Backpacking Trips w/ Children

“After skimming through dozens of trips/threads, I haven't seen where parents are encouraged to bring their children along on TT trips. Is that because of the likely adult conversations and drinking that occurs?

I have four children: the two oldest are eight and six. I would like to take them "into the woods" so that they can begin to appreciate and learn from the outdoors. However, I haven't seen too many trips that seem compatible for parents with kids. Either the trips would involve too much hiking for the kids or they seem to involve an "adult atmosphere."

Any thoughts on this? Are there other parents with children here who would like to see more "family" backpacking trips on TT?

BTW, this isn't a slam on adult-oriented trips. I am just curious as to how parents here involve their children in the outdoors. Obviously, we can take our kids on trips by ourselves, but I thought getting together with other families who enjoy the outdoors would be a good idea as well.”

“There have been some TT trips specifically oriented toward families w/kids, in Michigan, I think. I have brought my son on one (two?) TT trips, but only after asking the other participants if it was OK and getting resounding "yes"'s. Check this out:

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/545555856paTawU

Of course, he is more experienced than some TTers....

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2806515460037037243IAWBFY
last edited: 10/26/07 10:49:15 AM”

“Usually the trips prohibit kids, as you say, by the mileage. There have been trips that would work with kids mileage wise where I have asked the organizer if it's kid friendly. If the answer is no, which hasn't happened, then I'd be fine with it. If yes, I'd have no qualms about going. My sons first 2 backpacking trips were TT trips.

Usually the trips for kids are designated as such. There was one last weekend in the Smokies and one the first weekend in August in Michigan. There's one this weekend where I sought permission for my kids but then I had to bail due to other obligaitons.”

“Here's the one in Michigan I mentioned: http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip/1278.php

Note that this was the 5th year in a row it's occured.”

“I have 2 daughters who like to camp and hike. they are 14 and 12. I also have a son who loves to camp. he is 8 and has downs so is way to much work to take backpacking so I just camp with him.

You can use this link to find other kid trips in the past http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/index.php?title=kids&age=9999
but you will have to ignore some of the chaff included in the search.

Here is a report of TT trip I took my kids on http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/48907,-1.php Not very many people showed interest in it, possibly because of the cost of the rafting, but I still took my kids anyway.”

“I took my son once when he was 10 years old.The first couple of days he was ok after that it was a nightmare.On the last day with only a half mile to go back to the trailhead he decided that he had enough and led down on the trail in the worst mosquito infected spot on the whole trip and refused to get up.

Two of us had to carry him by the armpits back to the car............after that it was canoe trips,things went much smoother !!”

“Just make sure the kids are under control and will not be trying to do a dive off the nearest cliff edge.
That kinda freaks us without kids out. LOL”

“The best way to get kids to like backpacking is to take other kids with you. Child/parent bonding is cool and all, but they don't really want to spend 48 consecutive hours with just us.”

“TBA! We do an anual Mother's day hike in Red River Gorge that all are welcome to join. The mileage is short, and there is always loads of fun stuff to do. Last year the hammocks and bubbles were both HUGE hits. We spent about half the day playing in creation falls, and Rock bridge.

We do kids trips, but mostly during the warm months, because the cold tends to get to them also. I think the older kids are always welcome as long as they can deal with the mileage, then I think most of us would try to be respectful, and wait till the younger ones were in bed before getting drunk and lewd. ;-)”

“This brings back memories. I think that I started a thread about backpacking with kids way back when my kids were 6 and 8. I didn't try to take them on a group trip at first. RichB and MSilver went on a group trip with us once, where Rich tried to teach my kids how to fish in a creek. MSilver went all the way back to his car and got a bag of marshmallows for my girls to roast. That was a very special trip. I think the orig kid thread was titled pottying in the woods or something like that.”

“The only problem I see is bringing kids would raise the collective maturity of the trips.”

“so true Lumber. So, so true.”

“Yeah, listen to lumbering. I met a ton of TT ers on a trip to Robert Tremain State Park and had my girls and two of their friends with us. It was carcamping and there was a lot of drinking in the evening. My girls slept through it but I was pretty worried that the friends' parents would hear about it and get mad.

Most of the backpacking trips are pretty strenuous, but if the kids are able to keep up and carry what they need, it should be okay. But people will worry if you don't keep up with the group.”

“I would not bring any of my daughters friends on a TT trip for that exact reason. If their parents want to come with us then fine, but never by myself. Besides, I'm male, and that opens up all kinds of other potential problems with taking young girls into secluded places, and I'm not about to put myself into a situation where I might get accused of something by a minor.”

