who in many ways played a father
Maggid who in many ways played a father figure in my life and included me and my
figure in my life and included me and my
figure in my life and included me and my two younger brothers one father figure
two younger brothers one father figure
two younger brothers one father figure three kids what I loved about these
three kids what I loved about these
three kids what I loved about these trips was the way they allowed us to
trips was the way they allowed us to
trips was the way they allowed us to escape our stressful lives and really
escape our stressful lives and really
escape our stressful lives and really let ourselves free-roaming into nature
let ourselves free-roaming into nature
let ourselves free-roaming into nature without any stress without any pressure
without any stress without any pressure
without any stress without any pressure plus there was always an element of
plus there was always an element of
plus there was always an element of adventure whether it was a case of being
adventure whether it was a case of being
adventure whether it was a case of being ravaged by rainstorm or being stranded
ravaged by rainstorm or being stranded
ravaged by rainstorm or being stranded in the middle of the sea or attacked by
in the middle of the sea or attacked by
in the middle of the sea or attacked by an army of raccoon at night there was
an army of raccoon at night there was
an army of raccoon at night there was always something happening to keep us on
always something happening to keep us on
always something happening to keep us on our toes to keep us
our toes to keep us
our toes to keep us engaged and it was these adversities
engaged and it was these adversities
engaged and it was these adversities that really brought us together and
that really brought us together and
that really brought us together and enable us to forge a strong relationship
enable us to forge a strong relationship
enable us to forge a strong relationship that we keep till this day fast forward
that we keep till this day fast forward
that we keep till this day fast forward 20 years and I find myself as a father
20 years and I find myself as a father
20 years and I find myself as a father of three kids of my own and naturally I
of three kids of my own and naturally I
of three kids of my own and naturally I was very keen to replicate the same
was very keen to replicate the same
was very keen to replicate the same bonding experience with them as I had
bonding experience with them as I had
bonding experience with them as I had with my own as I had myself it was as
with my own as I had myself it was as
with my own as I had myself it was as though the Stars had aligned one father
though the Stars had aligned one father
though the Stars had aligned one father three kids so soon as my eldest son
three kids so soon as my eldest son
three kids so soon as my eldest son Cyrus was out of diapers I started
Cyrus was out of diapers I started
Cyrus was out of diapers I started planning his first camping trip while
planning his first camping trip while
planning his first camping trip while waiting for duty to to get a bit older I
waiting for duty to to get a bit older I
waiting for duty to to get a bit older I knew would challenge him but I also knew
knew would challenge him but I also knew
knew would challenge him but I also knew it would bring us closer together and
it would bring us closer together and
it would bring us closer together and build stronger relationship and plus to
build stronger relationship and plus to
build stronger relationship and plus to make it a bit more fun I included his
make it a bit more fun I included his
make it a bit more fun I included his classmates and their respective dads as
classmates and their respective dads as
classmates and their respective dads as well the trip was a great success
well the trip was a great success
well the trip was a great success everyone a blast and before long I was
everyone a blast and before long I was
everyone a blast and before long I was receiving messages from the other dads
receiving messages from the other dads
receiving messages from the other dads asking me hey when is the next camping
asking me hey when is the next camping
asking me hey when is the next camping trip so I started to organize subsequent
trip so I started to organize subsequent
trip so I started to organize subsequent trips and over time the group started to
trips and over time the group started to
trips and over time the group started to grow and grow one of the reasons why
grow and grow one of the reasons why
grow and grow one of the reasons why fathers and gets camping is successful
fathers and gets camping is successful
fathers and gets camping is successful is because it provides the dads with a
is because it provides the dads with a
is because it provides the dads with a space to connect with our kids and to
space to connect with our kids and to
space to connect with our kids and to build lifelong traditions when I was
build lifelong traditions when I was
build lifelong traditions when I was growing up our ritual involved huddling
growing up our ritual involved huddling
growing up our ritual involved huddling around the fire roasting marshmallows
around the fire roasting marshmallows
around the fire roasting marshmallows and telling scary stories these days
and telling scary stories these days
and telling scary stories these days with my kids our ritual involves
with my kids our ritual involves
with my kids our ritual involves retiring to the tent telling beautiful
retiring to the tent telling beautiful
retiring to the tent telling beautiful stories involving talking animals and
stories involving talking animals and
stories involving talking animals and sometimes even about football
sometimes even about football
sometimes even about football celebrities as they’re getting older
celebrities as they’re getting older
celebrities as they’re getting older because these years are precious years
because these years are precious years
because these years are precious years and it’s really up to us to capture them
and it’s really up to us to capture them
and it’s really up to us to capture them and research shows that it’s actually
and research shows that it’s actually
and research shows that it’s actually very important that we spend this daddy
very important that we spend this daddy
very important that we spend this daddy time some dad’s like to go climbing on
time some dad’s like to go climbing on
time some dad’s like to go climbing on top of the of the hills while others
top of the of the hills while others
top of the of the hills while others like to take their cars
