TAKE A HIKE

Family Fun ^ | (undated) | Alan Kesselheim

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TAKE A HIKE

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by Alan Kesselheim

Adventure has always been a priority for my wife, Marypat, and me. So when we decided to have children, we promised each other to do all we could to make the great outdoors part of the family equation. To our delight, not only have our kids--Ruby, age nine, Sawyer, 11, and Eli, 13--embraced our passion for exploring, but seeing nature from their perspective has deepened our appreciation of it. On the following pages, you'll find a variety of trail-tested strategies we've adopted to keep hiking a favorite pastime in our family. Whether you're a household of first-timers or seasoned outdoor enthusiasts, these ideas can serve you as faithfully as a favorite pair of hiking boots.

BEFORE THE HIKE: Pick the Right Place

First things first: if you want to introduce your kids to the wonders of the woods, the most important step is finding an appropriate location--one that won't intimidate the young and inexperienced but also won't bore the veterans. Here's how to begin your exploration.

• Start small. You don't have to head to the Grand Canyon to have a fun, memorable hike. There are often dozens of exciting, lesser-known hikes within an hour of home.

• Have the kids research interesting destinations. The more involved they are in the decision making, the more stake they have in seeing the hike succeed.

• Look for places with built-in diversions such as boulders to scramble over, tide pools to explore, and streams to play in.

• Choose areas that offer a variety of options, from short, easy walks to more strenuous hikes, so you can do what works best for the day and for the group's energy level.

• Contact the local chamber of commerce, convention and visitors' centers, or regional tourism office for maps and brochures of trails and parks.

• Get in touch with the administrative offices of federal or state land managers. The USDA Forest Service (http://www.fs.fed.us), the Bureau of Land Management (http://www.blm.gov), and the National Park Service (http://www.nps.gov) all offer a wealth of maps, access tips, and resources.

• Visit your local recreation-oriented stores. They usually carry maps and guidebooks and often employ people who are very knowledgeable about outdoor options.

SETTING OUT: Prepare at the Trailhead

After all the planning, it may be tempting to hop right out of the car and start down the path. But a few minutes spent stretching, establishing ground rules, and setting the tone for the day will definitely pay off.

First, loosen up with some basic stretches. Add some fun by having the kids lead the group or having each person suggest a stretch. Next, if you have a map or if there's one at the trailhead, look it over with everyone to discuss the length of the hike and points of interest along the way. Last but not least, go over the basics of hiking and hiking etiquette, including:

• Stay on the trail. There's no such thing as a shortcut, especially in unfamiliar territory.

• Pack it in, pack it out (meaning don't litter)!

• Be courteous to other hikers and allow plenty of room for people to pass you.

• Identify natural hazards such as poison ivy, ticks, and rough terrain, and always alert your fellow hikers if any of these come to your attention along the way.

• Drink small amounts of water frequently.

• Pay attention to discomfort. It's better to stop and adjust clothing or look at and put moleskin on a sore spot that might become a blister than to endure and pay the price later.

• Find a comfortable pace, even if it seems slow. If you're breathing too hard to talk as you walk, you're going too fast.

• Take only pictures. Most parks and trails prohibit taking any token of nature home in your backpack, so do the next best thing and photograph it.

• Don't worry about getting there and enjoy where you are!

ON THE TRAIL

Make the Hike Fun

For some hikers, exploring nature is rewarding enough, but others need a bit more than an interesting bird or a picturesque stream to stay excited and motivated. Here are some of our favorite trail games.

• Follow the leader: Give each kid an opportunity to take the lead, including setting the pace, scheduling stops and water breaks, and investigating things along the way.

• Wildlife watch: Encourage everyone to notice interesting plants and animals and keep a group checklist. Award treats for noteworthy sightings.

• Treasure hike: Have kids take turns hiding an object along the trail for everyone else to look for.

• Sing-alongs: Sing rounds, especially ones that call for fun choreography, such as "The Hokey Pokey," or play name that tune.

• Storytelling: Tell a progressive story that passes from hiker to hiker.

• Water races: Hold stick or leaf races each time you come to a stream or river.

• Guessing games: Have each person predict how many trail markers you'll see, how many hikers you'll pass along the trail, or how many steps it takes to get from one spot to another.

