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Want to start hiking with family
- Thread starter Verzejd
- Start date
Mom's Cafe Serves Everyone Extra Helpings of French Fries, Mustard, & Ketchup.
That's how I remember the 10 Essentials. Some schools of thought will tell you that you should only carry what you need, as extra slows you down. I disagree, not only personally but in your situation with a family, as almost anything can happen in the woods/desert/jungle/etc. With some fine tuning, this stuff can easily be fitted into a normal, school-sized backpack; I've gone extreme and put it all into a lumbar. I'll give you the basic, plus my own idea. Be advised that my list is a basic version of a 24-hour pack for Search & Rescue, so some of my stuff is overdone. I can still carry my lumbar as a messenger bag and not look too funky, though. Here goes -
1. Map. Obviously, this depends on where you're going to be. Most places that have lots of hikers will have topo maps for you. I've been playing in the outdoors locally for 20 years, so in my local parks I don't carry a map. When we're called out to areas that I'm not absolutely 100% familar with, I grab a map every time. If you can keep in it a waterproof map case, that's great, but a gallon ziplock bag works almost as well. .
2. Compass. Not the one that came in the McDonalds happy meal, either. I carry a Suunto MC-Something or other. I've got different needs being involved in SAR, but I'd say that anybody in the woods should have one. More than one, really. Many times you can tell direction from stars, the sun, yadda yadda yadda, but when you're completely confused it's nice to have something to tell you concretely where you are.
side note - GPS units are great. I've got one, I use it all the time, but by no means would I rely on it completely. TONS of people get lost using them, when the drop it and it breaks, the batteries die, you get the idea. Before you use a GPS, you should be able to use a map & compass. I'd never carry a GPS without having the backup. But back to the list.
Sunglasses & Sunscreen. Pretty standard stuff, really. My eyeglasses change for me in the presence of UV rays, so I don't even have to think about it anymore. You're out there enjoying nature, and nothing is worse than having to walk along blinded by the sun while your skin stings because of sunburn. I like to carry the little mini-tubes of sunscreen myself, I burn pretty easily and they're not too big, so I never consider leaving them behind because of weight or anything. A good hat is also nice, whatever you like, from tilley to boonie or even cowboy.
Extra Food. When my group goes out everybody carries their own food. My daypack has an MRE tucked in the bottom. Gorp is good, freezedried is good. I personally try to stay away from things that need cooked. This is also a good time to mention water. Everybody needs water. I carry a minimum of 2 liters of water, most people tend to only carry one. Whatever works for you.
Extra Clothing. Kinda seasonally dependant. A change of socks is nice, for when you slip and fall into the creek or something. Maybe a nice jacket would work for you. This is up to you, really.
Headlamp or Flashlight. I carry lights all the time. Even when I'm not in the woods, I've got 3 on me. I personally try to stay consistant with batteries, so everything in my pack takes AA's. I've got an LED headlamp (PT Matrix), Single-cell walking light (CMG Infinity Ultra-G) and a 2 Cell spotter (Minimag w/Terralux Ministar2 conversion). I have to operate in the dark fairly regularly, but even if you don't, you should have something just in case. If you didn't notice, all of my lights are LED, which sip battery juice. From my experience, I don't need a huge monster spotlight in the woods when I'm hiking. Some might, I'm sure, so you'll need to taylor this to you.
First-Aid kit. There's a ton of them out there. Be sure to remember any special medical issues (medication, formula for babies, etc.) when you're packing this. The key word is "First", and if there's massive injury most people aren't trained to do anything helpful anyway. But you'll be there first, so just have enough to take care of things to get you out of the wilderness, or to make the person comfortable. I can handle minor injuries with my training, with my kit and with what I find in nature. A good first-aid class is always an idea.
Fire Starter. Hopefully if you're hiking you won't need to stop and start a fire, but if you would, rubbing sticks together gets old after a while. I carry a lighter, matches, a flint, a mag bar, plus some odd tinder. It's good to be prepaired.
