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Camping & Hiking
Make a list:
Draw up a list of camping and hiking items that you want to
take with you (it's easier if you do it on the computer). Each time you go, add all the
things you would like to have had with you. Eventually, you'll have a comprehensive list
that you can pull out when it's time to pack. This will make packing quick and efficient
-- and you won't forget important items such as medication, glasses, flashlights or
sunscreen. See our sample checklist of what to bring.
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Take it easy, and keep it fun: It's easy to kill a child's natural
enthusiasm for camping and hiking. Little legs wear out faster than big ones,
and little bodies get both colder and hotter much faster than do big bodies.
Here's how to keep it fun:
 | Don't try to climb a
mountain or spend the day lecturing -- and do take lots of fun breaks.
Remember that with young children, the whole goal is to have fun together, so
take time to look, listen, smell and touch things. To a child, everything is
interesting -- bugs, flowers, squirrels, trees, birds, animal tracks, animal
leavings, even rocks. Your children will enjoy throwing rocks in a pond or
floating leaves in a river. They will not have a strong drive to reach any
particular spot on the trail. |
| Take snacks and drinks, and
give your children time to eat and drink. Granola bars, fruit, nuts, water and
occasional juice are good choices. During rest breaks, you can sing
songs, play games, read stories, play with sticks, draw or color, and snap a
few photographs. |
| Allow your children to make
suggestions about what to pack, where to go, what to do and when to leave. |
| Take a friend. Bringing
along one of your child's friends can help keep the activity merry. Just make
sure there are enough adults to properly watch the children. If you're able
to, consider bringing books, favorite games and travel games, and a barbecue
grill. |
| Teach your children how to
use a compass, how to read a map, how to follow the sun (or stars), how to
sanitize water, (and when they're old enough) how to build a fire.
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| Consider your child's
physical condition and don't push your child past the child's abilities or
past the point of enjoyment. |
| Your young child can carry
a child-size backpack with a sweater and a small snack. As the child gets
older, you can gradually increase the weight (never forcing your child to
carry more than he/she is comfortable carrying -- experts suggest not more
than 10-20 percent of a child's total body weight). Remember that the backpack
will feel heavier as the walk goes on. Do allow your child to tell you when
the backpack becomes uncomfortable, and be open to relieving the discomfort. |
| Praise your child for
various achievements, and provide the odd special treat. |
| Keep the trip fun. Avoid criticizing your
child (or spouse) for not knowing things, for making mistakes, or for getting
sick and/or tired. If the
trip must be abandoned, avoid taking it badly or placing blame on anyone. Try
to put a positive spin on any unforeseen events: "This was a good place to
turn around!" or "Think of everything we got to see today!" |
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Be safe: Learn something about safety before you
go. For example
| Make sure you know something about
survival before you go. Go the library and read some books, take a survival
class, visit the Red Cross. Then, teach your children age-appropriate
information as you go. Remember: you are their protector, but if something
happens to you, they become yours AND theirs. Give them the tools they need to
save all of you if they have to. |
| Tell someone at home where
you're going and when you'll be home. (Make sure you know where you're going,
and then stick to your plan, or alert the people at home of any changes). |
| Choose an age-appropriate
area and activity. Remember that little legs wear out faster, especially in
uneven terrain, and that children have a tougher time adjusting to high
altitudes. When your children are small, try to stick to trails in good
condition and without big climbs. |
| Children don't fully
develop a good sense of balance until their teens, so don't take younger
children to places -- such as narrow ledges, rocky terrain, snowy trails or
alongside any body of water --
that require physical abilities they haven't yet developed. |
| Remember to keep yourself
and your children well-hydrated. If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated
(See our Dehydration page for more). |
| Dress everyone
appropriately for the terrain, and with proper shoes, hats, sunglasses and
sunscreen. Dress them in layers so that it's easy to alter clothing to fit the
temperature. |
| Limit any packs to 20
percent (or less) of a child's total body weight -- and be open to relieving
discomfort when the pack begins to feel heavy. A good idea is to let the child
carry a fanny pack with a few survival items, such as water, a medium-sized
space blanket, several energy bars, candy to suck on (if the child is old
enough), a plastic garbage bag that can break the wind, a small raincoat, a
pocket knife (if the child is old enough), waterproof matches or other
incendiary device (if the child is old enough), a glow stick, and a mirror
(teach the child to use the mirror to attract a rescuer). Just remember: the goal is to
have fun and to learn something -- not to run a boot camp. |
| Keep a hawk-like watch out
for them (getting momentarily out-of-sight has been fatal for many children).
It will be easier to watch out for a child if there is an adult in front of
the child and another adult behind. |
| Allow the child to wear a
whistle that can be blown to attract your attention and to keep predators
away. Be careful how you secure the whistle to the child, however. You don't
want the whistle to get lost, but you don't want the child being choked by a
string around the neck, either. |
| Don't EVER leave children
alone in a vehicle, tent or camper -- even with the windows down. Even on a
70-degree day, the temperature inside a vehicle can climb to 120 degrees in
minutes. Additionally, children can become bored, sick, disgruntled or
worried, and they might set off to find you or find something to do. |
| It can be a boost for a
child to lead the hike (this makes the child feel very important) -- plus it
allows you to set a proper pace for the child and to keep an eye on
the child. |
| Bring a first-aid kit,
extra water, snacks and extra clothing. If you have a cell phone, bring it,
and teach your child how to use it. |
| If the weather starts
to turn, turn around! You can always come again another day.
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| One more thing: Please take
your garbage with you when you go! |
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For More Information:
| U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission - warns of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning
with camping equipment (also contains information in Spanish) |
| KidsHealth - do a search
on the word "camping" for several articles about safety while camping with your
children (including insect bites, camping basics, camping with children who have special
needs and first aid). |
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KidsHealth - "Camping Basics" |
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KidsHealth -
(written for children) "Camping and Woods Safety for Kids" |
| The American Red Cross
- offers safety tips for camping and hiking |
| Food
Safety and Inspection Service (U.S. Department of Agriculture) - "Food Safety
While Hiking, Camping or Boating" |
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National Camp Association |
| American Camping
Association |
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Project Heal the Children (American
Camping Association) - free camps for children who lost a parent in the
Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on America |
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Comfort Zone Camp - nonprofit
bereavement camps for children who have lost a parent, sibling or primary
caregiver |
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Hiking and Backpacking.com |
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Foghorn Outdoors Series - regional
guides are a commercial product, but, we are told, very helpful |
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GrandKidsAndMe.com - camps for
grandparents and grandchildren |
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Elderhostel Intergenerational Programs - for grandparents and
grandchildren |
| Recreation.Gov
- for suggestions on where to go in
your particular state, and what to do when you get there. |
|
National Recreation Reservation Service
- 1-877-444-6777 - to reserve certain U.S. Forest Service camping sites. |
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National Park Foundation |
| National
Park Service |
| USDA
Forest Service |
| For those who prefer to hit
the open road in an RV, try visiting the Go
RVing Coalition and the Recreation Vehicle
Rental Association. |
|
Federal Consumer Information Center - "National Park System Map and Guide" |
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Federal Consumer Information Center - "The National Parks -- Lesser Known
Areas" |
| Safer Child Summer Safety tips -
sun safety, dehydration, bites, lightning, etc. |
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Seasonal Allergies and Asthma |
| Safer Child page on Dehydration |
|
Safer
Child Packing Checklist for Traveling, Camping & Hiking |
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