The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast Episode 1KHO 520: Learning That’s Tethered to Real Life | Morgan and Hudson Wild, Off the Couch and Into Creation Release Date: July 8, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast, host Ginny Urich welcomes Morgan and Hudson Wild from the Wild Brothers, longtime fans of the show, to discuss their latest venture: the Off the Couch Into Creation curriculum. This eight-week outdoor adventure program is designed to inspire children to engage with the natural world, counteracting the prevalent screen time that modern kids are subjected to.

Meet Morgan and Hudson Wild

[02:00] Morgan Wild: "Oh hey Jenny. Thanks so much for having us."

The Wild Brothers have a unique upbringing, having grown up as missionary kids in remote areas like the jungles of Indonesia. Their parents fostered creativity by encouraging them to document their lives, leading to the creation of "Growing Up Wild," a video resource curriculum that merged mission work with outdoor adventure.

[02:46] Morgan Wild: "Our parents were great about writing newsletters, but they wanted to create a visual experience for the church to understand what life was like in the jungles."

Transition to the United States

After spending approximately 16 years in Southeast Asia, Morgan and Hudson relocated to the United States in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Settling in the Florida panhandle, they transitioned from bachelors to married men with growing families.

[04:54] Hudson Wild: "For the last five years, we've been in the States full time... We have a great community, a great local church, and it's been great to become involved in life here."

Parenting in a Screen-Centric Culture

Raised without the typical American screens and social media pressures, the Wild Brothers face a cultural shift upon returning to the States. They discuss the challenges of raising children in an environment saturated with screens and sports, contrasting it with their own childhood spent outdoors.

[06:57] Hudson Wild: "It's an amazing culture shock... every culture has different opportunities, and without experiencing multiple cultures, you don't know what you're missing."

They emphasize the importance of limiting screen time to foster imagination and creativity in their children, advocating for outdoor play as a means to develop essential cognitive and social skills.

Introducing Off the Couch Into Creation

The highlight of the episode is the introduction of the Off the Couch Into Creation curriculum, a collaborative effort between 1000 Hours Outside and the Wild Brothers. This program aims to inspire families, especially those who homeschool, to explore the outdoors through structured adventures.

[24:02] Hudson Wild: "This is something that's been in our heart for really a number of years and it hasn't materialized until just recently."

The curriculum is designed to be flexible, allowing families to incorporate it into their schedules over eight weeks without a long-term commitment. It features video resources, challenge activities, discussion questions, and devotional elements to create a holistic learning experience.

Structure and Components of the Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into weekly modules, each focusing on different aspects of outdoor adventure and learning. Key components include:

• Video Episodes: Each week begins with a video that showcases an adventure or discovery, such as tracking the rare red wolf or exploring historical shipwrecks.

• Challenges: Short, five-minute "challenge videos" that families can easily replicate, fostering micro-adventures in their own backyards.

• Discussion Questions: Thought-provoking questions that encourage families to reflect on their experiences and connect them to broader themes.

• Journals and Badges: Interactive printouts and journals for documenting discoveries, along with badges to motivate and reward participation.

• Devotional Elements: Integrating Biblical teachings into each adventure, the curriculum ties the natural explorations to spiritual growth without being preachy.

[30:14] Hudson Wild: "The three Ds of adventure: Discover, Document, and Devotion."

Example Adventures

One notable adventure includes discovering an aggregation of manatees in their backyard, transforming what was once perceived as mundane into a wonderland of discovery with the use of UV lights.

[47:47] Morgan Wild: "Everything looks different under a UV light. The backyard becomes a wonderland of adventure and discovery."

Another adventure involves uncovering the story behind a military jet crash, blending history with outdoor exploration.

[54:07] Hudson Wild: "We found the remains of a high-tech military jet in Rocky Valley Creek. Tracing back to newspaper articles, we learned about the pilot's heroic actions."

Integration of Faith and Learning

The curriculum seamlessly weaves in faith-based teachings, aligning each adventure with Biblical principles and the overarching narrative of redemption.

[46:58] Morgan Wild: "Devotion is being full circle. We give credit to the Creator for the wonders we discover."

This integration ensures that while children are physically exploring the outdoors, they are also spiritually engaged, fostering a deeper connection to both nature and their faith.

Accessibility and Technology as a Tool

Embracing technology, the Wild Brothers utilize their WildBrothers TV platform to host all curriculum videos, accessible via a mobile app. This allows offline access, ensuring families can utilize the resources even without internet connectivity.

[50:06] Morgan Wild: "All the video resources are accessible on a mobile app and can be downloaded offline for a seamless experience."

Conclusion and Future Plans

Morgan and Hudson express their excitement about partnering with 1000 Hours Outside and their vision to inspire families across the nation to embark on outdoor adventures. They highlight the importance of experiential learning and how their unique upbringing has shaped their approach to education and faith.

[62:36] Ginny Urich: "Combining forces to help kids get off the couch and into creation is truly amazing."

The episode concludes with enthusiasm for future collaborations and a shared commitment to enriching the lives of children and families through outdoor exploration and meaningful learning experiences.

Notable Quotes:

• Morgan Wild [04:10]: "Taking our lives and documenting them with a camera was just one creative outlet that our parents really encouraged us in."

• Hudson Wild [06:10]: "Different cultures teach us different perspectives, and moving back here has been a significant adjustment for us as parents."

• Morgan Wild [10:37]: "I want my little guy to grow up with a big imagination. He can explore with his books and toys instead of being limited by screens."

• Hudson Wild [14:36]: "If you refer to your phone as the urban machete, it can be a tool to build up your family rather than a distraction."

• Ginny Urich [33:38]: "The discussion questions help break down the videos and apply the adventures to our own lives, fostering family connections."

Key Takeaways:

• Emphasis on Outdoor Play: The curriculum seeks to reduce screen time by encouraging children to engage with their natural surroundings, fostering creativity and imagination.

• Holistic Learning Experience: Combining physical adventures with educational content and spiritual growth, the program offers a comprehensive approach to childhood development.

• Flexible and Accessible: Designed for homeschooling families, the eight-week structure accommodates various schedules, and the mobile app ensures resources are readily available.

• Community and Collaboration: The partnership between 1000 Hours Outside and the Wild Brothers exemplifies how collaborative efforts can enhance educational initiatives and support families nationwide.

For more information on the Off the Couch Into Creation curriculum, visit 1000hoursoutside.com/offthecouch.