I Took My Son To the Ford Bronco Off-Roadeo Where He Learned About Himself, About Me and Off-Roading

Kristin Shaw |

Updated: Oct 20, 2024

School has been out for three weeks already, and my incoming high school freshman has enjoyed the freedom of baseball practice and Xbox, with the occasional book and daily chores thrown in. Sometimes I ask him to join me on a walk, or to play a game of cards, or run errands with me, and he often demurs. Usually, I don’t push. Mostly because, I have discovered, it backfires and results in an (at best) unenthusiastic response.

I didn’t ask, in this case. I told. “You’re going to come with me to a work event on Tuesday.” I was heading to the Ford Bronco Off-Roadeo for a day of off-roading with a group of US military veterans.

“Ooooookay,” he responded, warily. “Do I have to?”

Experience Leads to Off-Roading Passion… Even If It Takes a While

Just outside of Austin, Texas, the Bronco Off-Roadeo is available for those who want to test their skills in the dirt — Credit: Kristin Shaw

I get it. I remember being 14 and recall wanting to spend time with my friends, not so much my parents. On the other hand, I know that because Mom and Dad insisted I accompany them to classic car shows my entire life that I developed a love for all things with wheels. And that led me to my career and my passion: automotive journalism.

Video: Taking the Ford Bronco off-roading in a swamp

Celebrating Blue Star Families at the Ford Bronco Off-Roadeo

Trail guide Brian Harris sets up the Off-Roadeo day for a family from the TAPS orgnization — Credit: Kristin Shaw

This week’s event was a celebration day for veterans and their families at the Ford Texas Bronco Off-Roadeo. Representatives from various veteran groups like Blue Star Families were there, and I was invited to ride along in a Bronco tackling gnarly rock crawls and hairpin turns in the dirt. Seemed like a good opportunity for a take-your-kid-to-work day and have some fun, too.

Video: The Ford Bronco Sasquatch

Everyone Has a Story. Hopping in a Bronco is a Great Way To Learn It

Trail guide Brian Harris helped veterans and their families navigate obstacles at the Ford Bronco Off-Roadeo — Credit: Kristin Shaw

We met Jenny Akin, who lost her Green Beret husband to service-related cancer last summer and is surviving one day at a time with her two small children. Ernesto Hernandez, who grew up in a gang in south Texas and found purpose though the military and by founding the Wounded Paw Project to save abused and at-risk dogs. And Leigh Edmonds, who works with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) to provide compassionate care and comprehensive resources for those grieving the death of a military or veteran loved one.

Even our trail guide, Brian Harris, above, had a story: he was enlisted for 16 years, first as a tanker and then an officer and then a member of the Army JAG Corps practicing law before switching gears (literally and figuratively) to pursue his passion for the outdoors and off-roading.

And Then, We Met Doug

My teen learned a lot from Doug Merritt, a 30-year Army veteran and former tank driver — Credit: Kristin Shaw

When we arrived, my teen was polite but detached for the luncheon and introductions. But when we climbed into the Bronco with 30-year veteran Doug Merritt, above, and his wife Myra, I watched my son’s curiosity grow. Doug was once a tank driver for the Army, serving around the world. In 1996, he was inside an MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush-Protected vehicle) when a bomb exploded beneath him.

Doug told us about the Purple Hearts that were earned that day; thankfully, no one in his vehicle died that day. The former soldier also talked about how he now teaches school kids about character through the Travis Manion Foundation, an organization named for a courageous Marine killed in action.

The Merritts were positive, funny, and engaged my son in conversations about things he had never learned about before, both serious and casual. They discussed professional athletes, what it’s like to overcome adversity and trauma, and how to be a good leader. We even had a round of karaoke inside the Bronco as Doug, Myra, and I sang the theme song to The Dukes of Hazzard while my son laughed.

A Smile From Your Teen is the Best Reward

Some veterans and family members had never gone off-roading before, but expert spotters made it comfortable for them — Credit: Kristin Shaw

As we navigated the off-roading course across 300 acres of Texas Hill Country, I saw my son’s face split open into a wide grin. He rode with Doug as the veteran climbed a rocky obstacle Ford calls the Two-Step and I recorded the moment on my phone. My heart skipped a beat when the SUV briefly slid sideways on the slippery rock, but the expert trail guide calmly told the drivers that the vehicle was supposed to slip a little bit as it found purchase. They were in good hands, I knew, with Doug.

When my teen got out of the SUV, he was all smiles.

“That was LIT,” he said.

Finally, He Understands Why I Do What I Do

Veteran Doug Merritt and his wife Myra joined the veterans through the Travis Minion Foundation — Credit: Kristin Shaw

At the end of the day, Doug and Myra got the biggest hugs, of course. But my son was also gracious and grateful, thanking the hosts for our epic day. The two of us walked back to our own car and he chattered away about the cool people he met and what he learned. I think he also got a little insight into what I do for my career and why I love cars and off-roading so much.

An Open Mind Leads to Great New Things

The Broncos are put through their paces in a single file line through the Texas countryside — Credit: Kristin Shaw

I have no delusions that it’s going to be like this in every instance. He’s growing up, and he gets to decide what he does with his time and how he uses it. I’m still his mom, though, and sometimes great opportunities to open his mind present themselves. I was glad I pushed him, this time around, and I think he was too.