like to take their cars
like to take their cars and go roaming in the sand-dunes even
and go roaming in the sand-dunes even
and go roaming in the sand-dunes even though it means sometimes getting stuck
though it means sometimes getting stuck
though it means sometimes getting stuck the key is is that this is our space our
the key is is that this is our space our
the key is is that this is our space our space to form lasting memories with our
space to form lasting memories with our
space to form lasting memories with our kids and as dr. Henry Abramovich shows
kids and as dr. Henry Abramovich shows
kids and as dr. Henry Abramovich shows in his 1997 study this study time is
in his 1997 study this study time is
in his 1997 study this study time is actually very important for the kids
actually very important for the kids
actually very important for the kids dads that have shown to be actively
dads that have shown to be actively
dads that have shown to be actively involved in the lives of their kids
involved in the lives of their kids
involved in the lives of their kids those children exhibit enhanced mental
those children exhibit enhanced mental
those children exhibit enhanced mental dexterity higher signs of empathy and
dexterity higher signs of empathy and
dexterity higher signs of empathy and also greater self-confidence so it’s not
also greater self-confidence so it’s not
also greater self-confidence so it’s not only fun it’s actually really important
only fun it’s actually really important
only fun it’s actually really important for the development of the kids now some
for the development of the kids now some
for the development of the kids now some of you have asked me and I’m sure
of you have asked me and I’m sure
of you have asked me and I’m sure thinking tonight wow do you sound great
thinking tonight wow do you sound great
thinking tonight wow do you sound great but why not bring the moms along and no
but why not bring the moms along and no
but why not bring the moms along and no that’s a fair question it’s a fair
that’s a fair question it’s a fair
that’s a fair question it’s a fair question the reality is that for many of
question the reality is that for many of
question the reality is that for many of us dads like myself we spend a lot of
us dads like myself we spend a lot of
us dads like myself we spend a lot of time on the roads which means we don’t
time on the roads which means we don’t
time on the roads which means we don’t have the opportunity to really spend
have the opportunity to really spend
have the opportunity to really spend quality time with the kids so these
quality time with the kids so these
quality time with the kids so these trips enable us to catch up with the
trips enable us to catch up with the
trips enable us to catch up with the kids while also giving the moms a chance
kids while also giving the moms a chance
kids while also giving the moms a chance to put up their feet relax and recharge
to put up their feet relax and recharge
to put up their feet relax and recharge the batteries I can only speak for
the batteries I can only speak for
the batteries I can only speak for myself but my wife is never happiest
myself but my wife is never happiest
myself but my wife is never happiest than when she sees me backing out of the
than when she sees me backing out of the
than when she sees me backing out of the driveway
driveway
driveway saying goodbye and giving her a freedom
saying goodbye and giving her a freedom
saying goodbye and giving her a freedom to relax order sushi watch Netflix and
to relax order sushi watch Netflix and
to relax order sushi watch Netflix and meet up with her friends it’s great
meet up with her friends it’s great
meet up with her friends it’s great she gets her space and I get mine to
she gets her space and I get mine to
she gets her space and I get mine to keep the kids engaged and entertained we
keep the kids engaged and entertained we
keep the kids engaged and entertained we have now started to actually venture
have now started to actually venture
have now started to actually venture further into the natural space over the
further into the natural space over the
further into the natural space over the last year’s we have gone climbing to the
last year’s we have gone climbing to the
last year’s we have gone climbing to the tips of the Hydra Mountains we’ve gone
tips of the Hydra Mountains we’ve gone
tips of the Hydra Mountains we’ve gone we’ve also gone into the sea swimming in
we’ve also gone into the sea swimming in
we’ve also gone into the sea swimming in the pristine beaches of Omaha we have
the pristine beaches of Omaha we have
the pristine beaches of Omaha we have explored the furthest depths of the
explored the furthest depths of the
explored the furthest depths of the empty quarters and also gone snorkeling
empty quarters and also gone snorkeling
empty quarters and also gone snorkeling and the beautiful coast of Oman
now as forints williams shows in her
now as forints williams shows in her book the nature fix these nature trips
book the nature fix these nature trips
book the nature fix these nature trips are actually very very important for the
are actually very very important for the
are actually very very important for the mental development of both adults and
mental development of both adults and
mental development of both adults and kids the frontal lobe the part of the
kids the frontal lobe the part of the
kids the frontal lobe the part of the brain that is hyper engaged in modern
brain that is hyper engaged in modern
brain that is hyper engaged in modern life deactivates a little when we spend
life deactivates a little when we spend
life deactivates a little when we spend time outdoors while the alpha waves
time outdoors while the alpha waves
time outdoors while the alpha waves which indicate a calm but alert state
which indicate a calm but alert state
which indicate a calm but alert state becomes stronger anxiety depression and
becomes stronger anxiety depression and
becomes stronger anxiety depression and other mental health issues can all be
other mental health issues can all be
other mental health issues can all be alleviated by spending time outdoors
alleviated by spending time outdoors
alleviated by spending time outdoors whether it’s appreciating the endless
whether it’s appreciating the endless
whether it’s appreciating the endless sand dunes putting your feet up and
sand dunes putting your feet up and
sand dunes putting your feet up and taking in the breeze or watching the
taking in the breeze or watching the
taking in the breeze or watching the random flock of camels roam through your
