Sometimes the best way to experience a river is through a child’s eyes. Our video following eight year old Parker as he runs and splashes along the wild rivers of the Pacific Northwest has gotten more than 375,000 views.
People love the video because it reminds them of their own childhood, and inspires them to get their own kids outside exploring rivers and streams.
Journalist Christopher Dunagan at the Kitsap Sun wrote a great article sharing the video’s backstory, including an interview with filmmaker Skip Armstrong.
“To me, there is no faster access to unbridled joy than through the eyes of a young person or child,” Skip says. “It was refreshing for our team to spend so much time with Parker, and it’s cool to see audiences connect with his enthusiasm, too.”
“American Rivers works so hard to protect our precious resources, and I love that Parker shows us why this is important. When we were shooting, we met so many wonderful people of all ages enjoying the rivers and sights of the Northwest.”
Watch the video and share a river with a child in your life!
Yes….reminds me of my old childhood where I grew up next to a dangerous raging river. Loved going to the river even though strictly forbidden by parents. I was 5 years old. Dangerous as heck and I got paddled for doing it, but couldn’t resist the siren call. Think it is that much less dangerous for an 8 year old? Sorry – I love rivers too but this video is sending the wrong message to children.
Although your idea is nice, it is one of the most dangerous videos I’ve ever seen. We live in Amsterdam, NY and we have the Chuctanunda creek that runs through the city and it has taken the lives of many children during the years. In the Spring, it rages like an angered entity and the parents constantly warn their children against the danger. It took three children in one day who were playing too near the raging monster and the children were eventually found in the Mohawk River. You can do as you wish but be forewarned of the dangers that lurk in inconspicuous places.
Really??? Come on… the most dangerous video that you have ever seen??? Do you really think that Parker’s mother, all those involved in the making of this video, and anyone else out there enjoying nature would let parker fall into the river and drown?? Yes, it is very devastating when we lose our children to raging rivers or backyard pools. But, unfortunately, it’s usually when they are unsupervised, even for just a moment. We can only hope that what we teach them about the dangers of water will help to protect them. But really… the most dangerous video?
Your comment I find absolutely hilarious. I grew up in the Northwest and this commercial reminds me just how fortunate I was to grow up in such a lush wonderland! I was Parker in 1972 and this is a timeless piece of pure joy. We had a blast being kids and being outdoors. Dangerous! Lol dying laughing
I love the music for the video. Never been to the PNW, but it captures the natural magic and beauty of the region, and Parker is adorable. His adventures remind me of when I lived in the UP of Michigan and I’d go exploring in the woods around and off base.
These three minutes connect me to the magic and mystery of the wild winter PNW landscape that i first experienced when i was about Parker’s age , and still hold close to my heart today.
I repeatedly watch this reminder of that exotic mindscape to elevate my mood and start my day with some positive energy.
This is one of the greatest commercial I’ve seen and better that I get to see it on Free Speech tv. Seeing Parker tromp around the woods and in the water makes me happy to see. What a perfect little sweetheart to have in your video. His smile and energy are infectious. I plan to donate to American Rivers soon. Thanks.
I learned about American Rivers through viewing your films on Free Speech TV (they often run during the program breaks). Some of them make me sad and some make me angry but Parker has given me nothing but smiles from the first time I saw his film. His joy and enthusiasm are delightful and contagious, plus the film is so beautifully shot that I can almost feel the spray and the rain, hear the water rushing by and smell the aroma of the forest.
Last week when I heard Parker’s theme , I knew I was about to enjoy a respite from the daily chaos that is 2020; imagine my delight to see some new adventures! I recommend a daily dose of Parker Arneson as an antidote to the chaos which surrounds us.
Viewing the world through the eyes of a child is one of life’s great experiences. Thank you for allowing us into Parker’s world.
I have a tight budget, but I am sending a small donation in gratitude for Parker Arneson (and the folks in the other films).
12 responses to “Running with a boy: story behind our Northwest Rivers video”
I love this video, which I have watched NUMEROUS times over the years! I would also love to see a photo of grown-up Parker now….
Yes….reminds me of my old childhood where I grew up next to a dangerous raging river. Loved going to the river even though strictly forbidden by parents. I was 5 years old. Dangerous as heck and I got paddled for doing it, but couldn’t resist the siren call. Think it is that much less dangerous for an 8 year old? Sorry – I love rivers too but this video is sending the wrong message to children.
Today I am visiting Whidbey Island and I walked in the woods this morning. I wish I had a child with me to enjoy it more.
Although your idea is nice, it is one of the most dangerous videos I’ve ever seen. We live in Amsterdam, NY and we have the Chuctanunda creek that runs through the city and it has taken the lives of many children during the years. In the Spring, it rages like an angered entity and the parents constantly warn their children against the danger. It took three children in one day who were playing too near the raging monster and the children were eventually found in the Mohawk River. You can do as you wish but be forewarned of the dangers that lurk in inconspicuous places.
Really??? Come on… the most dangerous video that you have ever seen??? Do you really think that Parker’s mother, all those involved in the making of this video, and anyone else out there enjoying nature would let parker fall into the river and drown?? Yes, it is very devastating when we lose our children to raging rivers or backyard pools. But, unfortunately, it’s usually when they are unsupervised, even for just a moment. We can only hope that what we teach them about the dangers of water will help to protect them. But really… the most dangerous video?
Your comment I find absolutely hilarious. I grew up in the Northwest and this commercial reminds me just how fortunate I was to grow up in such a lush wonderland! I was Parker in 1972 and this is a timeless piece of pure joy. We had a blast being kids and being outdoors. Dangerous! Lol dying laughing
I love the music for the video. Never been to the PNW, but it captures the natural magic and beauty of the region, and Parker is adorable. His adventures remind me of when I lived in the UP of Michigan and I’d go exploring in the woods around and off base.
I LOVE this video! So inspiring! Parker is so adorable and reminds us of why we need to protect our environment! Thank you!
These three minutes connect me to the magic and mystery of the wild winter PNW landscape that i first experienced when i was about Parker’s age , and still hold close to my heart today.
I repeatedly watch this reminder of that exotic mindscape to elevate my mood and start my day with some positive energy.
Great story of our rivers in the Northwest! Thanks Parker and Friends! Donate to FSTV! Thank you!
This is one of the greatest commercial I’ve seen and better that I get to see it on Free Speech tv. Seeing Parker tromp around the woods and in the water makes me happy to see. What a perfect little sweetheart to have in your video. His smile and energy are infectious. I plan to donate to American Rivers soon. Thanks.
I learned about American Rivers through viewing your films on Free Speech TV (they often run during the program breaks). Some of them make me sad and some make me angry but Parker has given me nothing but smiles from the first time I saw his film. His joy and enthusiasm are delightful and contagious, plus the film is so beautifully shot that I can almost feel the spray and the rain, hear the water rushing by and smell the aroma of the forest.
Last week when I heard Parker’s theme , I knew I was about to enjoy a respite from the daily chaos that is 2020; imagine my delight to see some new adventures! I recommend a daily dose of Parker Arneson as an antidote to the chaos which surrounds us.
Viewing the world through the eyes of a child is one of life’s great experiences. Thank you for allowing us into Parker’s world.
I have a tight budget, but I am sending a small donation in gratitude for Parker Arneson (and the folks in the other films).