Traveling with children is an adventure all its own. You've finally arrived at your destination unscathed, now what to do? Adventure touring is possible with little ones, as long as you choose your activities wisely. Certainly bungee jumping is out of the question. However a family backpacking trip or day hike may be just the ticket.
Kids love the outdoors and it is always surprising to view the world through their little eyes. On one memorable occasion, we took our oldest daughter backpacking when she was just 11 months old and barely walking. She rode in a backpack for the six-mile trek to the campsite. When we arrived at the site, we marveled at how intensely she examined each leaf, piece of moss and berry she found.
If you decide that adventure travel is for your family, first decide what you want to do based upon your interests and fitness level. Educate yourself and your kids about where you are going and what you might see. Then, choose the length and duration of the trip based upon the ages and skills of your children. Preschoolers can walk a mile or so with adequate rest breaks and an infant can ride comfortably in a backpack (over four months of age) or front pack (under four months of age). Each child that walks can carry a small backpack with his or her own sunscreen, sun hat and small snack. Kids love to carry their own stuff. It makes them feel important and helpful. If your infant is riding in front pack, it is possible to carry a light rucksack on your back, but the bulk of the gear will have to be carried by the strongest person in the family. Many adventure-touring groups have package deals suitable for families with young children.
Clothing
Make sure each person has well-fitted, broken-in shoes and adequate clothing for the weather. Dressing in layers is the best way to accomplish this. The first layer should consist of something light and breathable, second layer should be warm and also breathable, like polar fleece, and a light wind-resistant third layer. Remember to bring rain gear for everyone. Dry, comfortable kids are happy kids.
Food and Beverages
Enough food is a requirement for any outdoor adventure. Kids expend a lot of energy and need refueling often. High-energy nutritious snacks and meals are a good way to replenish their energy reserves. Things that pack easily are dried fruit and nut mixes, granola bars and homemade energy bars. Avoid candy bars and simple sugars. They may give quick energy, but it doesn't last very long, and after the body has used all the sugar, fatigue may be the result.
It is important to pack things your kids like to eat. This is not the time for experimenting with food and taking the chance your kids will refuse to eat. Water and juice are excellent for hydration. Remind your little ones to drink often.
If you would like to make your own energy bars.
You can also make your own sports drinks.
First Aid
No matter how careful you are, accidents happen. One other essential item to bring on a family hiking adventure is a first-aid kit. Remedies for cuts, bruises and blisters need to be readily available. The following list includes some important items that your kit should contain:
- Bandages
- Antibiotic ointment
- Small bottle of antiseptic spray
- Moleskin
- Sunburn lotion
- Pain reliever such as ibuprofen
- A few gauze pads
- One roll of first-aid tape
- Homeopathic Arnica cream
All of these items can be easily purchased at a pharmacy, and this list can be expanded for more lengthy travel.
Toileting
What about toileting? This is a particularly sticky issue if your kids are still in diapers. If you are traveling in the wilderness, you must pack out what you've packed in. Extra plastic grocery bags make convenient, low cost, easy-to-pack diaper disposal bags. Never bury disposable diapers because they are not biodegradable. Kids who can use the toilet, generally have no problem using the "outdoor facilities." If you are in a remote wilderness area, pack out or burn your used toilet tissue.
Activities
Let your kids help when setting up camp. Any little task will allow them to feel like a valued member of your "expedition." Another great activity is to ask them to find specimens of leaves, moss, and other flora and fauna. Later, you can help them identify what they have found. One caveat here: It is illegal to pick flowers, disturb wildlife and remove items from a United States national park area. In this case, have them just show you what they've found. If your kids are older, a pencil and sketchpad offer an alternative to collecting.
Taking kids out in the wilderness gives parents the opportunity to teach lessons about natural history, conservation and ecology. These are lessons they may not get in the classroom and certainly the time you spend together is priceless. Finally, here is the rest of the story of hiking with my 11 month old. We were setting up camp and she was examining blueberries when she stood up and began to wave and say, "hi!" We looked up and saw what she was greeting -- an 800-pound grizzly bear! Luckily he was quite a distance off and finally ran off into some brush when an approaching hiker frightened him. My daughter was thrilled to see this beautiful bear. We did make the decision to break camp and hike out that evening, singing, "The Bear Went Over the Mountain," the whole way out!
Enjoy your trip!!
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