Last summer I took my whole family backpacking. We hiked into a base camp, and did day hikes and a summit from there. It was so wonderful. The more kids we can get unplugged and into the wilderness, the better.
One of our favorite things to do, is to pack out hammocks and hike on a creek trail. We hike for a bit, set out the hammocks by the creek, play in the water, eat, dry out and then head home. North Georgia has plenty of ideal hikes for kids.
Dixie! Our family was hiking the Pacific Northwest Trail when this video came out, I can’t believe I didn’t see it till now! Thank you for including our link! What an honor ❤️. I teared up at the end to hear you talk about the importance of being in nature and bonding. That’s one of my favorite things about long-distance hiking with our kids: distraction free time to really get to know each other. It is a treasure! We love you! We are hitting the CDT in April, time to rewatch all your CDT videos 😁-mindi
GREAT topic Dixie. I have seen some great videos on hiking/backpacking with children, but for the life of me I don't understand why UA-cam is loaded with them. My youngest is 38 years old and we all have great outdoor memories. Now I get to relive those times with my grandchildren (ages 2-9). One of their favorite stores is REI. Only tips I can offer is every now and then stoop down and look at your surroundings while hiking. Keep in mind that a child's eyes may only be 40 inches off the ground. And the other tip is try not to say "No". You really hit a home run with this video. You sure have a wonderful mother. Tell her I said so.
I haven’t got kids either, but.. I think what I like most about this channel is that Dixie is showing people the beauty of nature, promoting and trying to expand the backpacking/ hiking community. Everyone can give back in their own way, but she is right, make it fun for those who are around you.. I think this is a universal message for whenever we are around others.. little ones, or those who are kids at heart but just starting out, those who are progressing up, or especially those who are still reluctant to get outside. We each have Our role as an ambassador to recruit others in.
Fantastic episode. Thanks for putting this one together, Dixie. As a dad of 4 great kiddos (ages 8 to 16) I use many of these tips/tricks. The “after hike treat” has become the norm for the crew, aka “Team Awesome”. I recommend creating a team name for the family. Let the kids pick it out and come up with a cool logo. Adventure at their pace. Allow time for them to enjoy nature...smell the roses! Most of all be “with” your family. Don’t worry about the time or reaching the destination or all the work that is waiting for you back at the office, be “with” the family. Enjoy the time and make every moment precious. Love the center piece from nature idea, we will be using that on the next adventure.
This was really great! I don't have kids either but I've hiked since childhood and remember many of these points. Small addition especially for older kids and teenagers: if they're interested, involve them in your route planning.
Definitely! That's what we enjoyed as teenagers, especially when we became good enough to prove our parents wrong. Now adding GPS and mobile phones to the navigation more often than not I'm better at navigation than my dad.😀
I love your ideas! You are an amazing woman and such a beautiful soul! I hope to see you find your soulmate and hike with your children. I feel you go above and beyond to see things from other perspectives as I try to do. As a mother of 3 this video is appreciated SO MUCH!!
When hiking with my kids I almost always bring the freeze dried Ice Cream Sandwiches for one desert. They always love it and ask if we will have them (I personally don't care for them). We also hit a fastfood joint on the way to the hike and one on the way back (usually something we don't normally do). Our favorite area is Grayson Highlands in VA. You start at a high altitude so there is not as much elevation changes but you get enough to feel like you are (not to mention the views). You have the rock scrambles and areas they can feel like they are doing bouldering or rock climbing. And of course, there are the PONIES! The most difficult thing I have had is being able to get my kids to use the toilet in the woods - the privies are good for this but even those they really don't want to use it nor are they always available. Also, I always (even as young as 5 years old) teach my kids how to navigate the trail and how to keep from getting lost. I encourage them to show me how to get back, which way is which. OH, and every kid is different. My middle child wants the long distance hikes, she wants the miles (so we go on longer hikes). My oldest wants to explore, look for bugs and animals (so we will spend a lot more time at camp- camping early and not departing too early). My youngest is a mix of the other two, however he wants to take more breaks to just relax and then will explore (but just the immediate area - the oldest one: I have to make sure she has a whistle because of how far she goes).
I love that you were a Girl Scout and Leader! I’m a Girl Guide leader in the U.K. and love sharing the outdoors with them. We did a trip to Switzerland including camping and hiking last summer
My group was in Switzerland last summer too! We stayed at Our Chalet, which was amazing. Girl Scouting teaches progression when it comes to the outdoors. We spent many years building up to more adventurous trips.
those are great tips! I'd like to add a couple that work for us (mom & son,5) : - involve your kids in the planning process! I use maps, guides and YT-videos for the planning. My son loves the planning and then recognizing what we saw in videos before! I think it makes him feel accomplished to actually hike somewhere he's only seen "on tv" before. Also planning takes away his anxiety of the unknown. - the 10% rule is a good guideline for the weight the child can carry - frequent breaks! we usually take a break every hour, sometimes just a couple of minutes, sometimes longer. kids need to run around without a backpack in between. Is it always fun and easy for me to walk slowly and then take breaks this often? no! Does it help my kid to enjoy the hike more? Yes! So we walk slow and take breaks. - take more zeros or neros than you would need for yourself. Also chances are you carry a lot of weight, so your body may need the rest as well! (to clarify: we do day hikes as well as longer hikes in Europe, mostly Germany. Last year, we went to Bornholm, Denmark and hiked the kyststi (120k) in 9 days - that was my son's first official thru-hike. pretty awesome for a then-four-yr-old ;) )
Great video. I wish this one was made before my son (who turned 14 on trail) and I started our thru-hike last season. I got really frustrated with him for raiding hiker boxes (he found a 6" knife in Gatlinburg that he carried to our finish in NJ) and his desire to get something at every Dollar General we stopped at, but looking back, those things kept him going. My tramily and I let him have some say in our daily mileage and even though he was the stronger hiker of all of us, we tried not to push him too much. Playing games, such as tossing a frisbee was a highlight for him.
Hey Dixie, I like to hike two or three times a year with my two nephews (6/11). Meanwhile, even for the youngerone, distances of 10 km (6 mi) are not a problem at all. Good planning is extremly important. What makes a hiking trail attractive is not the same for children and adults. Children are less interested in beautiful views for example. Ideally, the path offers many small adventures: interesting trees/plants, animals, waterfalls, small climbing tours. Being excited what comes next is the key. Especially with kids a hike should be seen more like an adventure: The destination is less important than what´s right beside. I cannot agree with the first point you mentioned. Promising kids an ice cream at the end of the hike sounds more like compensation for doing something that wasn't fun before. Very important: The kids set the pace. So again good planning is crucial, since a hike could take longer than expected. What children always enjoy on the go: cooking or grilling. A trangia to cook spaghetti bolognese or chocolate bananas with them, including preparation of the ingredients, is like a reset on a hike. After such a break, the kids are as fit as at the start. A hike was good if they ask when the next hike will be undertaken. Greetings from Germany
I think the 'forbidden activity' is a great idea. If we teach our kids how to make a camp fire and treat fire with respect, then we know that when they do it next time (either with you or with their friends when older) they will have the knowledge they need to be successful.
That is one of the draws we advertise in my Scout troop - we take boys into the woods and let them "play" with fire, knives, axes, saws, small animals, etc.