random flock of camels roam through your
random flock of camels roam through your campsite these are all benefits that you
campsite these are all benefits that you
campsite these are all benefits that you get when you end in natural space yet
get when you end in natural space yet
get when you end in natural space yet it often case because of technology we
it often case because of technology we
it often case because of technology we do not appreciate these this is why on
do not appreciate these this is why on
do not appreciate these this is why on these trips because of the remoteness of
these trips because of the remoteness of
these trips because of the remoteness of the where we are there’s no signal
the where we are there’s no signal
the where we are there’s no signal which means you can all switch off a
which means you can all switch off a
which means you can all switch off a laugh and appreciate the natural space
laugh and appreciate the natural space
laugh and appreciate the natural space the dads can stop worrying about working
the dads can stop worrying about working
the dads can stop worrying about working males and the kids can stop dreaming
males and the kids can stop dreaming
males and the kids can stop dreaming about their iPads so by allowing our
about their iPads so by allowing our
about their iPads so by allowing our kids to really embrace the nature around
kids to really embrace the nature around
kids to really embrace the nature around them we provide them with the
them we provide them with the
them we provide them with the opportunity to really enhance their
opportunity to really enhance their
opportunity to really enhance their horizons and improve their social skills
horizons and improve their social skills
horizons and improve their social skills and enhance the problem-solving skills
because because of all these benefits
because because of all these benefits that nature provides us it therefore
that nature provides us it therefore
that nature provides us it therefore becomes paramount that we preserve the
becomes paramount that we preserve the
becomes paramount that we preserve the natural space so that we could sustain
natural space so that we could sustain
natural space so that we could sustain it for me the sense of sustainability is
it for me the sense of sustainability is
it for me the sense of sustainability is actually very personal I used to work
actually very personal I used to work
actually very personal I used to work for an oil company that got engulfed in
for an oil company that got engulfed in
for an oil company that got engulfed in a series of major environmental
a series of major environmental
a series of major environmental disasters and this made me ask myself am
disasters and this made me ask myself am
disasters and this made me ask myself am i actually helping the planet or hurting
i actually helping the planet or hurting
i actually helping the planet or hurting it how I escaped one war only to get
it how I escaped one war only to get
it how I escaped one war only to get engaged in another with Mother Nature no
engaged in another with Mother Nature no
engaged in another with Mother Nature no this is when I decided to change
this is when I decided to change
this is when I decided to change industries go away from oil and enter
industries go away from oil and enter
industries go away from oil and enter the renewable energy industry and today
the renewable energy industry and today
the renewable energy industry and today I’m involved in delivering solar power
I’m involved in delivering solar power
I’m involved in delivering solar power and wind power to communities in Africa
and wind power to communities in Africa
and wind power to communities in Africa and Asia and it’s this same sense of
and Asia and it’s this same sense of
and Asia and it’s this same sense of sustainability that I bring to the
sustainability that I bring to the
sustainability that I bring to the fathers and kids camping we always use
fathers and kids camping we always use
fathers and kids camping we always use solar power to light up our campsite at
solar power to light up our campsite at
solar power to light up our campsite at night we use reusable plates and cutlery
night we use reusable plates and cutlery
night we use reusable plates and cutlery to reduce our waste and also get the
to reduce our waste and also get the
to reduce our waste and also get the kids involved in the cleaning up of
kids involved in the cleaning up of
kids involved in the cleaning up of those reusable plates we always recycle
those reusable plates we always recycle
those reusable plates we always recycle everything we can to cut the waste
everything we can to cut the waste
everything we can to cut the waste because small steps can make a
because small steps can make a
because small steps can make a difference
difference
difference did you know that one single glass
did you know that one single glass
did you know that one single glass bottle takes four thousand years to
bottle takes four thousand years to
bottle takes four thousand years to decompose while recycling a single can
decompose while recycling a single can
decompose while recycling a single can of aluminum can save enough energy to
of aluminum can save enough energy to
of aluminum can save enough energy to power your phone for three hours so
power your phone for three hours so
power your phone for three hours so small steps can make a difference and
small steps can make a difference and
small steps can make a difference and our motto is take only pictures leave
our motto is take only pictures leave
our motto is take only pictures leave only footprints of course it’s not
only footprints of course it’s not
only footprints of course it’s not always a walk in the park things do go
always a walk in the park things do go
always a walk in the park things do go wrong
wrong
wrong whether it’s sharp changes in the
whether it’s sharp changes in the
whether it’s sharp changes in the weather conditions malfunctioning tents
weather conditions malfunctioning tents
weather conditions malfunctioning tents broken-down cars or the occasional
broken-down cars or the occasional
broken-down cars or the occasional encounter with deadly scorpions who
encounter with deadly scorpions who
encounter with deadly scorpions who happen to be lying right beneath your
happen to be lying right beneath your
happen to be lying right beneath your tent we’ve seen it all but in each case
tent we’ve seen it all but in each case
tent we’ve seen it all but in each case the dads come together we lock arms
the dads come together we lock arms
