“Adults are always asking kids what they want to be when they grow up because they’re looking for ideas.”
- Paula Poundstone (comedian)
As funny (and true) as that question may be, perhaps…we’ve been asking the wrong question all along.
WHAT IF…someone had asked YOU on the brink of adulthood:
WHO DO YOU WANT TO BE?
Would your life look different today?
Would you have chased your “unattainable” dreams?
Could you have avoided wasted decades trying to fit in or following the "path to success"...that didn't lead to "your" truth?
THE TRUTH...
Who knows.
But, now that our kids are in middle school, we want to offer them a different perspective.
Not the fearful perspective they’re fed by the media
Not the callous perspective they learn on our political stages
Not the conformist perspective they copy from their peers
Instead…we want them to see the real world, so they can start to ponder the real question…
WHO DO I WANT TO BE?
Because isn’t this what our rapidly changing world needs?
YOUNG PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHO THEY ARE.
Who KNOW that “the world outside their box” is vast and challenging… yet extraordinary.
Who THINK for themselves.
Who KNOW what excites them, fires them up and inspires them to leap out of bed in the morning.
whatever happens.
We wholeheartedly believe so , and that’s why…
WE’RE HITTING “PAUSE”!
We’re going on a 12-month journey, seeking alternative role models for our kids and ourselves — documenting their wisdom and insights, and sharing them with you.
WHO'S "US"
MEET THE CREW
MY 3 MUST-PACK ITEMS:
1 A lip-balm — strange, I know, but it’s a full-on addiction
2 An inspirational, non-fiction book — always
3 A bathing suit — if there isn’t sunshine, why go :)
Here's a letter I wrote to my kiddos when we first decided to take the leap!
Sarah
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
on the road and in daily life :)
Hi! I’m Sarah, filmmaker, writer, researcher, yoga teacher and above all…mother of two awesome human beings (and fortunately, married to one as well!).
We live in the same small town where I was born and raised. We feel deeply fortunate to live among family and friends, and we’re also strongly called to travel and explore this magnificent planet.
I guess our adventure comes down to this…
We want to give our kids something that took us several decades to learn:
This vast world is full of opportunities to live an extraordinary life—if you’re willing to step outside your box and come to it with endless curiosity!
In addition to my passion for filmmaking, I also deeply love teaching yoga; I currently teach prenatal yoga teacher trainings around the world with my amazing and renowned friend and teacher, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa. Please come join is in Costa Rica in January 2018!
Ray
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Hi! I’m Ray, “Papa Bear” to my kids and all sorts of embarrassing and emasculating names (aka Baby Love/Love Muffin) to my rock-star wife.
As executive producer, I’m responsible for financing this operation but let’s be honest… I have little say in the day to day happenings.
I work in finance and with many employees and clients counting on me to show up, I will be jumping on and off this magical carpet ride.
One of my favorite things in life is tucking my children in every night. My wife wakes them up every morning with dim lights and kisses. When I’m left in charge, it’s heavy metal.
MY 3 MUST-PACK ITEMS:
1 A baseball hat — for the newly sun sensitive areas up top
2 A cell phone — to take care of my executive producer duties
3 An exercise/stretch band — to re-grease stiff joints
MY 3 MUST-PACK ITEMS:
1 A journal/a good book
2 Gum — essential for my occasional motion sickness
3 My cat…if he would let me
Nadia
LEAD ACTRESS
Hey! My name is Nadia — youngest of the family, but, without a doubt, the lead actress in this documentary.
Drama and comedy are my specialties.
I can make myself cry on cue, but I’m having trouble controlling my laugh.
Confession: My favorite member of our family is our cat Thomas. If we were all going down in a sinking ship, he’d be the one I’d save first.
I love animals and will be fundraising to help several organizations that work with animals in areas where we’ll be traveling.
Lukas
GOPRO VIDEOGRAPHER/
SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERT
Hi! My name is Lukas.
Soccer is my first love (and I plan to play in college and beyond). Sports are also my favorite way to connect with people. Especially kids. That’s why my soccer ball is coming along. You can quickly make friends passing a ball… even before leaving the airport.
My sister and I will be in charge of scoring this movie since my parents are both musically “challenged.”
I’m also “the social media man” on this adventure (check out the links below!). That is, as long as my mom doesn’t take my phone away (which I’m starting to think might be one of her favorite pastimes).
My current favorite movies are The Matrix and Captain Fantastic.
MY 3 MUST-PACK ITEMS:
1 A soccer ball — obviously
2 Headphones — for music
3 Lots of snacks — for growing
MY 3 MUST-PACK ITEMS:
1 4 camera systems. (5 if you count the iPhone)
2 A drone. For those epic establishing shots. (wait, 6 cameras!)
3 Underwater camera housing. I can't get enough of filming in and under the water.
Kit Noble
Director of Photography/
Honorary Family Member
When I was 13 (between the ages of Lukas and Nadia) my family up and moved to Singapore. That 2-year detour changed my life. I know seeing the world will change the Kamrath kids as well. Bearing witness to these changes will be just as exciting as the places we’ll visit.
So how did I get this gig? It’s actually been three decades in the making. I worked for Sarah’s dad 30 years ago as a photographer's assistant. I have been a part of their family ever since. The fact that I’m well-traveled and have made a career of photography and film is just icing on the cake.
Side note: Sarah and Ray hold the distinction of being the only couple whose wedding I’ve ever photographed. In part, due to Sarah's mom, who wouldn't take “No” for an answer.
Side note 2: Sarah’s dad gave me the nickname, “Kitso Creepo.” A name that has stuck for 30 years. It’s since been shortened to just “Creep.” Strangers just love it.
You can check out more of my work here.
To aim for extraordinary adventures every day (whether at the kitchen table or on a faraway adventure) our family follows this simple recipe:
1. Simply being together
2. Stepping outside of normal routines
3. Diving into and exploring nature and other cultures
4. More adventure + more play = more fun
5. Connecting with inspiring people along the way
DO WE KNOW WHAT'S IN STORE FOR US? NOT REALLY. DO WE FEEL EXCITEMENT AND PANIC ALL AT ONCE? YUP. DO WE BELIEVE THIS EXPERIENCE WILL CHANGE US FOREVER? DEFINITELY!
But here's the thing...
WE'VE FOUND THUS FAR AS A FAMILY THAT TAKING BIG RISKS OFTEN LEADS TO THE BIGGEST REWARDS.
If you’ve been wanting to hit pause, and create more meaningful moments with your family… if you’ve ever wanted to jump outside your box (whether for an afternoon, weekend, summer or year) then…