Matches. Hmm, I think I already said this, huh? I could add on those trioxianne bars, maybe. I don't carry them myself, but some people do. Maybe parafinn paper??
Knife. I carry 3 when I'm not in the woods, a BM910, LM Micra and a cheepie SAK knockoff to avoid spooking the sheeple. In my pack I've got a Ti fixed blade and a SOG Switchplier, plus the ever-present SAK in my first-aid kit.
Like John-Boy said, give us some more information (like I haven't rambled on enough already), and I'm sure you'll get all the stuff you need. .
That's how I remember the 10 Essentials. Some schools of thought will tell you that you should only carry what you need, as extra slows you down. I disagree, not only personally but in your situation with a family, as almost anything can happen in the woods/desert/jungle/etc. With some fine tuning, this stuff can easily be fitted into a normal, school-sized backpack; I've gone extreme and put it all into a lumbar. I'll give you the basic, plus my own idea. Be advised that my list is a basic version of a 24-hour pack for Search & Rescue, so some of my stuff is overdone. I can still carry my lumbar as a messenger bag and not look too funky, though. Here goes -
1. Map. Obviously, this depends on where you're going to be. Most places that have lots of hikers will have topo maps for you. I've been playing in the outdoors locally for 20 years, so in my local parks I don't carry a map. When we're called out to areas that I'm not absolutely 100% familar with, I grab a map every time. If you can keep in it a waterproof map case, that's great, but a gallon ziplock bag works almost as well. .
2. Compass. Not the one that came in the McDonalds happy meal, either. I carry a Suunto MC-Something or other. I've got different needs being involved in SAR, but I'd say that anybody in the woods should have one. More than one, really. Many times you can tell direction from stars, the sun, yadda yadda yadda, but when you're completely confused it's nice to have something to tell you concretely where you are.
side note - GPS units are great. I've got one, I use it all the time, but by no means would I rely on it completely. TONS of people get lost using them, when the drop it and it breaks, the batteries die, you get the idea. Before you use a GPS, you should be able to use a map & compass. I'd never carry a GPS without having the backup. But back to the list.
Sunglasses & Sunscreen. Pretty standard stuff, really. My eyeglasses change for me in the presence of UV rays, so I don't even have to think about it anymore. You're out there enjoying nature, and nothing is worse than having to walk along blinded by the sun while your skin stings because of sunburn. I like to carry the little mini-tubes of sunscreen myself, I burn pretty easily and they're not too big, so I never consider leaving them behind because of weight or anything. A good hat is also nice, whatever you like, from tilley to boonie or even cowboy.
Extra Food. When my group goes out everybody carries their own food. My daypack has an MRE tucked in the bottom. Gorp is good, freezedried is good. I personally try to stay away from things that need cooked. This is also a good time to mention water. Everybody needs water. I carry a minimum of 2 liters of water, most people tend to only carry one. Whatever works for you.
Extra Clothing. Kinda seasonally dependant. A change of socks is nice, for when you slip and fall into the creek or something. Maybe a nice jacket would work for you. This is up to you, really.
Headlamp or Flashlight. I carry lights all the time. Even when I'm not in the woods, I've got 3 on me. I personally try to stay consistant with batteries, so everything in my pack takes AA's. I've got an LED headlamp (PT Matrix), Single-cell walking light (CMG Infinity Ultra-G) and a 2 Cell spotter (Minimag w/Terralux Ministar2 conversion). I have to operate in the dark fairly regularly, but even if you don't, you should have something just in case. If you didn't notice, all of my lights are LED, which sip battery juice. From my experience, I don't need a huge monster spotlight in the woods when I'm hiking. Some might, I'm sure, so you'll need to taylor this to you.
First-Aid kit. There's a ton of them out there. Be sure to remember any special medical issues (medication, formula for babies, etc.) when you're packing this. The key word is "First", and if there's massive injury most people aren't trained to do anything helpful anyway. But you'll be there first, so just have enough to take care of things to get you out of the wilderness, or to make the person comfortable. I can handle minor injuries with my training, with my kit and with what I find in nature. A good first-aid class is always an idea.