the dads come together we lock arms and we overcome the obstacles each time
and we overcome the obstacles each time
and we overcome the obstacles each time we push beyond our comfort zone now for
we push beyond our comfort zone now for
we push beyond our comfort zone now for my own son Cyrus perhaps like his father
my own son Cyrus perhaps like his father
my own son Cyrus perhaps like his father he always liked to live within his
he always liked to live within his
he always liked to live within his comfort zone so you could imagine the
comfort zone so you could imagine the
comfort zone so you could imagine the amazing sense of pride that I felt on a
amazing sense of pride that I felt on a
amazing sense of pride that I felt on a recent camping trip when I saw him climb
recent camping trip when I saw him climb
recent camping trip when I saw him climb on top of a dhow look down at the sea
on top of a dhow look down at the sea
on top of a dhow look down at the sea and jump into the water as he popped his
and jump into the water as he popped his
and jump into the water as he popped his head out you could see the glow in his
head out you could see the glow in his
head out you could see the glow in his eyes the sense of wow that I did it and
eyes the sense of wow that I did it and
eyes the sense of wow that I did it and it’s this sense of achievement this
it’s this sense of achievement this
it’s this sense of achievement this sense of overcoming the obstacles and
sense of overcoming the obstacles and
sense of overcoming the obstacles and pushing your comfort zone that these
pushing your comfort zone that these
pushing your comfort zone that these camping trips really bring to life as
camping trips really bring to life as
camping trips really bring to life as Neil Walsh once said life truly begins
Neil Walsh once said life truly begins
Neil Walsh once said life truly begins at the end of your comfort zone over the
at the end of your comfort zone over the
at the end of your comfort zone over the years we’ve now had hundreds of families
years we’ve now had hundreds of families
years we’ve now had hundreds of families take part in these trips what started as
take part in these trips what started as
take part in these trips what started as a simple camping Club has all morphed
a simple camping Club has all morphed
a simple camping Club has all morphed into something bigger into a lifestyle
into something bigger into a lifestyle
into something bigger into a lifestyle movement we now have our own rock band
movement we now have our own rock band
movement we now have our own rock band we have a full-fledged triathlon team
we have a full-fledged triathlon team
we have a full-fledged triathlon team for both the dads and the kids and I’m
for both the dads and the kids and I’m
for both the dads and the kids and I’m happy to say that we’re working on our
happy to say that we’re working on our
happy to say that we’re working on our first wilderness cookbook stay tuned
fundamentally the reason why fathers Inc
fundamentally the reason why fathers Inc is camping is successful is because it
is camping is successful is because it
is camping is successful is because it provides us with a space to connect with
provides us with a space to connect with
provides us with a space to connect with our kids in a natural environment with
our kids in a natural environment with
our kids in a natural environment with no preset boundaries and no limits and
no preset boundaries and no limits and
no preset boundaries and no limits and because of its simplicity and low cost
because of its simplicity and low cost
because of its simplicity and low cost structure it’s a concept that has
structure it’s a concept that has
structure it’s a concept that has started to expand internationally soon
started to expand internationally soon
started to expand internationally soon families from Montreal will be able to
families from Montreal will be able to
families from Montreal will be able to link up with camping trips in Melbourne
link up with camping trips in Melbourne
link up with camping trips in Melbourne from Los Angeles to London from Cairo to
from Los Angeles to London from Cairo to
from Los Angeles to London from Cairo to Copenhagen the potential is endless so
Copenhagen the potential is endless so
Copenhagen the potential is endless so ladies and gentlemen I encourage all of
ladies and gentlemen I encourage all of
ladies and gentlemen I encourage all of you to break the chains of your daily
you to break the chains of your daily
you to break the chains of your daily grind and join us join us on the outdoor
grind and join us join us on the outdoor
grind and join us join us on the outdoor revolution because you never know what
revolution because you never know what
revolution because you never know what the low road will lead you sure you may
the low road will lead you sure you may
the low road will lead you sure you may end up with a bruised knee a flat tire
end up with a bruised knee a flat tire
end up with a bruised knee a flat tire or a cart but that’s when the adventure
or a cart but that’s when the adventure
or a cart but that’s when the adventure truly begins thank you
truly begins thank you
truly begins thank you [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] the year was 1980 the beginning of the
the year was 1980 the beginning of the
the year was 1980 the beginning of the iran-iraq war the deadliest war since
iran-iraq war the deadliest war since
iran-iraq war the deadliest war since World War two over a million people died
World War two over a million people died
World War two over a million people died during this war both sides started
during this war both sides started
during this war both sides started conscripting boys as young as eight
conscripting boys as young as eight
conscripting boys as young as eight years old and forcing them onto the
years old and forcing them onto the
years old and forcing them onto the front line four years into that war I
front line four years into that war I
front line four years into that war I was eight years old plus I was one of
was eight years old plus I was one of
was eight years old plus I was one of five boys in our family the future did
five boys in our family the future did
five boys in our family the future did not look good for us
not look good for us
not look good for us that is when our parents took the bold
that is when our parents took the bold
that is when our parents took the bold move sold everything they had and got us
move sold everything they had and got us
move sold everything they had and got us out of the country to Canada where we
out of the country to Canada where we
