Viral travel influencer Garrett Gee, creator of The Bucket List Family, sparked controversy after sharing a video on Instagram. The footage shows him throwing his 7‑year‑old son, Calihan (“Cali”), over a cliff ledge at Lake Powell.
The Video in Detail
A seemingly playful moment
In the video, Garrett delivers a brief pep talk to Calihan before picking him up and tossing him into the water. Though the boy screams while plummeting, he surfaces smiling. His father follows with a thumbs-up, and onlookers cheer.
Garrett’s safety disclaimer
In his post, Garrett was quick to clarify:
“Most people won’t love how we teach our kids how to cliff jump… NOT parental advice”
He emphasized the key precautions:
- Child consent—Cali chose being thrown over jumping himself.
- Safety first—they selected a cliff height and water depth known to be safe.
- Skill development—the stunt was designed to teach his son that “you can do hard things.”
Parenting Philosophy: “Tough Love”?
Hands‑on teaching
Garrett framed the stunt as a teaching moment:
“Eventually a baby eagle needs to leave the nest… or be tossed out of the nest 😉 and learn HE CAN FLY!”
With more extreme adventures in their repertoire—surfing with sharks, interacting with octopuses—the Gee family follows a philosophy of immersive, experiential parenting.
Safety remains top
Garrett stressed:
“1st priority is safety. 2nd is learning that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS. 3rd is HAVE FUN :)”
Public Reaction & Concerns
Mixed responses online
Viewers were divided:
Supportive voices praised the trust between father and son, like this viewer’s comment:
“He chose to be thrown and they have built that trust all his life ♥️”
Critical opinions questioned whether the boy was truly ready, pointing to the scream during the fall:
“The scream says it all. He’s not ready. I hate this for him.”
Parental clarification
When asked whether Calihan knew what would happen, Garrett responded affirmatively:
“He had the choice to climb down, jump himself, or have me throw him.”
The Bucket List Family: A Broader Context
A decade-long adventure
Since 2015, the Gee family has shared daring travel-filled experiences with millions. Their journeys span 65 countries, and the family is now based in Hawaii. Garrett sold his mobile-scanning app to Snapchat for $54 million, making their global travels possible
Pushing comfort zones
Cliff jumps, nature explorations, and hands-on learning experiences are hallmarks of their family brand. Garrett often remarks that their parenting methods aren’t universal—they work for the Gee kids specifically .
Broader Implications for Parenting
Encouraging resilience vs. risk
The incident highlights a larger debate: is it acceptable to physically push children out of their comfort zones? Experts argue that incremental exposure to fear can build confidence—if done safely. Critics, however, warn that physical heft in such situations could lead to undue stress or harm.
Consent and trust are key
While consent and trust are important factors, observers note that a child’s enthusiasm might not fully capture their emotional readiness. This raises questions about emotional maturity and agency.
Final Thoughts
Garrett Gee’s cliff-jump stunt is a showcase of bold parenting—designed to bring lessons in courage, resilience, and trust. With safety precautions in place, Garrett positions it as a one-time, intentional event, not a universal strategy. But the intense reactions from viewers—ranging from admiration to concern—show how individual parenting philosophies can spark widespread discussion. Ultimately, it poses the question: when it comes to teaching bravery, where is the line between a memorable lesson and unnecessary risk?
