Celebrating Spring with Hike it Baby and Onya
One of Onya Baby’s biggest motivations is helping families get outside with their babies easily by creating excellent and very supportive baby carriers, so when we heard about Hike it Baby, we just knew we’d be perfect partners!
Hike it Baby was founded in Portland during the summer of 2013 by Shanti Hodges, who’d been active in the outdoors industry before becoming a mom. Hike it Baby’s mission is to get families out into nature with their newborns and little ones. The organization is based on the belief that our world would be a better place if all parents stepped outside at least once a week for one hour for a walk in nature with their children.
When Aleshia Rickard, our president and one of the co-founders of Onya Baby, met and spent time with Shanti Hodges, they discovered that they both share similar deep beliefs about the importance of being outside, and about creating and fostering new friendships, particularly while bonding with our babies.
Hike it Baby and Onya Baby both believe that babywearing is critical to establishing a caring community. Why? Because we believe that babywearing helps to create compassionate humans by providing them with a very strong, loving, and connected foundation; humans who might ultimately help strengthen communities for the future. In essence, we’re paying it forward.
Both young companies have grown organically, originally birthed by a mom’s desire to be active and social with her little ones. Shanti and Aleshia – and all of us at Onya Baby – believe that every parent deserves to get outside and to have a comfortable baby carrier, and we’re here to make that happen for all!
There are currently 97 branches of Hike it Baby, with more being added all the time. It’s truly a supportive environment to get outside, foster old friendships and create new ones, all while including our little ones in the fun. Worried about falling behind? Don’t be! Hike it Baby believes in “No Momma Left Behind” and is a friendly and all inclusive group whose main goal is to hike and get babies into nature. It’s a judgement-free zone, so all parents can feel welcome and included. Wonderful, right?
We’re truly excited to be working with Hike it Baby and their dedicated leaders across the country!
So, go ahead and join your local Hike it Baby chapter. You’ll get outside with your baby, create wonderful friendships and lasting memories, and get your body moving and feeling good – all while bonding with your baby! Sweet!
Happy babywearing adventures!