out of the country to Canada where we could have a safer space and a brighter
could have a safer space and a brighter
could have a safer space and a brighter future the transition was not easy it
future the transition was not easy it
future the transition was not easy it meant having to get used to new culture
meant having to get used to new culture
meant having to get used to new culture new school to new languages bullying and
new school to new languages bullying and
new school to new languages bullying and generally a very stressful life sure I
generally a very stressful life sure I
generally a very stressful life sure I had escaped war but it felt as though I
had escaped war but it felt as though I
had escaped war but it felt as though I was constantly looking for cover one of
was constantly looking for cover one of
was constantly looking for cover one of the most positive experiences I have
the most positive experiences I have
the most positive experiences I have from those years are the camping trips
from those years are the camping trips
from those years are the camping trips that I would go on with my siblings they
that I would go on with my siblings they
that I would go on with my siblings they were organized by my oldest brother
were organized by my oldest brother
were organized by my oldest brother Maggid who in many ways played a father
Maggid who in many ways played a father
Maggid who in many ways played a father figure in my life and included me and my
figure in my life and included me and my
figure in my life and included me and my two younger brothers one father figure
two younger brothers one father figure
two younger brothers one father figure three kids what I loved about these
three kids what I loved about these
three kids what I loved about these trips was the way they allowed us to
trips was the way they allowed us to
trips was the way they allowed us to escape our stressful lives and really
escape our stressful lives and really
escape our stressful lives and really let ourselves free-roaming into nature
let ourselves free-roaming into nature
let ourselves free-roaming into nature without any stress without any pressure
without any stress without any pressure
without any stress without any pressure plus there was always an element of
plus there was always an element of
plus there was always an element of adventure whether it was a case of being
adventure whether it was a case of being
adventure whether it was a case of being ravaged by rainstorm or being stranded
ravaged by rainstorm or being stranded
ravaged by rainstorm or being stranded in the middle of the sea or attacked by
in the middle of the sea or attacked by
in the middle of the sea or attacked by an army of raccoon at night there was
an army of raccoon at night there was
an army of raccoon at night there was always something happening to keep us on
always something happening to keep us on
always something happening to keep us on our toes to keep us
our toes to keep us
our toes to keep us engaged and it was these adversities
engaged and it was these adversities
engaged and it was these adversities that really brought us together and
that really brought us together and
that really brought us together and enable us to forge a strong relationship
enable us to forge a strong relationship
enable us to forge a strong relationship that we keep till this day fast forward
that we keep till this day fast forward
that we keep till this day fast forward 20 years and I find myself as a father
20 years and I find myself as a father
20 years and I find myself as a father of three kids of my own and naturally I
of three kids of my own and naturally I
of three kids of my own and naturally I was very keen to replicate the same
was very keen to replicate the same
was very keen to replicate the same bonding experience with them as I had
bonding experience with them as I had
bonding experience with them as I had with my own as I had myself it was as
with my own as I had myself it was as
with my own as I had myself it was as though the Stars had aligned one father
though the Stars had aligned one father
though the Stars had aligned one father three kids so soon as my eldest son
three kids so soon as my eldest son
three kids so soon as my eldest son Cyrus was out of diapers I started
Cyrus was out of diapers I started
Cyrus was out of diapers I started planning his first camping trip while
planning his first camping trip while
planning his first camping trip while waiting for duty to to get a bit older I
waiting for duty to to get a bit older I
waiting for duty to to get a bit older I knew would challenge him but I also knew
knew would challenge him but I also knew
knew would challenge him but I also knew it would bring us closer together and
it would bring us closer together and
it would bring us closer together and build stronger relationship and plus to
build stronger relationship and plus to
build stronger relationship and plus to make it a bit more fun I included his
make it a bit more fun I included his
make it a bit more fun I included his classmates and their respective dads as
classmates and their respective dads as
classmates and their respective dads as well the trip was a great success
well the trip was a great success
well the trip was a great success everyone a blast and before long I was
everyone a blast and before long I was
everyone a blast and before long I was receiving messages from the other dads
receiving messages from the other dads
receiving messages from the other dads asking me hey when is the next camping
asking me hey when is the next camping
asking me hey when is the next camping trip so I started to organize subsequent
trip so I started to organize subsequent
trip so I started to organize subsequent trips and over time the group started to
trips and over time the group started to
trips and over time the group started to grow and grow one of the reasons why
grow and grow one of the reasons why
grow and grow one of the reasons why fathers and gets camping is successful
fathers and gets camping is successful
fathers and gets camping is successful is because it provides the dads with a
is because it provides the dads with a
is because it provides the dads with a space to connect with our kids and to
space to connect with our kids and to
space to connect with our kids and to build lifelong traditions when I was
build lifelong traditions when I was
build lifelong traditions when I was growing up our ritual involved huddling
growing up our ritual involved huddling
growing up our ritual involved huddling around the fire roasting marshmallows
around the fire roasting marshmallows