“Tbastress, The "All About the kids" trips Birch and I organize every year are generally in late July or early August, at Nordhouse dunes. Many of the participants have been talking about how we need to get the kids out more often, but life gets in the way. Look for it on the trips thread next year around April.
The Red River Gorge, KY, Mother's day weekend trip is great fun. Last year was the first year we stayed in a campground, simply because the turn out was so huge. The kids and adults alike had a wonderful time. Usually we backpack and camp though. Ruby puts that one on every year.
Organize a trip for kids and we will come. How old are yours? We have TT kids all over the age spectrum in the areas surrounding Ohio.”

“Most of the Deep South (like Sipsey) and the Mid-West will say 'don't intend to be a party trip' if serious drinking and cussing might be a issue. A little sipping around the campfire is expected, but most people are courteous if kids are around.
Can't say about other areas because I have not hiked there much.”

“SS - then there was that time that SOMEONE put a beer in front of Reece while he was asleep. I still get in trouble from that one.”

“Yes but you see, I am a girl so therefore it wasn't a problem, at least from their parents' standpoint. I didn't ingest any alcohol on the trip and tried to stay with the girls as much as possible. The kids slept through the drinking and carrying on so that worked out. But I was worried and won't do that again.

If you have daughters and they want to bring their friends, then you need to have a female chaperone come with you. It is better if the kids are older when you try to do this, take it from a girl scout leader. The dark night is really scary to some kids.”

“I don't even think I would take my own neices in today's world.

Dayhiker is such a wimp. ;-)
It was a great photo. LOL
last edited: 10/26/07 11:48:35 AM”

“Lyndy, I still have those pictures from that trip with your kids posted in my Webshots album. That was a fun trip and one of the best days of fly fishing I can remember.”

“last year I took my then 13 yo daughter to a Anime convention for the weekend. She had a couple of her girlfriends who were going to come. I told the mothers that we would be staying in one hotel room with 2 double beds and a couch. That I would be sleeping on the couch. The mothers said OK. I said, there are no dividers in this room. They still said ok. I was like, "damn, it sucks to be considered this harmless".”

“Wow, you're great.”

“Yeah Rich, that was a beautiful spot on that Pleasant Run.

Hyway, I guess they figured you would be lucky if you survived the giggling and squealing of three girls away from home.”

“


Picture an opened Miller Lite can between where his right hand and his knee almost touch.”

“Every trip I have scheduled has been designated as family friendly, within the parameters of the trip. In other words, if your kids are capable of doing the mileage, then they are welcome to come. I kind of leave those decisions up to the parents. Every kid I know who is capable of carrying a full backpack can probably out pace me, so I don't feel like they would slow anything down.

I think the issue of under supervision and under control are the two biggest concerns. I haven't met anyone on a TT hike that I think would be against kids being there, but they would be concerned if the kids were allowed to endanger themselves due to lack of parental oversight. Beyond that, go for it.”

“The first trip there was a bluff nearby. I was very apprehensive about going. I was reassured that with 10-12 pairs of eyes he'd be fine. I was a nervous wreck the whole trip playing defense. He never got close to the drop-off but I made dang sure he didn't bother anyone. I'm sure it affected my enjoyment at the time, but looking back it was a great trip. I'd probably not camp there again because of the bluff. Lots of longtime TT'ers on that one.”

“If you are not sure if the trip is "kid friendly", the customary thing to do is to ask the trip organizer. Some TT trips I have been on are definately not for children.

Having said that, I think it's great that you want to get your kids out there!”

“What's considered "kid friendly" is also interpreted differently. Take Trail Days, I wouldn't feel comfortable taking my kids to that, but others have no problem.”

“if you want to take your kids backpacking... go. you don't need a tt trip to go backpacking.”

“also, anyone can offer a tt trip. so if there isn't a tt trip that you think is kid friendly then perhaps you should organize one.”

“Basicly if the purpose of the trip is big miles, dangerous terain, or heavy drinking, then pick something else, otherwise bring em along, the more the merrier! If oyu can't find anything already planned that is suitable, then plan your own, post it here, and see who shows!”

“Tbastress: I see you are not a newby, though your name is unfamiliar to me. I don't know if you are aware of this or not. As Jimmy San mentioned above, the trips are offered by whomever feels compelled to organize one. There is no official TrailTalk trip planning department in other words.

