Appalachian Trail site for KIDS

“My name is Brenda Kerr and I will be solo, thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail this year beginning on March 19th. I am spreading the word about an Appalachian Trail website for kids that I have developed with Dan "Wingfoot" Bruce at the Center for Appalachian Trail Studies. The site is called Kid's Place and is located on the web at www.trailplace.com/kidsplace/kidsplace-index.html

I conceived the Kid's Place Appalachian Trail Project on the Trail somewhere in Vermont. I was section hiking, trying out gear for my thru-hike, when it occurred to me that I could bring the Trail into the lives of a lot of kids by writing a journal with them in mind. The idea grew from just being a journal into all the features you see here on the Kid's Place site today.

The goal of Kid's Place is to inform, educate and entertain kids, from 8-12 years old, about the Appalachian Trail, the plants and animals of the A.T., Leave No Trace principles, and how to enjoy backpacking and hiking, and especially the outdoors in general, using the A.T. as the backdrop. I will use simple language and thoughts geared toward kids. I love the outdoors and believe in my heart that the Kid's Place site will be a great addition to any classroom, troop or club.

Please take some time to check it out, and spread the word about the site. I know that by educating kids about the Trail today, we are investing in a promising future for the AT.

Thank You,
Brenda Kerr GA ->ME March 19, 2001”

“Looks like a nice site. I'll look at it more later when I get time. I know of a few people to send the link to. Good Luck with your Through Hike!”

“Bookmarked. I'll make it the default on my browser in an attempt to brainwash my poorly misguided children.”

“I was just admiring the site
a couple days ago and wishing there was something like that for my kids a few years back.”

“Good idea! Just two suggestions: shorter words, more pictures. Lots of kids (especially at the younger end of your target age group) won't have the patience for that much reading.

My SO did a backpacking presentation at his daughter's fifth grade class last year and the kids were fascinated by all the "cool" gear (are you listening, Minister of Truth? More materialistic little gear-heads in the making!). They especially liked the Thermarest UL, the backpacking stove & dehydrated food, and his mountaineering gear (ice axe, crampons, etc). He tried to indoctrinate them into proper backpacking philosophy by emphasizing compactness and light weight.”

“I like it, Brenda. How will you be posting journal entries? Please give hardware details; I'm a computer nerd.”