I try to watch other hiking channels but I keep coming back to yours! Thanks for this video so much, I homeschool my three kids (9,7, and 4) and hope to start hiking with them soon.
Def plan for things not going according to plan. Go with the flow and make sure they have fun over anything else. Recently had a trip where my 2 year old locked himself in the camper, Slammed his finger in a door good, and a bee bite within 3 hours. By the end of the night he was assed out by the fire in his bag sleeping like an angel. Its tough, especially when kids are younger. Have patience, keep your cool and make it the best you can for them.
Nice tips. My kids are grown, but i'm glad to hear that some of what worked for me and my tribe back in the day is finding support among the "pros" today, especially beginning at 9:09. Kids have lots of energy and imagination, so that one worked very well as a healthy escape valve for the former while encouraging the latter. Stay safe out there.
Thank you for the tips! I have a 5 year old (and a 13 and 23 year old) - and my 5 year old is loving hiking. She really wants to try camping, but I am gradually building up to that with day hikes and loops at state parks. One of the most difficult things to teach her is hydration - but she is slowly getting it. Her longest hike so far was a 3.1 mile loop and she loved it. Over this coming weekend we are doing a total of 7 miles (not backpacking just yet, only day hiking but with packs this time) - leading up to a fall official backpacking trip in a national forest. The plan for then is to see if she can handle an overnight. Baby steps are the key to getting them in. Thanks again for all that you do! Stay safe and rock on, Dixie!
You are an awesome teacher. Being a girl Scout and a leader no wonder you are where are. Kudos to you and wish other people take your advice to get the younger generation to see what is really out there in nature.. Love this presentation to help teach what it's all about.. Very few have clue... Hike on Dixie......
Relatively speaking I grew up wild and free by virtue of living on a beach in the PNW. There were lots of kids around and we had campfires on the beach all the time. I learned about building fires and balancing on logs, I became proficient with boats and knots, water /boating safety, maneuvering a vehicle either with engines or paddling or sails and steering and reading wind and weather. We fished and dug up clams. At 12 yrs old I took a water ski boat to a city dock all by myself and shopped for school clothes. No kid is safe doing that these days! I also would take a little put put boat to visit and elderly aunt and uncle also on the water. I definitely developed an appreciation for nature. We also had woods behind the house and explored there all the time. A beach or lake is a huge playground and that's a great place to take kids to learn things as an introduction to the out of doors. Any outdoor skills instills a sense of independence. ☺
I took my at the time 5yo on a 5 mile hike ( Point Reyes) while it was moderately raining. She had a blast. Glad you’re covering this to introduce enjoying and respecting nature.
I hike with my two boys (Ages 16 and 10) and it's a great bonding experience. I have them help with finding which way to go at trail junctions, I let them pick where we're going to stop for lunch. And as we're hiking, I find they're talking together and enjoying the experience. I hope when I'm gone someday, my kids remember our hikes together as one of their fondest memories of time with their dad during their childhood.
Hiking to water is always good and bribery is key! Two years ago we took four kids- 3,4,5, and 6- to the top of Mt Lassen by letting the kids pick a special treat to eat at the top and giving them a few M&Ms our rest stops.
Wow, I'm very familiar with that hike and it's so cool you got the little ones to make it up there. I hope it was a really clear day for you all that day.
I've hiked with my 2 boys who are now 11 and 8 for a few years. They love it but definitely snacks are essential! We also get a mini blizzard at DQ on the way home. Its tradition
We did our first overnight hike with our 3 year old over Memorial Day and he did fantastic. I recommend hiking to a base camp and then doing day trips from there so you can adjust on the fly.... thanks for the content.
@@Confoil hahaha Well he carried the eno for camp lounging and my pack was 18lbs with the 3 man tent (Big Agnes Copper Spur) a helonix chair zero and all our food so i felt like we did pretty well.
Yes, yes, YES! On all counts. You are so spot on! Definitely utilized ALL these tips with my son who is now 21. Don’t even know how I knew what to do but it was just instinct with our family’s love of the outdoors and hiking. He went through his video game and high school crazy phase and I’m so happy he’s asking about hiking and backpacking again. It makes me fell like all is not lost and we did okay as parents!
Thanks Dixie for mentioning my Happy Hiker award idea and promoting Leave No Trace. Gonna make some eggs for breakfast on that cast iron skillet :) I learned something new from your video - allow phones for pictures, plant identification and star guide apps. Keep up the great content and have a great day!
You post caused me to remember my years in Boy Scouts, they were some of the best years of my life. Thank you for sharing your time and especially your life through the years. Safe Travels my Friend!
So glad you posted the family of 8, Fight for Together. I was in awe of their AT adventure accomplishment. Thanks Dixie for all your insight of hiking, I am getting hooked.
Dixie, you have inspired me to plan my own thru hike. I plan to start with the Loyalsock Trail in Pa, then the Pinhoti, then the AT. The AT has been a long time dream of mine but I am so inspired these days not only by you, but my own trail experiences and by doing trail magic this summer during Covid when it’s rare from what I’ve heard from the hikers I’ve helped, especially when it comes to rides. You have been such an inspiration and as a woman WOMAN you are the best resource out there (the period stuff OMG) I’ve been taking short trips here and there, improving and shaking down my gear and I kinda can’t wait for the day when I’ll set off. Thank you for everything.❤️
"Just move and I will do it myself", great reminder that teaching and then letting children do things with guidance takes more time and is so, so worth it.
Tip 11: Have an activity planned for midday-something to look forward to before getting to camp. Depending your location, here are some suggestions. EXAMPLES: Bouldering, free-climbing (Easy-Moderate), swimming, waterslides (pitched slab formations with running water hat dumps in a pool), and the aforementioned scavenger hunts. Best thing I found: 1880’s Silver Dollar. Thanks Dixie for always putting out such informative and well-researched content. 🌿
Let the kids set the pace. I always had my son lead. This way he wasn't looking at my backside the whole time and would cruise along. I could then monitor his pace and decide if I needed to nudge him along or not. I was fortunate that my son always loved hiking. He started up the hill in diapers out pacing his mother. Living in western Montana you have extra fun of going up really big hills a lot. I also planned our backpacking trip distances based on his pace.
Thank you for this to you and those that shared tips. My older kids are 9, 10 and 11 and I've been trying to get them out hiking the last few years and it's like pulling teeth. When they were younger it was hard to go anywhere with them without my husband so I didn't go. I've been bringing my youngest out with us since she was a babe (she is now 3) and she loves it. She can out walk my other kids by far plus she loves nature. But I'm hoping these tips help my older kids to enjoy it a little more too.
Great tips. I've used the ice cream one when hiking with my nieces and nephews. Works every time. They've never had a problem hiking to the destination. It's the hike back to the car when they start dragging their feet. I understand, I'm kind of the same way. And I usually get myself some ice cream when I get back from a solo hike.
