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Step 1
Think of the "right gear." Whether an adult or a kid, proper hiking gear is important. This means your children should wear hiking boots with good support and have a good lightweight backpack.
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Step 2
Think safety. Sit down and discuss the proper emergency steps a child should take if they become separated from the group--and have them repeat it back to you to make sure they understand. Also discuss what they should do if the adult is injured or needs help. If you’re going to hike in an area with bears or mountain lions, make them understand how important it is to stick with the group, and instruct them on what to do if there’s an encounter. Additional safety practices include having the child wear a bike helmet-for those tumbles on rocky trails as they go too quickly, and wearing a loud whistle they can blow if they get lost.
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Step 3
Get the kids involved from the start to get them excited. This includes choosing where to go, discussing what you’re going to see, agreeing on what everyone wants to do, and working together to prepare and organize the gear and food for the trip. Call it hands-on learning.
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Step 4
Plan to go slow. You’ve seen kids scamper to keep up with your pace or charge ahead with enthusiasm. They'll quickly tire out. Put the slowest child in the lead. You may not cover a great distance, but it will make the hike enjoyable. Because of this, it’s important to plan your hike around your slowest hiker and not set a destination based on an adult’s pace. Plus you want them to enjoy the trip, which means stopping, looking and poking about. Make it an adventure, not a chore.
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Step 5
Share the burden. Make sure the kids carry some of the load, proportionate to their size and abilities. This is part of the learning experience. This includes carrying water and some food, and a change of clothes. Watch out for the over achievers who say they can carry more than they should-it’s a fast way to tire them out.
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Step 6
Plan wisely with food and water. Keeping kids properly hydrated is essential. Make them drink regularly, even if they say they’re not thirsty. Yes, this may mean a few extra pit stops, but it reduces the chance of overheating and fatigue. GORP (good old raisins and peanuts) is an excellent healthy source of short term energy bursts, as well as hard fruits (apples, pears), string cheese, and energy bars.
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Step 7
Prepare for weather changes. Rain is a risk while backpacking, as are temperature fluctuations. Make sure you have something in mind to keep kids busy if a weather shift keeps you in your tents. And bring weather gear appropriate to the season that will keep the children dry, warm and comfortable.
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Step 8
Bring plenty of biodegradable toilet paper or tissues, especially if you have a lot of girls on the hike. While the boys get a kick of peeing in the woods, girls rarely do. And neither sex is too fond of going #2 in the woods. Teach them responsible practices such as how far to be off trail, and to not "go" near water sources.
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Step 9
Do a short practice trip. Take a day hike with all your gear. It’s a good way to see if there are problems with what the kids have to carry or their gear before you go on the big trip. For added practice, have them "get lost" in a safe place, and test to make sure they remember what to do.