Fire Starter. Hopefully if you're hiking you won't need to stop and start a fire, but if you would, rubbing sticks together gets old after a while. I carry a lighter, matches, a flint, a mag bar, plus some odd tinder. It's good to be prepaired.
Matches. Hmm, I think I already said this, huh? I could add on those trioxianne bars, maybe. I don't carry them myself, but some people do. Maybe parafinn paper??
Knife. I carry 3 when I'm not in the woods, a BM910, LM Micra and a cheepie SAK knockoff to avoid spooking the sheeple. In my pack I've got a Ti fixed blade and a SOG Switchplier, plus the ever-present SAK in my first-aid kit.
Like John-Boy said, give us some more information (like I haven't rambled on enough already), and I'm sure you'll get all the stuff you need. .
MelancholyMutt
Doggy Style
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2002
- Messages
- 3,906
add lots of water and pedialyte. kids get dehydrated real fast. Kool-aid with a pinch of salt will keep the kids drinking and hydrated. (when mixing in salt, make sure it's no saltier than Gator-aid)
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2001
- Messages
- 4,501
Start slow and make it fun.
--Josh
--Josh
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2003
- Messages
- 20,207
>Try some reading. Nature books give you things to do while walking (identify the ____ games, for example). Area-specific books give the natural history of the area. Survival books give you information on gear, skills, and tactics that will keep you whole when "Murphy" comes calling. (Try "98.6, Keeping Your Ass Alive," but know that Cody is weak on knife issues. A minimal knife is just that - the least you should take.)
>A few additional thoughts on equipment:
Be prepared for rain. Beyond pochos and rain jackets, I suggest adding to your kit something to keep the wind/rain (or sun) off. I did SAR for a couple of years in California, and all the casualities we found were due to cold or heat. A couple of large, heavy-duty trash bags and a "survival blanket" (or two) belong in your hiking kit. (One 90 degree day in the mountains that I experienced out West turned into a 42 degree day with 5" of hail on the ground AFTER 2" of rain and a 60+ mph wind.)
Practice making fires with your fire-making stuff. If you need a fire you NEED a fire. (The "survival blanket" makes a good reflector to place behind the person needing to be warmed.)
Add a whistle (on a neck lanyard) for signaling -- carries farther than voices with less effort and with more chance at recognition as a distress signal. Signal mirror may be useful in your area -- or not (and a polished metal cup can do double duty as a reflector).
Walking sticks turn a shaky biped into a solid triped. Great for balancing when crossing streams on rocks/logs and good for braking when going down steep slopes.
>Be sure someone knows to call for help and where to send that help if you don't get back from wherever you went.
Happy hiking.
>A few additional thoughts on equipment:
Be prepared for rain. Beyond pochos and rain jackets, I suggest adding to your kit something to keep the wind/rain (or sun) off. I did SAR for a couple of years in California, and all the casualities we found were due to cold or heat. A couple of large, heavy-duty trash bags and a "survival blanket" (or two) belong in your hiking kit. (One 90 degree day in the mountains that I experienced out West turned into a 42 degree day with 5" of hail on the ground AFTER 2" of rain and a 60+ mph wind.)
Practice making fires with your fire-making stuff. If you need a fire you NEED a fire. (The "survival blanket" makes a good reflector to place behind the person needing to be warmed.)
Add a whistle (on a neck lanyard) for signaling -- carries farther than voices with less effort and with more chance at recognition as a distress signal. Signal mirror may be useful in your area -- or not (and a polished metal cup can do double duty as a reflector).
Walking sticks turn a shaky biped into a solid triped. Great for balancing when crossing streams on rocks/logs and good for braking when going down steep slopes.
>Be sure someone knows to call for help and where to send that help if you don't get back from wherever you went.
Happy hiking.