around the fire roasting marshmallows and telling scary stories these days
and telling scary stories these days
and telling scary stories these days with my kids our ritual involves
with my kids our ritual involves
with my kids our ritual involves retiring to the tent telling beautiful
retiring to the tent telling beautiful
retiring to the tent telling beautiful stories involving talking animals and
stories involving talking animals and
stories involving talking animals and sometimes even about football
sometimes even about football
sometimes even about football celebrities as they’re getting older
celebrities as they’re getting older
celebrities as they’re getting older because these years are precious years
because these years are precious years
because these years are precious years and it’s really up to us to capture them
and it’s really up to us to capture them
and it’s really up to us to capture them and research shows that it’s actually
and research shows that it’s actually
and research shows that it’s actually very important that we spend this daddy
very important that we spend this daddy
very important that we spend this daddy time some dad’s like to go climbing on
time some dad’s like to go climbing on
time some dad’s like to go climbing on top of the of the hills while others
top of the of the hills while others
top of the of the hills while others like to take their cars
like to take their cars
like to take their cars and go roaming in the sand-dunes even
and go roaming in the sand-dunes even
and go roaming in the sand-dunes even though it means sometimes getting stuck
though it means sometimes getting stuck
though it means sometimes getting stuck the key is is that this is our space our
the key is is that this is our space our
the key is is that this is our space our space to form lasting memories with our
space to form lasting memories with our
space to form lasting memories with our kids and as dr. Henry Abramovich shows
kids and as dr. Henry Abramovich shows
kids and as dr. Henry Abramovich shows in his 1997 study this study time is
in his 1997 study this study time is
in his 1997 study this study time is actually very important for the kids
actually very important for the kids
actually very important for the kids dads that have shown to be actively
dads that have shown to be actively
dads that have shown to be actively involved in the lives of their kids
involved in the lives of their kids
involved in the lives of their kids those children exhibit enhanced mental
those children exhibit enhanced mental
those children exhibit enhanced mental dexterity higher signs of empathy and
dexterity higher signs of empathy and
dexterity higher signs of empathy and also greater self-confidence so it’s not
also greater self-confidence so it’s not
also greater self-confidence so it’s not only fun it’s actually really important
only fun it’s actually really important
only fun it’s actually really important for the development of the kids now some
for the development of the kids now some
for the development of the kids now some of you have asked me and I’m sure
of you have asked me and I’m sure
of you have asked me and I’m sure thinking tonight wow do you sound great
thinking tonight wow do you sound great
thinking tonight wow do you sound great but why not bring the moms along and no
but why not bring the moms along and no
but why not bring the moms along and no that’s a fair question it’s a fair
that’s a fair question it’s a fair
that’s a fair question it’s a fair question the reality is that for many of
question the reality is that for many of
question the reality is that for many of us dads like myself we spend a lot of
us dads like myself we spend a lot of
us dads like myself we spend a lot of time on the roads which means we don’t
time on the roads which means we don’t
time on the roads which means we don’t have the opportunity to really spend
have the opportunity to really spend
have the opportunity to really spend quality time with the kids so these
quality time with the kids so these
quality time with the kids so these trips enable us to catch up with the
trips enable us to catch up with the
trips enable us to catch up with the kids while also giving the moms a chance
kids while also giving the moms a chance
kids while also giving the moms a chance to put up their feet relax and recharge
to put up their feet relax and recharge
to put up their feet relax and recharge the batteries I can only speak for
the batteries I can only speak for
the batteries I can only speak for myself but my wife is never happiest
myself but my wife is never happiest
myself but my wife is never happiest than when she sees me backing out of the
than when she sees me backing out of the
than when she sees me backing out of the driveway
driveway
driveway saying goodbye and giving her a freedom
saying goodbye and giving her a freedom
saying goodbye and giving her a freedom to relax order sushi watch Netflix and
to relax order sushi watch Netflix and
to relax order sushi watch Netflix and meet up with her friends it’s great
meet up with her friends it’s great
meet up with her friends it’s great she gets her space and I get mine to
she gets her space and I get mine to
she gets her space and I get mine to keep the kids engaged and entertained we
keep the kids engaged and entertained we
keep the kids engaged and entertained we have now started to actually venture
have now started to actually venture
have now started to actually venture further into the natural space over the
further into the natural space over the
further into the natural space over the last year’s we have gone climbing to the
last year’s we have gone climbing to the
last year’s we have gone climbing to the tips of the Hydra Mountains we’ve gone
tips of the Hydra Mountains we’ve gone
tips of the Hydra Mountains we’ve gone we’ve also gone into the sea swimming in
we’ve also gone into the sea swimming in
we’ve also gone into the sea swimming in the pristine beaches of Omaha we have
the pristine beaches of Omaha we have
the pristine beaches of Omaha we have explored the furthest depths of the
explored the furthest depths of the
explored the furthest depths of the empty quarters and also gone snorkeling
empty quarters and also gone snorkeling
empty quarters and also gone snorkeling and the beautiful coast of Oman
now as forints williams shows in her
now as forints williams shows in her book the nature fix these nature trips
book the nature fix these nature trips
book the nature fix these nature trips are actually very very important for the
are actually very very important for the
are actually very very important for the mental development of both adults and