Wow, some really great suggestions! Anything that gets them outside and away from their game consoles is a winner to me! Even better if/when they develop an appreciation for the outdoors! Thank you to all that contributed!👏👏✌️
cute foto, Dixie :) what many forget - it's definitely treacherous waters. Thikn twice before forcing your kids to hike. My mum took my brother and I for 2 weeks full of daily hikes in the mountains in my home country when I was just 9-10. It bites her backs every two years, as she has to come with me to mountain hikes since I left for college 15 years ago. This year has to join me for a little thruhike of 800 km. Regardless of her 60yo knees ;) so be careful where you take your kids, they might catch proverbial bug just like I did and give you back :D
I was an Assistant Scoutmaster for many years, your tips are very good. We would start out with backyard camping(the SM's or mine). We would be in the woods about 100 yards from the house and let the kids have fun. For some of the 11 year olds, 100 yards with their first pack was the limit. We taught them and they got better so that we could take trip. It was a lot of work and fun. Good Luck, Rick
I’m envious of the mamas who will have their babies around the same time you do, if you do. Imagine, they can keep an eye on what you’re doing, and be inspired to lockstep with you and get their babies and selves out into the wild, where so much of parenting/daily anxiety and stress actually falls away, rather than builds, once you have your wild legs, so to speak. I’ve been all-weather hiking with my kids since they were in a carrier on my front and my pack was on my back - or vice versa - and because of that, there has never been a day when either one of them didn’t want to go outside and into the forest. The trick get the right gear, and get out no matter what. I’ve found most of our gear through hand-me-downs and thrift stores over the years. Mostly, we end up paying full price for wool socks. We’re going snowshoeing today, which brings me to my tip: bring or make a hot drink, no matter the season. Great for bedtime, or a rainy slog up or down a mountain. A couple more tips: - change of clothes - bail out plan - everybody gets a whistle - teach them to hug a tree if they get lost - go just a *little* further than you think they can - keep your reactions to any injury or scary encounter calm and steady (they’re looking at you for how to react themselves) - is there a topic you normally don’t enjoy discussing? Pokémon? Dinosaurs? Robot fairies? Indulge them on the trail. Go for it, kid! - avoid too much build up in the days/hours leading up to the trek. “Let’s go exploring. Maybe we’ll find a waterfall.” Rather than “THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST DAY EVER!” - Avoid too much praise. This isn’t about our approval, but more about them building self-confidence that doesn’t rely on countless “Good jobs!” Phew. Over commented ... but there you have it. I appreciate your content immensely, Dixie. Especially as I try to lighten my load so I can carry more food for us on multi-day hikes.
This was a timely video for me! We are going camping with our three kids (10, 8 & 6) in a few weeks and we plan to get a lot of day hikes in. Thanks for the tips!
Great video as always Dixie! Love the ideas. From a father that has children in their teens and 20s it's great to get them out there to experience and enjoy the outdoors. They love it when they're out there. I'm lucky enough to finally get them to backpack with me into the backcountry this year in the Wind River range. Can't wait!
THANK YOU ! THIS WOULD WORK FOR ANY AGE GROUP ! IF THEY DON'T TRY IT OUT JUST ONCE THEY WON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE MISSING . JUST LIKE DIFFERENT FOODS , OR GAMES . MAYBE YOUR FRIENDS OR SIBLINGS HAVE CHILDREN SO MAKE IT FUN & RELAXING FOR EVERYONE INCLUDING YOURSELF . BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS ON YOUR JOURNEYS ! ENJOYED !
I also don't have kids but I will definitely use your advise for my nieces and nephews. Thank you! This is completely unrelated but your arms look incredible! I've been watching you for years, I cried every time you submitted for your triple crown lol. Sending you lots of love from Texas (:
Such awesome tips 😊 I remember my first camping trip with my uncle at about 8/9 I got so bored. I was an urban kid from near Liverpool England, so it was all a bit of a shock. But I learned to love the experience, though maybe not at the time. 30 years can make a big difference. Thanks Dixie, very refreshing video, take care 👍🙂💖
How fun to get to be mentioned in the list! And some great tips in there. The imitate animal sounds. Love it. Told the kids yesterday, after seeing 5 grizzlies in 2 days, "Bears don't think it polite to be imitated."
Hello Dixie, great video. Thanks for sharing. You brought out some great ideas for camping with children. As a youngster, I really enjoyed camping with family. To this day, some 60 years later, I still enjoy hiking and camping. All the best to Dixie. Please stay healthy. 🤗
Mine both actually started w/me carrying them...in backpacks....lol At a very young age I got them both small camelbaks to carry their own water, snacks, etc. Some great destinations that are 'hike to' is Mt. LeConte (if you can get a reservation), the Hike Inn (In Ga.) or Charit Creek Lodge in the Big South Fork, to name a few. Big rewards for reaching all of those destinations as well.
Thanks, Dixie! I have a 1 and 3 year old and can't wait to put some of this advice into practice! I've searched for other videos on this topic, but this is the best I've seen so far.
Do lots of tramps with my kids now they are organizing the trip and inviting me along so cool. I am also a cub leader and od enjoy taming the cubs out on overnights to huts
Dixie thank you for another great video. Your last tip really hit home with me. I grew up backpacking in boy scouts and was fortunate to have leaders that taught us it was okay to screw up, and encouraged us to figure it out on our own. It may seem easier at the time to do something for them but it's really easy when they learn to do it for themselves.
Thanks for the tips Dixie. I started taking my girls (11 and 13) on some of my waterfall hikes ( see videos if interested ). They really seem to enjoy the challenge of getting to a goal ie: beautiful view. They think it’s cool that they are on UA-cam. A well packed lunch always helps and the promise of ice cream on the way home seals the deal. I plan on overnighters in the near future. Once again thanks for the tips.
Hey Dixie I think it's really great that you were a girl scout troop leader. I think you will make a wonderful Mom someday. Thanks you for all your videos. My Grandaughter is 2 1/2 I'm really looking fwd to getting her out on a trail.
I just started hiking and I’m including my grandkids.. We’ve done a few sections on the PCT and this last weekend we did a few miles from the start of the PCT at the Mexican boarder.. so kudos on the video 🤗
Great subject for a video. My ex and i had ours camping/hiking/outddors since they were wee ones. One "tech" suggestion would be geocaching. That game can be played on a phone or GPS. A lot of hiking venues have geocaches, physical or virtual.
Great points. I wish I'd done more like this with my kids when they were younger, but they were NOT receptive to this then. We bought a camper and did the campground thing, but the experience was diminished to a degree. Now that my kids are more in to that, I'm now older, with joints that strenuously object to burdens and a back that has no inclination to bear them. My bushcraft knowledge has grown with UA-cam videos (I had no one to teach me and it has been a wonderful learning tool) and wish to pass these lessons on to my children, even though they are now adults. I have a cousin who went to Auburn. You look to be young enough to know my cousin who went there. I'll not speculate on your age, but maybe you know him? LOL!! Hey, you never know!
I almost passed on this video. My wife and I chose not to have kids. We do not take kids camping. But I am glad I watched it. There were some clever suggestions.
This summer I've done hikes with my boys and my nieces and nephew. I would also recommend "dress for success." Make sure that kids are wearing clothes and footwear that will be comfortable! My crew love to get wet in rivers and waterfalls so quick dry clothes are a must. I would hate for an experienced to be spoiled by blisters from shoes that they outgrew. Or they were too cold or too hot. We bring Mission cooling neck gaiters in the hot weather (also great as a quick mask if the trail gets busy) and always make sure they each have an extra dry shirt in their pack just in case.