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2001
- Messages
- 4,501
Verzejd-- I do a lot of hiking near my home, but I live 5-10 minutes away from miles and miles of old logging roads in the pines. If you are a AAA member, go to your local AAA office and ask them for information on camping/hiking. They will load you up with more stuff than you can carry. Check with your state park system as well. The internet can also be a good source of information. If you pick up a few plant bird and animal identification guides, the hikes can be quite educational for the young ones as well.
How close are you to the coast? Coastal hikes (at least in California) are often some of the prettiest and most enjoyable.
It's often nice to hike to something instead of just hiking--for example, find a nice hike that ends at a waterfall or something. It gives you a goal, and a place to stop and have lunch before you turn around and head back.
--Josh
How close are you to the coast? Coastal hikes (at least in California) are often some of the prettiest and most enjoyable.
It's often nice to hike to something instead of just hiking--for example, find a nice hike that ends at a waterfall or something. It gives you a goal, and a place to stop and have lunch before you turn around and head back.
--Josh
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2000
- Messages
- 684
Some good advice so far.
Hey, I have four kids too, although mine are a little older than yours, spread out in age more... We have spent lots of time hiking through the years, and it has made for some family time!
Always keep your eyes on the kids! Particularly when they are little, they can disapear in a heartbeat! Scares the crap out of ya.
I have always dressed mine up in bright colors to make it easier to see them, although bright colors seem to attract more bugs. Also, if in areas with predators, remember that the kids would be a predator's likely target, keep them near you if in country with dangeorus animals ( Indiana's pretty tame, but I read that this is good advice in bear or cougar country ).
For your first aide kit, it may be a good idea to take some benedryl or something similar, as until your child gets stung by a bee, you don't know how they will react. My 11 year old's whole arm swole up and he had a little difficulty breathing after he got stung for the first time.
Keep to their pace. If you go too fast, they won't have any fun, and if you go too slow, they will be bored and prone to getting into more mischief.
Little kids love things like binoculars, magnifying glasses, flaslights, and having their own canteens. They seem to love sticks, too! My youngest son, 5, will pick up a stick, and insist on carrying it all day long. Gets irratated if I chuck it into the woods. I just make sure it is tall enough that he hopefully won't impale himself on it...
Give the kids whistles to blow if they become seperated from you.
Take bandaids.
Make up stories as you go. When you find footprints, for example, tell them what the footprints are from. Let them use their imagination, use fanciful creatures if you choose. Or tell them about the castle that used to be around here, or about the indians that lived there. Ghost stories work too! They will look back on it with a smile when they're older.
Hey, I have four kids too, although mine are a little older than yours, spread out in age more... We have spent lots of time hiking through the years, and it has made for some family time!
Always keep your eyes on the kids! Particularly when they are little, they can disapear in a heartbeat! Scares the crap out of ya.
I have always dressed mine up in bright colors to make it easier to see them, although bright colors seem to attract more bugs. Also, if in areas with predators, remember that the kids would be a predator's likely target, keep them near you if in country with dangeorus animals ( Indiana's pretty tame, but I read that this is good advice in bear or cougar country ). For your first aide kit, it may be a good idea to take some benedryl or something similar, as until your child gets stung by a bee, you don't know how they will react. My 11 year old's whole arm swole up and he had a little difficulty breathing after he got stung for the first time.
Keep to their pace. If you go too fast, they won't have any fun, and if you go too slow, they will be bored and prone to getting into more mischief.
Little kids love things like binoculars, magnifying glasses, flaslights, and having their own canteens. They seem to love sticks, too! My youngest son, 5, will pick up a stick, and insist on carrying it all day long. Gets irratated if I chuck it into the woods. I just make sure it is tall enough that he hopefully won't impale himself on it...
Give the kids whistles to blow if they become seperated from you.
Take bandaids.
Make up stories as you go. When you find footprints, for example, tell them what the footprints are from. Let them use their imagination, use fanciful creatures if you choose. Or tell them about the castle that used to be around here, or about the indians that lived there. Ghost stories work too! They will look back on it with a smile when they're older.
