Finding the right community can be transformative, and for me and my five-year-old daughter, that community is the Family Adventure Squad, founded by Miranda. Before joining, I often longed for a better way to share the incredible beauty of the Bay Area with my girl, Ryann. Since joining, Ryann has been talking about her different adventures and the friends she made on them.
Stunning contrasts, close to home
We are truly blessed to call the Bay Area home. It's a place of stunning, immediate contrasts: the wild Pacific Ocean is just an hour away, yet the hills behind us offer dense forests with beautiful redwood trees. This group has allowed me to experience the changing seasons and diverse terrains while surrounded by the sound of kiddos' giggles and laughs.
These experiences feed my soul and heal me from the day-to-day grind. And I am so happy that Ryann gets to enjoy nature while making new friends along the way.
Our first campout
I was never an enthusiastic camper, but in July 2025 Ryann and I went on our first campout, on Family Adventure Squad's Sonoma Lakeside Camping weekend. It was a blast for both of us: a cozy campsite at Spring Lake in Sonoma County, with a lagoon and a floating water playground. Fellow campers helped me set up my tent (which I had to borrow because I forgot to load mine in the car). As a first-timer, I learned tips and tricks on camping gear and dinner plans. Now I wonder why I don't camp more often.
More than a schedule of hikes
I am grateful for Miranda's vision in bringing these families together through adventures in nature. The group doesn't just provide a schedule for hikes; it offers genuine connection and a sense of community. I think it is the biggest gift I can give to my daughter before she grows up.
— Judy, Family Adventure Squad member