Technology is real. Getting my sister to leave her room and spend time with the family when she was 15, promises of a great photo spot for Instagram went a long way. It was good because, honestly, we liked having a good photo as well, and she got to be outside and talk to us a little, in a way she would not have engaged if she had just stayed at home on her phone.
These are all great tips! We are a hiking family of 5, with three small kids (2, 4, and 6). Definitely snacks and "any snack of your choice at the magical gas station...*once we make it out of here :) Thanks Dixie, you are an inspiration to us! #TeamCarterFamily we hope to see you on trail one day!
🍎 some great tips and ideas in here. We find out if we can get our boys talking about something they are interested in they will go on without complaining for miles and miles. Thanks for putting this together. - H
We used to take all her nieces and nephews and her daughter all out hiking and camping overnight. My wife will get up in the morning and make gravy and biscuits over an open fire how to cast iron skillets. We were lucky to live here in North Carolina close to Pilot Mountain State Park Hanging Rock State Park also. We spent a lot of time up there with those kids and took them to Stone Mountain once in awhile. All of them appreciated it. And yes we went to the Goodwill and picked up packs that didn't cost that much so they would all have a pack and got little bitty odds-and-ends for them to have in it including snacks little rain jackets anything we can find. If you talk to them about any of this they will tell you their biggest and most enjoyable hike was Mount Mitchell. As you know you hike the Appalachian Trail Mount Mitchell is the highest point in the eastern part of the United States. I took seven kids up it it was 87° when it started at the bottom at Black Mountain campgrounds. When we got to the top it was 42 degrees and freezing rain. It was supposed to be a clear day. Even though the last mile and a half of our hike was a rough hike all those kids to this day talk about it and how much they enjoyed it even though they were all dead tired. Youngest niece at the time went back to school at fall and told her teacher she hiked Mount Mitchell she didn't believe her. She took out her real phone that she had I started showing her pictures. To this day all those kids say the same thing and they're now having kids we will take our kids hiking and camping because it teaches them a lot about life. Thanks for sharing your photos
Another tip if you live in New England is that the AMC huts in New Hampshire are a great way to bridge the gap between hiking and backpacking because you don't have to carry dinner, breakfast, a tent, or a sleeping bag+pad. But you do have to practice hiking all day to get to the place you're sleeping, then sleeping in a place where you don't have all of the comforts you would have at home.
When I was a Girl Scout, we went summer camping and played a twist on a scavenger hunt where we were divided into groups and each group had to chose an animal. The object of the hunt was to designated a leader of each group and the leader was the only person in each group allowed to pick up and collect the item on the scavenger hunt list. How the leader knew where to collect the item was to listen for the sound of the animal your group chose at the beginning of the hunt. The group I was in chose a cow as our animal, so I had to listen for "moo, moo, moo" whenever the kids in my group spotted an item on the list in order for me to pick up the item since I was the leader of the group. I'm 43 years now and to this day, my nickname is "moo cow." 😆😆 Some of my friends have kids and their kids call me "Aunt Moo".....the name has stuck with me since the 80s and I wouldn't have it any other way 😊 🐮
I took my 8 year old Owen on an overnight on the AT here in Maine- A week later I took my 10 year old son on a 2 night trip ending taking Canoe ferry across kennebeck river. Be patient, I brought their iPad with downloaded movies for nighttime in the hammock- I strung our hammocks rite next to each other under same rainfly. There was no cell service so I brought my spot messenger in case anything happened to me, I taught them to uses SOS feature.
Awesome video content Dixie ,, with great tips and info.... I feel so many kids are pushed to hard into one specific sport like soccer or karate and not getting to experience something new and different...to let them find their own skills,, talents and interests .... It's amazing to me how many adults I've met that have never been out on any type of trail away from their hometown. They just don't know what they're missing..... seems like this topic could really come up with great ideas......but you certainly covered a lot of great points.... ....Stay Safe and God Bless .......
Informative video, Dixie. We also utilize technology by geocaching... our preteens love geochacing and it keeps them engaged with their surroundings and they look forward to hikes wherever we travel.
I love taking my son hiking he enjoys the river so I always try to take him on hikes that leads to a waterfall or river along the way we stop to get into the river if we can. And like Dixie I'm from Alabama and it seems to always be cooler around rivers 😂 so kids are usually happier because it's not as hot.
Here's my tip for hiking with kids...even ones in there teens. Don't expect them to be in the same shape you are. I just took my 17yo son on a 7 mile hike up a mountain and around a loop....he hated it and was winded about one third the way up the mountain.
We are currently preparing our little man (he’s 3 now) for thru hiking the Appalacian Trail!!! I love your videos!!! Thank you!! Do you ever plan to do the American discovery??
Also, bring comforts from home. Their favorite toy, blanket, maybe a fun pillow. Let them pick which side of the tent they want, etc. Sleep is super important. For you and them. The more comfortable you can make it for them, the better everyone sleeps. Lol
This is quite a difficult topic to talk about, simply because there is such a wide range of things to consider. Hiking with children of different ages can require vastly different strategies. With my 5 year old son, for example, I have learned not to try and hurry him along at all. If he is moving, even very very slowly, then that is a win. A major problem is when we hike with other people and they want to move faster and so start trying to get him to walk faster too.
Last summer I took my whole family backpacking. We hiked into a base camp, and did day hikes and a summit from there. It was so wonderful. The more kids we can get unplugged and into the wilderness, the better.
“Make memories, not miles” I love it! 🤗
My "kid" will be 49 tomorrow....I'll be sharing this video with him for the next time I take him camping. :-}
The treat after hiking/camping he's going to ask for a steak hahaha
Big props to your mom Dixie, you had some good raising. Thanks for more great tips 👍
Give them a treat they wouldn’t normally be allowed to have...
“Good job Little Billy! Here’s a beer”
One of our favorite things to do, is to pack out hammocks and hike on a creek trail. We hike for a bit, set out the hammocks by the creek, play in the water, eat, dry out and then head home. North Georgia has plenty of ideal hikes for kids.
You had the rare fortunate experience of being a troop leader for your sisters! That is awesome!
Dixie! Our family was hiking the Pacific Northwest Trail when this video came out, I can’t believe I didn’t see it till now! Thank you for including our link! What an honor ❤️. I teared up at the end to hear you talk about the importance of being in nature and bonding. That’s one of my favorite things about long-distance hiking with our kids: distraction free time to really get to know each other. It is a treasure! We love you! We are hitting the CDT in April, time to rewatch all your CDT videos 😁-mindi
GREAT topic Dixie. I have seen some great videos on hiking/backpacking with children, but for the life of me I don't understand why UA-cam is loaded with them. My youngest is 38 years old and we all have great outdoor memories. Now I get to relive those times with my grandchildren (ages 2-9). One of their favorite stores is REI. Only tips I can offer is every now and then stoop down and look at your surroundings while hiking. Keep in mind that a child's eyes may only be 40 inches off the ground. And the other tip is try not to say "No". You really hit a home run with this video. You sure have a wonderful mother. Tell her I said so.
I'm not the target audience for this and I do not care, all your content is amazing
Aww, well thank you!