mental development of both adults and
mental development of both adults and kids the frontal lobe the part of the
kids the frontal lobe the part of the
kids the frontal lobe the part of the brain that is hyper engaged in modern
brain that is hyper engaged in modern
brain that is hyper engaged in modern life deactivates a little when we spend
life deactivates a little when we spend
life deactivates a little when we spend time outdoors while the alpha waves
time outdoors while the alpha waves
time outdoors while the alpha waves which indicate a calm but alert state
which indicate a calm but alert state
which indicate a calm but alert state becomes stronger anxiety depression and
becomes stronger anxiety depression and
becomes stronger anxiety depression and other mental health issues can all be
other mental health issues can all be
other mental health issues can all be alleviated by spending time outdoors
alleviated by spending time outdoors
alleviated by spending time outdoors whether it’s appreciating the endless
whether it’s appreciating the endless
whether it’s appreciating the endless sand dunes putting your feet up and
sand dunes putting your feet up and
sand dunes putting your feet up and taking in the breeze or watching the
taking in the breeze or watching the
taking in the breeze or watching the random flock of camels roam through your
random flock of camels roam through your
random flock of camels roam through your campsite these are all benefits that you
campsite these are all benefits that you
campsite these are all benefits that you get when you end in natural space yet
get when you end in natural space yet
get when you end in natural space yet it often case because of technology we
it often case because of technology we
it often case because of technology we do not appreciate these this is why on
do not appreciate these this is why on
do not appreciate these this is why on these trips because of the remoteness of
these trips because of the remoteness of
these trips because of the remoteness of the where we are there’s no signal
the where we are there’s no signal
the where we are there’s no signal which means you can all switch off a
which means you can all switch off a
which means you can all switch off a laugh and appreciate the natural space
laugh and appreciate the natural space
laugh and appreciate the natural space the dads can stop worrying about working
the dads can stop worrying about working
the dads can stop worrying about working males and the kids can stop dreaming
males and the kids can stop dreaming
males and the kids can stop dreaming about their iPads so by allowing our
about their iPads so by allowing our
about their iPads so by allowing our kids to really embrace the nature around
kids to really embrace the nature around
kids to really embrace the nature around them we provide them with the
them we provide them with the
them we provide them with the opportunity to really enhance their
opportunity to really enhance their
opportunity to really enhance their horizons and improve their social skills
horizons and improve their social skills
horizons and improve their social skills and enhance the problem-solving skills
because because of all these benefits
because because of all these benefits that nature provides us it therefore
that nature provides us it therefore
that nature provides us it therefore becomes paramount that we preserve the
becomes paramount that we preserve the
becomes paramount that we preserve the natural space so that we could sustain
natural space so that we could sustain
natural space so that we could sustain it for me the sense of sustainability is
it for me the sense of sustainability is
it for me the sense of sustainability is actually very personal I used to work
actually very personal I used to work
actually very personal I used to work for an oil company that got engulfed in
for an oil company that got engulfed in
for an oil company that got engulfed in a series of major environmental
a series of major environmental
a series of major environmental disasters and this made me ask myself am
disasters and this made me ask myself am
disasters and this made me ask myself am i actually helping the planet or hurting
i actually helping the planet or hurting
i actually helping the planet or hurting it how I escaped one war only to get
it how I escaped one war only to get
it how I escaped one war only to get engaged in another with Mother Nature no
engaged in another with Mother Nature no
engaged in another with Mother Nature no this is when I decided to change
this is when I decided to change
this is when I decided to change industries go away from oil and enter
industries go away from oil and enter
industries go away from oil and enter the renewable energy industry and today
the renewable energy industry and today
the renewable energy industry and today I’m involved in delivering solar power
I’m involved in delivering solar power
I’m involved in delivering solar power and wind power to communities in Africa
and wind power to communities in Africa
and wind power to communities in Africa and Asia and it’s this same sense of
and Asia and it’s this same sense of
and Asia and it’s this same sense of sustainability that I bring to the
sustainability that I bring to the
sustainability that I bring to the fathers and kids camping we always use
fathers and kids camping we always use
fathers and kids camping we always use solar power to light up our campsite at
solar power to light up our campsite at
solar power to light up our campsite at night we use reusable plates and cutlery
night we use reusable plates and cutlery
night we use reusable plates and cutlery to reduce our waste and also get the
to reduce our waste and also get the
to reduce our waste and also get the kids involved in the cleaning up of
kids involved in the cleaning up of
kids involved in the cleaning up of those reusable plates we always recycle
those reusable plates we always recycle
those reusable plates we always recycle everything we can to cut the waste
everything we can to cut the waste
everything we can to cut the waste because small steps can make a
because small steps can make a
because small steps can make a difference
difference
difference did you know that one single glass
did you know that one single glass
did you know that one single glass bottle takes four thousand years to
bottle takes four thousand years to
bottle takes four thousand years to decompose while recycling a single can
decompose while recycling a single can
decompose while recycling a single can of aluminum can save enough energy to
of aluminum can save enough energy to
