When their first child, daughter Aubrey, was born, they didn’t want to give up this part of their lives.

Instead of just leaving it all behind, they tailored their activities to include Aubrey. While they may not have been climbing the high peaks they were before, they were still spending time outside and introducing her to the joys of being in nature and away from the television. Four-and-a-half years later, Aubrey loves going on hikes and snowshoeing and has been joined by her younger brother, Kellen, who, right now enjoys seeing the outdoors from dad’s back.

In the the beginning, the Deans realized that when looking for a jogging stroller and other necessities, finding quality children’s gear in one location was a difficult task. Very few retailers focused on children’s outdoor gear, and those that did have it in stock weren’t necessarily very knowledgeable about it.

Dean saw a hole in the market and decided to step up and fill the needed niche. In 2006 he opened Upside Over, a one-stop shop for all outdoor needs for children, with a focus on strong customer service. The store was originally based entirely on the Internet, www.upsideover.com, and was run from his home. Later in the year, Dean opened a physical storefront on Church St.

Very quickly however, he found the store outgrew its location, and in September 2007 it relocated to 517 Broadway (though its main entrance is off of Long Alley).

The store features an impressive selection of infant carriers, jogging strollers, children’s backpacks, snowshoes, clothing for all seasons and activities, shoes, sleeping bags, climbing gear and more.

While the Internet still accounts for the majority of its business, Dean is excited to see the local side growing. Though he still finds that people don’t necessarily realize that such a specialized retailer is in the area.

“It’s funny. We have customers all over the country, but every once and a while someone will hit us from the Web from Saratoga or Glens Falls,” Dean says. “They’ll do an order and they don’t realized that we’re actually here. A few days later we’ll get a call from them asking us if we’re located here.”

When he started the business, his main goals were to get children outdoors, inspire adults to take their children outdoors and to support the parents by providing an experienced staff that can help them  choose the right equipment for their children.

When asked what makes the difference between a good outdoor experience for a child, or one that will leave them not wanting to go back, Dean says there are three main things for all parents to remember.

“When trying to introduce your children to outdoor activities it is important that they feel safe, that they are comfortable and that they have to have fun. If they don’t have those three things going on they’re not going to want to ever go with you again. That first time is so important, and while I’m encouraging parents to buy gear just for the sake of buying gear, it is so important that the kids have on clothing that is going to keep them comfortable. If you’re going to go outside in the rain or the cold, they need something that will keep them dry. If they’re wet and cold and miserable, they’re not going to want to go again.”

Dean notes that when bringing your children on a hiking trip, paddling or snowshoeing, parents have to approach  the day a little differently than they may have in the past. It is no longer about them, instead it is making sure your child enjoys his or herself enough that he or she would want to continue doing it in the future.

“We totally slowed down once we started bringing Aubrey. You find that your expectations are different when you go out with kids. But, you’re out and that’s the important part. When you have kids – you don’t have to stop doing what you’re doing.”

Upside Over is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (888) 377-8203.