Take Breaks

Establish a schedule for stopping along the way for short breaks, maybe every 20 minutes or so, or at a series of predetermined landmarks--the first stream crossing, when we get to the lake, at the top of the hill. That way kids have doable goals to shoot for and less of a tendency to ask for stops. When you do stop, take stock of how everyone is feeling. Feet okay? Need more sunscreen? Drinking plenty of water? Encourage everyone to adjust clothing to stay comfortable.

Try to have a final destination where you can stop to enjoy the view. It might be the top of a mountain peak, a lakeside beach, a waterfall, or a picnic area along a rail trail. Wherever it is, celebrate the achievement by dropping your packs, taking a group photo, and having something to eat. This is also a perfect time to revisit all the things you've seen and moments that you'll want to remember. Ask everyone to contribute their favorite sights so far and encourage kids to record these things in their notebooks or journals.

AFTER THE HIKE

Finish the Journey

Back at the trailhead, take the time to unwind, stretch, cool down, and get comfortable. Change your clothes and footwear--my kids slip on their flip-flops--and have a refreshing snack. Before the hike, try stowing a small watermelon in a cooler in the car, keeping it cold with frozen water bottles. When you return, the bottles will be full of ice water, and the watermelon will be frosty and delicious.

Record the Experience

Before the hike fades from memory, encourage these family activities to preserve your adventure, and perhaps even inspire the next trip.

• Challenge kids to draw a map of the hike, complete with highlights and landmarks. This will give them a visual memory of the trip while introducing map concepts.

• Make a trip collage by using a highlighter to trace your route on a trail map and then attaching pictures, drawings, and leaf or bark rubbings to it.

• Have each child hunt for a hiking stick, then, when you get home, put the date and location of the hike on the stick with paint or a permanent marker.

• As a family, brainstorm ideas for the next adventure. Keep your list in an accessible place, such as on the refrigerator, so everyone can add to it as inspiration hits.

SUCCESS STRATEGIES

1: Make It a Group Event

Whenever possible, we invite another family, relatives, or school friends along on our hikes. Over the years, we've discovered that we all get along better, with less bickering, when others are around.

2: Don't Rush the Hike

We strive to savor the moment and focus on what's around us rather than simply pass through on our way to a goal. My wife and I set an example by pointing out birds or flowers and stopping at interesting rock formations to encourage a leisurely style of hiking. Most importantly, we let the kids explore, even if it means not reaching the goal we had in mind.

3: Look for "Problems"

On one of our family hikes, when the kids were dragging and "When will we be there?" had become a mantra, we stumbled on an idea that made the hike more fun. We came to a little dry waterfall that we had to climb around, and I said, "Uh-oh, guys, looks like we have a problem!" Immediately the kids took on the challenge, tackled the obstacle in no time, and dashed off to find the next "problem." Pretty soon there were problems everywhere. The kids were finding logs to balance across and going out of their way to find the most difficult route to overcome. All the tiredness and boredom they had been feeling evaporated.

4: Start a Family Trip Journal

We keep journals devoted entirely to our outdoor adventures. After each outing, we make an entry by writing a description of our trip and pasting photos, maps, and drawings to the pages. Periodically, the kids pull out the journals and page through them to reflect upon their accomplishments.

THE FAMILY PACKING CHECKLISTS

Clothing

• Sneakers or boots that have been broken in but are sturdy enough to provide support • An extra pair of clean, dry socks • Layers of loose-fitting, light-weight clothing (synthetics such as fleece dry much faster than cotton) • A brimmed hat • A light pack (one per family should stash all essentials for a day hike) • A small hydration pack or a water bottle with a strap for each older child and adult

Food

• At least 1 quart of water or sports drink per person for a day hike • Trail mix (buy ingredients from the bulk bins at the local health food store and let the kids make their own combos) • Candy or other treats to ration out along the trail • Jerky and energy bars (both are good, compact sources of protein) • Items that pack well and won't be crushed in a backpack (that is, apples, not potato chips)

Equipment

• Sunscreen and bug repellent • A compass and a map • A pair of binoculars for wildlife watching • Disposable cameras and notebooks for documenting your adventure • Basic first-aid supplies for day hikes: a handful of bandages, moleskin to prevent blisters, and antibacterial ointment • A magnifying lens for close observation of flowers, rocks, or bugs • An area guidebook • Toilet paper or tissues • Plastic bag for trash