I concur. Always well-researched.
Me too. Kids are grown and out of the house, but I still enjoyed the video.
Thank you Dixie, as always - A great video.
I haven’t got kids either, but.. I think what I like most about this channel is that Dixie is showing people the beauty of nature, promoting and trying to expand the backpacking/ hiking community. Everyone can give back in their own way, but she is right, make it fun for those who are around you.. I think this is a universal message for whenever we are around others.. little ones, or those who are kids at heart but just starting out, those who are progressing up, or especially those who are still reluctant to get outside. We each have Our role as an ambassador to recruit others in.
Fantastic episode. Thanks for putting this one together, Dixie. As a dad of 4 great kiddos (ages 8 to 16) I use many of these tips/tricks. The “after hike treat” has become the norm for the crew, aka “Team Awesome”. I recommend creating a team name for the family. Let the kids pick it out and come up with a cool logo. Adventure at their pace. Allow time for them to enjoy nature...smell the roses! Most of all be “with” your family. Don’t worry about the time or reaching the destination or all the work that is waiting for you back at the office, be “with” the family. Enjoy the time and make every moment precious. Love the center piece from nature idea, we will be using that on the next adventure.
This was really great! I don't have kids either but I've hiked since childhood and remember many of these points. Small addition especially for older kids and teenagers: if they're interested, involve them in your route planning.
Definitely! That's what we enjoyed as teenagers, especially when we became good enough to prove our parents wrong. Now adding GPS and mobile phones to the navigation more often than not I'm better at navigation than my dad.😀
My two daughters are all grown up and do hike with me. Now after watching this video, I can't wait for the grand children!
Awesome. I am taking my three little grandchildren hiking and camping this month. So thankful.
I love your ideas! You are an amazing woman and such a beautiful soul! I hope to see you find your soulmate and hike with your children. I feel you go above and beyond to see things from other perspectives as I try to do. As a mother of 3 this video is appreciated SO MUCH!!
When hiking with my kids I almost always bring the freeze dried Ice Cream Sandwiches for one desert. They always love it and ask if we will have them (I personally don't care for them). We also hit a fastfood joint on the way to the hike and one on the way back (usually something we don't normally do). Our favorite area is Grayson Highlands in VA. You start at a high altitude so there is not as much elevation changes but you get enough to feel like you are (not to mention the views). You have the rock scrambles and areas they can feel like they are doing bouldering or rock climbing. And of course, there are the PONIES! The most difficult thing I have had is being able to get my kids to use the toilet in the woods - the privies are good for this but even those they really don't want to use it nor are they always available. Also, I always (even as young as 5 years old) teach my kids how to navigate the trail and how to keep from getting lost. I encourage them to show me how to get back, which way is which.
OH, and every kid is different. My middle child wants the long distance hikes, she wants the miles (so we go on longer hikes). My oldest wants to explore, look for bugs and animals (so we will spend a lot more time at camp- camping early and not departing too early). My youngest is a mix of the other two, however he wants to take more breaks to just relax and then will explore (but just the immediate area - the oldest one: I have to make sure she has a whistle because of how far she goes).
You are awesome! Please come be a guest on my podcast Trail Tales 😀
I love that you were a Girl Scout and Leader! I’m a Girl Guide leader in the U.K. and love sharing the outdoors with them. We did a trip to Switzerland including camping and hiking last summer
My group was in Switzerland last summer too! We stayed at Our Chalet, which was amazing. Girl Scouting teaches progression when it comes to the outdoors. We spent many years building up to more adventurous trips.
those are great tips! I'd like to add a couple that work for us (mom & son,5) :
- involve your kids in the planning process! I use maps, guides and YT-videos for the planning. My son loves the planning and then recognizing what we saw in videos before! I think it makes him feel accomplished to actually hike somewhere he's only seen "on tv" before. Also planning takes away his anxiety of the unknown.
- the 10% rule is a good guideline for the weight the child can carry
- frequent breaks! we usually take a break every hour, sometimes just a couple of minutes, sometimes longer. kids need to run around without a backpack in between. Is it always fun and easy for me to walk slowly and then take breaks this often? no! Does it help my kid to enjoy the hike more? Yes! So we walk slow and take breaks.
- take more zeros or neros than you would need for yourself. Also chances are you carry a lot of weight, so your body may need the rest as well!
(to clarify: we do day hikes as well as longer hikes in Europe, mostly Germany. Last year, we went to Bornholm, Denmark and hiked the kyststi (120k) in 9 days - that was my son's first official thru-hike. pretty awesome for a then-four-yr-old ;) )
Man, I'm planning a 130km hike (Kyst-til-Kyst, Vejle-Blåvandshuk in Denmark) in 7 days. Your kid is way more badass than I am! That is awesome!
Great video. I wish this one was made before my son (who turned 14 on trail) and I started our thru-hike last season. I got really frustrated with him for raiding hiker boxes (he found a 6" knife in Gatlinburg that he carried to our finish in NJ) and his desire to get something at every Dollar General we stopped at, but looking back, those things kept him going. My tramily and I let him have some say in our daily mileage and even though he was the stronger hiker of all of us, we tried not to push him too much. Playing games, such as tossing a frisbee was a highlight for him.
Hey Dixie,
I like to hike two or three times a year with my two nephews (6/11). Meanwhile, even for the youngerone, distances of 10 km (6 mi) are not a problem at all.
Good planning is extremly important. What makes a hiking trail attractive is not the same for children and adults. Children are less interested in beautiful views for example.
Ideally, the path offers many small adventures: interesting trees/plants, animals, waterfalls, small climbing tours. Being excited what comes next is the key. Especially with kids a hike should be seen more like an adventure: The destination is less important than what´s right beside.
I cannot agree with the first point you mentioned. Promising kids an ice cream at the end of the hike sounds more like compensation for doing something that wasn't fun before.
Very important: The kids set the pace. So again good planning is crucial, since a hike could take longer than expected.
What children always enjoy on the go: cooking or grilling.
A trangia to cook spaghetti bolognese or chocolate bananas with them, including preparation of the ingredients, is like a reset on a hike. After such a break, the kids are as fit as at the start.
A hike was good if they ask when the next hike will be undertaken.
Greetings from Germany
not all 10km hikes are created equal. my kid can do 20km on the right trail, but maybe only 5km on others. elevation changes can be brutal.
My 5 year old loves hiking and now backpacking. Longest hike in one day was 7 miles and 18 in 3 days. She likes making little videos along the way.
I think the 'forbidden activity' is a great idea. If we teach our kids how to make a camp fire and treat fire with respect, then we know that when they do it next time (either with you or with their friends when older) they will have the knowledge they need to be successful.
I agree with this. My son is 15 and letting him make the fire is the only way to get him outside
YES!! This right here!
Not to mention building a fire is a stay alive skill
That is one of the draws we advertise in my Scout troop - we take boys into the woods and let them "play" with fire, knives, axes, saws, small animals, etc.
I try to watch other hiking channels but I keep coming back to yours! Thanks for this video so much, I homeschool my three kids (9,7, and 4) and hope to start hiking with them soon.