MelancholyMutt
Doggy Style
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2002
- Messages
- 3,906
Ah, NYC...
Harriman State park is the best place... Not bear mountain itself since it's just too damn steep. The last time I was there, as Kalooch can attest to, I puked up my breakfast due to the strenuous climbing. Get a good map from EMS and not one of them "Official" park maps or them tourist maps. Also, in our area, it is VERY, VERY important to deal with the tick problem!
Harriman State park is the best place... Not bear mountain itself since it's just too damn steep. The last time I was there, as Kalooch can attest to, I puked up my breakfast due to the strenuous climbing. Get a good map from EMS and not one of them "Official" park maps or them tourist maps. Also, in our area, it is VERY, VERY important to deal with the tick problem!
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2002
- Messages
- 3,291
All great advice above. I'd like to add a bit of safety. Whomever is carrying the wee one on their back should lead, the children next and then a follow up parent. That way all of the children have a set of eyes on them at all times. Actually, I'd probably get a front type carrier for the youngest so they can see where they're going instead of covering the back trail. 
I go on day hikes with my only son Isaac. He is almost six months old and rides in a "backpack". There are many hills behind our house so we hike almost everyday for about an hour or so. Aside from the already mentioned gear, I would strongly recommend hiking poles for the one carrying the one year old. I won't go without them if I'm carrying Isaac. They greatly increase your balance once your dialed in to them. They also absorb some of the shock so the baby is not bounced around so much. When crossing streams or walking across a log, you can extend them all the way and really get a sure footing. All in all, treking poles really make hiking with a kid on your back safer and easier. I for one will never go without them.
The most important thing about hiking is your feet. Make sure everyone has footware that FITS properly before you go! If the ground isn't too bad you can get away with trainers most the time. Spare socks are essential! No less than 3 pairs each. Boots help prevent twisted ankles and take longer to get shredded but they need breaking in ahead of time (walk several miles with them) or you'll regret it. Some people favor bringing spare sandals which are great when you're camped or if your other footware is damaged/wet.
Any annoyances with footware quickly become a major problem. Sort them out as soon as they happen or you'll be limping along the rest of the route with blisters. This is VERY bad when you've got children, especially if you have to carry them. If you have bad feet you might not be able to get help if "something" happens, be it a medical emergency, food/water problems or simply getting shelter. Life will be miserable.
Wet feet need to be dried a.s.a.p or you'll develop something nasty and probably fungal (remember that sanitation is limited). You go at the speed of the slowest (its a good idea to find out how fast that is ahead of time and perhaps even think of training). Remember that feet are your mode of transport. Everything else is survivable so long as you can walk.
Water and Food depends entirely on the length of the hike. The longer the hike, the lighter the food has to be. Stomachs are easily upset by a sudden change in diet so keep the first few hikes short so you can make do with fresh food for the first few meals and canned conveniences. Go for hard foods like pita bread that don't end up a soggy mess like sandwiches do. You don't need to worry about a balanced diet, your main criteria are filling and tasty food that travel well. Jerky and salami are good. Stew and curry are easy and you can vary it a lot by changing the ingredients. Lentils and rice are also light and easy to cook multipurpose stomach fillers. It might be an idea to premake meals (premix your curries, cereal + raisins and dried milk) so all you need to do is add water and heat stuff up for each meal. Tea and coffee are naturally essential Lots of snacks are good. Remember chocolate and butter melt so either keep them cool or substitute with cereal bars, peanuts, raisins etc. Everything goes into ziplock bags and then into another container (tupperware or perhaps inside your billy can or whatever you cook with) so it doesn't leak or rupture. Snacks go in side pockets or "fannypacks" so you can dole them out when the kids get hungry.
Keep the kids busy with observational games like "I spy" or scavenger hunts help pass the journey while walking. Cards and books are good in camp. First aid kits should be aimed towards common problems such as blisters (remember to slit them and not lance them with a needle or they heal), splinters, eyewash (which can be used as an earwash but not the other way round), antiseptic spray and plasters. You can't really do much for serious injuries other than stop the bleeding and send someone to get help. Check the gear to make sure nothing has expired unexpectedly. Child painkillers are worth thinking about in case of headaches, fevers etc. but they may be prescription only so check with your doctor in advance. Bring appropriate sunscreen/sunblock. Use it.