of aluminum can save enough energy to power your phone for three hours so
power your phone for three hours so
power your phone for three hours so small steps can make a difference and
small steps can make a difference and
small steps can make a difference and our motto is take only pictures leave
our motto is take only pictures leave
our motto is take only pictures leave only footprints of course it’s not
only footprints of course it’s not
only footprints of course it’s not always a walk in the park things do go
always a walk in the park things do go
always a walk in the park things do go wrong
wrong
wrong whether it’s sharp changes in the
whether it’s sharp changes in the
whether it’s sharp changes in the weather conditions malfunctioning tents
weather conditions malfunctioning tents
weather conditions malfunctioning tents broken-down cars or the occasional
broken-down cars or the occasional
broken-down cars or the occasional encounter with deadly scorpions who
encounter with deadly scorpions who
encounter with deadly scorpions who happen to be lying right beneath your
happen to be lying right beneath your
happen to be lying right beneath your tent we’ve seen it all but in each case
tent we’ve seen it all but in each case
tent we’ve seen it all but in each case the dads come together we lock arms
the dads come together we lock arms
the dads come together we lock arms and we overcome the obstacles each time
and we overcome the obstacles each time
and we overcome the obstacles each time we push beyond our comfort zone now for
we push beyond our comfort zone now for
we push beyond our comfort zone now for my own son Cyrus perhaps like his father
my own son Cyrus perhaps like his father
my own son Cyrus perhaps like his father he always liked to live within his
he always liked to live within his
he always liked to live within his comfort zone so you could imagine the
comfort zone so you could imagine the
comfort zone so you could imagine the amazing sense of pride that I felt on a
amazing sense of pride that I felt on a
amazing sense of pride that I felt on a recent camping trip when I saw him climb
recent camping trip when I saw him climb
recent camping trip when I saw him climb on top of a dhow look down at the sea
on top of a dhow look down at the sea
on top of a dhow look down at the sea and jump into the water as he popped his
and jump into the water as he popped his
and jump into the water as he popped his head out you could see the glow in his
head out you could see the glow in his
head out you could see the glow in his eyes the sense of wow that I did it and
eyes the sense of wow that I did it and
eyes the sense of wow that I did it and it’s this sense of achievement this
it’s this sense of achievement this
it’s this sense of achievement this sense of overcoming the obstacles and
sense of overcoming the obstacles and
sense of overcoming the obstacles and pushing your comfort zone that these
pushing your comfort zone that these
pushing your comfort zone that these camping trips really bring to life as
camping trips really bring to life as
camping trips really bring to life as Neil Walsh once said life truly begins
Neil Walsh once said life truly begins
Neil Walsh once said life truly begins at the end of your comfort zone over the
at the end of your comfort zone over the
at the end of your comfort zone over the years we’ve now had hundreds of families
years we’ve now had hundreds of families
years we’ve now had hundreds of families take part in these trips what started as
take part in these trips what started as
take part in these trips what started as a simple camping Club has all morphed
a simple camping Club has all morphed
a simple camping Club has all morphed into something bigger into a lifestyle
into something bigger into a lifestyle
into something bigger into a lifestyle movement we now have our own rock band
movement we now have our own rock band
movement we now have our own rock band we have a full-fledged triathlon team
we have a full-fledged triathlon team
we have a full-fledged triathlon team for both the dads and the kids and I’m
for both the dads and the kids and I’m
for both the dads and the kids and I’m happy to say that we’re working on our
happy to say that we’re working on our
happy to say that we’re working on our first wilderness cookbook stay tuned
fundamentally the reason why fathers Inc
fundamentally the reason why fathers Inc is camping is successful is because it
is camping is successful is because it
is camping is successful is because it provides us with a space to connect with
provides us with a space to connect with
provides us with a space to connect with our kids in a natural environment with
our kids in a natural environment with
our kids in a natural environment with no preset boundaries and no limits and
no preset boundaries and no limits and
no preset boundaries and no limits and because of its simplicity and low cost
because of its simplicity and low cost
because of its simplicity and low cost structure it’s a concept that has
structure it’s a concept that has
structure it’s a concept that has started to expand internationally soon
started to expand internationally soon
started to expand internationally soon families from Montreal will be able to
families from Montreal will be able to
families from Montreal will be able to link up with camping trips in Melbourne
link up with camping trips in Melbourne
link up with camping trips in Melbourne from Los Angeles to London from Cairo to
from Los Angeles to London from Cairo to
from Los Angeles to London from Cairo to Copenhagen the potential is endless so
Copenhagen the potential is endless so
Copenhagen the potential is endless so ladies and gentlemen I encourage all of
ladies and gentlemen I encourage all of
ladies and gentlemen I encourage all of you to break the chains of your daily
you to break the chains of your daily
you to break the chains of your daily grind and join us join us on the outdoor
grind and join us join us on the outdoor
grind and join us join us on the outdoor revolution because you never know what
revolution because you never know what
revolution because you never know what the low road will lead you sure you may
the low road will lead you sure you may
the low road will lead you sure you may end up with a bruised knee a flat tire
end up with a bruised knee a flat tire
end up with a bruised knee a flat tire or a cart but that’s when the adventure
or a cart but that’s when the adventure
or a cart but that’s when the adventure truly begins thank you
truly begins thank you
truly begins thank you [Applause]
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