Def plan for things not going according to plan. Go with the flow and make sure they have fun over anything else. Recently had a trip where my 2 year old locked himself in the camper, Slammed his finger in a door good, and a bee bite within 3 hours. By the end of the night he was assed out by the fire in his bag sleeping like an angel. Its tough, especially when kids are younger. Have patience, keep your cool and make it the best you can for them.
Nice tips. My kids are grown, but i'm glad to hear that some of what worked for me and my tribe back in the day is finding support among the "pros" today, especially beginning at 9:09. Kids have lots of energy and imagination, so that one worked very well as a healthy escape valve for the former while encouraging the latter. Stay safe out there.
I am a Eagle Scout...You rock for being a Girl Scout...So does your mom!! My brothers in scouting will agree that small trips to start is best!
Thank you for the tips! I have a 5 year old (and a 13 and 23 year old) - and my 5 year old is loving hiking. She really wants to try camping, but I am gradually building up to that with day hikes and loops at state parks. One of the most difficult things to teach her is hydration - but she is slowly getting it. Her longest hike so far was a 3.1 mile loop and she loved it. Over this coming weekend we are doing a total of 7 miles (not backpacking just yet, only day hiking but with packs this time) - leading up to a fall official backpacking trip in a national forest. The plan for then is to see if she can handle an overnight. Baby steps are the key to getting them in. Thanks again for all that you do! Stay safe and rock on, Dixie!
You have clearly put a lot of thought into this video. You really have a teachers heart. Thanks.
You are an awesome teacher.
Being a girl Scout and a leader no wonder you are where are.
Kudos to you and wish other people take your advice to get the younger generation to see what is really out there in nature..
Love this presentation to help teach what it's all about.. Very few have clue...
Hike on Dixie......
Relatively speaking I grew up wild and free by virtue of living on a beach in the PNW. There were lots of kids around and we had campfires on the beach all the time. I learned about building fires and balancing on logs, I became proficient with boats and knots, water /boating safety, maneuvering a vehicle either with engines or paddling or sails and steering and reading wind and weather. We fished and dug up clams. At 12 yrs old I took a water ski boat to a city dock all by myself and shopped for school clothes. No kid is safe doing that these days! I also would take a little put put boat to visit and elderly aunt and uncle also on the water. I definitely developed an appreciation for nature. We also had woods behind the house and explored there all the time. A beach or lake is a huge playground and that's a great place to take kids to learn things as an introduction to the out of doors. Any outdoor skills instills a sense of independence. ☺
I took my at the time 5yo on a 5 mile hike ( Point Reyes) while it was moderately raining. She had a blast. Glad you’re covering this to introduce enjoying and respecting nature.
I hike with my two boys (Ages 16 and 10) and it's a great bonding experience. I have them help with finding which way to go at trail junctions, I let them pick where we're going to stop for lunch. And as we're hiking, I find they're talking together and enjoying the experience. I hope when I'm gone someday, my kids remember our hikes together as one of their fondest memories of time with their dad during their childhood.
Hiking to water is always good and bribery is key! Two years ago we took four kids- 3,4,5, and 6- to the top of Mt Lassen by letting the kids pick a special treat to eat at the top and giving them a few M&Ms our rest stops.
Wow, I'm very familiar with that hike and it's so cool you got the little ones to make it up there. I hope it was a really clear day for you all that day.
I've hiked with my 2 boys who are now 11 and 8 for a few years. They love it but definitely snacks are essential! We also get a mini blizzard at DQ on the way home. Its tradition
We did our first overnight hike with our 3 year old over Memorial Day and he did fantastic. I recommend hiking to a base camp and then doing day trips from there so you can adjust on the fly.... thanks for the content.
I guess that's proof that you're not a gram weenie. 👍
@@Confoil hahaha Well he carried the eno for camp lounging and my pack was 18lbs with the 3 man tent (Big Agnes Copper Spur) a helonix chair zero and all our food so i felt like we did pretty well.
Very good advice we stated with back yard camping and it was a huge hit and letting them pick there own gear is a big one too
Yes, yes, YES! On all counts. You are so spot on! Definitely utilized ALL these tips with my son who is now 21. Don’t even know how I knew what to do but it was just instinct with our family’s love of the outdoors and hiking. He went through his video game and high school crazy phase and I’m so happy he’s asking about hiking and backpacking again. It makes me fell like all is not lost and we did okay as parents!
Thanks Dixie for mentioning my Happy Hiker award idea and promoting Leave No Trace. Gonna make some eggs for breakfast on that cast iron skillet :) I learned something new from your video - allow phones for pictures, plant identification and star guide apps. Keep up the great content and have a great day!
Thank you for contributing! Such a great idea ♥️ The repurposing of the skillet is AWESOME 🙌🏻
Me and mine would go looking for snakes, scorpions, spider and etc. Wife didn’t particularly like it but I was always there to supervise the hunt.
You post caused me to remember my years in Boy Scouts, they were some of the best years of my life. Thank you for sharing your time and especially your life through the years.
Safe Travels my Friend!
So glad you posted the family of 8, Fight for Together. I was in awe of their AT adventure accomplishment. Thanks Dixie for all your insight of hiking, I am getting hooked.
Dixie, you have inspired me to plan my own thru hike. I plan to start with the Loyalsock Trail in Pa, then the Pinhoti, then the AT. The AT has been a long time dream of mine but I am so inspired these days not only by you, but my own trail experiences and by doing trail magic this summer during Covid when it’s rare from what I’ve heard from the hikers I’ve helped, especially when it comes to rides.
You have been such an inspiration and as a woman WOMAN you are the best resource out there (the period stuff OMG) I’ve been taking short trips here and there, improving and shaking down my gear and I kinda can’t wait for the day when I’ll set off. Thank you for everything.❤️
Also this video rocks. Kids need to be Wild.
"Just move and I will do it myself", great reminder that teaching and then letting children do things with guidance takes more time and is so, so worth it.
Your advice is spot on. Hiking with kids is a lot of fun but being prepared really makes the experience better.
Squeee!!! Little girl Jessica is absolutely adorable!
Tip 11: Have an activity planned for midday-something to look forward to before getting to camp. Depending your location, here are some suggestions. EXAMPLES: Bouldering, free-climbing (Easy-Moderate), swimming, waterslides (pitched slab formations with running water hat dumps in a pool), and the aforementioned scavenger hunts. Best thing I found: 1880’s Silver Dollar. Thanks Dixie for always putting out such informative and well-researched content. 🌿
Let the kids set the pace. I always had my son lead. This way he wasn't looking at my backside the whole time and would cruise along. I could then monitor his pace and decide if I needed to nudge him along or not. I was fortunate that my son always loved hiking. He started up the hill in diapers out pacing his mother. Living in western Montana you have extra fun of going up really big hills a lot. I also planned our backpacking trip distances based on his pace.
Thank you for this to you and those that shared tips. My older kids are 9, 10 and 11 and I've been trying to get them out hiking the last few years and it's like pulling teeth. When they were younger it was hard to go anywhere with them without my husband so I didn't go. I've been bringing my youngest out with us since she was a babe (she is now 3) and she loves it. She can out walk my other kids by far plus she loves nature. But I'm hoping these tips help my older kids to enjoy it a little more too.