Each trip is unique depending on organizer, location, dates, and mileage, just to name a few of the variables. My sons, 12 & 7, have been backpacking with me since they were 3 on TT trips. Some TT trips I would bring them with me and others I would not. In most cases, the reason I would not bring them would have more to do with the temperature (if it was below freezing) or the mileage rather than the other TTers on the trip. You have to weigh each trip separately.

And feel free to organize a trip or two yourself. As others have mentioned, Birch and Sass's "All About the Kids" trip in Michigan in August every year is very popular as is my annual "Mother's Day in Red River Gorge." There is always room for more trips!!”

““if you want to take your kids backpacking... go. you don't need a tt trip to go backpacking.”
Jimmy san
3:43:24 PM
10/26/07

I know what you are saying, but some people haven't built up a circle of backpacking friends. Thats why they come to a place like TT, to find some.”

“Dayhiker, I was wondering when that pic would make its way to this thread.

There were 2 kids on a TT trip last weekend to the Smokies. I enjoy the trips with kids...gives me an excuse to roast marshmallows and eat smores.”

“Dayhiker, I agree with your wife. That would not make me happy.”

“I've been taking my daughter dayhiking since she was about 4 years old and backpacking since age seven. I took her for several years just her and I and simply because I wanted to have that time with her to teach her the ins and outs of backpacking.Then when she was 14 I took her on her first TT trip to Mt Rogers,VA. The TT crowd did some light drinking but nothing out of control and they were all very nice to her.Now she's almost 18 and passing up the trips for her friends.In a few years I expect she will want me and the woods back...I hope!”

“My son and I have done a lot of backpacking and hiking together. I miss my little buddy.

Spam - she'll be back on the trail with you before you know it. What's the old addage: A son is a son 'till he gets him a wife; a daugther's a daughter the rest of your life". I think there is some truth to that.”

“hey hyway remember i took my kids to trail days . just didnt let them go to the big camp fire... had a blast
are you taking your kids to hot springs?
if you are i might bring my 9 yr old”

“I've taken my son backpacking once and it was great. He did great and had a blast. But, we only did 2.5 miles. I've had him hiking tons of times, but backpacking is a whole different ball of wax. The bottom line is it HAS to be fun for the kid(s). Otherwise you'll only discourage them from future trips. Personally, I can't wait until he wants to hike and backpack to the point where he's ASKING me when and where we're going. And by age 10, he'll be big and strong enough to carry some of his own stuff. But the 4 years between now and then are what's going to make or break his thoughts on backpacking. Our job as parents is to let them dabble in it with it always being enjoyable and fun.”

“jb, you are right. I need to correct my statement. I would take my kids to Traildays if I wasn't planning on camping with the other TTers. I think they would have a grand time. But the group camping is a big part of what I like about traildays and I would miss the craziness of the campfire camaraderie. Not to mention not getting highly inebriated. :) I don't get drunk when I have full responsibility for my kids.

Yes the kids are coming to hotsprings”

“my 8 year old can carry his own gear and his base back is lighter than most people that have been backpacking for years.”

“JS, your kids rock though.”

“Hyway, you can't take your kids to Traildays. Your friend Zack would be upset!”

“I can always make time for zack”

“My son Luke is 14. He's been on four trail talk trips, three other backpacking trips and countless day hikes. He doesn't like to do a lot of miles - 7 is the most he's done. He's usually only good for one full day of hiking. When I need some adult time and some decent miles, I leave him at home.”

“I've been in the woods with my kids since they were walking. My daughter grew out of it, and rarely goes anymore. Shes off to college now but still talks of our trips when she was younger. Those trips at a young age will be remembered forever. The boy still goes but now he usually is scouting for deer or some other critters. When they first started they would only carry a backpack with a water bottle, as they got older I added a little weight. 10% of a very young kids weight is about right. A little older they can carry 15%. Once they turn 12 they can carry 20% with no problem. At 15 my son carries 25-30%. When they are young don't plan to be in a hurry. You may go 20 yards and see a really cool bug that will keep them intrested for several minutes. Best thing is to hike at their speed. Who cares if its three bugs ot two rocks per hour. The time spent will be a lasting memory.


BAMA”

“Adults were definitely outnumbered on that trip!”

“YOU LET YOUR KIDS SPEND TIME WITH JERBEAR!!!

man, talk about a lapse of good judgement!”

“What is a bigger concern is the one who is nearly hiding over Stomper's shoulder.




















UPLOVER!!!!!”