Rules when hiking with children
We have lots of plans for this summer. At the top of our things-to-do list is hiking with our grandchildren. One set of grandchildren live in a place surrounded by national forests and they often hike with their mother.. The other children live in a more urban environment. Their parents a very busy. For these children out of doors activities are more focused on groomed playing fields. For the second set of grandchildren, hiking might be a nw and challenging experience.
So what is a Grandma to do with two very different sets of grandchildren?
Well, one thing that helps me is each set is one gender – two girls in Montana and two boys in Colorado. One problem might be, while the girls are twin and the same age, the boy are different ages with different skill levels.
I know the girls will be more interested in flowers, waterfalls, and singing marching songs. The boys might enjoy the silly marching songs I know but probably will be more into checking what is under that slimey river rock or hiding in a hole. That’s okay because they should explore stuff at their level.
Maybe Grandpa will shown the grandchilren how to mark a trail so others can follow you or you can use your marks to help you return. Might even make it into a game of hide and seek. Once Grandpa thinks the grandchildren have learn enough, he could go hide, marking his trail along the way, and the grandchildren and I would seek him out. LOL
Establish “Trail Rules” before you get started
For us those Trail Rules are:
Everyone gets a whistle. This is a good thing to have when hiking or anytime. A whistle is a good way to communicate with others and, I am told, because the sound of a whistle is unusual, it will scare any wildlife that might be close by.
One thing we will stress is no running on the trail and definitely never lose sight of your hiking group. If you loose sight of your group, stop and wait for them to catch up.
If you meet another hiker on the trail be courtesy. Remember, horses have the right a way and than come mountain bicycles and hikers are low man on the todem pole. The reason is simple – hikers have the most control of themselves.
Prehaps the most important rules are take you time, explore as much as you want. and enjoy all the yummy snacks Grandma has brought.
Ousel Falls – hiking with grandshildren