Great tips. I've used the ice cream one when hiking with my nieces and nephews. Works every time. They've never had a problem hiking to the destination. It's the hike back to the car when they start dragging their feet. I understand, I'm kind of the same way. And I usually get myself some ice cream when I get back from a solo hike.
Wow, some really great suggestions! Anything that gets them outside and away from their game consoles is a winner to me! Even better if/when they develop an appreciation for the outdoors! Thank you to all that contributed!👏👏✌️
cute foto, Dixie :)
what many forget - it's definitely treacherous waters. Thikn twice before forcing your kids to hike. My mum took my brother and I for 2 weeks full of daily hikes in the mountains in my home country when I was just 9-10. It bites her backs every two years, as she has to come with me to mountain hikes since I left for college 15 years ago. This year has to join me for a little thruhike of 800 km. Regardless of her 60yo knees ;)
so be careful where you take your kids, they might catch proverbial bug just like I did and give you back :D
I was an Assistant Scoutmaster for many years, your tips are very good. We would start out with backyard camping(the SM's or mine). We would be in the woods about 100 yards from the house and let the kids have fun. For some of the 11 year olds, 100 yards with their first pack was the limit. We taught them and they got better so that we could take trip. It was a lot of work and fun. Good Luck, Rick
I’m envious of the mamas who will have their babies around the same time you do, if you do. Imagine, they can keep an eye on what you’re doing, and be inspired to lockstep with you and get their babies and selves out into the wild, where so much of parenting/daily anxiety and stress actually falls away, rather than builds, once you have your wild legs, so to speak.
I’ve been all-weather hiking with my kids since they were in a carrier on my front and my pack was on my back - or vice versa - and because of that, there has never been a day when either one of them didn’t want to go outside and into the forest. The trick get the right gear, and get out no matter what. I’ve found most of our gear through hand-me-downs and thrift stores over the years. Mostly, we end up paying full price for wool socks.
We’re going snowshoeing today, which brings me to my tip: bring or make a hot drink, no matter the season. Great for bedtime, or a rainy slog up or down a mountain.
A couple more tips:
- change of clothes
- bail out plan
- everybody gets a whistle
- teach them to hug a tree if they get lost
- go just a *little* further than you think they can
- keep your reactions to any injury or scary encounter calm and steady (they’re looking at you for how to react themselves)
- is there a topic you normally don’t enjoy discussing? Pokémon? Dinosaurs? Robot fairies? Indulge them on the trail. Go for it, kid!
- avoid too much build up in the days/hours leading up to the trek. “Let’s go exploring. Maybe we’ll find a waterfall.” Rather than “THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST DAY EVER!”
- Avoid too much praise. This isn’t about our approval, but more about them building self-confidence that doesn’t rely on countless “Good jobs!”
Phew. Over commented ... but there you have it.
I appreciate your content immensely, Dixie. Especially as I try to lighten my load so I can carry more food for us on multi-day hikes.
This was a timely video for me! We are going camping with our three kids (10, 8 & 6) in a few weeks and we plan to get a lot of day hikes in. Thanks for the tips!
Great video as always Dixie! Love the ideas. From a father that has children in their teens and 20s it's great to get them out there to experience and enjoy the outdoors. They love it when they're out there. I'm lucky enough to finally get them to backpack with me into the backcountry this year in the Wind River range. Can't wait!
THANK YOU !
THIS WOULD WORK FOR ANY AGE GROUP ! IF THEY DON'T TRY IT OUT JUST ONCE THEY WON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE MISSING . JUST LIKE DIFFERENT FOODS , OR GAMES . MAYBE YOUR FRIENDS OR SIBLINGS HAVE CHILDREN SO MAKE IT FUN & RELAXING FOR EVERYONE INCLUDING YOURSELF . BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS ON YOUR JOURNEYS ! ENJOYED !
I also don't have kids but I will definitely use your advise for my nieces and nephews. Thank you!
This is completely unrelated but your arms look incredible!
I've been watching you for years, I cried every time you submitted for your triple crown lol.
Sending you lots of love from Texas (:
Such awesome tips 😊 I remember my first camping trip with my uncle at about 8/9 I got so bored. I was an urban kid from near Liverpool England, so it was all a bit of a shock. But I learned to love the experience, though maybe not at the time. 30 years can make a big difference. Thanks Dixie, very refreshing video, take care 👍🙂💖
How fun to get to be mentioned in the list!
And some great tips in there. The imitate animal sounds. Love it. Told the kids yesterday, after seeing 5 grizzlies in 2 days, "Bears don't think it polite to be imitated."
Hahahahaha! This made me laugh out loud. If any one would know about those grizzlies, it’s your fam!
Hello Dixie, great video. Thanks for sharing. You brought out some great ideas for camping with children. As a youngster, I really enjoyed camping with family. To this day, some 60 years later, I still enjoy hiking and camping. All the best to Dixie. Please stay healthy. 🤗
Dixie - You're the best! As someone said earlier, lucky will be the kid who has you for a mom.
Oh I love this!! My little Daisy loves to hike, but I haven't been brave enough to take her overnight camping on the trail! Thanks! xoxo
Mine both actually started w/me carrying them...in backpacks....lol At a very young age I got them both small camelbaks to carry their own water, snacks, etc. Some great destinations that are 'hike to' is Mt. LeConte (if you can get a reservation), the Hike Inn (In Ga.) or Charit Creek Lodge in the Big South Fork, to name a few. Big rewards for reaching all of those destinations as well.
This video came just in time cuz I was thinking of taking my little one out hiking. Thanks.
Thanks, Dixie! I have a 1 and 3 year old and can't wait to put some of this advice into practice! I've searched for other videos on this topic, but this is the best I've seen so far.
Do lots of tramps with my kids now they are organizing the trip and inviting me along so cool.
I am also a cub leader and od enjoy taming the cubs out on overnights to huts
Outstanding information and suggestions Dixie! This is what children need more of today.
Dixie thank you for another great video. Your last tip really hit home with me. I grew up backpacking in boy scouts and was fortunate to have leaders that taught us it was okay to screw up, and encouraged us to figure it out on our own. It may seem easier at the time to do something for them but it's really easy when they learn to do it for themselves.
Thanks for the tips Dixie. I started taking my girls (11 and 13) on some of my waterfall hikes ( see videos if interested ). They really seem to enjoy the challenge of getting to a goal ie: beautiful view. They think it’s cool that they are on UA-cam. A well packed lunch always helps and the promise of ice cream on the way home seals the deal. I plan on overnighters in the near future. Once again thanks for the tips.
Hey Dixie I think it's really great that you were a girl scout troop leader. I think you will make a wonderful Mom someday. Thanks you for all your videos. My Grandaughter is 2 1/2 I'm really looking fwd to getting her out on a trail.
Just my opinion from watching all of your content I believe if you chose to have kids you will make a great mom and raise well rounded children.
FUN makes the dream happen. Goin slow makes that dream grow!
I just started hiking and I’m including my grandkids.. We’ve done a few sections on the PCT and this last weekend we did a few miles from the start of the PCT at the Mexican boarder.. so kudos on the video 🤗
Great subject for a video. My ex and i had ours camping/hiking/outddors since they were wee ones. One "tech" suggestion would be geocaching. That game can be played on a phone or GPS. A lot of hiking venues have geocaches, physical or virtual.
