15 Weeks of Friluftsliv x RHA
Friluftsliving Family is partnering with Raritan Headwaters Association for another year of 15 Weeks of Friluftsliv Winter Inspiration!
What is friluftsliv? It's the answer and antidote to winter blues and the weekly grind.
Join us at RHA's Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve for a series of memorable outdoor adventures from December through March to bring warmth and fun to your family's winter days.
Stay tuned for the '24-'25 winter gatherings coming soon!
Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve is located at 2121 Larger Cross Road, Gladstone, NJ 07934.
Friluftsliv
(pronounced "free-loofts-liv")
A Norwegian word that translates literally as "free air life." It's an ethos and a mindset and it's easier than you think.
See how friluftsliving can bring joy to your family in any season, no matter the weather.
Weekly Adventures
From December through March, we'll share inspiration for weekly, friluftsliv-fueled experiences to help you get outside and celebrate winter, no matter the weather. Sign up for the Gnome Matter the Weather newsletter to get the details.
What to expect...
Check out previous weekly activities and gatherings and get ready for another fun season. Winter will fly by!
Week 1
Kickoff with Kubb and Kuksas
Kick off 15 Weeks of Friluftsliv with a game of Kubb (aka viking chess) and warm drinks.
Week 2
Foraging Pine
Make pinecone gnomes and create pine-infused beverages for the holiday season.
Week 3
Winter Solstice and Glogg-making
Gather 'round the bonfire to celebrate the solstice, set intentions, and learn the art of glogg-making.
Week 4
Nature Quilt
Amidst the bustle of the holidays, create a beautiful and dynamic "quilt" with natural materials. See how this communal quilt grows and changes with everyone’s contributions throughout the week
Week 5
Tipspromenad Walk
Walking and hiking are an integral part of friluftsliv, so much so that there are many Scandinavian words to describe different types of walks. Come try a “tipspromenad" (quiz walk) to kick off the New Year.
Week 6
Full Moon Hike & Howl
Experience the January full “Wolf” moon with a winter hike like no other. We’ll follow an easy trail to revel in the magic of moonlight on a winter’s night and then we’ll let out a howl and a “skal!” to celebrate the New Year ahead.
Week 7
Wassailing Trees
Celebrate the ancient tradition of wassailing trees and toast to good health–for nature and its revelers!
Join us to make noisemakers, decorate trees with 2023 blessings, revel, and toast the winter months ahead.
Week 8
Wild Winter Moves
Winter got you feeling blue? Get down with some wild dance moves to lift your spirits up! Meg Regan of Dance Local will join the friluftsliving fun to create an outdoor dance experience you’ll never forget.
Week 9
Stomp & Stamp
Stomp around the gorgeous grounds to find inspiration to create your own rubber stamp design. Carve your nature-inspired stamp to create art all winter long. Advance registration required by 1/25 for supply planning purposes.
Week 10
Outdoor Yoga
Bundle up and enjoy some beneficial time outside with an outdoor yoga class! RHA Director of Education, Lauren Theis will lead this wonderful way to get fresh air, followed by a cup of glögg and self-guided optional hike on the trails.
Bring a blanket instead of a mat (extras on hand if you need them). This class will be suitable for brand-new beginners and children age 6+ (children must be accompanied by a grown-up)
Week 11
Woven Hearts
Create a heart ornament for your Valentine using Scandinavian, woven bands. Learn about the tradition of Norwegian bandweaving and its roots in nature.
Week 12
Letterboxing
Self-guided, holiday weekendfun! Experience this growing scavenger-hunt like activity (google it!) where you'll follow clues to locate the letterbox and stamp your journal and ours.
Week 13
Maple Sugaring
It’s a friluftsliving field trip! Join us at The Hardscrabble Farm in Lebanon, NJ to learn about maple sugaring and syrup making. We’ll enjoy a private tour of this local family farm’s maple syrup operation and have some Norwegian treats that pair well with syrup and a walk in the woods.
Week 14
Snölykta Sunset/Moonrise Stroll
Stroll on a path lit by Scandinavian-inspired snölykta (aka snow lights). We’ll watch the sun set and the moon rise on this easy, mindful walk for all ages while enjoying warm beverages.
Wear appropriate walking shoes and clothes. Bring flashlights or headlamps (we'll have extras on hand).
Week 15
A Smörgåsbord Sendoff!
Celebrate the winter adventures we’ve had and share a skal to the spring season ahead.
We’ll create a smörgåsbord of our own with activities and treats from our favorite gatherings these past 15 weeks (kubb, hiking, bonfire, glogg and more). Join us whether it’s your first or fifteenth week of friluftsliv!
About us
We first channeled our Norwegian roots and embraced "friluftsliv" during the pandemic. This will be our fourth year of "15 Weeks of Friluftsliv" and it's become an annual tradition we look forward to as a family. We were even profiled in the new book The Open-Air Life by Linda Akeson McGurk.
15 Weeks of Friluftsliv ensures that we make the time to get outside, spend quality time together, and celebrate even the coldest of days. The November Lantern Walk at Raritan Headwaters Association initially inspired us to consider how we can bring light to dark days. We're so excited to see the frilufstliving family community grow and have this chance to partner with RHA, enjoy the magical Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, and give back to this gem of a local organization.
We hope you'll join us! Follow us on Instagram @friluftslivingfamily too to share adventures and fun year round.