Clothing is simple. You use layers. You have a nice t-shirt at the bottom (1 spare) a waterproof for when it gets wet and as many layers in between as you need to stay warm. Even at night. Even without a tent. Altitude = unpredictable + extreme weather all year round. Remember that cotton is COLD when it gets wet. Propelene and most other artificals don't but they get smelly quickly. EVERYONE wears bright colors. Its very had to spot someone even wearing bright orange when you're searching. If you wear black, grey, green or camo and you twist your leg the odds of being found EVEN WHEN OTHER PEOPLE CAN HEAR YOU are not good. On that note get everyone a whistle so that seperated children can make themselves known.
Torches are essential. LEDs are the best (no blown bulbs and long battery life). Knives can help you make tools and if you were to lose everything else you could make a passable substitute of just about anything if you know how. If you don't know how then they're still handy for opening packaging and little tasks but they're not the be all and end all. Even making the "simplest" of things such as fashioning walking sticks require some knowledge so you either learn or bring them as part of a multitool like a Swiss Army Knife.
Last but not least: Don't forget the can-opener. Thats a real bitch.
Hope this hugely long winded post is helpful
Any annoyances with footware quickly become a major problem. Sort them out as soon as they happen or you'll be limping along the rest of the route with blisters. This is VERY bad when you've got children, especially if you have to carry them. If you have bad feet you might not be able to get help if "something" happens, be it a medical emergency, food/water problems or simply getting shelter. Life will be miserable.
Wet feet need to be dried a.s.a.p or you'll develop something nasty and probably fungal (remember that sanitation is limited). You go at the speed of the slowest (its a good idea to find out how fast that is ahead of time and perhaps even think of training). Remember that feet are your mode of transport. Everything else is survivable so long as you can walk.
Water and Food depends entirely on the length of the hike. The longer the hike, the lighter the food has to be. Stomachs are easily upset by a sudden change in diet so keep the first few hikes short so you can make do with fresh food for the first few meals and canned conveniences. Go for hard foods like pita bread that don't end up a soggy mess like sandwiches do. You don't need to worry about a balanced diet, your main criteria are filling and tasty food that travel well. Jerky and salami are good. Stew and curry are easy and you can vary it a lot by changing the ingredients. Lentils and rice are also light and easy to cook multipurpose stomach fillers. It might be an idea to premake meals (premix your curries, cereal + raisins and dried milk) so all you need to do is add water and heat stuff up for each meal. Tea and coffee are naturally essential
Lots of snacks are good. Remember chocolate and butter melt so either keep them cool or substitute with cereal bars, peanuts, raisins etc. Everything goes into ziplock bags and then into another container (tupperware or perhaps inside your billy can or whatever you cook with) so it doesn't leak or rupture. Snacks go in side pockets or "fannypacks" so you can dole them out when the kids get hungry.Keep the kids busy with observational games like "I spy" or scavenger hunts help pass the journey while walking. Cards and books are good in camp. First aid kits should be aimed towards common problems such as blisters (remember to slit them and not lance them with a needle or they heal), splinters, eyewash (which can be used as an earwash but not the other way round), antiseptic spray and plasters. You can't really do much for serious injuries other than stop the bleeding and send someone to get help. Check the gear to make sure nothing has expired unexpectedly. Child painkillers are worth thinking about in case of headaches, fevers etc. but they may be prescription only so check with your doctor in advance. Bring appropriate sunscreen/sunblock. Use it.