Really enjoyed this. Our adventures started earlier this year, and so farm my 6yo has done about 14 overnights backpacking. Plenty more car camping;)
Great points. I wish I'd done more like this with my kids when they were younger, but they were NOT receptive to this then. We bought a camper and did the campground thing, but the experience was diminished to a degree. Now that my kids are more in to that, I'm now older, with joints that strenuously object to burdens and a back that has no inclination to bear them. My bushcraft knowledge has grown with UA-cam videos (I had no one to teach me and it has been a wonderful learning tool) and wish to pass these lessons on to my children, even though they are now adults.
I have a cousin who went to Auburn. You look to be young enough to know my cousin who went there. I'll not speculate on your age, but maybe you know him? LOL!! Hey, you never know!
Did 15km today with my 6yo son, he was not in to it realy..but this video will help ..thank you
I almost passed on this video. My wife and I chose not to have kids. We do not take kids camping. But I am glad I watched it. There were some clever suggestions.
I donr know how I missed this video! I have been waiting for this foe a long time! Thank you!! We are planning the AT this spring :)
This summer I've done hikes with my boys and my nieces and nephew. I would also recommend "dress for success." Make sure that kids are wearing clothes and footwear that will be comfortable! My crew love to get wet in rivers and waterfalls so quick dry clothes are a must. I would hate for an experienced to be spoiled by blisters from shoes that they outgrew. Or they were too cold or too hot. We bring Mission cooling neck gaiters in the hot weather (also great as a quick mask if the trail gets busy) and always make sure they each have an extra dry shirt in their pack just in case.
Yup. Good advice!
This is the cutest photo of young Dixie!!!
Technology is real. Getting my sister to leave her room and spend time with the family when she was 15, promises of a great photo spot for Instagram went a long way.
It was good because, honestly, we liked having a good photo as well, and she got to be outside and talk to us a little, in a way she would not have engaged if she had just stayed at home on her phone.
These are all great tips! We are a hiking family of 5, with three small kids (2, 4, and 6). Definitely snacks and "any snack of your choice at the magical gas station...*once we make it out of here :) Thanks Dixie, you are an inspiration to us! #TeamCarterFamily we hope to see you on trail one day!
🍎 some great tips and ideas in here. We find out if we can get our boys talking about something they are interested in they will go on without complaining for miles and miles. Thanks for putting this together. - H
We used to take all her nieces and nephews and her daughter all out hiking and camping overnight. My wife will get up in the morning and make gravy and biscuits over an open fire how to cast iron skillets. We were lucky to live here in North Carolina close to Pilot Mountain State Park Hanging Rock State Park also. We spent a lot of time up there with those kids and took them to Stone Mountain once in awhile. All of them appreciated it. And yes we went to the Goodwill and picked up packs that didn't cost that much so they would all have a pack and got little bitty odds-and-ends for them to have in it including snacks little rain jackets anything we can find. If you talk to them about any of this they will tell you their biggest and most enjoyable hike was Mount Mitchell. As you know you hike the Appalachian Trail Mount Mitchell is the highest point in the eastern part of the United States. I took seven kids up it it was 87° when it started at the bottom at Black Mountain campgrounds. When we got to the top it was 42 degrees and freezing rain. It was supposed to be a clear day. Even though the last mile and a half of our hike was a rough hike all those kids to this day talk about it and how much they enjoyed it even though they were all dead tired. Youngest niece at the time went back to school at fall and told her teacher she hiked Mount Mitchell she didn't believe her. She took out her real phone that she had I started showing her pictures. To this day all those kids say the same thing and they're now having kids we will take our kids hiking and camping because it teaches them a lot about life. Thanks for sharing your photos
Another tip if you live in New England is that the AMC huts in New Hampshire are a great way to bridge the gap between hiking and backpacking because you don't have to carry dinner, breakfast, a tent, or a sleeping bag+pad. But you do have to practice hiking all day to get to the place you're sleeping, then sleeping in a place where you don't have all of the comforts you would have at home.
When I was a Girl Scout, we went summer camping and played a twist on a scavenger hunt where we were divided into groups and each group had to chose an animal. The object of the hunt was to designated a leader of each group and the leader was the only person in each group allowed to pick up and collect the item on the scavenger hunt list. How the leader knew where to collect the item was to listen for the sound of the animal your group chose at the beginning of the hunt. The group I was in chose a cow as our animal, so I had to listen for "moo, moo, moo" whenever the kids in my group spotted an item on the list in order for me to pick up the item since I was the leader of the group. I'm 43 years now and to this day, my nickname is "moo cow." 😆😆 Some of my friends have kids and their kids call me "Aunt Moo".....the name has stuck with me since the 80s and I wouldn't have it any other way 😊 🐮
Aaaahhhhhh, such an adorable picture of you as a kid! You look the same. Great advice Dixie, for hiking with children.
I took my 8 year old Owen on an overnight on the AT here in Maine- A week later I took my 10 year old son on a 2 night trip ending taking Canoe ferry across kennebeck river. Be patient, I brought their iPad with downloaded movies for nighttime in the hammock- I strung our hammocks rite next to each other under same rainfly. There was no cell service so I brought my spot messenger in case anything happened to me, I taught them to uses SOS feature.
Awesome video content Dixie ,, with great tips and info.... I feel so many kids are pushed to hard into one specific sport like soccer or karate and not getting to experience something new and different...to let them find their own skills,, talents and interests ....
It's amazing to me how many adults I've met that have never been out on any type of trail away from their hometown. They just don't know what they're missing..... seems like this topic could really come up with great ideas......but you certainly covered a lot of great points....
....Stay Safe and God Bless .......
Informative video, Dixie. We also utilize technology by geocaching... our preteens love geochacing and it keeps them engaged with their surroundings and they look forward to hikes wherever we travel.
Ahhh! Yes. I’ve heard this is so fun! Thanks for sharing ♥️
I love taking my son hiking he enjoys the river so I always try to take him on hikes that leads to a waterfall or river along the way we stop to get into the river if we can.
And like Dixie I'm from Alabama and it seems to always be cooler around rivers 😂 so kids are usually happier because it's not as hot.
Here's my tip for hiking with kids...even ones in there teens. Don't expect them to be in the same shape you are. I just took my 17yo son on a 7 mile hike up a mountain and around a loop....he hated it and was winded about one third the way up the mountain.
We are currently preparing our little man (he’s 3 now) for thru hiking the Appalacian Trail!!! I love your videos!!! Thank you!! Do you ever plan to do the American discovery??
Thanks for the info very grateful for your tips. Gracias
Also, bring comforts from home. Their favorite toy, blanket, maybe a fun pillow. Let them pick which side of the tent they want, etc. Sleep is super important. For you and them. The more comfortable you can make it for them, the better everyone sleeps. Lol
Start in the backyard! That can be easy and also fun. I can't count the number of times I slept in a tent in the yard as a kid.
This is quite a difficult topic to talk about, simply because there is such a wide range of things to consider. Hiking with children of different ages can require vastly different strategies. With my 5 year old son, for example, I have learned not to try and hurry him along at all. If he is moving, even very very slowly, then that is a win. A major problem is when we hike with other people and they want to move faster and so start trying to get him to walk faster too.