Clothing is simple. You use layers. You have a nice t-shirt at the bottom (1 spare) a waterproof for when it gets wet and as many layers in between as you need to stay warm. Even at night. Even without a tent. Altitude = unpredictable + extreme weather all year round. Remember that cotton is COLD when it gets wet. Propelene and most other artificals don't but they get smelly quickly. EVERYONE wears bright colors. Its very had to spot someone even wearing bright orange when you're searching. If you wear black, grey, green or camo and you twist your leg the odds of being found EVEN WHEN OTHER PEOPLE CAN HEAR YOU are not good. On that note get everyone a whistle so that seperated children can make themselves known.
Torches are essential. LEDs are the best (no blown bulbs and long battery life). Knives can help you make tools and if you were to lose everything else you could make a passable substitute of just about anything if you know how. If you don't know how then they're still handy for opening packaging and little tasks but they're not the be all and end all. Even making the "simplest" of things such as fashioning walking sticks require some knowledge so you either learn or bring them as part of a multitool like a Swiss Army Knife.
Last but not least: Don't forget the can-opener. Thats a real bitch.
Hope this hugely long winded post is helpful
This thread inspired me to get back out on the trail with the wife and kids. Saturday morning we hit Sugarloaf Mt near Frederick, MD - (yeah us surburbanites DO think it's a mountain) - we counted daddy long legs, found walking sticks for each of the kids (6, 5, 2 and 7 mos) counted rings on trees, sat at an overlook and enjoyed our water and snacks, saw a couple butterflies, a frog, and black bear tracks. The 2 years old took a spill and got a scratch on a rock - which my 5 year old was more than happy to tend to with the bandaids she was carrying. The best morning I've had in a long long time.
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2004
- Messages
- 4,172
Must agree a lot of great advice. My kids are now 5 and 10...we've been camping since my daughter was four and when my son was still in the oven
Kids love being in the outdoors. I will say we've done a ton of primative "car camping". From our "base camp" we go on day hikes. For the first time, we're going to try a short range (one nighter) hiking trip in August. Biggest asset were Camalbaks. They've gotten use to carrying them and hydrating themselves, plus they can carry their own snacks. They also have their very own little first aid pouch with whistle. I also found some small LED clip on strobe lights for emergencies.
Also, with the car-camping method, you can experiment on your campfire cullinary arts. I think I eat better camping than I do at home
Each child has their own little camping/hiking stuff (which I pack up at home...so it doesn't get lost!) I've found my daughter taking care of her SAK, my son using his own bandaids...
Keeping them interested is easy. Building fires (understanding the safety aspect), getting firewood, fishing, swimming, observing all the wildlife...over the 4th of July weekend, my son was even using my digital camera to take pictures of stuff he found; very camoflauged toad, rhino beetle, large snail, dragonfly, he was very proud of himself.
Start slow and work your way up...my wife really wants to do the backpacking primative trip.
ROCK6
Kids love being in the outdoors. I will say we've done a ton of primative "car camping". From our "base camp" we go on day hikes. For the first time, we're going to try a short range (one nighter) hiking trip in August. Biggest asset were Camalbaks. They've gotten use to carrying them and hydrating themselves, plus they can carry their own snacks. They also have their very own little first aid pouch with whistle. I also found some small LED clip on strobe lights for emergencies.
Also, with the car-camping method, you can experiment on your campfire cullinary arts. I think I eat better camping than I do at home
Each child has their own little camping/hiking stuff (which I pack up at home...so it doesn't get lost!) I've found my daughter taking care of her SAK, my son using his own bandaids...
Keeping them interested is easy. Building fires (understanding the safety aspect), getting firewood, fishing, swimming, observing all the wildlife...over the 4th of July weekend, my son was even using my digital camera to take pictures of stuff he found; very camoflauged toad, rhino beetle, large snail, dragonfly, he was very proud of himself.
Start slow and work your way up...my wife really wants to do the backpacking primative trip.
ROCK6
The easiest way is to pick shorter hikes and let your 3 year old set the pace. If you try to hurry the 3 year old, everyone will end up upset. The youngest ambulatory one sets the pace.
Make sure everyone sticks together.
All the rest above is good too.
Phil
Make sure everyone sticks together.
All the rest above is good too.
Phil